CBXDog In ICU - 10/28/15 Update

Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2015 2:04 am

RIP, brother... we'll miss you!

Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2015 3:10 am

I saw Larry in Ireland too, a good time as usual. Just saw this on this forum, have not been to the CBX forum yet. Terrible news, a great loss to our community. Larry was full of energy and very knowledgeable, no more suffering, RIP Larry.

Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2015 3:33 am

I have been away for a while and I am so saddened to hear this. Like many I had some dealings with him and must say that he was a great guy. I will keep his family in my thoughts and prayers during this tough time. I know that he is in a better place and his caring spirit will follow us all while we ride and carry on through our life. Just another reminder to how short life is and to make sure to live every day to the fullest.

Larry we will miss you.

MB-5 Joined: Aug 04, 2015 Posts: 14 Location: Alaska

While I'm new here and never met Larry, you all have said some great things about him...I'm sure he's reading along here and is super happy to see all of this...RIP.
He sounds like a really great guy!

Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2015 5:36 am

I've known Larry and actually talked on the phone with him a few times - hours long calls. He had a great passion for bikes and people. There is a void in my world.

I got close enough to actually visit a handful of times - never made a priority of it. Now I'm sitting here with regrets.

God bless him and his family.

Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2015 9:15 am

Condolences to Chris and Larry's' family.
i'm fortunate to have met and ride with Larry a few times on the northeast rides. i remember seeing him the first time, riding with the tshirt and vintage helmet as others have said. He was truly a free spirit. He was one of those people that smiled all the time. Something like this happens and i think how unfair it is that someone so positive and passionate is taken. I also reflect on myself, i need to emulate the way he was. Be nicer, smile more, be free, enjoy, be kind. He had a way about him that was connecting and disarming. He will be missed and not forgotten. Eric.

Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2015 5:13 pm

I took a couple days away from the board to come back to find this... Sad

I got my exhaust from Larry.

Think about all the stupid crap we live through, and then something like this. Its frustrating and saddening.

RIP

Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2015 5:24 pm

I didn't really know what to write at first because I've never met Larry. Sounds like I totally missed out. Then seeing his picture made me smile, that hair I will never forget. I wish I was lucky enough to meet him and knock back a few beers. I think I could of learned a lot from him. Wherever he is now, he's making that place better just being there. I hope the best for Chris and his family in this most difficult time.

Christopher

Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2015 5:32 pm

So time for a little recollection...

My first personal encounter with Larry was back in early 2011 when I was getting my red 1100F in shape. The fork tubes were rusted and pitted up above where this always happens and I wanted to replace them when I installed new seals. I posted a "wanted" request on the forum and Larry quickly contacted me. He had a nice pair of tubes that he was willing to swap in exchange for some powder coating. Next thing you know, a big Oreo cookie box arrived with my nice tubes and a set of 1100F fork legs that needed TLC. I had never pulled these apart before and had no experience with the anti-dive units. I dug in anyway and carefully kept track of where everything went so that I'd be able to reassemble later. It all worked out great and we were both happy. Since then I've rebuilt at least a dozen sets of anti-dive units, so I have Larry to thank for pushing me into the "unknown."

A while later, Larry contacted me regarding an 1100F engine that he wanted to buy from someone in Connecticut. He asked if I would be able to help pick it up and store it for a few weeks. I had no truck at the time, but a friend of mine did, so Larry paid him well for his time and gas. A few weeks later, Larry drove all the way out with Chris to pick up the engine. He also had a box with a pair of gold boomies in it that he placed on the ground in front of me. "Can you powder coat these?" I looked at them and said, "I guess, but I've never done any before." He told me it was no hurry and to give it a try. We all know how that went. I hand delivered them to him at my first spring ride in Oneonta a few months later. While they were visiting, Karen and I took them out for dinner to our favorite restaurant and later to see our favorite local band in a cool little club here in town. We all had a great time.

