The Spirit of Motorcyling? (a true story of a great man)

**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.

**Bald Eagle** · 30th May 2010, 19:10

A great lesson for us all in this . You are extremely fortunate to call him friend.

**Ronin** · 30th May 2010, 19:24

Awesome write up Paul and very true. As I read I was reminded of a member on here who went well out of his way with the intention of helping a fellow biker and would, if had been allowed to, have passed profit from a project back to a previous owner. Ringing any bells?

So I think your mate has another quality, he picks his mates well.

**pete376403** · 30th May 2010, 20:47

That this guy had "a bit of good fortune coming their way a few years back" makes it a bit easier to be a generous person. Many of us (well, some of us) would wish to be like your friend but circumstances just don't allow it. Personally I do have thoughts about what good the Powerball would enable me to do - still waiting to find out.
Obviously there are many times more people who do have the money and in spite of it are utter shits.

**Gone Burger** · 30th May 2010, 20:59

Paul - that friend of yours sure sounds like gold, and the one in a million! A genuine "good" person who is thinking about the needs of others rather than his own needs. There are few people out there like that its inspiring to hear about someone like him.

It makes me want to be a better person, to do small things that I can (not necessarily financially) for people if there is a need, and even when there is not a need. Something to work toward.

Thanks for sharing this story - nice to hear something so positive on here.

**Clivoris** · 30th May 2010, 21:12

Originally Posted by Ronin

Awesome write up Paul and very true. As I read I was reminded of a member on here who went well out of his way with the intention of helping a fellow biker and would, if had been allowed to, have passed profit from a project back to a previous owner. Ringing any bells?

So I think your mate has another quality, he picks his mates well.

Bullseye there man.

**slowpoke** · 30th May 2010, 23:59

Sounds like an amazing bloke, who's actions speak louder than his cheque book. He also seems smarter than your average bear, and it's hard to believe he would waste his energies on someone undeserving: he probably sees himself as lucky as you do.

**Dutchee** · 31st May 2010, 09:24

Originally Posted by pete376403

That this guy had "a bit of good fortune coming their way a few years back" makes it a bit easier to be a generous person. Many of us (well, some of us) would wish to be like your friend but circumstances just don't allow it. Personally I do have thoughts about what good the Powerball would enable me to do - still waiting to find out.
Obviously there are many times more people who do have the money and in spite of it are utter shits.

You'll probably find that before he had a bit of good fortune coming his way, that he would have been doing the same sort of shit to a lesser degree. Having money doesn't change you for the better or make you a better person.

My parents have got friends who are going through a bloody tough time (again/still) and they really don't deserve the crap they've got to live with. They have given a lot of time, money and energy to less fortunate folk, and now that they're going through leaner times, I imagine the money is less, and due to the family problems, time would be less as well. It's just that their concerns have moved closer to home.

It is nice to hear of good folk for a change

There are lots out there, but generally keep a low profile.

**Paul in NZ** · 31st May 2010, 09:52

Originally Posted by Dutchee

You'll probably find that before he had a bit of good fortune coming his way, that he would have been doing the same sort of shit to a lesser degree. Having money doesn't change you for the better or make you a better person.

It is nice to hear of good folk for a change

There are lots out there, but generally keep a low profile.

This is true - this guy goes well out of his way to help all and any almost everyday and always has done. Hes worked with troubled kids before it got too much for him and retrained as a mechanic. Also - being 'well off' is just a state of mind. Many folks in his position would upgrade to a big flash house etc but not these folk, sure they built a new kitchen a while back but still live humbly. Their good fortune was not a massive lotto win or anything, they just choose to be extravagant to those they consider less fortunate and please remember the guts of their good fortune is down to bloody hard work and living frugally for decades - a little good fortune was just some icing.

My intention is to try and inject some good into this community. These days, society as a whole is obsessed with the dark side of human nature when soooo much good goes unreported. Katman asked us earlier what direction motorcycling should take? My belief is that motorcycling has to demonstrate its better side. To do that maybe we all need to strive to be better people and better citizens of the world. Going along on a toy run is one thing but frankly its not really enough is it?

Some have pointed to my own rather bumbling efforts - again this is not enough (in my opinion). KB has an opportunity to nurture and build a better biker world via its quick and easy communication, I'd love to see us all working on something constructive???

**Ronin** · 31st May 2010, 10:10

Originally Posted by Paul in NZ

Some have pointed to my own rather bumbling efforts - again this is not enough (in my opinion). KB has an opportunity to nurture and build a better biker world via its quick and easy communication, I'd love to see us all working on something constructive???

Bumbling, humbling, semantics lol. You are right though. I like to think that I would help someone in need in what ever way I can. Dysfunctional though it maybe some of the stories of helping that come through KB are stunning. But then biker to biker support doesn't show community that despite appearances what a great group of people we can be.

**toycollector10** · 31st May 2010, 10:28

Originally Posted by Paul in NZ

and his motives questioned by the mean and unkind who cannot fathom such a generous spirit.

I have found that financial generosity always goes with generosity of the spirit. The people I find to be mean with cash are mean with their emotions and not very pleasant people.

A nice post for the website, thanks.