By Peter Tanshanomi[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdBptlmu7kA[/youtube]
[Jeff discovered this YouTube video over the weekend and asked me to write a post about it for Two Wheel Tuesday, but I cannot imagine that any words penned by a stranger would add anything to the amazing story and touching tribute described in the creator’s comments. – T.]
This is a photo story of my father’s 1958 BMW R50:
Boy meets girl, gets married, buys motorcycle. Rides it for 60,000 miles and has accident when wife is pregnant with 3rd child (me). Wife orders motorcycle to be taken off road until all her children are grown and on their own. One day when bike is moved to a different storage location, son sits on bike and dreams of being a Jedi Master like his father. Couple grows old together and bike is not ridden for 40 years. Husband is now a grandfather of 7 and married for 50 years, when he dies of a stroke at age 71.
Son looks over the old rotting machine and finds note attached to it from his father to him:
Spare parts are tucked away inside headlamp, tail-lamp. Extra tools are in that kit. I want the bike to be fixed as well as I know you can do it. – R Costello
Son decides to restore the old 1958 BMW R-50 as a tribute to his father. With the help of many friends, especially Peter Nettesheim, world renowned BMW collector, bike is restored to look even better than it did when it was built in Germany.
Watch it at 720p in full screen for best quality.
Jeff Glucker
nicely done
The intellectual depth of the Hooniverse continues to astound this olelongrooffan. Thanks for sharing this wonderful, inspiring video with your fellow Hoons. Treasured find, Jeff.
What a great story. I wish my dad's 1964 VW Beetle hadn't been stolen, it would have been fun to restore it and motor around with him again.
Christ, that was beautiful. I hope to pass on something like this to my son, and to be half as cool as that man and his father are/were.
Whats creepy is that my family has a story pretty much the same. My dad's first BMW was a mid 50's frame with a 60's boxer engine. He still has it stashed away in his garage.
I never think of Pearl Jam when I think of beautiful songs (powerful maybe, but not beautiful) so this one packs a serious punch when it sneaks up on me.
That is fantastic. Made even better by the fact it's one of my favorite bikes. But even if it was just a rusted out scooter, I can appreciate the sentiment.
I'm awaiting the day I have the time and space to get dad's [formerly grandpa's and great great grandpa's] 1929 Chevy restored. Dad has little interest in cars but knows the value of a family heirloom.
I got all misty-eyed, made me miss my dad too.
If the Wisconsin winters had not rusted it away I’m sure one of my siblings or me would be working on his old Saab 99 thanks for posting this.
Equally as powerful as the video I've seen where the brothers restore their Dad's Norton. Moving as hell, great stuff.