This piece is one of the most heart warming experiences of a biker family paying reverend regard to the memory of the Pops of the Schweitzers family.  It is a magnificent example of the spirit and soul we share very unselfishly among our ranks.

Big Rich and little brother, Ron Schweitzer were brought into the planet during the historic years of the 60’s.  Like many of our sons and daughters, Jr. Schweitzer had the ankle bitters involved in bike gigs all over Ohio, including camping out next to the evening glow and warmth of sunset campfire.  Choppers, Pans, Shovels, and baggers all collecting the dew off the moonlight evening parked next to tents. 

Jr. knew no other way.  He would hook Rich up in front of him on the tank at age 5 and 6 and head to Daytona.  The old man sold one of his Harley-Davidson’s one year to buy dirt bikes so as to join the kids riding the woods.  From the 60’s into the 70, 80, & 90’s, Jr. owned 50 or more motorcycles.  For damn near 20 years he headed up a coal operations diesel wrench  work keeping the machinery operating then found an opportunity to expand his knowledge of tricks with a Mac Tool Route.  Jr. was a big man in stature and commanded respect, however gentle in personality with the gift of a smile followed by gab. His ambassadorship to motorcycling was present from his high school days until the very last hour he was alive.

Even in divorce he maintained the best friend status with Mama.  They still kept family gatherings and holidays together, putting issues of any negative status  behind them.  With a garage full of bikes and doing well in life, this old biker ran into what was a bit of a health issue and unexpectedly never pulled through.  Major complications to miner surgery cut his life short.

As Jr. became aware father time had caught up with him, he called his two sons next to his
bedside and gave them his bikes.  Then he said to Rich and Ron, “OK guys, when I’m gone I want ya to keep Pops in the wind, take my ashes, place them in the paint of my old Pan and put her back on the road.”  This is as cool an ode to unceasing passion and unquenchable curiosity the man had for life and the Biker world as I've witnessed in my life.  Jr.’s dying wish has been granted.

Rich & Ron discovered the old Pan had been sitting a few years.  Jr.'s daily rides were either his bagger of Superglide.  In fact, somehow water had managed to do its nastiness to the inside of the motor and tranny.  Rich began to assemble Pops buddies to team up work their magic on the Pan.  Their dedication was incredible.  Everyone pretty much pretty much dropped what they had going to expedite this gift to the Schweitzer family.

The Pan needed a complete restoration inside and out and it was torn down to nothing but
parts sprawled out across the floor and then reassembled restored, piece by piece in less than 60 days.  The lead team for restoration work was Ron Paul , and Travis Fawcett of RPM Service and
Performance 330-364-4129.  The carefully crafted paint work with ashes mixed in was orchestrated by long time friend of Jr., John Erwin.  John was one of Jr.'s stops on his tool route.

Normally these writings are suppose to include much more detail related to exactly what was done to various parts of the motor, front end, pipes, etc.  With the sentimental value related to the guts of this, who cares.  It is important to remember that painstaking effort was made to keep her exactly like Pops had her down to the heat shields on the exhaust.  Beyond that, "KUDOS" to the restoration team for quality work from the depths of your souls.

To everyone involved in this wonderful deed, all those 100’s of Pop’ buddies to RPM and Rich and Ron...In memory of Pops.  Thanks DAD, for on hell of a ride!

A seldom handed out "BIKER" att-a-way to go folks.  Check out www.rpmcustoms.com.

Ride hard and free,
Balls
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