Shortly after opening my shop in 88. A "newer " neighbor to the area had me tune and work on his saws. Usually carb problems. A real " character" for sure. Short,a little hunched over,funny and fun to be around,sometimes rode up on a Honda Passport sometimes his Nissan truck. But,,sent customers to me from here there and everywhere. More than I wanted. Ed says your the man to tune this !! Take it to Bill ! He told us! One thing led to another and soon I was boring a cylinder or two,,porting,,finding old outdated sled parts for him etc.. The years go by and I begin to realize ,this earth shattering sound I hear once every early February is a racing motorcycle flying up and down my hill. I realize it's Ed. Final tuning for Daytona.. YEARS after I've been tuning these things for him. He would bring guys in and show them how it was " No accident" Dad and I put the windows in the shop where we did. For the sun to shine in as workbench light and warmth etc..
Time goes by and he buys BOTH old garages in our "town" . Next thing I know,,there's a huge Bike collection.. Way out of my league and knowledge base. Indians,Nortons,Harleys,Vincents,,on and on.. We really get talking now! Well,, seems ol Ed was playing Possum with me all those years,,maybe ASSUMING ,I knew who he was. I didn't.. He was a Factory rider for Indian after the War. WW 2 That is !! He served in the war,,and told me stories of racing his Pony out into forbidden territories at night. Just a real gem !! We then get talking about his Yamaha,Indian,Nissan dealerships.. How he just returned back home from Jay Lenos,,and the Harley sidecar he just imported from Australia,,etc,,etc,, And he had made ME feel like I was the hero all these years! Ed was put in the Motorcycle Hall Of Fame in 2002. He is on his way home from Daytona as I type this. He still runs vintage races all across the country. Like everyone,he has had a ton of ups and downs. He needed a hip replacement a few years back,,,but still ran Daytona,,he said,,help me on the damn thing.. And catch me when I pull back in the pits ! He is a true go getter. They don't make a lot like him anymore,and it has been my pleasure to have him as my neighbor ! I know at least one member here knows him. You just never know do you
http://motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffa...px?RacerID=171
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