This is a precautionary tale for those of you who ride.

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HunterGKS
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This is a precautionary tale for those of you who ride.

Post by HunterGKS »

As I was cleaning out my barn for demolition, I found my old helmet, which brought back some not so fond 45 year old memories.

On January 19, 1973, I was honorably discharged from the USAF in Tampa, Fl. After spending a couple of weeks at home in Ohio trying to decide what I wanted to do, I called my AF civilian boss & found out that I had a job offer from GTE (Pre-Verizon) & they wanted me now. I moved back to Tampa & started work in the new 1st Financial Towers installing large telephone systems. I bought a Yamaha RD350 motorcycle shortly after starting work.

Everything was going well until the 1st week of August when I was within 20 days of completing my probationary 6 months. I was headed to the grocery store after work when a drunk ran a stop sign in a 1974 Lincoln Continental. I saw the car crossing in front of me & realized I was going to hit it. The next thing I remember was being on the ground screaming that my leg hurt. The next thing I remember was waking up on a gurney with a priest administering last rights. I told him we had 2 problems. 1. I wasn’t Catholic & 2, I wasn’t planning on going anywhere.

I spent 28 days in St. Joseph's Hospital. The 1st 2 weeks can only be described as an out-of-body experience. It was like I was sitting next to the bed watching someone that looked just like me. On day 24, they operated on my right knee. (The same reconstructive surgery as Joe Willie.) They had to wait for the gash on top of my knee to heal before they could operate. They had already set a broken bone in my left hand. When I got out, I had 6 weeks of hobbling around on crutches followed by several weeks of rehab at St. Joe’s.

The repair job held up pretty well until 2011 when it started giving me all kinds of problems. I finally had it replaced on January 16, 2012. It’s working pretty well now. The last pic is of my right knee. The scar on the right side was the repair & the left, he replacement.

I found out later that a woman saw the accident & said that the bike went oh the side of the car & I flew over it like a big bird. I hit the convertible top with my right shoulder bending the metal bar. I also crushed the gas tank with my knees & bent the handle bars in when I tensed up.

OK, If you have gotten this far, here’s the precautionary part: ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET WHEN RIDING. As the pic shows, if I hadn’t been wearing my helmet, it’s questionable that I would be here today or what my mental state might be as my head contacted the road several times. (No comments from the peanut gallery!)

There are more stories related to this incident that I may share later.
George

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR BODY STILL. YOUR HEART JUST HASN'T CAUGHT ON.

.17 = NITRO OF THE RIMFIRE WORLD USAF 1969-1973


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HunterGKS
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Re: This is a precautionary tale for those of you who ride.

Post by HunterGKS »

I forgot to mention that the driver of the Lincoln had been sitting in a bar drinking all afternoon.
Also, the pics of the car were taken in the parking lot of the same bar.
George

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR BODY STILL. YOUR HEART JUST HASN'T CAUGHT ON.

.17 = NITRO OF THE RIMFIRE WORLD USAF 1969-1973


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Re: This is a precautionary tale for those of you who ride.

Post by guesswho »

Lucky, not the hitting the car part. I had a similar experience at 14, but not as serious as what you had going on. I hit a parked train on a dirt bike. I know what a love-bug on a windshield feels like. Still paying for it physically. Multiple surgeries on both knee's, shoulders and elbows.

That's not the County line bar is it?
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Re: This is a precautionary tale for those of you who ride.

Post by SumToy »

That is the reason I sold mine. Getting to old to fix easy. lol
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Re: This is a precautionary tale for those of you who ride.

Post by Hoobilly »

owned 4 different Harleys, a Yamaha VMax Verago etc..

my son wanted to ride all the time and it was so dangerous around here I sold my Harley in 99 and bought a Cobra kit car.

I cant believe how bad it is now compared to then with traffic
Don't start none, won't be none!

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Re: This is a precautionary tale for those of you who ride.

Post by HunterGKS »

guesswho wrote: August 4th, 2018, 3:02 pm Lucky, not the hitting the car part. I had a similar experience at 14, but not as serious as what you had going on. I hit a parked train on a dirt bike. I know what a love-bug on a windshield feels like. Still paying for it physically. Multiple surgeries on both knee's, shoulders and elbows.

That's not the County line bar is it?
Damned lucky. They are a lot of fun but also very dangerous. You have to be aware all the time. Sucks that you are still suffering.
George

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR BODY STILL. YOUR HEART JUST HASN'T CAUGHT ON.

.17 = NITRO OF THE RIMFIRE WORLD USAF 1969-1973


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HunterGKS
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Re: This is a precautionary tale for those of you who ride.

