SkullNBones's 1949 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Classic

A riding story...

Thought I would share one of my favorite riding stories here.

So I am out at a restaurant with some of my Harley riding friends one summer evening when I get up from the outdoor table to discover some dude and a older couple checking out my bike. Whenever I see a stranger hovering over my bike, it gets my attention. At first I thought they were together until I realized the younger dude was wearing a multi-colored leather jacket and carrying a matching full face helmet. Suddenly I hear the younger dude say, "That guy has a problem -- his engine is leaking oil". The old codger leaning on a cane says to him, "These old Harleys did that -- Actually this rider would have a problem if it wasn't dripping oil". The puzzled look on the dudes face was priceless. As I walked out of the patio dining area, the young dude glanced over to notice me heading towards him, then turned to walk across the lot towards his rice rocket.

I must of had a smile from ear to ear when I greeted the old codger and his wife. He asked, "You riding this Panhead?" I replied, "Yes sir". I think he was amazed that a young dude my age would be riding such a classic Harley. "What year is it, about a '50?" asked the old guy. Now it was my turn to be amazed. "Actually it's a '49 DuoGlide", I replied. Suddenly the old guy says , "The shifter is missing, you take it off?" I chuckled, "No, the guy I bought it from did". I went on to tell him the guy no longer had the tank mount "suicide shifter", and I considered finding another one, but that I enjoy riding with the forward control foot shift.

The old codger shuffled a step or two using his cane to look closer at the speedo atop the tank. At first I was hoping the old guy wouldn't loose his balance and fall into my bike. But for some reason, I felt comfortable trusting this old guy leaning over my tank. I glanced over thinking the nice lady was bored with her husband inspecting my bike when she tells me, "My husband rode motorcycles when he was younger". I figured this old guy knew Harleys. Sure enough, the old guy began telling me he rode during World War II as a messenger with the Army. Then looking me square in the eyes, he says, "I rode for several years after the war -- until someone in a car hit me in 1956". He went on to tell me the best part of the story, how he met his wife. Turns out she was a nurse in the hospital who attended to his injuries in the emergency room. After his recovery, he went back to ask her out on a date. And the rest as they say, is history.

Well the Mrs decided it was time they to go inside to eat. She used the excuse they had taken up enough of my time and that she was hungry. The old codger smirked as he asked, "You married young man?" I replied "No sir". He made a joke about "the boss" being hungry and included, "If you're lucky, some day you'll know what I am referring to." I smiled at both of them, shook hands and exchanged parting pleasantries. I walked over to hold the door for them as they entered the restaurant when I noticed one of my friends stepping aside to let the old couple enter. He was on his way out to grab his cell phone, as I headed back to my friends on the patio. I told the guys about the encounter I had just experienced, some thought it was interesting, and one made some wise-crack as usual. I couldn't help but recall the last comment the old codger made to me...... I wondered if that meant she made him give up riding after his accident -- And that he has been happy ever since?

From where I was sitting, I noticed the old couple had been seated in a area of the dining room visable to me. As I glanced at them, I couldn't help thinking how nice they were, and how cool that old codger was. My attention turned back to my friends at the table. I'm not sure how much time had passed when another waitress brought me a beer. She said it was from the guy inside, pointing to the old codger. I glanced over but the old guy never looked my way, so I told her to thank them. I watched as she headed over to their table, the old guy glanced my way and raised his beer glass to say "You're welcome". His wife smiled, then the two turned their attention back towards each other. For a moment, I wondered if the old couple were discussing motorcycles and their past? Or maybe motorcycles and my future? Probably not.

Having finished eating, I was almost done with my beer when the owner came over to our table. He rides a Hog, and always comp's us a beer (means gives us a free one) whenever we come in. Anyway, we were talking about bikes when our waitress came over to hang out. I asked her for a piece of paper, so she tore off a check from her order pad. I wrote a message on the backside and told the owner to give the note to that old couple eating inside. He asked what it was and I told him the story about the old guy and that I wanted to buy their dinner. He read the note, looked at me, and smiled. I told him to put it on my tab. He said, "will do", and headed off to do whatever it is he does. So we paid our check and got up to leave.

As we were sitting on our idling bikes, for some reason I glanced back to see the old guy staring out the window at us. I nodded. He gave me a thumbs up. We rode.

Oh yeah, as for the note -- I wrote, "It was a honor to meet a biker from another generation, and a real hero from another generation of veteran's. Thanks for saving the world. Dinner is on me."

The world owes a debt of gratitude to guys like that old codger. I only wish there had been time to hear his riding stories.

- SkullNBones.