sad day yesterday.

[Topdad]

Got to say I 've had better days than yesterday. I attended the funeral of an old friend , Kerry, I first met him working in a second hand bike parts shop called Grampian Mtrs ,  they still exist but different ethos and owners. Kerry never held a full time job prefering to get bpaid by parts need to finish his latest project. When you visited his home you'd not be surprised to see a Manx propped against a wall cabinet ,a cyclinder head in a fruit bowl you get the idea. outside his workshop full of machine tools that many a prof shop didn't have and he knew how to use them as well.This was his also his downfall as it led to an endless stream of people knocking on the door which eventually built up and when his Dad who he looked after died a nnervous breakdown happened . after this he was a changed man he became extremley distrustful of everyone and he never touched his machines again .Eric another old friend phoned around for over 2 weeks to let friends know ,the crem shouldn have been rammed but actually 12 mad the effort . A disgrace for a nice guy .RIP Kerry 

[RDfella]

Sadly, a reflection of the times we live in and age. My mom lived to 93 but noted a few years earlier that she had no friends because they'd all died. I 'm now down to very few and they're all to old / infirm to assist me with bikes / property & boat maintenance. And as someone pointed out earlier, us oldies live in an age we're not part of. The digital age started leaving us behind around 20 yrs ago and now there's a definite divide between us and the new generation. So, unless one is for one reason or another outstanding in the community, don't expect many to check in on the funeral or be interested in anything we leave behind. Sad though it is.

[Topdad]

Absolutely RD ,onwards and upwards ,well for a while yet 

[fffcycles]

On the other hand. I travelled to Montreal two weeks ago to meet up with an old high school friend and his wife visiting from Perth Australia along with another friend now living in Halifax. What a great time don’t know when it will happen again. Bill says they are selling their apartment in Montreal after 30 years because all their friends have now passed so no need. A pity really but that is where we are at, at home we have now cleared the place out and the 5 bedroom house is on the market soon. Not getting a lot of response from folks on the last of my bike collection so will have to drop the prices again, now there’s a pity

[CheeserBeezer]

This is a very depressing thread. Like most of us, there's more of my life behind me than ahead of me, so the time is right to look back and give thanks for the incredible lives we've had.  Life is finite so there's no point getting depressed about it. It is what it is. For me, I've got kids and grandchildren and I'm proud of them and their achievements. I have had amazing holidays, one of which was in NZ when I had my A10 crated out to Christchurch with us. I raced motocross bikes at a decent standard. I spent 33 years in the teaching profession making a positive (I hope!) impact on the lives of youngsters. I started my business after retirement and made lots of friends due to it, and in no small part to this forum. I still ride my bikes and love the feeling and sound of it all. Life is great... but it ain't going to last forever, but we've always known that haven't we?

[RichardL]

Bob,
Very sorry for the loss of your friend. From your description of his lifestyle and dedication to his toys, he sounds like an original.
y
Andrew,
Thanks for a perspective that helps us all.   

Richard L. 

[muskrat]

G'day fellas.
My sister says I'm on my 3rd cat!
Cheers

[berger]

only 3rd cat musky my mates said i used all 9 of mine 40 years ago

[groily]

only 3rd cat musky my mates said i used all 9 of mine 40 years ago

If Musky's on his third cat, reckon he's on 19+ lives now Bergs. Probably up near 4th cat if only we knew (just guessing of course), so could be closer to 27!
"How many cats must a man outlive
Before we call him a Man?"
Or something melodic.

[fffcycles]

Not going for the depressing bit. Started riding at 15 and never looked too far back. More than happy I made it through the stupid bits and surprisingly still around despite a few tries (at bad riding). As I have said “thanks to those who told me not to take up racing for a past time”.  I am probably way past 9 cats worth but it’s been fun and thought I would have a few more years but let’s face it I knew it would come to an end.
Frank

[KiwiGF]

This is a very depressing thread. Like most of us, there's more of my life behind me than ahead of me, so the time is right to look back and give thanks for the incredible lives we've had.  Life is finite so there's no point getting depressed about it. It is what it is. For me, I've got kids and grandchildren and I'm proud of them and their achievements. I have had amazing holidays, one of which was in NZ when I had my A10 crated out to Christchurch with us. I raced motocross bikes at a decent standard. I spent 33 years in the teaching profession making a positive (I hope!) impact on the lives of youngsters. I started my business after retirement and made lots of friends due to it, and in no small part to this forum. I still ride my bikes and love the feeling and sound of it all. Life is great... but it ain't going to last forever, but we've always known that haven't we?

Next year is another chance to visit nz again….and this time you could probably borrow a bike.

https://www.bsaoc.co.nz/international-bsa-rally-2026