End of a beautiful relationship

Fight my Friend!

Thank You for your contributions to this site. Chin Up. Getting old is not for sissy's .

You are in many of our hearts and minds.

Got no advice for you ... can say a few years back neurologist took my ride/drive privileges away for 5 months , I did get to ride again .... you just never know what up ahead ... always enjoyed your 2 cents here ... don't be a stranger .... good luck !!!! Chin up ....
Craig

I was told by the surgeon 18 months ago I could never risk kickstarting a bike again after a major operation, the repair he had done was a one off and not repeatable. I took it slowly but gradually built my muscles up in strength together with changing my kickstart technique. 6 months later I was starting a 250, 9 months and it was a 441 and then 14 months later the 850. Never give in.

After retirement I worked as a salesman for a large Harley dealer. One day an 80+ year old gentleman came in and wanted to buy an older used bike. Since he walked with a cane I asked him if he really planned to ride his intended new purchase. "No, mostly I just want to bring it home, wax and polish it, and start it up every once in a while. I haven't been able to ride for the last 6 years, but owning a bike makes me feel like I'm still in the game. I plan to keep it for about a year while I get it in A-1 shape, then I 'll sell it for what I have into it. That way I keep busy and some young buck will get a great bike at a special price". I told our dealership owner about his plan and was instructed to take a $1000 off of the price and offer him free delivery. I relayed our offer to the buyer and he couldn't get his checkbook out fast enough. He warned me that I could expect a visit from his daughter over the sale as she looked at daddy's money as part of her retirement plan. Sure enough she came storming in the next day pissed at the world with me at the epicenter. I let her say her piece then asked her to hear my side of the story. I told her that it will keep her dad busy, his mind active, and give him a reason to get up in the morning. Se stormed out not satisfied with the answer because we took "her" money. Nine months later the customer came back in and started looking at used bikes again. He'd just sold the Harley to a young Army Ranger and was looking for a replacement to work on. I gave him the same deal as before and delivered his bike that evening. His daughter didn't come in to bitch me out but she did try to bend the ear of our owner. When I asked him how that went he just smiled and said that he told her to get a life of her own and quit worrying about her inheritance. She threatened to sue and slammed the phone down. No lawsuit followed and the customer started hanging around the shop almost every day. We put him in charge of making coffee at all of our events as we all thought of him as part of our family. He was a great guy and I wonder how the rest of his life went.
Maybe you could do something similar to "Stay in the game".

I am joining my mind and all my support with all that Norton fraternity, to you.

Hard to acknowledge reality we all will face by responding to your news grippner. I try to remember various high-lights in rides or other events I often shared with now dead people - which i thought would out live me. Hope ya find some joy in limited life style left and your end is fast painless for all concerned. Always an uplift to commune with you. Hope ya find good homes for objects others will appreciate your attention too. i suppose family will refuse a Stone movie type motorcycle funeral parade. I'm gonna will my ashes in a old fucked up fiber glass tank with maybe a card player to plug into to show photos and video to pass around for fun that lasts beyond me. Maybe a game tradition will arise on who gets stuck with 'me' next or some jerk that don't give a shit to toss in trash.

gripper said:

Just back from the oncologist and it seems my driving/ riding days are over. After 43 years of Commando ownership and having got it the way I like it with a good selection of useful mods, I have to surrender my license. I thought I would be able to survive with just my Street Triple being electric start and having struggled with the kickstart for a few months but no. This forum and its members have been and amazing bunch and I shall continue to pop in now and again. Merry Christmas

Click to expand...

Very sorry to hear that Gripper, is there no chance of an improvement in your condition then?

After very successful surgery for the old "bengal lancer" i was commanded by the surgeon not to ride for 6 months... after getting home for couple of weeks,I waited for her indoors to bugger off outdoors, went and tried and Voila! Off down the road with the fattest smile. My view, and mine alone, it was the best therapy and gave me a real boost. Every situation with "jack the dancer" is different, but for me it would take one of the few intrinsic pleasures of life away if I couldn't.
Of course I was severely yelled at when I got back, but hey, she knew I would!
All the very best Gripper, do well