Over the years I have occasionally come home from work to find a UPS-delivered cookie box full of motorcycle parts on my front step. (Larry must have had a stash of these boxes from his job at the ice cream factory.) Inside the boxes I would find a bunch of restorable cores that that he knew I could put to use. He must have sent me at least 20 calipers, multiple valve and engine covers, and various other parts. Many of you are riding on Larry's parts if you did an exchange with me. Usually there would be a couple of parts in the box that were in their own bags with his name on it. Those were to be powder coated and sent back to him as a return favor. He would follow up with a call or email and say, "Let me know what I owe you." I always laughed because I was getting the better end of the deal. I never asked for a penny. And of course there were several times when I broke something or needed a part and he was the first guy I'd call. He'd send it along and was happy to help.

The first NE ride that I went on was the 2012 spring ride in Oneonta, NY. We showed up too late on Friday to ride with the group, but not long after we got there, Larry showed up in his Honda Civic with the black 1100F on his ratty little trailer in tow. We unloaded everything and proceeded to go on our own little "group" ride with Michael, Cliffiec and a few of the other stragglers that arrived late. We had a great time before we finally met up with the rest of the gang later in the day. Yeah, Larry rode in a tank top and didn't wear gloves and he had that vintage helmet and a big grin the whole time we rode. He was a free spirit and you can’t fault him for that. He marched to the beat of his own drum.

Larry was a great guy and generous to a fault. Many of our old bikes are on the road now thanks to his help. But beyond the parts, the friendship was what mattered in the end and what we’ll miss the most. RIP, you Dog!

Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2015 6:04 pm

Anybody, any time, any day. Don't let one day get away. Hold the ones you love. It amazes me how life can be so fragile. Larry will endure in our minds forever. He was a good man to know and he will be missed. I have said it to any one who listens, to make new friends at 50 years old is amazing, to make 40 new friends is a miracle. This site is a brotherhood.

It is comforting to know that when we pass our brotherhood will comfort our loved ones in our passing.

Adios Amigo.

Toddk

Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2015 11:31 pm

Some of you have heard this before and I'm sorry for that but this is hitting me hard so I feel like I need to regurgitate it.

I didn't really want to buy my F. I had a few of them years ago, got married and my bikes slowly went away. Only way I can explain it... But I had been divorced for awhile and wanted another bike. Found a nice 700E from a friend of my brother and was satisfied with that. Wasn't making alot of money but I had a job, was clean and sober and finally climbing out of the hole I had been in. Was satisfied with my little Zuk.

Then my brother gets an 1100f given to him. Had a 750 motor (which turned out to be an 823) hanging on the frame. Literally. Wire ties and bolts just pushed into mounting holes, I guess just to see if it would work. Anyway he started talking to me about buying it. He was doing his CBX and didn't have time for the F and maybe I should do something with it. I blew him off. I had a nice little bike from the time when I liked how bikes looked and didn't want an 11 with a 750 motor. Then he says what if we can find a motor?

We go down to out friends shop (Jim Z at Cincy Cycles) to see if maybe he had one. Of course he didn't have one he would part with but he knew a guy...........

That was Larry. Before I even knew this forum existed. Before we had talked on the phone (for hours lol) when I was buying parts from him after I had joined. He supplied the motor that got me back into this addiction? hobby? obsession? that we all share.

Of course there were more parts. And a certain project that I have brushed the dust off of this past week. But I still keep thinking about that motor and Larry and I figuring this out talking on the phone (confirmed with Jim Z afterwards). It's a big world we live in guys but it's also a small F'n world too. I am honored to be a tiny part of this brotherhood we share on this forum.

I will be going to the memorial service. Doubt if I'm gonna ride up (it's getting cold here in the midwest) but if it's ok I am going. I hope to (finally) meet some more of you that although I have never met in person I think of you as good friends. But mainly to pay my respects. And to thank Larry for selling Jim a motor.

Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2015 2:09 pm

Some of you might remember my Heart Surgery thread from a few years ago. I bought a red 1100 from a member in Delaware, and brought it home to Abq (but that's another story...). Struggled with that motor for a while (more than a year), trying to get it to run right. Finally did a compression check, and found a burned exhaust valve in #2.

Doc Olds and Wamkap volunteered to come to NM to do the rebuild with me, and I started the teardown on my own. Gathering parts all the while, not knowing what the condition of the innards would be. Got home from work one day (about a month before the build weekend) and found a heavy box on the front step (from Larry), which contained a crankshaft and all the bearings to go with it. Put it on the shelf, as a "Just In Case".

