Virgil, a very good friend and co-worker of mine, lost his year-long battle with pancreatic cancer on New Year's Eve. It has been an emotionally taxing year so far to say the least. We have been close for over ten years...since I first started as a student here at the University and eventually became a full-time employee. Ten years. He'd often stay over half an hour to an hour past his shift's end just to shoot the shit. When I was younger and single he would laud about the girls I'd date, and give me the perspective of a divorced freewilled bachelor life. His sense of humor was golden, and we had quite a rapport...especially when an 'outsider' became involved in the conversation. He had an affinity for Kool cigarettes (which I'd bum on occasion) and the Grand Theft Auto series. He loaned me money when I needed it, and offered it when I didn't. He studied my motorcycle meticulously as I studied his (we both had the same year/different models), and he loaned me his maintenance manual when I needed it and pretended to be interested when I'd explain to him how parts of our bikes worked or were assembled. I hate the saddlebags I have, and as he became more sick he would make off-hand remarks that his saddlebags were mine. I didn't have the heart to tell him that I just don't like saddlebags on a motorcycle much.

My wife has been incredible in light of my mourning and brooding over the last couple of weeks. She blew me away when she seriously suggested that we buy his bike, a 2005 XL1200C. I thought about it and told her that as much as I'd like to have it, I couldn't justify having two Sportsters in the garage.

"I'll learn to ride it."

SOLD! I talked to his power of attorney and asked if I could have first consideration if it was sold. He said, "Virgil would want you to have it...I'll probably give it to you for a little over pay-off." Yikes. I'm guessing the pay-off on it is about a quarter of its value. I have a 45 day wait now as all the appropriate legalities process and he is able to sell it. Hopefully everything falls into place.

I've been wanting to make some changes to the Roadster that she hasn't wanted to do, and since she pays half the payment I've been inclined not to. Now that she'll have HER bike...New Paint!...Fender Chops! And I'll have Virgil's bike to remember him by and spin on when I want. I'm going to call it "The Verge".

I just wanted to share. I've got high hopes for this.

very sorry to hear about your loss, but that's awesome that you'll keep his bike in memory!

i'm sure he wouldn't have wanted it any other way!!

Sorry for your loss. Having the bike for your wife is very cool.

Wow! True friends are hard to come by. Thanks for sharing.

Nice to make something important out of something painful. My sympathies and congratulations. Sounds like you've also got yourself a fantastic woman. Tell her we appreciate her support, too. :o

Sorry for you're loss, but I'm betting he's smiling knowing that your getting the bike.

That's a great way to honor your friend & his memory. Kudos to Mrs. grindb@$tard.

Sorry about the loss of your friend. Enjoy the bike, think of your friend sometimes, ride safe.

Sorry to hear about your bro. :frownone

Keeping his bike on the road will be a very fitting memorial.:)

Yeah it will be nice to keep the bike. I got mine from my late father.
You lost your freind New Years Eve, thats no fun. My sister died on NYE years ago and I still get a little cranky on that night.
Take care.

i am very sorry about your loss, but that sounds great that you can remember him day by day by way of his sportster. True Friendship.

A great memorial to a great friend. Ride with him always.

lost a good friend a couple of years ago at a trying time,he left me his table ,chairs and glasses and the best collection of vinyl records-in fact all that we needed on a saturday night..........priceless
your pain will heal with the passage of time

Just wanted to join the procession,
sorry bro.

My condolences on your loss.
Great friends are a rare and precious commodity

A great memorial to a great friend. Ride with him always.

Perfect !:clap:clap:clap:clap:clap
I am sorry about your loss......but that bike will be your memory of what a Great Friend you had.:)

So sorry to hear of the loss of your good friend; they are precious. It's great you'll have his bike to remember him by.

Sorry for your loss. With your Buddys Bike the year should be better. Good luck and keep us posted as to how things are going with you.

This is a little something that helped me cope with the loss of some dear family and friends
THOSE WE LOVE REMAIN WITH US
FOR LOVE ITSELF LIVES ON.
CHERISHED MEMORIES NEVER FADE,
BECAUSE ONE LOVED IS GONE.
THOSE WE LOVE CAN NEVER BE,
MORE THAN A THOUGHT APART,
FOR AS LONG AS THERE IS MEMORY,
THEY LIVE ON IN OUR HEART......

He'd be happy knowing you got his bike, cherish it. Make it a tribute to your friend. Most importantly, pass on his memory, and he will live forever.

I'm betting he's smiling knowing that your getting the bike.

Damn right. He will always ride with you.

Everyone knows that if anything happens to me my bikes are going to my friend Ronnie.

Good on your Wife. You are a lucky Man.

Clearly, that bike will be with someone who is reminded of a good friend every time he rides it...

Sorry for your loss....but happy that you will have something to remember him by....

