Passing the torch.....

After much pondering this winter, I decided to part with a few old bikes. Never easy to do, but during the discussion, my son really made his intentions known. He wanted my 1972 Combat. He's owned an SL350 and a VF750 Sabre in the past, but currently didn't have a bike. This made a lot of sense to me, since he lives about an hour away, and I still could see it, work on it, and ride anytime I want. It's really worked out well, he loves it, and we've had a lot of quality time together. I've decided to keep my MKIII, Velocette, and Trident. Sold my 1969 CH Sportster to a friend, and he's enjoying that as well. I still keep something modern around with a pushbutton, and ready to roll - with minimal maintenance. Those bikes come and go, but I really appreciate the niceties of tubeless tires, fuel injection, and all that stuff. Here's a couple of pics of one of our riding sessions for Brad to get the hang of RH one up, three down shifting, and another in his garage on the delivery. He's a very talented CNC machinest, and has done so many things for me - from reaming Triumph cam bushings to replicating parts in stainless, I'm glad he's got something to tinker with. I realized he's a fourth generation rider in our family - my Grandpa - a 1918 Thor, my dad, a Honda 750 or two, and now my son on his Norton!

Alrighty! Like a dream come true.

Will you be my father and pass down that MKIII?

Joe,

As much as I could use a dependent on my income taxes, I'll have to pass on your offer. I know how much sneakers and cell phones will set me back! I'm 59 years old, and have owned 48 bikes since 1970. I have a feeling that the more time my son spends around this stuff, he may want them all some day. When I drive past all of these "retirement homes" and assisted living chateaus popping up all over the place, I just hope they have garages. That way when I'm in my 90s, maybe I can at least sit on one and make engine noises. Vern Goodwin, our local retired Indian (real), Kawasaki, Guzzi and Royal Enfield dealer is still riding at age 80. At our last Euro Night, he rode his Indian Chief, with a dandy electric start, pulling a trailer hauling a Jawa speedway bike. When I see stuff like that, I know there's hope!

Excellent.