My Motorcycling Days Are Numbered!

Wow, Rick. I’m very sorry to learn of this. Please know that you are a tremendous resource to me, and to this forum. Knowing that even the process of typing your posts is a challenge makes your terrific ability to communicate and instruct even more impressive. I pray for your peace, and hope you’ll continue to share with us.
We are all indebted to you.

 

Sincerely hoping the future is far brighter than it feels right now, I'd like to join the others in sending my thanks for your help & ideas that keep our bikes moving

 

It's kind of strange. As I was reading your post and the following replies, my eyes began to water. Though we have never met, you are a brother to all of us. Our prayers are with you. Never give up.

 

Crappy news, Rick. All the best to you sir, and don't feel bad to explore different treatment options, even if some of them are off the mainstream list. Hopefully someday we will be able to defeat these terrible maladies.

 

Hi Rick, from reading all your threads in the forum it seem like I have know you for a long time! thank you for all your time and effort! ( I am going to need it to restore/mod my XJ 650)

Just like ecologito, I have got a special edition XJ 750RL if you want to spend time on. please PM me. I am more than happy for it to go to you!

I wish all the VERY BEST to you and your family ! stay strong and stay happy Rick! God Bless You!

Kinen

 

Mr. Massey,

I've got a feeling God isn't quite finish with you just yet. Semper Fi and God Speed.

Gary

 

Well, that officially sucks.

1. Don't panic.
2. Start researching treatment options.
3. Don't panic.

Indeed. He's even got a sense of humor about it.

 

As it happens, you may be living at the right time in history to be diagnosed with Parkinsons.

http://newsroom.melbourne.edu/news/university-melbourne-enters-agreement-develop-therapy-parkinsons-disease

My uncle was diagnosed in 1984, and continued to live an active life for many years. He was able to continue driving (though not motorcycling) for another decade. He and his wife travelled the western US as part of his "retirement job"; freelance writing and photography. He did finally succumb after managing the disease for more than 20 years. The medications that helps to manage Parkinsons have improved somewhat since my uncle was first diagnosed, though it is not yet as good as it needs to be. I have no advice to give, but I do know that there is a lot of living that can be done following a diagnosis. Maybe you can switch to riding a hack.

 

Rick,
The dawning of this news is the scariest part.
My father has PD and is doing great, not riding a motorcycle, but he never did. :lol:

I send positive thoughts towards you to help you accept this new chapter of life.

Google can be a curse, research as much as you desire but keep in mind that only the professionals that are directly treating you are qualified to give a prognosis.

 

Deepest sympathies Rick, I am definitely wishing you all the best with it

 

Hi Rick, I am sorry to here about you. You have been a rock and fantastic guide and friend for the XJ family. I worked with a friend who had PD. He had good days and bad. He is still going strong. I believe you are not done yet. Your knowledge and experiences are still needed here. We need you here please do not stop your good work. My prayers are with you for wisdom and strength each and every day.

 

Sorry to hear that. But you have a great legacy to look back on, all the people that you helped on this page. I think back about 5 yrs ago when my dad suffered a stroke during heart surgery. After 2 yrs of physical theropy, hes back on his beemer, and he hit Americade, and the Killington Classic together. The moral, Life is not over, Just a beginning of learning again. Take care buddy.

 

Best wishes and prayers are with you, as others have said, there are so many incredible thing that the medical world has discovered, sure it may be a speed bump, but its for sure not the end of the road with a bridge out.

Spirits high, feed off passion, thrive through sharing knowledge

 

Sorry to hear the terrible news Rick. I am going through it with my mother currently. I share the sentiments MarkV has expressed above. I am new as well. But very early on, I was able to realize that you are among one of the invaluable individuals on this site. But just remember, you have a lot of life left to live. And hopefully most of it as quality life. Look at all the good things Michael J. Fox has done since his diagnoses. The treatments are getting better and better. Ironically, as I was driving for a consultation with the oncologist this morning they had were talking about this very topic on the Diane Rehm show. I wasn't able to hear more than 15 minutes of but will listen to it tonight. Here is the link:

Diane Rehm: Topic Parkinson's Research

My prayers for you and your family.

 

Rick, everyone has already expressed what any of us on here feel.

You are like family to so many of us, especially the ones like me that need this forum cause all I got is my f'ed up in-laws to hang out with at the holidays.

Seriously, I hope that you have great luck in controlling and treating it for yourself. If you can't ride in the future, watch bike movies and go to bike shows. Vicarious riding is better than none.

 

First of all,, ... these bikes are ALL stubborn as an old mule to Start when cooler weather arrives.

A fully charged Battery is a must.

The Engine should IDLE on-its own close to 1,125 rpm's fed by the Pilot Mixture Screws, alone.
Uncontrollable Low-rpm's usually indicates some kind of Air Leaks.

Many "ColorTuned" Bikes were very close to 3-Turns Out; some even beyond three a smidgeon.
When you get close to getting them Fine Tuned, ... the Adjustments made to the Pilot Mixture Screws (Pilot AIR Screws) is within the width of a Nickel.
NOT half or quarter-turns.
Just a "Tweak"!



The Enrichment Circuit, ... Lower-bowl orifices, Fuel Bowl Reservoir, Siphon Tube and cleaned Enrichment Plungers absolutely necessary for Starting in the Fall.

 

Rick Do not let it get you down i am living proof of that. I have CMT 4 years ago doctors said i would never walk again. Lost movement in ankles and toes. lost 30 percent movement in my hands also. Rather then sitting back and giving up i pushed myself had to learn to walk again. Was very hard to shift without movement in your feet. I made heel toe shifters. Did a bunch of research on what helps ect with the disease and did everything i could. Last winter i put the little rd away and just used the automatic. Kept standing and working on the bikes. This year went out and drove the rd could shift it ok without the heel toe. It takes me more time to do things picking up little parts and screws takes a bit but you learn to do things differently. I find if i just sit back and do not force myself i get weaker quickly. I think what really made me want to work hard is that 10k wheel chair i got when i could not walk for a year. It has never been used and i am hoping i never have to.

 

Sorry to hear Bro. May the XJ force be with you!

 

Rick, I'm so sorry to hear that. Just remember you have a lot friends here. Maybe you can get a speach to text converter to help heep you on line. Take care, Ron

 

We may all have to get together and build him a xj trike !! We have some great fabricators here