 I brought a tear to the old man's eye.
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 797 Likes: 17
3/4 Throttle
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OP
3/4 Throttle
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 797 Likes: 17 |
Today was a great day. My Jeep was in the shop getting the AC fixed so what was I to do?
I looked at the Rocket and America sitting in the garage and knowing I had to go to Attica Indiana and the back road is winding I left the Rocket in the garage and climbed on board the America.
I was going over to Badlands Outdoor Recreation Park. As I arrived and was taking off my helmet and jacket I saw an older gentleman standing there.
As I looked him in the eyes he said, " That's a Triumph?"
Yes sir its a 2005 Bonneville America.
It's a Bonneville? Yes sir a Bonnie engine in a cruiser style.
She sure is pretty would you start up the engine for me so I can here it run?
Get on and start her up I said..
He threw his leg over , stood her up. As he is looking her over from the saddle he said. The shifter is on the left side? yup. I said.
Key is on the left side too, as I pointed at it. He turned the key, pulled in the clutch and pressed the starter.
He sat there listening to the idle and revved her a couple times. She ran for a couple minutes as I saw all the memories passing over his face.
He switched off the key, got off the bike and wiped his eyes.
Thank you young man you made my day. (I am 57 it is nice being the young man) My name is Larry. High Larry I am Bill. He then told me about his Bonnie he had back in the day. 10 more minutes pass by as we talked and he looked over every inch of the bike.
We shook hands one more time and he thanked me. I wished him well and we went on our way.
Sometimes we do not realize how lucky we are till we live through an others eyes.
The ride today was great. Bringing a smile to an old bikers face, Priceless
Last edited by BillyIndiana; 06/06/2017 10:01 PM.
Road Rash Heals. Freckles Grow Back. Ride
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Re: I brought a tear to the old man's eye.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,685 Likes: 20
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,685 Likes: 20 |
By the power vested with me, I give that post of the day.
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: I brought a tear to the old man's eye.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 587 Likes: 21
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 587 Likes: 21 |
Great story! Thanks for sharing it with us. Could be we're all veterans of the usual, "That a Triumph???" or "They still making Triumphs??" chat - usually with an older guy at a gas stop; but this is really touching.
John 3:16
let's ride...
1969 Triumph Trophy 500
2004 America
2010 America
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Re: I brought a tear to the old man's eye.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,629 Likes: 7
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,629 Likes: 7 |
Geezer Magnets 
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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Re: I brought a tear to the old man's eye.
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 374
Adjunct
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Adjunct
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Posts: 374 |
Strangely enough all my Harley buddies even like my Triumph. Still some magic in the name.
Tin Man 2
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Re: I brought a tear to the old man's eye.
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 708
Adjunct
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Adjunct
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This made me smile. The 'built in' heritage of our bikes is what keeps it in my garage. Great bikes, great stories, great memories, great friends.
I was riding near Branson over the holiday weekend. My buddy and I were playing with a group of Road Glides as we made our way back to town. We ran through the gears at our last stop light, leaving the big bikes at the light. As we got back to town, one of the HD riders yelled at me, Nice Triumph! Is it a 650? I liked that...
Justin Calkins - Iowa Falls, Iowa USA
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Re: I brought a tear to the old man's eye.
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5 |
Quote:
By the power vested with me, I give that post of the day.
- What he said. 
2004 Triumph Speedmaster (J Lo) 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner (Adele)
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Re: I brought a tear to the old man's eye.
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 797 Likes: 17
3/4 Throttle
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OP
3/4 Throttle
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 797 Likes: 17 |
Thanks all
You are correct it seems like at every stop someone wants to ask questions.
There was just something in this guys eyes and when I offered to let him sit on her it was like for a moment all his years melted away. When he pushed that start button and the engine fired I wish you could all have seen his face. I think he enjoyed feeling the pulse of the engine sitting in the seat for a couple of minutes.
I was surprised how much it touched me. I am glad my word expressed my emotions.
Road Rash Heals. Freckles Grow Back. Ride
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Re: I brought a tear to the old man's eye.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,629 Likes: 7
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,629 Likes: 7 |
Quote:
Thanks all
You are correct it seems like at every stop someone wants to ask questions.
There was just something in this guys eyes and when I offered to let him sit on her it was like for a moment all his years melted away. When he pushed that start button and the engine fired I wish you could all have seen his face. I think he enjoyed feeling the pulse of the engine sitting in the seat for a couple of minutes.
I was surprised how much it touched me. I am glad my word expressed my emotions.
Just thinking, once he was on it and had it running it's a good thing he didn't just pop it into gear and leave you there with a surprised look on your face.
 
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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Re: I brought a tear to the old man's eye.
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,839 Likes: 3
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,839 Likes: 3 |
Made that guys day to say the least I'm sure . Can't tell you how many times I've had that conversation and even at times when I really don't have the time I still take the time . Once it was an older woman who started the conversation and like you I ended up having her sit on Millie and I held the forks in a way that she was able to sit up straight on the bike and put her feet on the pegs . Boy , she enjoyed that and told me all about how her and her first husband use to ride together her on a Triumph and him on an Indian and how they went everywhere on them . She talked about how much bikes had changed since her time and I told her about the new Bonnevilles and that if you didn't look close they could fool you . Lol . She ended up hugging me with glassy eyes and then we went on our way . I felt so good the rest of that day . Sometimes I have to think that some people that say they had one back in the day are not really speaking the whole truth but this lady was so sincere and had so much to say that I knew she was speaking truth . I often say if everybody that says they had one actually did have one , how is it possible that Triumph ran into financial trouble.? Lmao 
ENJOY!!!!! NEWT!!!!!
