Motorcycle Friends are the Best!

G-man wrote:

There's something about Motorcycle friends that are not like others I have met throughout the years. It's hard to put into words but there's a certain...

There's something about Motorcycle friends that are not like others I have met throughout the years. It's hard to put into words but there's a certain camaraderie as only a fellow Moto-head can understand.

Maybe it's the fact that when you line up behind the Starting Gate with 40 other Riders and the ADRENALINE is pumping at Full Tilt because you want to be the guy leading into the first turn but so do the 39 other dudes!

And yes we all know that something could go terribly wrong and it has (RIP Mark A, we miss you) but you have to maintain a certain calmness amongst all the noise and excitement.

There is nothing else in the world that can replicate that feeling.

I've been in Arizona for 31 years now and I've known Don for just about that whole time and consider him one of my best friends. He is the most positive person I've ever known and honestly cannot think of one time he's ever complained or had anything bad to say about anyone, just an all-around great guy and also top-notch mechanic who will help you out when needed.

He's been battling stage 4 colon cancer for a couple years now and has had numerous chemo sessions in that time.

Here is a 20 year old picture of Don and I before we go into battle at the Lake Elsinore Grand Prix.



My other good buddy, Jimco who I've also known for a long time rode his Harley up to visit Don in Show Low recently as he retreats up there in the summer to work his mobile RV service. While he was there Don had talked about the upcoming annual Howling at the Moon dual-sport ride, this time in Prescott, late October.

Don also mentioned how he's had his eye on the new Husky dual sport bikes for a while as he currently rides an XR 650 and does a pretty fine job doing it.

(Sidetrack to story)
Matter of fact, back in February my longest running good friend (50yrs!) Jeff--from Balboa, came out to ride our Annual Four Lake Saloon TT as my Zonie friends luv him.

So we met Don over at Backyard Taco and we woofed down the delicious Mesquite fire grub.
Jeff enjoying the Backyard Taco and a side dish of grilled onions and roasted chilies.



Anyway, a new Husky dealer had opened up in Mesa and Jeff wanted to go check it out, so we followed Don over there as he had already been checking out the new Husqvarnas.
Here is Don getting the feel of the bike and having the "I want this Bike!" feeling run through this veins...



So after Jimco gets back in town he gives me a call and talks about his conversation with Don and how he would really like to get him a new motorcycle.

I thought it was a great idea but really wasn't in the financial position to be able to do it. He was thinking maybe we could get our friends to help.

I suggested I would send out a group text to our crew and see if somehow we could all pitch in or help in anyway so that Don could get his Dream Machine for Howlin at Moon. I also sent Jimco the picture above so that he would make sure he got the right bike if that's what he wanted to do.

And that started the ball rolling and we had replies and contributions from our Crew to Jimco as he was the majority stakeholder in all of this.

Not more than a few days later Jim sent me a text with a new Husky in the back of his pickup!

And here is Don with the surprise of a lifetime.






I think he is in a State of Shock wondering if this is a dream! hahaha


Because this all happened so fast it was impossible to have everybody there to surprise Don with the bike. So I invited him over to put the bike on my new lift and we could have a barbecue and gawk at the sweet machine.

I wanted to surprise Don with the amount of people that would show up but he arrived a half hour early and asked where is everybody? hahaha



It turned out to be a good time and it was great to have the old Moto crew back together. I hadn't seen a couple of ol mates in a while including whyz (Bob) who is also a forum member here.



As the night rolled on and many beers were consumed, Don had received all kinds of suggestions on what he should do to the NEW bike! (Especially from Smiley! Haha)

So we decided to break out some wrenches and do a little Factory Tuning.....



Our final stop on the 4 Lake 4 Saloon TT back in February



I want to give a special shout-out to Jimco for his HUGE heart and contribution and to all my other Arizona friends who helped make this possible.
Bob, Dano, Kimbro, Bill, Marko, Dr. Phil and Smiley.....
Also to my girl Jan who has been a huge support base for his wife Cathy.

Stay close to your friends guys.....