Adidasguy Patrick Lajko - Passed away Apr 26th 2014

[needragr]

All, Its it is with sadness that I make one of my few post on this forum. 
I've known Patrick only for a short time, and I thought, perhaps as a tribute, Id share MY story &
connection to Patrick.

Ive been a motorcyclist for the majority of my life. Ive owned many bikes, dirt street and even
roadraced for a strech.
Only recently I acquired a GS500E, not for myself but as a first vehicle for my then 16 yr old son.
Shortly thereafter I found this board and read many a post from you knowledgeable people, including significant contributions from "Adidas Guy" who I found out was also in my home town.

Fast forward a year and my son Zach has embraced MC'ing in a big way and begins to explore
wrenching on his own ride.
As we have all probably done, he (Zach) gets in over his head, and while attempting a valve
adjustment, wrecks his (cyl.) head.
He is understandably Bummed. No Wheels, No money (HS student) and few options.

I suppose I could have bailed him out bought him a new bike, motor, or fixed it for him in some
fashion, then chalked it up to stupid things your kids do, but as a parent you try and teach your
children when opportunities arise.
In this case Zach now a Sr. in HS, has as part of his HS graduation requirements a "Senior Project".  A hands on effort including a written thesis and presentation.
I suggested to him that he make his "story" his project. Fixing his ride and perhaps improving it
or customizing it, as is the hot rodding tradition.
He immediately liked the idea

By this time many of you reading are wondering what this story has got to do with Patrick?

Well while I was well qualified to help my son repair his ride, & produce the elements of his
project, the rules for the project from the school district explicitly forbade family from assisting.
So I reached out to a guy, who from what I read, had a genuine passion for this little motorcycle
and had cultivated a group of like minded individuals who regularly gathered to work on bikes, ride
or otherwise enjoy each others company.

I met with Patrick at his Man Cave and was surprised to see the number of GS500's he owned!
I described my sons project and asked if he would be interested/willing to be Zach Project
Mentor...
He said it sounded like fun and we arranged to meet again next time bringing my son for
introductions.

Over the intervening months the those two became friends & along with the NW 500 club regulars, got his ride fixed running better than ever and looking good to boot.
During this time Zach ran into this or that teething problems with his ride: Carb issues, an RR
faliure, a holed R. tire.. and each time Patrick was there with a replacement part or temporary
spare so that the boy could keep riding.
I recognized that there was a number of new parts on Zach's bike & when I asked Patrick how Zach was covering them he asked me if It was alright to have Zach work various odd jobs around his home & property so that Zach could earn the $ he needed to forward his project.

Class act.

What I appreciate is when many kids nowadays, my sons peers included, are getting into trouble & stuff that has the potential to screw up their futures, there were still guys around that were a
positive & productive influence.

Patrick was genuine selfless human being

My friend you will be missed. 

R.
         

[codajastal]

All, Its it is with sadness that I make one of my few post on this forum. 
I've known Patrick only for a short time, and I thought, perhaps as a tribute, Id share MY story &
connection to Patrick.

Ive been a motorcyclist for the majority of my life. Ive owned many bikes, dirt street and even
roadraced for a strech.
Only recently I acquired a GS500E, not for myself but as a first vehicle for my then 16 yr old son.
Shortly thereafter I found this board and read many a post from you knowledgeable people, including significant contributions from "Adidas Guy" who I found out was also in my home town.

Fast forward a year and my son Zach has embraced MC'ing in a big way and begins to explore
wrenching on his own ride.
As we have all probably done, he (Zach) gets in over his head, and while attempting a valve
adjustment, wrecks his (cyl.) head.
He is understandably Bummed. No Wheels, No money (HS student) and few options.

I suppose I could have bailed him out bought him a new bike, motor, or fixed it for him in some
fashion, then chalked it up to stupid things your kids do, but as a parent you try and teach your
children when opportunities arise.
In this case Zach now a Sr. in HS, has as part of his HS graduation requirements a "Senior Project".  A hands on effort including a written thesis and presentation.
I suggested to him that he make his "story" his project. Fixing his ride and perhaps improving it
or customizing it, as is the hot rodding tradition.
He immediately liked the idea

By this time many of you reading are wondering what this story has got to do with Patrick?

