FotoMoto
03-07-2004, 09:36 PM
I first met Rudy while cruising on the street. He zipped up alongside on his pristine GSXR600 Telefonica edition. He gave me a quick friendly wave and was off. The first time I spoke with him was at the local bike night. He was young and full of zest. Everyone knew him or knew of his "skilz".
Rudy was a stunter and one of the best around here. But he knew little about his machine. We pointed out that his chain was in severe need of maintainence. He said he didn't like oiling it because it messed up his white wheels! A few weeks later, he tells us the stock chain broke while doing a wheelie yet he saved it. A friend put a master link in without a rivet or even a clip and he rode it like that; still stunting. We stongly advised him to get a new chain ASAP even offering to help him with the install. The next time I talked with him he tells us how he stripped the oil drain plug trying to change the oil himself. It's leaking and he's got a slick rear tire too!
A couple of months later, I saw the kid at a local stunt show (see my pic). He tells me he's through with the 600 and wants to get the new 1000. I muttered a few words about watching out for all the power, etc. Sure enough he shows up at bike nite with his new ride a few weeks later and has all ready been down on it. He was pulling a wheelie while sitting on the tank. When it came down a little too hard he "goosed" the throttle, pitching him off, and sending the new gixxer 1000 into a freshly plowed field amazinly causing only minor scuffs. Helmet and gloves were his only safety gear so he had bad case of rash to show off. I replied how a good jacket and some riding pants would have helped. I then gave him a CD of the photos I shot of him at the show for which he was extemely grateful.
That was the last time I saw Rudy. Today, I read in the paper that he died. I'm sure everyone reading this assumes it was on his bike but no he died as a passenger in a single vehicle automobile wreck. He wasn't buckled in and the truck rolled, ejecting him. It was late saturday night after leaving a club. I assume alcohol was involved but don't know that for sure. The front page photo in the paper shows about a hundred bikers wearing t-shirts with my photo silkscreen on. I got chills.
I guess that for some it's "just meant to be".
I hope this doesn't come off as preaching because I don't mean it to. Just take care out there everyone. Wear your gear and don't forget to buckle up (OK now I'm preaching!)
Ride on Rudy.
http://www.savepic.com/freepicturehosting/is.php?i=102405&img=8798Rudy.jpg
Rudy was a stunter and one of the best around here. But he knew little about his machine. We pointed out that his chain was in severe need of maintainence. He said he didn't like oiling it because it messed up his white wheels! A few weeks later, he tells us the stock chain broke while doing a wheelie yet he saved it. A friend put a master link in without a rivet or even a clip and he rode it like that; still stunting. We stongly advised him to get a new chain ASAP even offering to help him with the install. The next time I talked with him he tells us how he stripped the oil drain plug trying to change the oil himself. It's leaking and he's got a slick rear tire too!
A couple of months later, I saw the kid at a local stunt show (see my pic). He tells me he's through with the 600 and wants to get the new 1000. I muttered a few words about watching out for all the power, etc. Sure enough he shows up at bike nite with his new ride a few weeks later and has all ready been down on it. He was pulling a wheelie while sitting on the tank. When it came down a little too hard he "goosed" the throttle, pitching him off, and sending the new gixxer 1000 into a freshly plowed field amazinly causing only minor scuffs. Helmet and gloves were his only safety gear so he had bad case of rash to show off. I replied how a good jacket and some riding pants would have helped. I then gave him a CD of the photos I shot of him at the show for which he was extemely grateful.
That was the last time I saw Rudy. Today, I read in the paper that he died. I'm sure everyone reading this assumes it was on his bike but no he died as a passenger in a single vehicle automobile wreck. He wasn't buckled in and the truck rolled, ejecting him. It was late saturday night after leaving a club. I assume alcohol was involved but don't know that for sure. The front page photo in the paper shows about a hundred bikers wearing t-shirts with my photo silkscreen on. I got chills.
I guess that for some it's "just meant to be".
I hope this doesn't come off as preaching because I don't mean it to. Just take care out there everyone. Wear your gear and don't forget to buckle up (OK now I'm preaching!)
Ride on Rudy.
http://www.savepic.com/freepicturehosting/is.php?i=102405&img=8798Rudy.jpg