04/30/2023
Welcome to Sunday Storytime!
A place to reminisce and have some laughs.
First off, thank you to everyone who has liked and or followed the page. I figured since I've been in or around the motorcycle industry my entire life that I should tell some of my stories for the rest of the world. Stories of my experiences with the people ive been fortunate enough to have, what seems always being in the right time, at the right place.
Whether it was a fluke meeting with a racing legend, a run-in with a rock and roll god, or a baseball superstar with a broken bike, this is the time to make a drink, roll a jib, or whatever makes you happy, sit back, and hear some craziness. Cheers, and welcome to the show.
Meeting my hero, or maybe not.
by Toothless on April 30, 2023
Picture it now, a strapping young lad who just got his first dirt bike.. Helmet, check, long pants, check, gloves, check. IT’S TIME TO RIDE!!!! Off to the backyard I went, running to the shed, pulling out that old 70’s Suzuki jr50. Giving it full throttle as soon as I hit the shifter into the one and only gear it had. The backyard wasn't that big, and had fencing on all three sides that the house wasn't on, and the ‘corners’ of the track I had decided on came up rather quickly. Luckily, I knew exactly what to do, well eventually after a few trips into the fence, I knew exactly what not to do as well, but man could I sling it!
I knew what to do because I was a flat track fan, really a huge Bubba Shobert fan, and he happened to be a flat track superstar. I watched him on Moto World every chance I could. If it wasn't there, it was me reading or finding any article I could from all of the motorcycle magazines or newspapers we always seemed to have. Bubba was my hero, my idol. I knew then that some racers were upset with other racers, but did not understand the American/Metric brand wars that were going on in flat track until years later. I knew that Bubba was always portrayed as a genuine, good guy, add on a bunch of wins and what little kid wouldn't like him, right?
I remember my dad coming out into the backyard as I’m full speed into the corner, then whipping the assend of that little 50 completely sideways, one foot out on the ground for balance, never letting off the gas the whole time. He motioned for me to stop, and when I did he said that we were going to go meet Bubba, at an actual flat track pro race in Charleston, West Virginia. Needless to say I was pretty excited, and counted down until the day we jumped into the 914 Porsche and tore ass down the road (I get it honest, we've never gone anywhere slow).
Arriving in Charleston, we went to the night race first thing. It was about the coolest thing that a kid could imagine, and way louder which to me was just amazing. The next morning we set out to find a local shop that dad had found out was letting the racers work on their bikes before the main night's event. I say we set out because, well West Virginia is a bunch of curvy roads, and mountain passes. To say the least, we got lost! It was super fun to bomb around in the 914, mountain pass after mountain pass, but I just wanted to meet Bubba, and after what seemed like days, we finally found the shop we were looking for. I was about to burst, and jumped out of the car looking here and there for any glimpse of my idol.
Dad walked up and spoke to the manager explaining our situation, and that I was really hoping to meet Bubba if he was still around. He was not. Our roaming around the wrong passes had made us miss him by less than five minutes! A guy was working on one of the bikes near where Dad and the manager are at and calls over to them asking what's going on. They eventually come and find me still roaming around looking for Bubba and tell me what's up. Seeing I was more than bummed out, the random guy leans over and introduces himself, handing me a brand new KK Motorcycle Supply hat with an autograph already on it. It was Steve Moorehead. He asked if I knew who he was, and of course I did, I was a flat track fan! He said that he knew I wasn't who he expected to meet, but we were welcome to hang out with him if we wanted, which of course we did for the rest of the day. Because of him, we were able to be in the pro pits for the main event. It was one of the most memorable events of my young life, all thanks to Steve being a good dude, and my awesome dad for talking him into some extra cool souvenirs. I loved every minute of it, even getting roosted by race bikes.
Eventually, the KK hat was covered in signatures of pro racers, mostly flat track, and of course Bubba Shobert, but Steve Mooreheads was always my favorite. I knew back then, four wheels move the body, but two wheels move the soul. I've never looked back and don't plan on starting now. Oh, and I still keep it pinned through the corners!
Well, that's it for this edition of Sunday Storytime, the first one ever! I hope you all enjoyed a little blast into my past.
The Toothless Biker Syndicate
Indiana, USA