My dad encouraged all of his sons to do adventurous things, and supported us through the ups and downs. He knew we would be better people, if we knew how to take risks, and that we would grow more by doing so.

I miss him.

Glad you get to share the experience with him. Precious times, my friend. Do not waste the opportunity.

 

My dad was a tool-guy. Had 3600 sq. ft. shop. He had 30-tonne press, planners, jointers,radial arm saws, table saws, band saws, spindle sanders, and drill presses. There was a MIG welder. A clean room for painting. Hundreds of hand tools - he was the outline-the-tool for the peg board kind of guy. He had four foot high Craftsman roll-around chests.

He raced cars, e.g. supercharged 4.7L Studebaker Golden Hawk; He owned an Indian chief... creme & turquoise. He had a BSA, a Triumph, and a Norton. He had a '67 Corvette (C2) roadster with the big block L-89 427. He drove a black & gold 1966 Shelby GT350-H Mustang (Hertz). I could go on-and-on, but won't.

My point is he was a bona fide gear-head. This was my mentor. When I was young, I thought my dad could build anything. I too, would go over to my dad's house and toss him the keys to my new bike/car/truck. And he'd do the same, by taking it out on curvy roads (assess handling), and long straight roads (to assess straight line performance). He would come back and tell me all kinds of positives, then tip in 1 or 2 or 3 things I (we) could change to improve it. And we would. When I was a snarky teenager, golf, carpentry, and modifying cars/bikes were the only things we seemed to have in common. Eventually I grew up. Things got a lot better - he was my best man when I got married.

And yes, there's not a day I don't think of him, and miss him incredibly... my Mom, too. My only advice is drink in his love and wisdom. Extend the patience that you'd deign never give to others. It all comes to an end massively too soon.

 

When my dad first found out I started riding he told me he understands that riding is fun, but that shit is also dangerous. If it were up to him he would rather not have me ride. But he knows I enjoy it so he leaves the final decision upon me. Hes helped me work on my bike and I help him with his cars and other stuff. We both enjoy fixing things....Ive picked it up from him since I would always watch him work when I was a kid.

My mom worries too much about me riding. When she found out about my previous bike she couldnt handle it so I ended up selling it. About a year later I got my current bike and have been keeping it a secret from her ever since lol. Shes actually seen my bike before and seen me working on it. But I tell her its a friend's bike and he brings it over so I can fix it. I have a feeling she knows its mine, but she doesnt wanna actually believe it lol.

 

My dad would want me to sell all my bikes. If he was up to him, I would've never got into motorcycles to begin with. And pretty much same is true for everyone in my family.

I'm the oddball out...I seem to be the only one in the family that likes a bit of an adrenaline rush and who's willing to take more risk for the sake of having a bit of fun....and who isn't afraid of speed.

 

Exactly the same situation here. I had my first bike only because I was not living at home, and could never tell the parents until years later.

 

My dad started my brother and I on dirtbikes.
Had a few of them.
He took us to several states including Texas,Alabama,and Arkansas to ride the trails and parks there.

By the time I was 17 we were all on street. My mom even had a 250r.

 

I'm jealous.. Really glad your father is a good friend.
Tis better to have loved and lost Than never to have loved at all.
Savior your time together.

Thanks for sharing.

 

I have been trying to get my father to come to a race for 8 years. He says he is afraid to watch :/

 

My parents came out to watch one of my races a couple of years ago. It was one of my first ever races. They left before the race was over because my mom couldn't handle it and she wanted to leave before she would have a heart attack.

 

My Dad rode a fucking Harley. Nuff said.

 

My dad bought me a 50cc Honda Mini Motorcycle/trail bike when I was 10 and ever since I loved 2 wheels. He rode a Honda Shadow 1100 cruiser for a while when I was In HS. Now that he's older and not in such good shape he lives vicariously through me when it Comes to riding...he's always asking me about it. He won't dare throw a leg over one of my crotch rockets lol but he supports the cause non the less.

 

My dad used to ride me around on the gas tank of his gs750 when I was REALLY young, like too young to sit on the back lol. He got me into bikes. He rode my tl1000 when i had it but, but he hasn't ridden my gsxr, he says he's afraid to drop it lol. I will get him to ride the zx6r though. It's quite a bit lower than the suzuki it seems like, and I don't really care if he does drop it.

He won't let me drive his cars haha. I did use his bike for a couple years while I didn't have one though.