WD
Serious Thumper 2005 No Login
   
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Professional "scooter trash".
Posts: 5207
Rosemark TN
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Git, I fully agree that stunt riding without a helmet is a Darwin Award waiting to happen. I also agree that thousands of garage built bikes are equal to or better qulaity than the standard TV celebrity scoots, most of which are bolt-on billet barges in disguise.
Indian Larry's build style was the impetus for many garage builders to start. Tight rake, big motor, no excess junk. Clean, simple, personalized chariots that reflect the builder's tastes instead of the "part du jour" lemming mentality. Take a deep look at what you have done to your bike...a bike that the mainstream ignores. From where I sit, there is a bit of him in each one of us who owns a Savage/S40. Did I agree with his stunt riding, no. Did I envy him the ability to do the stunts, yes. Did I want to go through all the difficulties he (and to some extent I) faced, no. Did I want to develop the level of talent he had? Yes, beyond any shadow of a doubt.
I honestly feel he knew his time was coming. On the I.L. -vs- Mondo build, he presented Mondo with a Panhead piston, engraved with the trademarked question mark symbol, sporting a pair of Angel wings... Did he off himself? Don't know, I doubt it, but I don't know. Either way, I judge him by his bikes, by what he tried to do for the biking community, and for the way his passing brings the true chopper scene together.
For me, the issue is ready for closure. I'll just keep trying to build and ride the best quality bikes I can. For me. All for now, I've got a seat to finish hand stitching... -WD ex-HAMC Nomad
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