My Ride

My story, I'm Rob Gilkerson and I broke my back in 1978 snow tubing — which left me paralyzed from mid chest down. I've always loved motorcycles, starting with a slew of Yamaha dirt bikes (80cc, 175cc, and then a 360cc). Until 1999 I thought that part of my life was over — that's when my friend Tom Deniston sold me his 1978 750cc Hondamatic with sidecar — as he was upgrading to a 1999 Honda Valkyrie. In the 1980's TOMCO of Kansas put semi-loads these Hondamatic/sidecar together. I even found the original patent for one. In the 1990's the company was sold and a then variety bikes were used as the power train. Unfortunately Tom died on his beloved Honda Valkyrie. As a tribute to him, I bought his wreak at an insurance auction in 2007, and rebuilt it from the frame up. I've been driving the Honda Valkyrie for nearly 15 years, and just love the freedom it gives me in my small town of Canon City to run the store, the doctor, or meetings. I'm not as adventurous as John Cappadonia (Gimp Rider) — as I mostly stay in my home town. If I ever build/rebuild another one, I would go with a 1100cc Honda Rebel with a DCT (basically an automatic). Anyway, if anyone has any questions about my ride — feel free to contact me at robgilkerson@bresnan.net or 719-269-7412 — as I would love to help a fellow gimp back on the road. —- Rob