Bob and Phil arrived after bumping into my parents in the St Louis airport (another story) and we finished the teardown, and found trashed bearings and crank. I had forgotten about the crank Larry had sent, and had visions of having to do the rebuild on my own (since it takes about a week to get bearings, and Bob and Phil were only there for the weekend). Sat down, had a beer, and Phil says "Hey, didn't Larry send you a crankshaft?" Dug that thing out of the box, installed it, checking bearing clearances (all at .002"), and off we went. That motor still runs great, and the crank came from Larry. I think I paid him for shipping, but I'm not sure of that, he might have covered that, too.

Another Story

Back in the 80's Larry had a Sturgis Edition Harley. As has happened to many, that bike had to "move along" to support family, etc. After he retired, getting another one was on his "bucket list"... He sent me a PM with a link to a Sturgis Harley on Craigslist in Abq, asking if I'd go check it out for him. Of course I did, and he ended up buying it. I went and picked it up in my trailer, and brought it home for storage in the Shop, until he could come get it. About a month later, he gets a free weekend and comes to get it from Indiana. We put it on his trailer, and he dragged it back to the house. I hope to get to see it next weekend.

Yet another story

Earlier this year I drove across the country to see Mom and Dad (in Maine). On my way back, I tried to call L to see if I might be able to crash with him. There was no answer, so I left a voice mail, which was not returned. When I got home I found Larrys thread about having been riding with the X boys in Europe, which explained the whole situation.

His was truly a life well lived, and he's gone much too soon!

Looking forward to meeting Chris (although I wish it was under better circumstances...), and sharing remembrances of our friend.

Rick

Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2015 2:52 pm

I never knew Larry, but I am enjoying reading the recollections of a life well-lived. Apart from the generosity, a recurring theme appears to be the great times shared on the NE ride.

Has anyone given some thought to officially naming the annual ride in his honour? Maybe somethinhg like the Annual Memorial NE Dog Ride. I would think it would help to keep his memory alive.

Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2015 3:22 pm

Pretty cool thought Chris....there are two NE rides annually, Spring and Fall....

Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2015 3:32 pm

Terrible news… my thoughts and condolences go to his family.

RIP Sir

Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2015 5:39 pm

I don't think anyone would argue if we put Larry's bike or Larry and his bike on the home page for a bit right? Rick can you do that?

Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2015 6:20 pm

Definitely !!!!

Captain

CB1100F Joined: Jun 18, 2006 Posts: 2529 Location: UK

nathanhouse wrote:

I don't think anyone would argue if we put Larry's bike or Larry and his bike on the home page for a bit right? Rick can you do that?

Very good idea

Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2015 7:15 pm

Rest in piece Sir........

My sincere condolences to those closest...

Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2015 8:28 pm

nathanhouse wrote:

I don't think anyone would argue if we put Larry's bike or Larry and his bike on the home page for a bit right? Rick can you do that?

Suggestion already sent to Glenn.

Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2015 10:56 pm

Can somebody post the link from our spring ride in Oneonta when we got pulled over for doing over 90? Chris would like to include a copy of that on the memorial DVD.

Thanks!

Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2015 11:17 pm

tomk1960 wrote:

Can somebody post the link from our spring ride in Oneonta when we got pulled over for doing over 90? Chris would like to include a copy of that on the memorial DVD.

Thanks!

Link

I believe that was the camera on Larry's bike.

Going to go search through my other computer and see if I have a longer clip. I know I had it, and I hope I still do. If I can find the entire clip, I'll mail a copy of it.

EDIT: I found the clips in their entirety, including the traffic stop. I'm going to try to edit it down to a reasonable size and put it on Youtube. (My internet connection sucks, so uploads take quite a while.) I'll throw the raw clips onto a DVD and send them along, too.

Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2015 11:30 pm

nathanhouse wrote:

I don't think anyone would argue if we put Larry's bike or Larry and his bike on the home page for a bit right? Rick can you do that?

I PM'd Glenn on Friday morning about doing just that. I put together these 4 pictures, hoping he can put them on the homepage.

Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2015 12:32 am

When the new video, with a couple of extra clips of Larry from the same ride, goes live on Youtube, it will show up here:

Link

EDIT: It's ready to go now.

Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2015 12:37 am

I was riding behind Larry who was behind Tom and I think Cliffiec (Rick) was mixed in when the officer pulled us over. (Of course I was going the speed limit....) The trooper pulled in between Larry, Rick and I with Tom in front. He jumped out with his gun drawn....WTF....Then another car shows up...I sat on my bike...the Trooper(s) spoke with Larry and Rick while Tom and I stayed up front. I believe then they realized we were NOT heading to the Hells Angel's party about 5 miles up the road...There must have been a regional meeting of at least a hundred bikes. Talk about mistaken identity. Whoever was there can fix the story...I tend to blot out the bad and remember the good times! RIP Larry...great guy and fun to hand with.

Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2015 4:49 am

Outback_Jon wrote:

When the new video, with a couple of extra clips of Larry from the same ride, goes live on Youtube, it will show up here:

Link

EDIT: It's ready to go now.

how cool ! too good ! wish I could have been there !

keep on riding.

Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2015 1:28 pm

DrOlds wrote:

I was riding behind Larry who was behind Tom and I think Cliffiec (Rick) was mixed in when the officer pulled us over. (Of course I was going the speed limit....) The trooper pulled in between Larry, Rick and I with Tom in front. He jumped out with his gun drawn....WTF....Then another car shows up...I sat on my bike...the Trooper(s) spoke with Larry and Rick while Tom and I stayed up front. I believe then they realized we were NOT heading to the Hells Angel's party about 5 miles up the road...There must have been a regional meeting of at least a hundred bikes. Talk about mistaken identity. Whoever was there can fix the story...I tend to blot out the bad and remember the good times! RIP Larry...great guy and fun to hand with.

A little clarification...

After being split off from the main group after helping out one of the guys who pulled over, we took off and were trying to catch back up. That stretch where we were going over 90 is where we could barely see them WAYYYY up the road. I jumped on it hoping to 1) break 100mph and 2) catch the the main group. Then the cop in the Explorer suddenly pulled out from the left. As he walked up to Larry and me, he pointed to me and and said "91" and then to Larry he said "89." He then asked if anyone had a concealed weapon. We all handed over our licenses.

I aplogized for my excessive speed and explained how we had been split off from the larger group that he must have just just seen pass by. I also mentioned that we were obviously out of town and that since we didn't know the area, we were trying desperately to catch back up to them. He gave us all our licenses back and said that he we were lucky he wasn't going to give us any tickets. He went on to explain that they would have been in excess of $700 each and we wouldn't be allowed to drive in NY again. I thanked him and shook his hand before he got back into his car.

I think 2 things got us off on this one: 1) My charm and smooth talk Twisted Evil

and 2) All the grey hair he saw when the helmets came off. Wink

If we were a bunch of 20 something year old punks on sport bikes, I think the outcome would have been a lot different.

Gotta admit that the cop was pretty darned lenient.

Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2015 2:34 pm

I'm very sorry to hear this, condolences to Larry's family and friends.

I never knew Larry but wish I'd had a chance to meet him. Reading these memories makes it clear that he was a great guy. He reminds me of my old friend Ted who also died way too early, from excessive use of (you name it). Ted was also a happy-go-lucky biker who would go a million miles out of his way for anyone, never wanting or expecting anything in return.

This also brought back memories of Matt@PSB, the sympathy from forum members (then and now) says a lot about the character of the people here.

RIP, Larry, see you in the next world,

Toonces

Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2015 3:03 pm

CDN1100F wrote:

nathanhouse wrote:

I don't think anyone would argue if we put Larry's bike or Larry and his bike on the home page for a bit right? Rick can you do that?

I PM'd Glenn on Friday morning about doing just that. I put together these 4 pictures, hoping he can put them on the homepage.

Done, sorry for the delay, was out of town burying another friend.

Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2015 5:39 pm

I am just learning about this now as I don't frequent the forums every day. I have had correspondence with him and bought some things. I am saddened and it is a shock. So vulnerable and fragile. My condolences to his family and friends. A great guy.