Been awhile since I posted...been lurking.
I was reading about the broken splines/shaft on shifters while at work today and it happened to me
out in a remote area. (between Madisonville and Normangee here in Texas) on a 14 RK.
Blazing hot and couldn't get out of first! I was able to stop and get it to shift to 2nd but it was binding. Looking to get to the next town and get a tow. Being Sunday I wasn't too hopeful and after working a 12 hour shift I was getting pretty tired plus I was about 70 miles from home and nearest dealer.

A fellow rider just so happened to be riding home on this county road. He saw I was having a mechanical issue.



He was a Sons of the American Legion member. He had a trailer and offered to get me to the next town. We loaded up and I offered him some cash and he only wanted gas money then said since we have it loaded up ill get you home. That was 140 miles for him!
I did give him gas money plus extra but I had to just about make him take it.
Now I can limp to the nearest dealer 3 miles away!
I know where his Legion post is located....think ill stop in and pay for his bar tab or something.

Anyone have any other ideas on how to thank him? Does it matter if I contact the Legion HQ and advise them of this guys character?

Thanks for reading! Sorry for the long post.

 

I had that problem once coming out of the Bighorn mountains. I had a heel shifter, so I could still ride it (clumsy). I found a guy in Tensleep, WY, and we welded it in his backyard. I bought him several beers, and told everybody in town (about 12 people) what a good guy he is. That shifter still works well after years. I'll change it someday.
Dunno why that shifter shaft is so soft...it's not like I was hammering on it.

 

Good guy for sure.

 

A fellow human being helping another in time of need, that's what it's all about!
As to what you should do, I would see if he is on facebook & post what he did for you, & also would make a donation to the local American Legion Auxillary, they do a lot of good.

 

This, but make it in his name

 

I belong to American Legion and the Legion Riders.... typical of what we do!!! I think a nice gesture is to make a donation to the Auxiliary in his name. Tell the Post what he did, and how he acted. he'll get some kudo's, some kidding, and maybe a beer from a fellow member. They are good people!!!

 

that donation sounds like the plan! thanks

And his local post is not too far from my path to/from work. Ill stop by and mention it to his local folks. Maybe buy everyone a round or two.
They do drink at the Legion post...right?

 

Yeah, it's called "Pay it Forward",,
It's your turn now to go out of your way a bit to help another total stranger.
When he offer's his thanks ask him to "pay it forward",,

There's an old story about a gas can out west and a traveling salesmen,, He always carried extra gas,, one hurried day he stopped to help someone on the side of the road,, "out of gas",, he had an appointment to get to so he just handed his gas can over and told the guy, "Fill it and give it to someone else that's stranded",,
Long story short,, 5yrs later, he ran out of gas,, someone stopped,, and they happened to have a gas can, full,, it was the same one he had given away all those years before,,

 

They likely already know and won't be surprised to hear. But it's still good to spread the word and praise a good deed.

And yes, pay it forward.