Sooner Or Later, I May Get It Right...

Discussion in 'Newbies Hangout' started by HuskerVSO, Nov 1, 2019.

  1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.
  1. HuskerVSO

    HuskerVSO Member

    Oct 31, 2019
    45
    13
    Nebraska
    Thanks to all who advised, maybe this is the right way for a "newbie"...;0)

    Good day to all!
    It all started when I was 14 years old, riding a bicycle that had a motor, down a dusty dirt road at sunrise. I still remember the moment as what Heaven must be like. I've been chasing that ever since.

    But I digress. I'm 71 years old, a Vietnam veteran, have lived in 14 states, have most likely made every mistake a man can make, and can thankfully say there is such a thing as "redemption". As a Western Nebraska native, in the 1960's, EVERYone had to have a motorcycle to race on our dirt oval in our one-acre back yard. My beast was an 80cc Yamaha that I dearly loved, but traded straight across for a '49 Chevy that had a working heater during a spectacularly cold Nebraska winter.

    When I became of age, I joined the military. I was an artist and loved my job for 8 1/2 years, the last two of which were with the USAF Aerial Demonstration Team, "The Thunderbirds". What a fantastic tour that was!

    I've always loved old cars and motorcycles. I recently acquired a 2013 Triumph Speedmaster, who has a beautiful profile. I have 4 brothers who simultaneously asked me, "Why the hell do you want another motorcycle?!"
    My answer was quite simple; "Life and my self-sabotaging ways have tried to beat the hell outta me. I'm an alcoholic (34 years sobriety, by the way), have been married and divorced 3 times, have had to start over with nothing but my tools more times than I can count. I'm 71 and can feel myself slowing down, so I'm going to fight it until I can't do it any longer. My happiest of times was on that motorbike on that one dirt road during that one sunrise. That's why."

    My psychology professor said I may be guilty of "premature disclosure", where, on a first date with a woman, you say "I'm an alcoholic who's been diagnosed with severe PTSD and have been married three times, but only had a pistol to my head one time. Shall we order?"
    What the hell does he know??

    Anyway, so happy to be here!!
     
    • Like Like x 15
    • Useful Useful x 1
  2. Bad Billy

    Bad Billy Baddest Member

    Jun 1, 2017
    6,800
    1,000
    Southern Softyville
    Ah! there you go, now introduced yourself on you very own thread :p, may it be the first of many as you certainly seem to have lived a varied & interesting life, so feel free, we talk about all sorts on here! :cool:
     
    • Agree Agree x 5
  3. Dartplayer

    Dartplayer Crème de la Crème

    Aug 8, 2018
    6,912
    1,000
    New Zealand
    Hi Husker and welcome again to the forum :cool: looking forward to seeing your ride
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  4. dilligaf

    dilligaf Guest

    Hi mate and welcome
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
  5. Helmut Visor

    Helmut Visor Only dead fish go with the flow
    Subscriber

    Oct 3, 2018
    6,095
    800
    Three Counties
    Howdy HuskerVSO, and welcome in :cool::cool:
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  6. HuskerVSO

    HuskerVSO Member

    Oct 31, 2019
    45
    13
    Nebraska

    Thank you!
    Yes, I've had an interesting life (like the time I had a contract on me in Bangkok, Thailand). But...I like who I am today, so in retrospect, I'd do it all again.
    One of my favorite poetry lines is from Dylan Thomas, "Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light."
    For so many years I had no opinions and was closed off like a suitcase. After years of therapy, I've found my Voice and have opinions on most everything, to the point of being annoying to most of my family members.
    My job is as a County Veterans Service Officer, an advocate for veterans when they deal with the bureaucratic nightmare of the Veterans Administration. I love my job.

