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Brother Speed is the fucking best. I could listen to his stories for years. This picture looks to be about 20 years old. He didn't make it to Sturgis this year Because his mamma told him he should stay home because of his heart condition. The man is in his seventies and his parents are still kick'n too!
ReplyDeleteWow, thanks for the update Kid, I've seen some pictures of his bike in "Freeway magazine" 10 years ago and was (and still am) amazed by it. And also can imagine what a life he must 've had!
ReplyDeleteI'll try to scan some pics from the mag and post it up soon, thanks for your comment Kid!
His bike began it's "Rat" life on a trip to New Orleans. He stopped to sleep in the ditch. A cop rolled up and asked if he had any money on him. He said "No officer.... I rely on the kindness of strangers" The police officer arrested him for vagrancy. So he glued a doller and forty cents to his bike so he couldn't be arrested for vagrancy again. that was in the seventies I believe. It used to say Speed's Hellbound Express on his tank. Since then he has been glueing "gifts", Trophies and memories to his bike ever since...... and he'll tell you a story about every piece.
ReplyDeletewow! I knew he had coins everywhere on his bike, but not the story behind it, that rules!
ReplyDeleteThe picture above is how I remember him. I met John back in the late '70s when he lived near Millet and Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada after he solved a mechanical problem on my '76 Liberty Edition sportster and my family traded with the repair of his TV set and a turkey dinner. He was well loved by many. I enjoyed visiting and partying with him and the local biking crowd. He was a man with a good heart and I've always been grateful for the good times and friendship we shared back in those days. It is great knowing you John! ~Peace~ from "Sporty Bryan"
ReplyDeleteRode down and met John in Lewiston last summer after Sturgis. It was a great time and he has not changed. Love you Speed. Rosco. Edmonton.
ReplyDeleteThe pic is actually closer to 35 years ago. Brother Speed had a good amount of influence over how I reacted to situations as a biker. He never flew colors but loves everyone equally. Never asked for handouts and was always willing to lend a hand - even if it cost him some skin. There’s a couple of coins on that bike from me some 20 or so years ago and he never forgets his friends. Here’s hopin’ his old heart will pump as long as his ‘48 does. God bless you John…
ReplyDeleteThanks for the input!
DeleteI am his neighbor looking out for him making sure he’s comfortable and eating. Get him cigarettes and food occasionally. He don’t get around much anymore. His health is not good at all. Send ya prayers and good will. I’ve known him. 35 years or so. Loved all his stories. He still talks about his travels still to this day.
ReplyDeleteCool that youre looking out for him.
DeleteEver since i saw a couple of pictures of him and his bike in Freeway magazine back in the 1990s i was hooked on ratbikes!!! I even stuck coins to my moped back then!!! No kidding!!
All the best to him and tell him he has got a big fan in the Netherlands!
That’s awesome I will let him know tomorrow. He was over earlier for dinner. Still talking about times he had. And he’s honored people have said wonderful things about him. I was reading him articles earlier.
ReplyDeleteIf you scroll down on the right on this page, please click on 'RAGBAK DIVISION' ypu can show John the moped ive built back when i was 17, and if you look closely you can see some coins on there!!
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