My dad had always wanted a Sportster but would never allow himself to have one.
I guess he was one of those overly analytical types that just couldn’t “Justify” it.
I’m not sure why since he’d already had a couple of other bikes, a Honda and a Yamaha.
He sold them and has been without since the early 80’s.
A couple of years ago, I bought a Shadow. The Family was mostly raised. It was my turn.
I would take my bike and go visit my dad a couple of times a week. Each time I went, I offered him the keys to go for a ride. Every time he accepted with a smile.
Before the summer was up he called and wanted to know if I wanted to tag along. He was going to look at a Sportster!
I said sure and off we went. He test rode it and so did I. There was no hesitation. At the age of 73, The bike was his.
He never rode my Shadow again. Lol
Instead, he would offer me the keys to his Sportster which I would gladly accept with a smile.
I liked my bike, I liked his BETTER!
My Shadow is gone and I replaced it with a Sportster of my own.
NICE!!!!!!!! I test rode a Softail Deluxe the other day and while it was like riding on a Rolls Royce compared to my Sporty 48, I really love my SPorty! Even on a freeway ride last night at 70mph...I'm sure the Softail would have been smoother but you just can't replace the feel of a SportY!!!!! Welcome and enjoy that ride!!!!
Awesome! Ride with him every chance you get. My dad actually talked me out of getting a bike when he was still alive. I regretted listening to him because I never got the chance to ride with him.
I think about him every time I look at my Forty-Eight and even integrated a little piece of his army uniform into it. Turned his enlisted cap shield into an on/off switch for the ignition in place of the key. Well, I modified the key to fit into the back of the disk. Works perfectly and no boring key sticking out of the ignition.
Rented a Kawasaki 500 in Vegas in 1974, my Dad rented 1 too. Won enough money playing Black Jack, came home and bought my first bike a 1975 Sportster. Great Memories.
My Dad had a James 250 when he met my mum but gave up on bikes shortly after they married. My father-in-law(s) both have scooters. My step father-in-law passed his bike test at 63 years old. My father-in-law is 80 this year and waiting on a hip replacement. Once he's had it he is getting a 535 Virago and I think all 3 of us are going back to Normandy for a road trip! :smoke:
My Dad had a James 250 when he met my mum but gave up on bikes shortly after they married. My father-in-law(s) both have scooters. My step father-in-law passed his bike test at 63 years old. My father-in-law is 80 this year and waiting on a hip replacement. Once he's had it he is getting a 535 Virago and I think all 3 of us are going back to Normandy for a road trip! :smoke:
06-18-2015, 08:29 AM
My Sportster Inspiration
Even on a freeway ride last night at 70mph...I'm sure the Softail would have been smoother but you just can't replace the feel of a SportY!!!!! Welcome and enjoy that ride!!!! 