Well while I was well qualified to help my son repair his ride, & produce the elements of his
project, the rules for the project from the school district explicitly forbade family from assisting.
So I reached out to a guy, who from what I read, had a genuine passion for this little motorcycle
and had cultivated a group of like minded individuals who regularly gathered to work on bikes, ride
or otherwise enjoy each others company.

I met with Patrick at his Man Cave and was surprised to see the number of GS500's he owned!
I described my sons project and asked if he would be interested/willing to be Zach Project
Mentor...
He said it sounded like fun and we arranged to meet again next time bringing my son for
introductions.

Over the intervening months the those two became friends & along with the NW 500 club regulars, got his ride fixed running better than ever and looking good to boot.
During this time Zach ran into this or that teething problems with his ride: Carb issues, an RR
faliure, a holed R. tire.. and each time Patrick was there with a replacement part or temporary
spare so that the boy could keep riding.
I recognized that there was a number of new parts on Zach's bike & when I asked Patrick how Zach was covering them he asked me if It was alright to have Zach work various odd jobs around his home & property so that Zach could earn the $ he needed to forward his project.

Class act.

What I appreciate is when many kids nowadays, my sons peers included, are getting into trouble & stuff that has the potential to screw up their futures, there were still guys around that were a
positive & productive influence.

Patrick was genuine selfless human being

My friend you will be missed. 

R.
       

Thank you for sharing that very touching story

[codajastal]

^^^Holy crap!

And here is the issue with his photo! https://archive.org/stream/starlog_magazine-011/011#page/n35/mode/2up

[yamahonkawazuki]

GOD bless you all. I bawled. That made me smile. I loved patrick for who he was. A true class act. Old school type. The one kids would do well to emulate
Aaron

[WestAussie]

Avatar adopted as Tribute to an awesome human being.
R.I.P Patrick.

[Soloratov]

I did not have the personal connection to Patrick like a lot of you have had, but I still feel that I owe him a great debt. He helped me willingly as often as possible when I was having issues, and was always there for others in need. He was among a few of the people who really drove me to this forum and made me love my GS as much as I do. His stories alone were reason enough to come by and read for a while, let alone any tips and advice you could pick up along the way. From 2500 miles away its amazing to say one man can impact your life, even in a small way. Adidas proves that this medium we interact on, can, and does matter. Thank you Adidas, for all you did.

[yamahonkawazuki]

^

[AnonRider]

Anyone else cry their ass off because of this? I found myself reading the stories on the seattle blog- -that he was so involved in the community from gardening to biking, helping people in need, star wars cosplay (lol), that he touched everyone's life that he came in contact with- i couldn't help but tear up.

[TheGoodGuy]

For those of you who want to visit the place via google street view. This is the location where Patrick was last at.


https://www.google.com/maps/place/12500+Vashon+Hwy+SW/@47.493809,-122.468383,3a,75y,331.01h,91t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sezur_VObu3c-oSZcTW5cPA!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x54904671c4f6e06d:0x36e3033cbf4fc433

[yamahonkawazuki]

I loved the guy. Im starting engraving gs fork braces in his honour. Exchange only. I pay shipping both ways.
aaron

[ben2go]

I just learned of this.Terribly upsetting.Pat and I had numerous talks and helped each other with parts and locating parts.I haven't heard from him in almost a year.I have almost completed the 569cc GS engine.I was talking about him with dgyver while we were continuing the 569 build about Pat parts hoarding.I was about to contact him this evening about parts for Project Lite Tourer.He's on Pacific time and I eastern.He was the best man I knew.

[Gorilla]

Words escape me! I am incredibly sadden by this. I was about to put the custom exhaust piece on Flick that he "made" for me. No he didn't buy it he had it made for me. He would never charge me for the many many parts he gave me. The LED lights , the brake fluid resevoir, the custom chain guard, and the heel guards! So, much he did for me. He was supposed to come down to Orlando next month and we were going to hang out for the weekend he was going to rent a bike and we were going to ride.

The last time he came to Orlando I took him to everyone of the Adidas outlets here about 7 stores! At the last one he told me to pick out a pair of shoes since I needed a new pair for work. I went for the cheapest ones but he wouldn't let me get those. "Get the ones you need" he said $85 later I had a great pair of work shoes. What I didn't know and didn't find out until he had left is he put a hundred dollar bill in one of the shoes as a thank you for the escort. That help me get my medication for my heart that month. I feel like such a jerk for not being on here more and taking this long to find out that one of my good friends is gone. Tears are rolling as I write this. I didn't wear these shoes as often as they are now a couple of years old they typically reside in the back of the car as back ups but for some reason I got them out today and put them on to work on Flick.

