4th gen 1967 175 dual twin

[ressetcruise]

Hey there my name is Jake(23) and I am the 4th generation to have this bike and it's the first bike I've even touched. My Great Grandfather (Jack) bought this bike brand new and it was his baby. He hardly rode it and to this day it only has 3,600 miles on it. He kept all the paper work for this bike even the tag that was on it when it was on the sales floor and every registration sticker. My Grandmother bought the bike from Jack and arranged for it to be given to my Grandfather (Bob, Jack's son) as a surprise for his birthday. She missed the party where he got the bike because she was in the hospital giving birth to my Mom who would eventually inherit the bike after getting married. The bike has always remained in Jack's name and every year for Bob's birthday he paid for the registration. Bob was the one who put the majority of the miles on the bike but in 1977 he suffered a back injury and parked the bike in his garage and that was the last it was ridden. When my parents were married my Mom inherited the bike and the bike was moved to their garage but my Dad never fixed it because my Mom wouldn't let him ride it. This bike has been sitting for about 36 years with the only attention it received is from kids playing on it or my Great Uncle picking parts off of it for his HS 175 before he sold it. Fast forward to June 2013 my dad was cleaning out the garage while I was visiting and I asked him about the bike and he and my Mom told me the story of how the bike came about. I don't think I ever met my Great Grandfather since I think he died before I was born but have heard many stories of him and is the most respected man in my family and is my Grandfathers greatest hero. I'm extremely close to my Grandfather and I told my Mom I wanted to fix it up and have it running by my birthday in July to surprise my Grandfather with it to see him ride it before he becomes too old. My Mom and Dad gave me all the paperwork for the bike and said it was mine. The title was signed by Jack releasing it but the new owner line has always been left blank till now. I got it up and running with my Dad as a father son project and it took only 3 weeks but the cylinders were still in pretty bad shape but it was running well enough to safety. It was missing some parts and needed some love since it was stored with fluids and the gas cap had gone missing decades ago as well as anything rubbers had to go. Now that the bike has passed safety and has a new plate I invited my Grandfather over and as he walked around to the driveway and the bike came into view I kicked it over and started her up. I don't think I've ever seen him so happy or proud in my whole life he even began to cry. Days later after showing the bike we decided to finish it completely. The bike isn't 100% yet, I still need two parts before it can be run reliably(or at all). I need a new left cylinder and a cylinder stud(one broke while torquing down the new right cylinder) and then this baby will be ready to ride home with me three cities over and the dream can be complete. 

[coxy]

that's cool

[Bikenstein]

Thanks for the story Jake. Loved it

[slawsonb]

That's a story any kid or Grandad would be lucky to be part of and the best is your respect for the tradition. Please keep us all informed of the completion progress. I'm sure your gonna make that 3 city ride... and more...
...bert