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Re: I brought a tear to the old man's eye.
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,193 Likes: 22
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,193 Likes: 22 |
I'm afraid Triumph ran into trouble( like the rest of our UK makes) through years of investors taking the profits rather than investing in new machinery.
When the Japanese started selling larger capacity machines they just could not compete in terms of performance and reliability.
Sad but true...I watched it happen.....and wept.
I took the Road Less Travelled.
Now where the ****** am I?
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Re: I brought a tear to the old man's eye.
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 708
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Apr 2008
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All the historians claim that the Trident could have saved the company, if released earlier. I believe they could have as early as 1965. That certainly would have helped. I really wish they would have produced the 350cc DOHC Bandit twin, too. That also would have helped.
Justin Calkins - Iowa Falls, Iowa USA
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Re: I brought a tear to the old man's eye.
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1 |
You are a good man, Indy Bill.
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Re: I brought a tear to the old man's eye.
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,193 Likes: 22
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,193 Likes: 22 |
Quote:
All the historians claim that the Trident could have saved the company, if released earlier. I believe they could have as early as 1965. That certainly would have helped. I really wish they would have produced the 350cc DOHC Bandit twin, too. That also would have helped.
Not sure about the trident...it was underdeveloped when it hit the market as it was....secondhand adverts quite often featured the phrase ,' rod through crankcase.'
The Bandit ,though, might well have made a difference.
I took the Road Less Travelled.
Now where the ****** am I?
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Re: I brought a tear to the old man's eye.
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10 |
Quote:
I'm afraid Triumph ran into trouble( like the rest of our UK makes) through years of investors taking the profits rather than investing in new machinery.
When the Japanese started selling larger capacity machines they just could not compete in terms of performance and reliability.
Sad but true...I watched it happen.....and wept.
Me too.I was in Australia watching it all go down the drain.BSA,Norton Triumph
I reckon they could have sold a heap more Hurricanes too on the looks alone.I wanted one badly,but the reliability and poor range with that small tank may have held them back.
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: I brought a tear to the old man's eye.
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10 |
Quote:
Today was a great day. My Jeep was in the shop getting the AC fixed so what was I to do?
I looked at the Rocket and America sitting in the garage and knowing I had to go to Attica Indiana and the back road is winding I left the Rocket in the garage and climbed on board the America.
I was going over to Badlands Outdoor Recreation Park. As I arrived and was taking off my helmet and jacket I saw an older gentleman standing there.
As I looked him in the eyes he said, " That's a Triumph?"
Yes sir its a 2005 Bonneville America.
It's a Bonneville? Yes sir a Bonnie engine in a cruiser style.
She sure is pretty would you start up the engine for me so I can here it run?
Get on and start her up I said..
He threw his leg over , stood her up. As he is looking her over from the saddle he said. The shifter is on the left side? yup. I said.
Key is on the left side too, as I pointed at it. He turned the key, pulled in the clutch and pressed the starter.
He sat there listening to the idle and revved her a couple times. She ran for a couple minutes as I saw all the memories passing over his face.
He switched off the key, got off the bike and wiped his eyes.
Thank you young man you made my day. (I am 57 it is nice being the young man) My name is Larry. High Larry I am Bill. He then told me about his Bonnie he had back in the day. 10 more minutes pass by as we talked and he looked over every inch of the bike.
We shook hands one more time and he thanked me. I wished him well and we went on our way.
Sometimes we do not realize how lucky we are till we live through an others eyes.
The ride today was great. Bringing a smile to an old bikers face, Priceless
I thought the story was going to end with the bloke riding off on your bike Bill! 
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: I brought a tear to the old man's eye.
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,193 Likes: 22
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,193 Likes: 22 |
Hmmm....as I'm now 64 years old, this gives me an idea.
Hang around the car park looking wistfully at the new TBA ( when it arrives) then maybe some young chap will let me sit on it and turn on the ignition.....
I took the Road Less Travelled.
Now where the ****** am I?
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Re: I brought a tear to the old man's eye.
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,995 Likes: 10 |
Quote:
Hmmm....as I'm now 64 years old, this gives me an idea.
Hang around the car park looking wistfully at the new TBA ( when it arrives) then maybe some young chap will let me sit on it and turn on the ignition.....
Good luck.Yet me know what sentence you get.
Dinosaur.
"Oh Man I only ride 'em.I don't know what makes 'em work". Donald "Oddball" Sutherland
"Don't let the bastards get you down". Kris Kristofferson
"I am only paranoid because everyone is against me". Larry [Frank Burns] Linville
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Re: I brought a tear to the old man's eye.
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,193 Likes: 22
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,193 Likes: 22 |
If I'm tried by a jury of my ' peers' ( fellow ageing bikers) there's not a court in the land would return a conviction.
I took the Road Less Travelled.
Now where the ****** am I?
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Re: I brought a tear to the old man's eye.
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 797 Likes: 17
3/4 Throttle
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OP
3/4 Throttle
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 797 Likes: 17 |
At 64 a life sentence LOL
Road Rash Heals. Freckles Grow Back. Ride
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Re: I brought a tear to the old man's eye.
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,059 Likes: 8
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,059 Likes: 8 |
Billy, that made my day. Who said bikers weren't sentimental.
12 Rocket Roadster
03 Bonneville America
69 BSA Firebird Scrambler
73 Yamaha TX 750
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