Patrick (Addy) may you be riding those twisty streets of gold and wearing those nice tight Addias jeans that you loved (and I loved watching you in)!

I'm going to take my chain guard and heel guards off of Flick and have them powder coated. Does anyone know what his favorite color was? I think if it will work with Flick I will make them that color. Also, does anyone know what noble steed (bike) he was one when the accident occurred Suzi, Jr, Trey?

You will never be forgotten. 

Mary

Wow. A perfect example of the guy he was. The same thing happened for me. I bought a beat up GS and he made it into the beauty it is today. He also gave me heel guards and chain guards and so much more. All those tangible things are nothing to the intangible things he gave me though. If you haven't found out he was riding his new Suzuki 650. He sold one of the GS bikes, (frank I believe) to jmill, and immediately set about buying a touring bike. He wanted one because of a ride he took in Oregon to visit his family. He rented a BMW and was enthralled with the idea.

Again man great story. Keep em coming! I for sure will never forget him.

[Gorilla]

I loved the guy. Im starting engraving gs fork braces in his honour. Exchange only. I pay shipping both ways.
aaron

That's a good idea. I am going to try to find a place that does plaques and have one attached to my motorcycle. I planned one day to upgrade perhaps but after so much help from him every step of the way I don't think I can ever get rid of this motorcycle now.

[xunedeinx]

WTF, gone for a week, and Pat passed?

RIP to the man who believed in my GS mission, who gave me all the time I ever needed to help out, who helped me find parts, and who offered me a GS500 if I was able to get to Washington and build it with him. I wish I was able to make it there when I could

A lot of Good people are dying on two wheels the past few years. Only friends that are left alive that I cared for or rode with I can count on one hand. There was over 30 5 years back.

Rest peacefully, brother. I will miss you, and carry on your kindness and commitment to helping others out.

[RichDesmond]

Holy crap, been gone for a week and come back to this terrible news. Can hardly believe it. I never had the honor of meeting him in person, but it was obvious from his posts and how others regarded him that Patrick was truly a class act.
Patrick, you'll be very sorely missed around here, and everywhere else your light shone. RIP...

[yamahonkawazuki]

Wow. A perfect example of the guy he was. The same thing happened for me. I bought a beat up GS and he made it into the beauty it is today. He also gave me heel guards and chain guards and so much more. All those tangible things are nothing to the intangible things he gave me though. If you haven't found out he was riding his new Suzuki 650. He sold one of the GS bikes, (frank I believe) to jmill, and immediately set about buying a touring bike. He wanted one because of a ride he took in Oregon to visit his family. He rented a BMW and was enthralled with the idea.

Again man great story. Keep em coming! I for sure will never forget him.
[/quote]this was the route I believe he just took. was sent to me via pm. idk if he took it and died after or died before going. Either way he died doing what he loved.

[Bluesmudge]

I have been putting off posting because I don't know what to say. Death has never hit me quite so hard. Patrick was such a great friend to so many people. He had a way sticking with you, even if you only saw him a few times a year or talked occasionally. He was a friend you could count on.
His memory will continue to improve the lives of so many people.

The last time I saw him was at the Seattle International Motorcycle show, when Huhsky was unveiled to the world. I feel bad that I put off many recent trips to the bike cave  since I moved a few hours south of Seattle. I never got to go on a ride to Vashon with Patrick. I look forward to dusting off my GS for the memorial ride -- I have a grumpy cat doll that can tag along.

[Mauricio]

Wow... so sad to hear. What a loss to this forum and community.

[yamahonkawazuki]

^^^Holy crap!

And here is the issue with his photo! https://archive.org/stream/starlog_magazine-011/011#page/n35/mode/2up

LOL I want.     http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Starlog-Magazine-11-Close-Encounters-Superman-The-Prisoner-/380659460271?pt=Magazines&hash=item58a11268af

[Suzuki Stevo]

A while back after I sold my 07' GS500F, I was talking with Pat over the phone and I mentioned missing my GS500, his response was "I have enough parts, we can build you another!" he wasn't joking one bit, he would have done it