Sad News

[Tedsoldbus]

Chuck Williams, owner of Commonwealth Coach near Richmond was killed 3 days ago when he crashed his motorcycle. Anyone that new him and wife Cynthia will find that sad news. He knew buses nose to tail and was one of those people you like right away when you meet him. Anyway, Since Cynthia is the office manager, I pass this along in the hope Cynthia has to answer fewer calls asking for Chuck.
The incredible irony in this is that the crash is the same thing that kills many motorcyclists. Vehicle turned in front of him. The irony...it was a city bus.
He will be missed by all that had their bus fixed at his shop, and anyone that had the pleasure to meet him.

[Busted Knuckle]

Sorry to hear that!

[BusNit]

Condolences to his family. I am always weary when riding. Even Arizona isn't so motorcycle friendly as it used to be.

[luvrbus]

Condolences to his family. I am always weary when riding. Even Arizona isn't so motorcycle friendly as it used to be.

I seldom ride my Harley anymore because of the nut cases here in Scottsdale and Phoenix they get pissed at all the bicycle riders and take it out on the motorcycle ,Cave Creek is ok

[Bill Gerrie]

I sold my Harley mainly because of the inconsiderate drivers out there. Sorry to hear Chuck was killed on his bike.

[chessie4905]

got rid of my road cycles 5 years ago. Not worth the risk anymore with the grim reaper in the distance like in Lawrence of Arabia.

[Lee Bradley]

Sorry to hear the news.

There is so much more traffic to deal with and bikes are invisible. You tend to see what you drive and I think the overall driving skills have dropped dramatically.   

[Tedsoldbus]

I had a bright yellow Goldwing for about 2 years. I bought Yellow because I figured Stevie Wonder would have to see it coming. I got run off the road twice and cut in front of once. Last straw was a young girl in Ocala with her dressage helmet on towing her horse trailer. She came down her driveway and almost hit me. I parked it that day. When I sold it, Rita asked if I had any tears as it went down the driveway. I said "Nope, that is just a box of coffin nails coasting out of our life.".
Chuck rode a lot and raced motorcycles so it must have been an inescapable scenario. I will miss him.

[Lin]

I got rid of my motorcycle back around 1975.  A guy I knew had recently gotten rid of his bike.  He said that given the statistics, every time you used your bike without an accident increased the chances that the next time you used it you could have one.  Of course, you could say that about anything, but there certainly is a ring of truth about it in talking about bikes.

A couple of other contributing facts: First, the California written test for a motorcycle license was mostly asking questions about how to avoid being killed by other motorists.  Second, I read an article that the prosthetics industry, which thrived during the Vietnam war was sustained by motorcyclist after it ended.

[lostagain]

I have ridden motorcycles my whole life. I still do. You have to ride defensively, assuming everybody is out to get you. 

[Jim Blackwood]

Everybody IS out to get you. If you aren't paranoid you're spare parts just waiting to be harvested. I never even put insurance on the bike this year. Started it up one time. I really should sell it. Maybe next spring.

Jim

[chessie4905]

also, more traffic on the road every year.

[windtrader]

There are many who can attest to many years and miles on a bike without incident. As stated you must think every vehicle moving or not can hit you and you need to constantly have an escape plan for every situation. Plus, you must drive in a defensive and safe manner, no lane splitting, no crazy speeding, no crazy swerving, etc.


My son, 26, got bitten and already on his second HD. He LOVES riding and all I can do is tell him to be vigilant and recite the above paragraph. He lives on the central CA coast and wanted to drive to SLC Utah for a friend's wedding. He heard it was a LONG trip on a bike but he wanted to do it. Just heard my wife on the phone and he got to LV and beat as hell. Called his buddy and said sorry he's missing the wedding. Taking a couple of days then back home. Kids - all you can do is provide advice then they do what they do. Funny how he calls the wife instead of me. LOL

[CrabbyMilton]

Didn't know him but prayers for his family. I make no secret that I tend to be a stick in the mud and joke about owning what most would call boring cars. But all kidding aside, you could never get me on a motor cycle for anything. The other day I saw what they call an autocycle. Two wheels in front and a single rear wheel drive and two seats. I wouldn't feel much safer riding shotgun on those either.

[Jim Blackwood]

In my mid 20s I started out at Vallejo and rode to Grand Forks, then Tulsa, and finally Huntington, all on a Norton Atlas in early spring. Always been glad I did it but easy it wasn't.

Jim