My dad

[Greg in Maryland]

This is my 79 year old dad, riding his unrestored 1948 Indian Chief motorcycle after 33 years sitting in the basement/garage

Ain't life grand .....

Greg

Ps I am trying not to lecture him about safety, but it is hard.

[JR]

Awesome pic!

Ps I am trying not to lecture him about safety, but it is hard.

I remember when my aged grandmother elected to stay in an apartment after Grampy died. She was functionally blind and had angina. I asked my mother why she didn't insist on assisted living. She said, "She's old enough to make up her own mind."

This is now my entire philosophy on dealing with old people. They may get confused or make seemingly poor choices, but they've earned the right to do it their way.

JR

[jackellis]

They may get confused or make seemingly poor choices, but they've earned the right to do it their way.

Well...sorta. If they're competent enough that they don't pose an exceptional risk to others, then I agree they've earned the right to do as they please, including seemingly crazy things like riding a motorcycle or skydiving (the "bucket list"). If they're more likely to injure someone else, that's different.

My FIL continued to drive after he was first diagnosed with Parkinson's, until we pointed out that they could lose their life savings if he caused an accident that hurt someone else. That finally got himto give up the car keys.

I'm not looking forward to the day I can no longer fly my airplane or drive my car but at that point I have an obligation to avoid harming others.

[JR]

Well...sorta. If they're competent enough that they don't pose an exceptional risk to others,

Point taken.

I guess I was contrasting in my mind my philosopy with LOML's behavior with her mother. Her mother has been doing the same stuff that bugs LOML for years, but LOML just can't seem to let it go.

JR

[JoeyGee]

What a bunch of soft-hearted old sissies. Three replies and no comments on how cool that bike is?

I'm nowhere close to being a motorcycle afficiando, and I think it's awesome.

[kirkroy]

Way cool! I'll send the pic to my riding buddies!

[Pappy]

This is my 79 year old dad, riding his unrestored 1948 Indian Chief motorcycle after 33 years sitting in the basement/garage

Him or the Indian?????

Would he be interested in adopting another son? I want in the will...

Don't worry about safety so much. Convince him to take it easy until he gets comfortable with riding again, buy him a GOOD helmet asa present, then let the man enjoy a beautiful machine.

[Uncle Cracker]

Your dad sat in a basement for 33 years?!??!?

[cabinetman]

That is a great bike and worth a small fortune. As for a 79 yr old biker...yeah!
.

[Greg in Maryland]

Ouch, you guys are tough tonight .....

The motorcycle was in the basement all that time, not him. However, according to my mom, he spent entirely too much time in the basement with his toys -- model airplanes, guns, Corvette, Indian, Chris-Craft, etc. The only thing he didn't do is woodworking.

Pappy, I will let him know about the offer of another son. It is completely fine by me -- I could use a woodworking relative. Having someone to borrow tools from would be great! However my brother-in-law, who has designs on the Indian might have an objection.

Here is a better picture of the cycle. I rode it once and I scared the **** out of me. It has a suicide clutch/shifter setup that is quite cantankerous.

Greg

[Ed62]

Greg,

Congrats to your Dad. He's enjoying himself.

Ed

[jackellis]

Greg, I'm happy your dad is still in good enough shape to ride a bike.

I guess I was contrasting in my mind my philosopy with LOML's behavior with her mother. Her mother has been doing the same stuff that bugs LOML for years, but LOML just can't seem to let it go.

Yeah, well that's another matter altogether and I know exactly what you're dealing with. Mothers and daughters carry around a lot of baggage. I'm there, doing that!

My wife still allows her mother to run her life in one or two respects, and my MIL can't refrain from saying things that bug my wife even after I've made it clear that I'm the only one allowed to comment.

Could be much worse.

[ironhat]

I was hoping that you were going to post a profile of the bike. It sure is in sweet condition. Your dad has guts and I respect that a lot.

As for making decisions on their own when memory begins to fade, that's what my wife and sis did when dad refused assisted care where they were living. His own negligence of his and self-management of his meds cost him his life. It all happened within 48 hours as far as we can put together. But, I still respected him for doing things **his*** way. As far as dying, he was ready and frustrated with where life had taken him and mom. God bless, Dad. Still love ya, buddy!

PS Instruct BIL that he can get in line with the other bidders for the bike when dad decides to sell - LOL!

[herb fellows]

Mom's are great people, they just don't understand us!

[footprintsinconc]

wow! the bike is sweet! it amazing to see him riding, good for him.