Post by HunterGKS »

SumToy wrote: August 4th, 2018, 4:08 pm That is the reason I sold mine. Getting to old to fix easy. lol
I did ride after the accident so I wouldn't be afraid but there is no way in hell I would ride now.
George

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR BODY STILL. YOUR HEART JUST HASN'T CAUGHT ON.

.17 = NITRO OF THE RIMFIRE WORLD USAF 1969-1973


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Re: This is a precautionary tale for those of you who ride.

Post by HunterGKS »

hoobilly wrote: August 4th, 2018, 4:32 pm owned 4 different Harleys, a Yamaha VMax Verago etc..

my son wanted to ride all the time and it was so dangerous around here I sold my Harley in 99 and bought a Cobra kit car.

I cant believe how bad it is now compared to then with traffic
People just don't seem to care. Even in my truck, I'm ever vigilant as there are so many idiots on the roads.

Even back then, I had to go ditching several times as people would pull out in front of me or back out & block the road.
George

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR BODY STILL. YOUR HEART JUST HASN'T CAUGHT ON.

.17 = NITRO OF THE RIMFIRE WORLD USAF 1969-1973


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Re: This is a precautionary tale for those of you who ride.

Post by HunterGKS »

I deleted the pics from the original post & created a new set in Flickr so they would show up properly.

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George

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR BODY STILL. YOUR HEART JUST HASN'T CAUGHT ON.

.17 = NITRO OF THE RIMFIRE WORLD USAF 1969-1973


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Re: This is a precautionary tale for those of you who ride.

Post by Hognutz »

I’ve owned bikes all my life. Got a Harley 50cc when I was 12. I’ve owed three Harley’s. (hence the moniker Hognutz).
I’ve had a few dirt bikes, as well. Great fun. But dangerous!
I sold my last Harley 3 years ago and bought a new boat. I still enjoy riding but it gets harder, the older you get, to enjoy while looking over your shoulder at every vehicle that you come across hoping they see you!
Had a bunch of wrecks when I was young. All self inflicted!
My brother got hit head on by a lady doing a U turn in front of him when he was 17. He lost his right leg below the knee, on the spot. His best friend was killed.
When it’s bike vs car, the bike seldom wins!!
With all this being said, anyone who has ever ridden a Harley through Spearfish Canyon in South Dakota knows what I’m talking about. As close to Heaven as you can get. Crazy, flipping awesome!!
Hognutz, Out!
May I assume you're not here to inquire about the alcohol or the tobacco?
I am the man from Nantucket.
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Re: This is a precautionary tale for those of you who ride.

Post by Tail Feathers »

Dang you messed up a perfectly good suicide door Lincoln! :LMAO:

And dang near ruint yourself in the process! :o
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Re: This is a precautionary tale for those of you who ride.

Post by Hognutz »

That’s a heck of a wreck, George..you are a lucky man. So.. Did you get the job?
May I assume you're not here to inquire about the alcohol or the tobacco?
I am the man from Nantucket.
“Leave the gun, take the cannoli” -Clemensa
When attacked by a group of clowns...Go for the Juggler!!
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Re: This is a precautionary tale for those of you who ride.

Post by HunterGKS »

Tail Feathers wrote: August 4th, 2018, 7:39 pm Dang you messed up a perfectly good suicide door Lincoln! :LMAO:

And dang near ruint yourself in the process! :o
Why yes, yes I did.

I had already damaged the right knee playing HS football & this finished up the job so, in 1
sense, it helped me as I got the knee "fixed."
George

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR BODY STILL. YOUR HEART JUST HASN'T CAUGHT ON.

.17 = NITRO OF THE RIMFIRE WORLD USAF 1969-1973


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Re: This is a precautionary tale for those of you who ride.

Post by HunterGKS »

Hognutz wrote: August 4th, 2018, 8:00 pm That’s a heck of a wreck, George..you are a lucky man. So.. Did you get the job?
Extremely lucky & thankful.

They did terminate me but hired me back after I had fully recovered. I had always had some sort
of "outside" job & wanted to go back to installing & repairing phones. I had to pass a company
physical before they rehired me. That Doc said my knee wouldn't hold up to climbing poles even
though my orthopedic surgeon said it was fine. They gave me an inside job which turned out great
for my career.

BTW, I thought your name was because you hunted hogs. lol
George

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR BODY STILL. YOUR HEART JUST HASN'T CAUGHT ON.

.17 = NITRO OF THE RIMFIRE WORLD USAF 1969-1973


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Re: This is a precautionary tale for those of you who ride.

Post by Hognutz »

Not much for wild hogs up here..
Lots of Harley “Hogs”! :lol:
May I assume you're not here to inquire about the alcohol or the tobacco?
I am the man from Nantucket.
“Leave the gun, take the cannoli” -Clemensa
When attacked by a group of clowns...Go for the Juggler!!
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Re: This is a precautionary tale for those of you who ride.

