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ducatidave
Joined: 07 Aug 2013 Posts: 32 Location: Sydney, Australia
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Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 5:17 am Post subject: Pantah 600SL re-commissioned |
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After sitting idle for many years, I've just re-commissioned the 1983 Pantah our son restored back in 2006. After spending many months restoring the Pantah, during which he stripped it back to the last nut and bolt, he never got to ride it as he was killed by a "sorry didn't see you" bus driver just days before it was to be registered.
Stuart was a 17 year old apprentice at Gowanloch Motorcycle Engineering when he restored the Pantah during his lunch breaks and after work. He did such a good job the Pantah won its class at a Ducati Display Day shortly after his death.
Riding the Pantah is a bittersweet experience as Stuart should have inherited my motorcycles; not the other way round. |
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trev45
Joined: 15 Jun 2011 Posts: 449 Location: Sydney Australia
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Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 10:11 am Post subject: |
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Great little story , he would be happy me thinks
Trev |
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corsa
Joined: 07 Feb 2014 Posts: 19 Location: Victoria Australia
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Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 12:57 pm Post subject: Pantah |
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Uhmmm... I seem to have something in my eyes..... Must be dust... Can't be tears....
As a father myself, I'm sure your son would appreciate the gesture.
Well done. |
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JRH
Joined: 21 Jan 2013 Posts: 223 Location: West Mids/North East
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Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2014 9:14 pm Post subject: |
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Lovely story, enjoy the bike, and the memories….. |
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brian
Joined: 22 Aug 2011 Posts: 3769 Location: Australia
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Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 1:27 am Post subject: |
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Jeez Dave that's a hard story to read mate. Sorry to hear about your loss but glad that you've got the bike that Stuart put so many hours into, back on the road. It's a fitting tribute to your son. I'd love to see a picture of it.
Cheers,
Brian _________________ '99 DB4 #104, '96 SB6 #1165, '94 DB2 J #652, '99 DB4 #088, '08 VTX1800, '93 ZXR750R M1, '95 ZXR750, '95 ZXR750 Race Bike, '94 CBR400rr NC29 Race Bike, '94 CB250, '49 BSA C10 250, '61 BSA A10 650, '89 ZXR750, '91 Ducati 851 |
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spyv
Joined: 18 Jan 2012 Posts: 98 Location: Piraeus,Greece
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Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 10:22 am Post subject: |
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what a beautiful and sad story.
i can't find what to write...
thanks for sharing. |
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ducatidave
Joined: 07 Aug 2013 Posts: 32 Location: Sydney, Australia
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Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:57 pm Post subject: |
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[/img] |
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ducatidave
Joined: 07 Aug 2013 Posts: 32 Location: Sydney, Australia
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Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 1:01 pm Post subject: |
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ducatidave
Joined: 07 Aug 2013 Posts: 32 Location: Sydney, Australia
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Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2014 1:22 pm Post subject: |
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Stuart's nickname was Disco from Disco Stu in the Simpsons hence the DISCO on the bike.
Its over 8 years since he died. The pain of his loss has not lessened; you just learn to live with it.
I'm still trying to come to terms with the fact it took me over 3 years and the eventual involvement of the NSW Police Professional Standards Branch to prove the bus driver was at fault. The local police claimed Stuart had run a red light and was speeding despite no evidence to support their claims. They refused to involve the Crash Investigation Unit despite it being a requirement to do so for any fatal or serious collision. The fact that the officer who arrived on the scene to supervise the young constable who prepared the collision report had the same name as the bus driver may have had something to do with the corrupt manner in which the local police conducted their investigation. Despite receiving an apology from an Assistant Commissioner of Police for the actions of the local police, the bus driver got of scott free and the local police were not disciplined. |
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brian
Joined: 22 Aug 2011 Posts: 3769 Location: Australia
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Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 3:03 am Post subject: |
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Beaut pics mate! Great looking Pantah and very proud Ducati owner your young fella. I'm glad you kept pushing with the investigation as I recon they would have been expecting you to just drop it and cop it.
I know it doesn't change the situation, but at least it clears Stuarts name. All too often the motorcyclist automatically get the blame in these incidents. Sounds like the local cops were either lazy bastards or corrupt bastards.
Nice Hailwood in the background too _________________ '99 DB4 #104, '96 SB6 #1165, '94 DB2 J #652, '99 DB4 #088, '08 VTX1800, '93 ZXR750R M1, '95 ZXR750, '95 ZXR750 Race Bike, '94 CBR400rr NC29 Race Bike, '94 CB250, '49 BSA C10 250, '61 BSA A10 650, '89 ZXR750, '91 Ducati 851 |
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mad mundy
Joined: 06 Feb 2013 Posts: 25 Location: Australia
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Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2014 9:11 am Post subject: |
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Hi Dave a lovely choice of bike indeed. Where do I start ? Well we have met in the past & I used to work with Lisa & heavily involved with NDMCC. The loss is never filled & I too lost a very special person in the same year (hawksbury) just keep going & honour your mate as best you can. Good to see your spirit has not changed, nor did mine. _________________ if you aint` slidn` , you aint` ridn` |
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Vince186
Joined: 23 Mar 2012 Posts: 636 Location: Nijmegen (Netherlands)
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Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2014 12:54 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Dave, welcome to this forum. It’s a sad story you're telling. I can imagine you have a big scar on your soul. Respect.
Nice Pictures. _________________ vince
A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new. Albert Einstein |
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Desmo_Demon
Joined: 19 Sep 2011 Posts: 240 Location: Easley, SC, USA
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Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2014 7:37 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry for your loss...the bike is beautifully redone. _________________ Look for my books...
"If I Wrap It Tight Enough"
"The Journals: If I Wrap It Tight Enough"
"Map Junkie: My Motorcycle Journeys" |
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