Really nice tribute write up about Cal Rayburn. He tragically died this day in 1973. He was an awesome road racer and not too shabby on a flat tracker! Like Rusty Bradley, who knows where Rayburn could have gone and what he could have accomplished. I think sbkplanet ran this last year on the 29th... but I've slept since then and the old memory isn't as sharp as it was in '73! [laugh]
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2003-Dec/031229b.htm (http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2003-Dec/031229b.htm)
rip Cal. [thumbsup]
You don't hear Rustys name mentioned very often. Good article here http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2003-Aug/e/n030808a.htm (http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2003-Aug/e/n030808a.htm)
My moto life started at Honda City in 1972...(the Kwaks were actually sold at 'Honda City') Boston Cycles sold Yamis Nortons OSSA I moved up the street the following year. That's how I got to meet the King and motor mouth McGlaughlin
It was the year after Rusty died. I never met him, but the people that were involved... Freddie Mitchell, my boss at the Honda shop, Frank Camillieri, my boss at the Yami store, and Andre Lascoutx were still all visibly shaken. The Kwak bit Andre too.
Sorry about the jack...
you shook some cobwebs loose.
It's awesome that other folks remember this stuff. I love it. Stuff like this is the core of who I am. It's some of my first real recollections of motorcycling in my life. The "disease" certainly started in the 60's and the Cal Rayborn years are etched in my hard drive. This is my 45th year of riding and the 45th year of honest to God happiness. Does it get any better? Despite all my life changing injuries I will ride until I can no longer do so. I am sure you all would do the same. [thumbsup] [beer] [moto]
Cal's wins on those 750's always made me wish Harley would produce a hot V-twin for the street. Road racer and the flat tracker with lights. They briefly made a black sportster all cafe'd out. It was a huge disappointment. Years later I found Ducatis. In my mind I always go back to Cal. Watching him do the land speed record runs in On Any Sunday always gives me the good chills.
Quote from: mac900 on December 30, 2009, 06:28:51 AM
Years later I found Ducatis. In my mind I always go back to Cal. Watching him do the land speed record runs in On Any Sunday always gives me the good chills.
For sure! [thumbsup]