Sorry for your loss of your good friend, The bike will make every ride that much more fun, knowing that he is looking down on you from above, My father inlaw passed he was my best friend, yes my inlaw was my friend ....lol well he wanted to by harleys and go for long rides when I got my first sporty I went to his grave and cryed over him knowing he wasent there with me, Some old lady came up to me and asked, why are you so upset , so I told her what was up, she smiled at me and said, son dont be upset he is on the back of the bike looking over your shoulder with a big grin every time you ride, So to sum it up if you belive in spirts then you as well will have your good friend over your shoulder as well....ride with your head up and smile every time you get on your friends bike, cause he is right there with you..god bless

I wanted to update and thank everyone for the condolences. The 45 days passed, and his power of attorney contacted me yesterday saying he could sell it. I sped across town and gave him a down payment.

I stopped by to check it over and took a few photos for my wife who has yet to see it. Here's my 2005 xl1200r's newly adopted brother...

http://lh4.google.com/mattjenkins76/R9A09Fo_GgI/AAAAAAAACNk/wB4zxbZv2zQ/s800/IMG_8035.jpg
2005 xl1200c w/5000 miles.

Hopefully my wife can handle it. I agreed to take the MSC with her this spring. I already have my license so it will be a no-pressure experience. :)

Wow!

I feel your loss.

I came about my scoot under similar circumstances (nephew). You'll find that it is a wonderful feeling every time you ride. It'll bring back wonderful memories - not just motorcycle memories either.

A bitter sweet prize I guess - tell the wife good luck and be careful!

Sorry to hear of your loss, and happy for your gain. Ride safe with your Mrs.

I missed this thread back in January.

Sorry to hear of your loss, and also want to say I am happy you have "The Verge" to recall those fond memories and more to come.

Just keep him with you when you both ride....:chop

Fine looking ride Grind!:clap:clap:clap:clap:clap

So sorry to hear about your friend and indeed he was a friend. It's fitting that you ended up with "The Verge". Hope it's all working out for you.

Your post moved me to tears, but happy ones.
You lost a great friend, but you are doing him
a great honor by buying that bike. It's a beauty
btw. I hope you and your wife enjoy miles of
smiles riding together.

http://lh4.google.com/mattjenkins76/R9A09Fo_GgI/AAAAAAAACNk/wB4zxbZv2zQ/s800/IMG_8035.jpg
2005 xl1200c w/5000 miles.

Hopefully my wife can handle it. I agreed to take the MSC with her this spring. I already have my license so it will be a no-pressure experience. :)

Given what I read before about your wife being the one to suggest you buy the bike, and learning to ride, I have little doubt that she CAN handle it. That said, I would recommend adding one more bike to your garage for the coming season, a learner bike. Sell the thing off in June if she is ready for the Sporty, but the essentials are best learned on a bike where the cost of damage is the least important thing.

Taking the MSF course together sounds nice, but keep in mind that it is the instructor she will learn the most from, not you. You may already have your license, but be prepared to learn as well, if having a license is your yardstick. Clarifying a point in low tones is one thing; talking over the instruction is another.

After that, it really is your responsibility to be patient during her learning time. I watched a good buddy teach his wife how to ride. Said buddy had taught MSF Advanced Riding courses in the past. At first it was a bit painful. After that I started doing more solo rides, because I couldn't stand the halting pace, but he was always patient with her. Later, I enjoyed riding with them both. He can still kick my ass on any road, and she will never be able to keep up with me if I am riding for the speed, but it didn't take all that long as the world turns for her to be a competent group rider, no longer terrified of gravel or off camber turns.

Given what I read before about your wife being the one to suggest you buy the bike, and learning to ride, I have little doubt that she CAN handle it. That said, I would recommend adding one more bike to your garage for the coming season, a learner bike. Sell the thing off in June if she is ready for the Sporty, but the essentials are best learned on a bike where the cost of damage is the least important thing.

Taking the MSF course together sounds nice, but keep in mind that it is the instructor she will learn the most from, not you. You may already have your license, but be prepared to learn as well, if having a license is your yardstick. Clarifying a point in low tones is one thing; talking over the instruction is another.

After that, it really is your responsibility to be patient during her learning time. I watched a good buddy teach his wife how to ride. Said buddy had taught MSF Advanced Riding courses in the past. At first it was a bit painful. After that I started doing more solo rides, because I couldn't stand the halting pace, but he was always patient with her. Later, I enjoyed riding with them both. He can still kick my ass on any road, and she will never be able to keep up with me if I am riding for the speed, but it didn't take all that long as the world turns for her to be a competent group rider, no longer terrified of gravel or off camber turns.

You've made some great points. I'm looking forward to it as a learning experience for myself...I've never taken it and I never claim to be a pro at anything. ;) My wife can tell you that I'm a lot more patient than she is, for what that's worth. I can ride alone every day to work, so riding with her on occasion won't 'hinder' me a bit.

As far as the learner bike goes...we'll likely use my Mother-in-Law's 883. It was used and abused by my brother(s)-in-law, so she let me 'borrow' it for a year and a half to ride before I bought my bike. If it was dropped you'd have a hard time finding the new scratch or dent.

Again, some good points.

Thanks again to everyone for all the kind and supportive words...they are heartfelt.