Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge A tribute to Dad (long)

All,

Well I finally got my Dad's bike sold for my mom. It was a bittersweet day to see it go. I would have loved to have kept the bike but financially it was better for my mom to sell it.

I was told that if you put something on the internet that it stays forever....not sure how true that is (especially when BA.com probably needs to save the space) but I am posting this in the hopes it may stay forever.

My Dad loved his Triumph and riding in general. There are pictures of me in diapers on his old Honda Dream. Once I was a little older he would put a big belt around him and me and drive me over to my Grandmothers house (mom was ok with it but I was told my Grandmother hated it).

Dad had not ridden in years when one day I found a 1979 Kawasaki LTD 400 in mint condition(about 16 yrs ago). I bought it home and rode it for a while. One summer I had to go on Army Reserve duty and left the keys with Dad. He rode it a few times and within a few weeks he had an old 750 Honda and was on the road again.

A few years later he purchased a V65 Honda Magna. WOW what a fast bike. I ended up following suit and getting one just like his but a year newer.

Then the Triumph Bonneville America came out. He loved the looks and the fact it wasn’t something anyone else had......Off to Lexington Motorsports he went (because they would let you demo one) a few weeks later we hooked the trailer up and went and picked it up. We drove back home and took it off the trailer and installed the sissy bar. I remember it was cold that day (20's) and I was actually the first person to ride it....around the block and back with just a regular coat and gloves on and no leathers....COLD but AWESOME. Dad then took it for a quick spin....here is the pic from that day



Then the next year they came out with the Speedmaster and I loved how it looked....another year later (after talking the wife into it) I got one myself. Here is a pic of me, Dad and the Wife the first day I had mine.



My Dad was a wonderful father, a hard worker, a hero in my opinion and my best friend. He was a Vietnam Veteran and a member of the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles. He was wounded twice and finished out his tour of duty in the USA at Ft. Bragg. After returning from Nam he worked for years at a local owned steel shop as a Welder and Foreman. He finally got a job with the US Army Corps of Engineers as a welder and actually worked with me in the field on major maintenance repairs (I work as a Project Engineer). We saw each other all the time. Working together, riding when we could to work and some on the weekends (Me mom, dad and the wife liked riding to a local bar called Frogtown), and hunting any chance we got. Most of my hobbies are things I did with him. Unfortunately on 23 March 2006 there was an accident at work that took his life prematurely. I miss him and think of him everyday. Sometimes it makes me smile and sometimes it makes me cry. I know one thing for certain. I don’t think the saying “Time heals all wounds” is true. Time deadens your senses to it but the wound is always there.

I don’t have children yet but I can only hope that I am half as good a parent as my Mom and Dad are. The reason I turned out to be a half way decent person, obtained a college degree, have a nice house, loving wife, etc….is because my parents knew how to raise me in a loving family. And speaking of my Mom and Dad here they are together at our annual work picnic.



Remember to always hold your family close to you each and every day. Take the two extra seconds to give that hug or kiss and tell them that you love them instead of hurrying out the door because you are running a little late.

The new owner of the bike is a new member of this forum. Gbman is his nickname and his real name is Gary. Gary I hope you enjoy the bike. Clean her up get her on the road and send me a pic every now and then of where you ride her.

Have a great evening everyone and thanks for reading this long post.

My Father passed away before I got sober and became all the things that He wanted me to be.6 years ago at christmas my mom said that She wished my Dad was still here..not for Her but to see how I turned out..I am sure He is smiling in heaven..always be grateful for the time we have..Your story is a great inspiration and I will share at the Turkey Table Thursday..Thanks and God Bless

Thanks. That's a wonderful story and a great tribute to your dad. God bless you and your family.

Thanks for your telling,

I'd well imagine he lives and rides on through you and your family

jh

Thats a great story!

When a dad, just be the best you can be. The rest of it all falls into place if you are lucky. Kids don't come with easy to assemble instructions.

great to hear.

Thank you for sharing your story and posting the pictures and text. It is very touching, reminds me of my father who I lost 1 1/2 years ago. He was a Vet. of WWII, in the Seabees, in the Pacific, helped build THE runway, for the Enola Gay, very proud of him. He would never talk of his time in the military, never heard a harsh word from his mouth and I miss him very much......

Very nice tribute, I'm sure your dad is very proud of you.

Thank you for sharing. When my Father's time comes, I will have lost my best friend. I don't think I will ever be prepared for it.

Ryan

Thanks for sharing, made me think again of how great a Dad I have. I need to tell him,(you know how hard that is for men sometimes) Although he never got into bikes, I know my dad admires me and my adventures across the country. I just recently read a quote about heavan; "heaven and the afterlife will be what your expectations are for it". I'll bet your dad is riding a cool trumpet there! (Gas is really cheap there!)

I know how you feel since my uncle is currently dieing. I have always been pretty close with him and now I feel I haven't spent enough time with him and will not get a chance. It isn't financially possible for me to go to GA and spend much time. Couple days at best probably. Last couple days have not been good days I'm told.

I am glad you found a good home for your dads bike. I hope the guy takes care of it and treasures it as it seems your dad and you did.You are correct that time deadens the pain but the wound never really heals, I dread the day I lose my mom. It's killing me to see what she is going through over my uncle.

Great tribute.
You will eventually lose the pain and smile at the memories....
We grow up thinking our parents are all-knowing giants, heartless taskmasters, clueless fools, then one day, if we're lucky, they become our friends and we realize they are just people like we are. Trying to make their way and do what is right....
When you do have kids of your own, you will find yourself saying "what would Dad do?" and he will be there for you.

After reading this, I imagine you will do just fine. And that will be his legacy to you.

Lost my Dad in 1979, aged 52...lost my Mum in 2002, aged 73.Think of them everyday of my life...carry an old black and white photo of them both in my wallet. They're sitting on my Dad's Triumph Tiger 100....photo was taken somewhere around 1960.
Memories stay with you forever.

Great tribute. My dad passed-away in 1988. One of my fondest mermories is a picture of him sitting on a candy red '65 Bonneville out in front of his business. The picture sits on my desk as a daily reminder.
Cherish your parents for they won't be around forever. Like you, I miss my Dad greatly.

Thanks for sharing your history and pictures. There is a lesson in it for all. God bless you all.

Dave

I haven't seen my dad since I was 11 but my Grandfather was like my dad and we lived with him and my grandmother for years. Nearly everything I know I learned from my Grandfather. I think of him every day too and try and do what he would. There is a picture of him above my tv, he is standing with one foot on the step to get into his plane. (Ryan Navion) It makes me smile the nose cone is missing from the propeller and I can still remember him saying "that da mn thing never would stay on."I will miss him every day for the rest of my life as I am sure you will your father. I am now at the point where I don't get sad or upset but smile instead at the great times and memories. I feel pride in all his acomplishments. I still use his tools and have some furniture he made and a gun he made among other things. Cherish the momentos it becomes almost like visiting him and gives me memories of him attached to those objects. I can remember Christmas a child in the chair he made.

Thanks to everyone who replied and sent me a personal message.

One of our moderators (Chy) was nice enough to post this on his personal site so that it stays around a while:
http://www.chysrides.com/TributetoDad.html

As I said before please hold your family close not only now but always