Post by GLS »

Damn, George, you are lucky to be alive. You made the case for head protection for sure. My BIL is a board certified ER doc and his nickname for motorcycle is "donorcycle". That scar on you knee needs another scar to make it a complete turkey track. ;) Gil
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Re: This is a precautionary tale for those of you who ride.

Post by OLE RASPY »

Idk why you wanna sho off your legs George. 😉 lol.
Dang you are lucky. Glad ya had that helmet on.
What about the drunk driver. They arrest him or what.
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Re: This is a precautionary tale for those of you who ride.

Post by HunterGKS »

GLS wrote: August 5th, 2018, 2:46 pm Damn, George, you are lucky to be alive. You made the case for head protection for sure. My BIL is a board certified ER doc and his nickname for motorcycle is "donorcycle". That scar on you knee needs another scar to make it a complete turkey track. ;) Gil
It just amazes me how many people don't wear helmets. I won't say what I think of them as I
don't want to pizz anyone off more than I already do here.

Hopefully there won't be another scar but it all depends on how long the fake knee lasts.
Had this 1 since 01/16/12.
George

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR BODY STILL. YOUR HEART JUST HASN'T CAUGHT ON.

.17 = NITRO OF THE RIMFIRE WORLD USAF 1969-1973


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Re: This is a precautionary tale for those of you who ride.

Post by HunterGKS »

OLE RASPY wrote: August 5th, 2018, 2:52 pm Idk why you wanna sho off your legs George. 😉 lol.
Dang you are lucky. Glad ya had that helmet on.
What about the drunk driver. They arrest him or what.
My legs are in pretty good shape now compared to then as I workout at least
twice a week for 1 1/2 hrs each session. Have been since Feb, 2012.

I always wore a helmet even when I didn't legally have to. Just wasn't worth the risk.

The azzhole basically got off. He did get a ticket but I don't know if he was arrested then
or not. When we went to court on his ticket, I couldn't ID him. The cop that wrote him
up didn't show up so he was found not guilty. Being the calm, collected, & politically
correct individual that I am, I looked the judge dead in the eye & told him that, if I had
known the outcome, I would have lied my ass off & said: "Yeah, that's the SOB that ran
the stop sign & hit me!" The judge didn't take that too well & I got at least a 10 minute
lecture on jurisprudence. I guess I was lucky he didn't find me in contempt.
George

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR BODY STILL. YOUR HEART JUST HASN'T CAUGHT ON.

.17 = NITRO OF THE RIMFIRE WORLD USAF 1969-1973


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Re: This is a precautionary tale for those of you who ride.

Post by Hognutz »

I can’t fugure out why you had to identify the driver. He got a ticket. They knew who the driver was. You supposed to look at his face before or after you hit the windshield? What crock. I guess it was different back then but something sure stinks about the deal that you got!!
May I assume you're not here to inquire about the alcohol or the tobacco?
I am the man from Nantucket.
“Leave the gun, take the cannoli” -Clemensa
When attacked by a group of clowns...Go for the Juggler!!
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Re: This is a precautionary tale for those of you who ride.

Post by guesswho »

Polk or Hillsboro by chance?
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Re: This is a precautionary tale for those of you who ride.

Post by HunterGKS »

Hognutz wrote: August 5th, 2018, 3:42 pm I can’t fugure out why you had to identify the driver. He got a ticket. They knew who the driver was. You supposed to look at his face before or after you hit the windshield? What crock. I guess it was different back then but something sure stinks about the deal that you got!!
To say I wasn't happy would be a huge understatement. He signed the freaking ticket!!

My hair was longer & beard fuller than the pics as the trial was a couple of months later
& I think that may have had something to do with it. I don't think the judge liked my
pony-tail specifically or "long haired hippy freaks" in general. I was still in 2 casts & on
crutches but that didn't matter. I did sue a couple of insurance companies & did win
some cash but I couldn't get anything from him as he was a govt worker & we couldn't
garnish his wages. He pretty much got away scot-free while I paid the price.
George

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR BODY STILL. YOUR HEART JUST HASN'T CAUGHT ON.

.17 = NITRO OF THE RIMFIRE WORLD USAF 1969-1973


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Re: This is a precautionary tale for those of you who ride.

Post by HunterGKS »

guesswho wrote: August 5th, 2018, 3:46 pm Polk or Hillsboro by chance?
Hillsborough. I was living in Drew Park at the time 4 blocks west of the then Tampa Stadium.
The accident happened on Lois Ave a few blocks south of Hillsborough Ave.
George

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR BODY STILL. YOUR HEART JUST HASN'T CAUGHT ON.

.17 = NITRO OF THE RIMFIRE WORLD USAF 1969-1973


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