Editors Note: Josh Schmit is a HD and Metric E-Tech at J&P Cycles, and has been with the company for 10 years. In his 10 years of assisting customers with their rides, he has received some pretty interesting feedback. Recently, he received one such piece and was so captivated by the story, he had to share.
aEver wonder why does customer XXXXX851 order part number 330-066 (Red lens glass OEM 68090-47) off and on at various times throughout the year, and on occasion four at a time? At present count I have gone through and used a dozen of them, and still planning on getting a few more!…No! It is not due to rear end accidents. This was the start of a letter I received a short time ago from Ron LaCount of Marysville, Wash. Needless to say it grabbed my attention.
As I continued my reading, I was pulled in by this interesting character. A Navy Veteran who served 21 years in our great military, Ron left the service with the rank of Chief. After that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and needed to find an outlet for not only coping, but also home therapy. That’s when he began taking new, spare and old parts and making great creations.
I wanted to share some of Ron’s creations and projects, so you can enjoy them also. These photos were passed from person- to-person and from department-to-department. You can see the imagination and creativity it takes to make these one-of-a-kind items.
As you can see, he uses new items purchased from J&P Cycles as well as old worn out, unique parts he gets from his own pile and from friends and family. He has also recently found an interest in leather work, and to me it looks great!
You can see why I was drawn in and why so many here appreciated the letter and photos! Ron still rides, and does all his own wrenching. His main ride is a 1978 Anniversary FLH that he uses as much as he can. He also has as an old Knucklehead that he is currently switching the carb and exhaust on. It is hard not to feel a certain personal connection with someone as interesting as this (as well as a bit of jealousy. He’s got some nice rides!)
While some may read this and get hung up on the fact that he has Parkinson’s, he had this to say, “I do not feel sorry for oneself!” Too often we get caught up in the “me” phase and feel like the world is coming down on only us. This letter struck a chord with me, and reminded me that even though things get tough and deep, someone else always has just as much, or more to deal with.
It is a reminder that we need to look past as much as we can, and strive to make ourselves and our existence worthwhile……”I do not feel sorry for oneself!”… certainly the best quote from the letter.