    On to the Speedmaster! Since I can't leave well enough alone, I'm gonna make it "mine". Since I've painted and pin-striped many tanks and fenders, I'm going to do a patriotic theme for the tank. I've got a beautiful full buffalo skin to re-do the seat and make some nice saddlebags. I'm having a hard time with the forward controls as well. Triumph makes a mid-control kit for the later models, but none for the 2013. There's gotta be a way to engineer that...

    2013 Triumph.jpg
     
    • Like Like x 12
  7. Bad Billy

    Bad Billy Baddest Member

    Jun 1, 2017
    6,800
    1,000
    Southern Softyville
    A contract on you :eek: sounds "interesting" a story for another time maybe?

    Glad you got therapy & that you are now happy & enjoying your job & your life.

    I agree with you & Mr Thomas, keep on keeping on until you physically can't anymore! :D

    Good luck with the bike & don't forget to post progress pictures as you go. :cool:
     
    • Agree Agree x 4
    • Like Like x 1
  8. stollydriver

    stollydriver Elite Member

    Apr 25, 2015
    2,034
    800
    north wales
    Welcome from North Wales UK enjoy the bike and the forum 98636c6ee64925a19858f8a491d300d2.gif
     
    • Like Like x 1
  9. HuskerVSO

    HuskerVSO Member

    Oct 31, 2019
    45
    13
    Nebraska

    Thanks to all for a warm welcome!!
     
    • Like Like x 1
  10. joe mc donald

    Dec 26, 2014
    13,874
    1,000
    slough / burnham
    HuskerVSO
    Welcome to the family. Yes you certainly have had an interesting life. I had a cousin who coming home from Vietnam on his bike when he got killed. The family were overcome. After living through hell he got killed on his bike the one thing he loved. Nice bike by the way and yes do keep us all up with the transformation.
    Regards & Ride Safe
    Joe.
     
    • Like Like x 4
  11. David Cooper

    David Cooper Triumph Rocketeer.
    Subscriber

    Hello and welcome to the forum Husker.

    98636c6ee64925a19858f8a491d300d2.gif
     
    • Like Like x 1
  12. MadMrB

    MadMrB Elite Member

    Dec 24, 2018
    3,562
    800
    Northamptonshire, UK
    Hi Husker, and welcome in. Motorcycles are good for the soul, and we should ride until we are physically no longer able to do so and I sincerely hope that is a very long time for all of us :)
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Agree Agree x 2
  13. Damian Taylor

    Damian Taylor Member

    Oct 19, 2019
    28
    13
    Melbourne, Australia
    Hi there, I've always wanted to try a speedmaster, maybe one day.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  14. Old phart phred

    Old phart phred Noble Member

    Jun 23, 2019
    1,079
    443
    Ks
    #14 Old phart phred, Nov 1, 2019
    Last edited: Nov 1, 2019
    Go big red (it's a husker thing) and welcome to the forum. The bikes not red won't you be arrested? From a purple cat.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
  15. darkman

    darkman Crème de la Crème

    Oct 26, 2015
    7,535
    1,000
    Southcoast of the UK Earth
    Hi n welcome :)
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  16. mpllineman

    mpllineman First Class Member

    Feb 12, 2018
    826
    500
    Pearl,Ms.
    Good morning Husker and welcome aboard!
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  17. Timmy Tucker

    Timmy Tucker Elite Member

    Apr 20, 2019
    3,181
    800
    Newmarket
    Welcome to the madhouse you should fit right in.
    20190919_022123.jpg Tucker
     
    • Like Like x 3
    • Funny Funny x 2
  18. steve lovatt

    steve lovatt Something else

    May 12, 2014
    9,211
    1,000
    North Yorkshire
    hi and welcome to the forum :cool:
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  19. Vulpes

    Vulpes Confused Member

    Mar 14, 2018
    16,831
    1,000
    Netherlands
    Hi and welcome.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  20. Tiglet

    Tiglet Vintage Member

    Mar 28, 2016
    4,433
    1,000
    Cheshire
    Hello and welcome to the forum :)
     
    • Agree Agree x 1

Share This Page