Paul in NZ
30th May 2010, 18:52
Ladies and gentlemen – we talk about the spirit of motorcycling, the brotherhood of bikers etc as if its almost a free gift that is thrown in with the purchase of a bike. Its not and never has been. Its not really to be found in acts of drunken revelry or on the road thuggery and its not free. Instead the true spirit of a real motorcyclist is a ‘quality’ that exists in very few of us, irrespective of our personal means and situation.
Let me tell you a true story about a friend of mine.
The great thing about the internet is the growth of motorcycle lists and websites. Like a lot of people who love weird old bikes – these lists etc have been a godsend in keeping them mobile. Sure, like KB – sometimes you get a few who on these lists who seem to think that the internet is their personal playground where they can insult, aggravate and ruin the lives of the less fortunate. The majority just pick and choose and every now and then you stumble across a stone cold diamond…
This mate of mine is quite possibly THE nicest guy I have ever met – especially since hes capable of being a bit of a prick sometimes to idiots and looks like a serial killer in person (imagine a 6’ 3” bald harry potter crossed with a Neanderthal with nasty tattoo’s and arms that reach down past his knees – in fact café owners have been known to put up the closed sign when we rock up.
Without a doubt - hes a colourful character and has led an equally colourful life. He had a rocky start in life and was lucky enough to be taken in by a couple that loved him. By stint of sacrifice and hard work he and his lovely wife have done well after moving from the soggy UK to the great brown land. A bit of good fortune came their way a few years back and now it has to be said – they are better than comfortable. Considerably better really.
That aside – a few years back, one of the guys on a certain list had a pretty rough time during a drought and really lost everything he had worked for. Finally it was all more than he could bear and he took his own life. We found out from his wife who wanted to dispose of his bike. My mate offered to rebuild his bike (in pieces) and sell it to raise funds for the family. Sadly it was too far gone and would take too long and the need was immediate so he rebuilt one of his own bikes (identical model) instead and raffled it off through the world wide one make network. The winner (a yank) donated the bike back to the family to be sold and a LOT of money was made – mostly at my mates expense.
A couple of years back he refused to send me a bearing for my bike but rather flew here to NZ (he is a very very well know mech) with the bearing and the factory tools, stayed with me and Vicki and drank half the lower north island dry while reassembling my bike and giving me a lesson in rebuilding Guzzi gearboxes (and drinking n talking shite). He knew I was under some pressure and not at all well at the time. It was like a cure and I always dream that one day I can one day do the same for someone else.
This is NOT the only time he has done this kind of thing. His generosity is legend despite being repeatedly taken advantage of and his motives questioned by the mean and unkind who cannot fathom such a generous spirit.
He attends rallies and packs its diagnostic tools offering free tutorials and tune ups to those who want to learn more about their bikes.
Now – it appears one of the guys in the US of A is in trouble or rather his kid is in deadly medical trouble. Whats he done? Well he was about to ship me a very special Guzzi to mind for him so he could come over for rides in kiwi land (he has a Griso over in the USA) Instead – he is selling it over there or raffling it off and donating the $$ to this guys family. This is probably a $12K (NZ) bike with many many expensive upgrades.
I’m continually floored by this man. Floored, humbled and inspired. There are just a few people I genuinely admire in this life but this man is one in a billion and my resolution today is to try and become a slightly better man in the future – I hope this true story might inspire a few readers to do the same?
The spirit of motorcycling should be a great and generous one – not a mean one.
Let me tell you a true story about a friend of mine.
The great thing about the internet is the growth of motorcycle lists and websites. Like a lot of people who love weird old bikes – these lists etc have been a godsend in keeping them mobile. Sure, like KB – sometimes you get a few who on these lists who seem to think that the internet is their personal playground where they can insult, aggravate and ruin the lives of the less fortunate. The majority just pick and choose and every now and then you stumble across a stone cold diamond…
This mate of mine is quite possibly THE nicest guy I have ever met – especially since hes capable of being a bit of a prick sometimes to idiots and looks like a serial killer in person (imagine a 6’ 3” bald harry potter crossed with a Neanderthal with nasty tattoo’s and arms that reach down past his knees – in fact café owners have been known to put up the closed sign when we rock up.
Without a doubt - hes a colourful character and has led an equally colourful life. He had a rocky start in life and was lucky enough to be taken in by a couple that loved him. By stint of sacrifice and hard work he and his lovely wife have done well after moving from the soggy UK to the great brown land. A bit of good fortune came their way a few years back and now it has to be said – they are better than comfortable. Considerably better really.
That aside – a few years back, one of the guys on a certain list had a pretty rough time during a drought and really lost everything he had worked for. Finally it was all more than he could bear and he took his own life. We found out from his wife who wanted to dispose of his bike. My mate offered to rebuild his bike (in pieces) and sell it to raise funds for the family. Sadly it was too far gone and would take too long and the need was immediate so he rebuilt one of his own bikes (identical model) instead and raffled it off through the world wide one make network. The winner (a yank) donated the bike back to the family to be sold and a LOT of money was made – mostly at my mates expense.
A couple of years back he refused to send me a bearing for my bike but rather flew here to NZ (he is a very very well know mech) with the bearing and the factory tools, stayed with me and Vicki and drank half the lower north island dry while reassembling my bike and giving me a lesson in rebuilding Guzzi gearboxes (and drinking n talking shite). He knew I was under some pressure and not at all well at the time. It was like a cure and I always dream that one day I can one day do the same for someone else.
This is NOT the only time he has done this kind of thing. His generosity is legend despite being repeatedly taken advantage of and his motives questioned by the mean and unkind who cannot fathom such a generous spirit.
He attends rallies and packs its diagnostic tools offering free tutorials and tune ups to those who want to learn more about their bikes.
Now – it appears one of the guys in the US of A is in trouble or rather his kid is in deadly medical trouble. Whats he done? Well he was about to ship me a very special Guzzi to mind for him so he could come over for rides in kiwi land (he has a Griso over in the USA) Instead – he is selling it over there or raffling it off and donating the $$ to this guys family. This is probably a $12K (NZ) bike with many many expensive upgrades.
I’m continually floored by this man. Floored, humbled and inspired. There are just a few people I genuinely admire in this life but this man is one in a billion and my resolution today is to try and become a slightly better man in the future – I hope this true story might inspire a few readers to do the same?
The spirit of motorcycling should be a great and generous one – not a mean one.