The Green Monster

Herschel,

Thanks for the email. Yes, giving up the Gold Wing will be quite emotional for me but I know it is the right thing to do and more importantly, I know Eddie would agree. He loved all of his bikes but didn't think twice about selling one to get money for the next one. The only time I saw him truly regret the decision to sell one was when he sold his green GS to a friend up in Minnesota. We both loved that bike for a multitude of reasons. His rationale was that he rarely rode it anymore. I felt that this was a temporary issue and he and the green monster would be able to travel again together.

It was the type of motorcycle that caused people to stare. Where ever we were, people would stop, walk around it, point, comment to each other and then finally ask, "What IS it?" The color, the gadgets, the gas tank. It was one of a kind.

He managed to buy it back from his friend, had it fixed back up to his standards and brought it home just before Thanksgiving, 2009. He didn't have a chance to ride it until December 6th.

So many things about his death are ironic including the fact that he was reunited with his favorite bike for just one last ride. That was the day he died. And the bike died with him.

When I first saw this bike (on our first date) it had beautiful pin-striping on it done by Eddie's friend, Steve Kafka. He had to have the bike repainted after he re-bought it so the pin-stripes were gone. He was already trying to plan a trip to Arizona so Steve could add his magic back to it.

As Lisa Landry was planning the Iron Butt 5000, she included a repeat of a bonus Eddie had on Butt Lite IIII. Eddie had the riders go to Steve's shop and have a special BL4 logo painted on their bikes. Lisa did the same thing during the IB5K.

In her conversation with Steve to plan the bonus, he asked what bike Eddie was on when he crashed. He was surprised when she told him about the green GS. Apparently, Steve blesses every bike he paints to keep the rider safe and had never had one crash before.

When she told me this, a shiver went through me and I turned cold. Steve's pin-stripes were gone when Eddie crashed.

I am neither spiritual or superstitious but I still think about those pin-stripes and the special person who places them on each motorcycle with so much care and devotion.

Perhaps those riders with the BL4 or IB5K logos are riding with a little extra insurance coverage.

I certainly hope so.

Thank you again for your email & I hope to see you soon,

Lisa