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Post by The Great High Lord Beer on Oct 5, 2021 20:36:48 GMT
Brethern, Lord Beer faces a most grave situation, as many of you know I look after not only my own bikes, but also the bikes of the great God Odin, namely the SD and the GSR 600.
This year I have been most concerned by the lack of use of these bikes by the mighty one, indeed the slightest excuse is used to not take them out, and on the few occasions he does I have noticed a lack of confidence and strength, at 74 his advancing age will contribute, encouragement to travel to thy great hall and take his mighty steads out is usually met by reasons not to.
I have not noticed the aging of Odin over the years, but recently I have, and it it is most alarming, I do not wish to encourage riding if he is not comfortable with such endeavours, but the thought of confronting him with the possibility of hanging up his mighty riding attire is not a conversation I wish to have, it fills me with dread that such a talk is one step closer to the end.
I sincerely hope such a talk will not he necessary, I shall keep these thoughts from him until next year when a further assessment will be made.
Of course my own selfish reasons to see our Great God Odin continue is obvious, thy father is all mighty and immune from such trivial matters of aging, but alas the end must and will happen at some point.
Thoughts of the great members of thy mighty hall are appreciated 🍺
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Post by duffer on Oct 5, 2021 21:05:00 GMT
As one who has been down the road you find yourself on, just do what you are doing. Keep the bikes fettled and leave it at that. He knows better than anyone what is going on. Set him.up with a few beers 🍻. He may even talk about it. Or he may just appreciate the beer 🍺.
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Post by The Great High Lord Beer on Oct 5, 2021 21:13:53 GMT
Beer, the solution to many problems, unless your working on a bike, if so hide the hammers 😄
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Post by CTB on Oct 5, 2021 21:39:51 GMT
This is a very sad tale, one. I will not have to face as my hero passed at an earlier age than I am now. Make the most of the time and drink the beer 🍻
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Post by buster on Oct 6, 2021 6:01:28 GMT
I went through a similar thing with my grandfather about 4 years ago. a botched eye operation left him quite visually impaired but he was cleared to drive, however his car just sat outside (and eventually died, battery flat, modern motors like to be used) and he'd lost his confidence. in a way it was something of a relief (dont have to worry every time he goes out) but a very delicate subject, I never pushed him one way or the other, just talked to him when he brought the subject up. as an aside, he still technically holds his driving licence, even though he never now wants to drive again, he still wants to keep his licence, I dont argue and sort of understand the reluctance to let it go
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Post by davefirestorm on Oct 6, 2021 6:04:28 GMT
Beer and Bacon taken moderately is what I’d prescribe.He’s only a youngster at 74 I’m not far behind him and my mate Derek is 90 and still riding I’ll keep going as long as I can swing a leg over we all slow down as we get older but once you get out on a bike you’re 17 again 😁👍
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Post by davefirestorm on Oct 6, 2021 6:13:03 GMT
Your Grandad is being sensible Buster.My neighbour is 85 lives on his own and it was frightening to see him drive he ran into another neighbours hedge and didn’t know he’d done it he’s been in hospital for a couple of weeks and his licence has been taken away on Doctors advice and his family have taken car away,we all hopefully will do what your Grandads done and stop driving when we don’t feel confident,good on him😁
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Post by tucksie on Oct 6, 2021 7:29:23 GMT
It’s a really tough call LB and quite emotive. I think I’d start by having a friendly chat about the situation, when the time’s right, and go from there. The way forward might be a bit clearer afterwards.
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Post by richard on Oct 6, 2021 13:06:43 GMT
i purchased my 250n off a guy that was 80, he had ridden british bikes all his life, and mentally he intended to ride the superdream, but it was simply to heavy for him to move around, put on the centre-stand etc, he owned it for over 12 months, just tinkering with it, but never getting out and about on the road...
since i bought the bike, i have re-visited him several times for a brew an a chat, and i think he's quite pleased to see his old bike being used as intended, but the last visit over breakfast, he was still looking for a smaller lightweight bike that he could maybe ride once more...mentally at least !
old age and not being able to do the things we used to enjoy is a fact of life, but memories last a lifetime whatever your age..
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Post by johnjones on Oct 6, 2021 14:15:01 GMT
A small light weight bike that he could ride....a honda cg125 or a chinky traily type bike ?
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Post by richard on Oct 6, 2021 17:10:12 GMT
A small light weight bike that he could ride....a honda cg125 or a chinky traily type bike ? he is a British bike guy through and through, he was showing me all his pictures of British bikes he had owned over the years, and the first jap bike he rode, he nearly totalled it, as he was used to changing gear on the other side..
he gave me all sorts of gear, helmet, gloves, and a stack of classic bike mags..so i think he has drawn a line in the sand..from a practical perspective at least
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Post by comstar on Oct 6, 2021 18:34:00 GMT
Great thread LB and here is my few tuppence worth: My dad is 78 next week and he is the one who got me into bikes way back in the 80s. I don't really have this quandary like you do as he rode his last motorcycle way back around 1994 for one reason or another, I am unsure why. I think it was simply the fact that he saw motorcycles as commuter tools, just a means of getting to work, he never saw them as a hobby item like I do. I think he simply maintained any hobby side of it though watching what I was doing from the age of 15 with my motorbikes. He was able to get a cheap second car around 1994 which he much preferred to getting frozen up on a motorbike during the colder months He did have a scare around 1988/89 when he was leaving work on the biggest bike I can remember him having, a GSX250. He was leaving his workplace (Gillette in Reading) one night and he waved to the security guard, then all of a sudden this lorry stopped in front of him and he ended up giving too much front brake and coming off the bike. I think he was a lot more cautious after that and I can only remember him on a C90 from that time up until he fully gave up riding. It's important for your dad to still have his hobbies though......mine for many years has got pleasure from a vintage record collection and more recently an interest in mechanical wrist watches. Whatever he decides, you must let him decide for himself, all will be good I'm sure.
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Post by davefirestorm on Oct 6, 2021 19:03:39 GMT
I worked less than a mile away from workplace so didn’t commute bikes always toys for me although I would use a bike when I did work some distance away but only in warmish dry conditions.A lot of older riders who’ve given up riding still carry on their passion as is evident at VMCC and biker meets I’ll keep riding as long as I can😁
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Post by The Great High Lord Beer on Oct 6, 2021 19:07:27 GMT
This dilemma seems to be a situation many of us face, and indeed the consensus is that we all agree to offer encouragement and support but to step back and let things take there course, unless things take a potentially dangerous turn.
But I again turn to my own selfish thoughts, I want to see the old bugger continue as strangely knowing he's still active and able to ride takes away thoughts that one day this will happen to me, indeed more than once I have questioned the need for the 1000 only to have my stubborn side say shut the fook up, your a long time dead, enjoy. My rebellious side always wins, this pleases me no end.
Good replies forum Brethern 👍🍺
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Post by johnjones on Oct 6, 2021 19:15:02 GMT
Richard, bike mags, any motor cycle mechanics mags in that lot ?
I have been trying to find a small advert in the back of that mag for years.
It's a small black and white advert for a Honda cb125s big bore kit, showing the cb125s engine with a morphed cylinder head in a Bart Simpson esk style.
I have a cb125s in the shed that that ads artwork would look great on the tank.
Could you see if any of those mcm mags are in your lot. They would be an interesting read anyway.
Thanks.
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