I Used to Have One of Those!

Travelling, Friends, and Trips

I Used to Have One of Those!

GoldFalcon 06-20-2008, 7:24 PM
I've gotten this half a dozen times in the last month or so, but the best is from my next door neighbor. He's an older gent, pushing mid-seventies, but nice as all hell. He lives with his neice who told me that he has Alzheimer's though I hadn't seen any symptoms --at least not until I brought the CX500 home. I had no sooner cleared the bike from the trailer before he was over in my driveway, "A CX 500, goddam I love those bikes. Bought one the first year they came out, drove it over Snoqualmie Pass more times than I can count. Drove it for ten years without a lick of trouble!" So we talked bikes for a while. The next day he came out to see what kind of progress I was making getting her running and we talked about ten minutes again. A few days later I got it started and he came to the back fence: "Man A CX500! I love those bikes. I used to have one. Drove it back and forth over Snoqualmie Pass all year long!" I pretended we hadn't spoken about it before and we had the same conversation from a few days earlier.

Today I pulled in the driveway and he came walking over. For probably the 20th time he told me "Wow! I used to have one of those! Great bikes. Drove it over Snoqualmie Pass more times than I can count!" And I just nodded and laughed and agreed in all of the right places. Playing along doesn't cost me anything, and he sure as hell gets a kick out of the surprise of seeing a bike just like his favorite bike parked in my driveway every few days. Today I promised him I was going to take it over Snoqualmie Pass for him. Sure, he won't remember, but I think I'll do it anyway.

Wolves, oh wolves now can't you see? There ain't no wolf can sing like me. And if there was then I suppose that he'd belong in Idaho.
-Josh Ritter

Re: I Used to Have One of Those!

WayneDW 06-20-2008, 7:42 PM
cool story... you are a gem, GoldFalcon.
Remember, we all are going to get old someday, some of us sooner than later.

Wayne
1983 GL650 Silverwing Interstate

WWW.fossilapostles.com

Re: I Used to Have One of Those!

Anonymous 06-20-2008, 9:16 PM
Gold Falcon,

You are a hero in my eyes. Someone like that really appreciates your gesture each time it happens ... and so do I. I have known several people suffering from that affliction and it is really nice what you are doing and bringing him great pleasure at the same time.

But for the grace of God ...

David from Wisconsin
R80Dave

Re: I Used to Have One of Those!

mcreviver 06-21-2008, 1:46 PM
Why don't you take him for a ride around the block on it?

Ron in PA

Re: I Used to Have One of Those!

Graywolfs02 06-23-2008, 10:00 PM

mcreviver wrote:
Why don't you take him for a ride around the block on it?

Better yet, if his niece will let you do it, take him for a ride over Snoqualmie Pass. Provided it isn't too far away from you.

Greg

1978 CX 500
Minnesota

Ride Safe, Ride Fast, Ride Far

Re: I Used to Have One of Those!

CXSarnia 06-24-2008, 3:27 AM
Your story reminded me of my elderly neighbour. She was 92 at the time. Every day in the summer time, we would meet at the fence, and she'd look over into my back yard at the pool. I'd tell her she was welcome to come over for a swim, but she has to wear a bikini. She would laugh.... every time I told her that. It's great, when you only need one joke to keep somebody smiling. She is no longer living next door, I miss her. She turned 95 in April, and is still going strong in Winnipeg. What goes around comes around.... we'll all get old(er for some!)

1979 CX500 Deluxe Newest ride in the fleet
1982 CB750K Daily rider September 1999
1982 CX500 Custom - project Originally bought April 1982 reacquired April 2006

Re: I Used to Have One of Those!

Gotfalls 06-26-2008, 9:36 AM
Man that made me feel good. Thank you for being so nice to him. Maybe you could sit outside with your bike ready for him to look at and let him take the covers off and look at things. My grandfather always talks about how he could take apart an old engine and put it right back together no problem, but not so with the new ones. You might just put a big smile on his face and allow him a great day. A little warm gesture goes a long way.

-1979 CX500 Custom - "Doc"

Re: I Used to Have One of Those!

NebraskaRider 06-26-2008, 10:47 AM
Good man. Kindness is a beautiful thing.

Big Jim
1982 GL500

Re: I Used to Have One of Those!

ROne 06-28-2008, 12:45 AM
Hey GoldFalcon,

Yep I agree, that is a hell of a nice thing you are doing............but man, It's the funniest thing I've read this week. Couldn't help laugh my ass off when reading your story, reminded me too much of Bill Murray's character in 'Ground Hog Day'. I could just picture you chatting to him each time and the smile that would light up on the guys face as you road the bike in the drive.

Sorry, but I had to laugh....cause man, I'm probably gonna be that way when I'm older. And I'm gonna love waking up and thinking it's a brand new day all over again. :)

But seriously, extremely nice of you to play along for him.

Re: I Used to Have One of Those!

PWG in Lowgap NC 06-28-2008, 1:09 AM
Today is the first day of the rest of your life.

http://httassociation.com
82 GL500 / 66 MGB Trike "Old Yeller"
05 Suzuki S50 "Plaything"

ANY WARM DAY ABOVE GROUND IS A GOOD ONE
(unknown senior citizen)

Re: I Used to Have One of Those!

Damnit Johnny 06-28-2008, 11:50 AM
Sounds just about right,except I am the middle age(76) owner of a CVX 500(1980) and the youngs guys come over and tell me their grandpas had a bike like that..

1980 TW 200
1990 CX 500 delux
2006 Honda Aero 750

Re: I Used to Have One of Those!

LRCXed 07-04-2008, 5:58 PM
It's nice to know there is still warm hearted people out there! In this world of disrespect and ignorance from the new generation, I can only shutter at the thought of what they will feel when someone treats them as well as your treating your new friend next doors.
PLAY IT AGAIN SAM

If your going to do something, do it right, don't do it half as@*d.
http://globalcxglvtwins.hostingdelivered.com/

Re: I Used to Have One of Those!

Blindstitch2002 07-05-2008, 1:27 PM
In my old town I was at the grocery story with my brother and a friend teaching him how to drive with some cones and this older man maybe in his late 60's walked all the way across the parking lot to talk to me and my brother who both have cx500 customs. The guy told me he had two of his own at home. One from the day they hit the sales lot and another he picked up 10 years later. We talked for about 45 minutes till his wife threatened to leave him there. I think if it wasn't going to rain he might have stayed. Cx/Gl owners are the best I have ever ran into.

1978 Honda Cx500 Maggot
1979 Honda Cx500 Custom
1980 Honda Cx500 Deluxe Couch Project Bike

CX500 Factory Service Manual
Courtesy of Randall-in-Mpls

Re: I Used to Have One of Those!

gregoryjewell 07-11-2008, 12:49 PM
well its like the old ads used to say you meet the nicest people on a honda -lol

79 cx500 custom (sonofabitch)
any day there not shoveling dirt on your face is a good one

Re: I Used to Have One of Those!

Daniel45mpg 07-16-2008, 8:13 PM
smile.

1980 CX500C
1980 CX500D

Renew, Reuse, Recycle.

Re: I Used to Have One of Those!

Anonymous 07-28-2008, 8:26 AM
Blindstitch,

That older guy is someone you want to befriend ... he may have been looking for a good home to donate his bikes to for safe keeping.

David from Wisconsin
R80Dave