Bonnie...This is about Bonnie. And, God, (always) 

I've always wanted to ride a motorcycle; own a motorcycle, ever since I was very young. I've gotten to ride other people's bikes and did have a Triumph Daytona that was Nick's that I rode for a short time, but, back then, God saw fit, in His impeccable wisdom, to see that I didn't have my own bike because I would've eventually killed myself on it since I thought it was just a-ok to drink like a fish when you ride! As He waits to see how you handle a little before He gives you a lot, so went the progression of becoming a true motorcycle owner. It took forever, but, the time is here and now, and I have total respect for that beautiful old bike and quite a lot more for myself! 

We bought that bike back in the Spring of '94, in Phippsburg Maine because Carroll wanted it.Thank GOD it never ran right and thank GOD Carroll never got full control over riding her on a regular basis due to the funky mechanical problems she came with. When she came to Lubec with us and the restoration began more regular, it was good to meet John at Snow Hill Garage in Appleton and have him do the really big bottom end stuff. Carroll worked on restoring her and wanted to have that wiring and the assembly of the engine and bike parts, perfect. That, in itself, helped to guarantee the integrity of Miss Bonnie as she sat over the ensuing years; Always stored inside, oiled down and wrapped up. 

There were plans, throughout those years, to get her running but the money was more of the issue in the sense of priorities. Carroll was so whimsical, (I HATE that word but it fits...) Flighty? He really had never been responsible for running any show's importance of pecking order. His OCD was programmed for pleasure without any thought of what should come first as far as running a household and keeping a family. But, with an inability to keep a job due to poor location and distance to work along with alcoholism, that bike was destined to sit. 

I owe a debt of gratitude to Walter for taking her back to Arkansas along with Miss Carolyn, since this act of kindness was the pivot point of what saved her life! Otherwise, she would've been long gone with the rest of my worldly goods that disappeared. But, she made her way to Florida and back into a renewed 'waiting period.' So, Miss Bonnie basically was waiting in the desert for forty years right alongside of me. Waiting to be reborn...

There came that time where I almost sold her away!! Poor Eddie wanted her so bad but, thank GOD, couldn't come up with the money! I am so thankful I did not let her go...

Then, the spark lit in my heart. Now, who can help? What shop will work with me? Triumph dealer, Haps, said they had nobody on staff who worked on antique bikes. What about Performance Motors?? Josh said they're a total rip off...and I allowed myself to be patient and work through concerns of who would be fit and fair to help with the resurrection of Bonnie. 

The ride 'that day,' back in the summer of '12, with my Tara. Going to find this warehouse in Whitfield park somewhere. Driving down Whitfield Ave from 301, looking for this street, and passing motorcycles parked at a shop, on the right; ARE THOSE BIKES TRIUMPHS???????????? Holy Shit!!!!!! Hello Mr. Reko!!!! Who turns out to be the mechanic Big Nick knew about but not where he had relocated. Doesn't hurt that he is a handsome guy just about my age!! The deal is struck. I will bring her to him. I told him my heart. I told him I will trust him and leave the decisions and progress of work, to him. I will pay him in chunks and he can take his time. This was a huge step in the tier of gifts and allowances from God I was blessed with to begin her resurrection; meeting Reko. 

So, off she goes in the back of Tara's truck with Josh's help to load and unload, back in August of '12. Over the course of time, I work over the winter season on the line at Ruby Tuesday with the strict dedication of working for Bonnie. I give Reko checks to continue resuscitation. I cry a lot, in the beginning, because I hate the job and I'm not real happy working with these young guys who since have turned into guys I love. I was very encouraged to continue working after becoming 'one of the guys,' and started loving the job and thanking GOD for the peace of getting to the job because all of Miss Bonnie's future days with me was riding on this. 

As her year under final restoration comes to an end, it becomes apparent to me that I must follow through the process by becoming legal and doing this whole miraculous undertaking, properly. Off I go to Motorcycle School for $175, to get that endorsement on my license and happily, I must say, learn some useful knowledge! I feel like a freakin' loser on the 'field,' but shine in the classroom. But, it's all so new. All so right now! Past quick rides and short excursions with other people's bikes, I really haven't had any real ride time under my belt! So, the realization is plain and clear. After I passed and waited another two weeks to go to motor vehicle to add the endorsement, the plan would be to absolutely learn how to ride this beautiful bike and be intelligently safe and responsible about it.  

The next hurdle to overcome was her legality. The first trip to Sarasota office was relatively simple with a simple request of the original bill of sale which I somehow KNEW I had available. But, trying to skirt around the layering of bullshit effect, the next trip was to Lakewood ranch office where a really boxed up agent multiplied the worry. Court orders??? Dead guy signature notorization?????? Then comes Monday, September the 9th, what would've been my 22 year anniversary with the guy who originally wanted the motorcycle so bad. I felt good about something good happening and went for it, back to original Sarasota office while, in the meantime, having Maine look for evidence of registration and mulling over the necessity of someone from VIN verification getting involved. BINGO! Get the VIN verified by a cop, bring the paper back and the title is yours!!! All in God's time...

Saturday, September 14th. Hungover, excited, heart palpitating...time to pick her up. Pay Reko his final. Kick and kick until Reko kicks for me. Run her around the industrial park a bit. Start smiling. Back to the shop. Talk about helmets, borrow Rekos. Time to go. Baby Bon getting restless...kick and kick. Almost dump her but DON"T. Fright moves in. Maybe I should leave her until tomorrow? Get my friend Bill to ride with me? Get 'the look' from Nick. Seriously????? What is that? FEAR????????? Get on that freakin' bike and ride her the fuck home!!! Nick starts her and off we go. Spend the time kick starting every day. Getting a little better every day. The rain stops and off I go. Take a ride to Bill''s. Manage to start her myself after several times of trying and back home. Long two hour ride the next day with Bill, who is great to ride with. I'm so thankful to have someone to ride with. The bike is awesome, she is happy with me and I with her. We are a 'team.' She is 42, I am 62. I am proud of myself and thankful to God for this gift. I am amazed and awed. And, I look forward to riding and riding and riding, with the Grace of God!