My Small Tribute to Adidasguy - Someone I didn't know .

[GS4me]

Hi Everyone,

Even though I didn't have any interaction with Adidasguy - Patrick Lajko, I was VERY moved reading all of the kind words that members have been posting about him.  This past Friday night around midnight,  (I  sat down with a glass of wine,  clicked on his username and began reading all of his posts (and responses to other posts) over the years he was a member here.  I spent about 2.5 hours "getting to know him"). I have many more hours to go...

If it's not "out of order", I wanted to post something here that other members may possibly want to do as well.

He was a guy I would have loved to have met / known / and wrenched with. This is a guy who was "with everyone" at one point or another it seems.  To that end, I felt that I wanted to do a little something as a "tribute".  (as odd as that may sound coming from a stranger and new member here). After thinking for a few days, this is what I came up with. 

Someone mentioned that they looked at Patrick's business website and saw the photo of him and his GS500. I googled it as well.  My 94 looks very similar to his.

I ordered a small Adidas decal from Ebay to put on my bike.

I thought to myself, what better way to do a small tribute to someone, than to have something on the bike that would make me remember all of the great stuff he did for everyone.  Anyone that asks "what's the Adidas sticker for?" , would hear that it's a small tribute to a great guy who did so many great things for owners of GS500's all across the world.

Boy... If everyone who owned a GS500 put a small Adidas decal on their bike somewhere, Patrick sure would be logging a lot of miles - all across the world that's for sure!

I looked over my bike and decided exactly where I wanted it.  Right on top of the front fender area where there is a great view of all of the scenic views in my area.  I wanted to place it somewhere where it was a bit protected from the elements, but still able to be seen AND (most importantly) in an area that a "future owner" would be willing to not remove it.  It would have a great chance to stay on the bike for quite a number of years (or maybe even forever).

Hopefully the pics will show up below.  I'll post the links just in case. I just wanted to post this in case others were interested in doing something like this / similar. It didn't arrive yet, so this is just a rough photoshop.

http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr349/3kgtrt/Adidas_small.jpg




[attachment deleted by admin]

[BockinBboy]

That's awesome!  I had bounced back and forth finding a grumpy cat sticker for my bike to do the same thing, or photoshopping something up to order somewhere... but this is so very simple, that this may be just the thing and anyone could do it.  I really dig the placement.  Thanks for the post!

- Bboy

[robfriedenberger]

I didn't know Patrick out wide of this website but it weighs heavy on my heart about his death. Most of the members here really do care, he was elite, and will be missed.

I think that's a great idea, wish there was some thing we could do for the family.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[yamahonkawazuki]

Or a round addy or grumpcat to cover the rashed ( often) Suzuki decal on the engine cover

[GS4me]

Thanks everyone.

I had considered a few different ideas that I had, and I just figured that something like this would be just "some little way" I could pay tribute. 

I considered putting a decal on the tank or the plastics somewhere, but the more I thought about it, I thought "If I ever sell the bike, it's probably the first thing someone would take off. I figured if I could find a spot somewhere that was visible but unobtrusive that it would be perfect.  I considered various other points along the frame, but all of them would seem to get "rubbed by feet", touched / scraped during maintenance etc.

I even considered using a silver sticker so it would blend in with my frame.  I considered seeing if someone local could at add "guy" to the Adidas and make a logo for me but I'm sure that would be some sort of copyright issue.

In the end, I figured a small but effective Adidas sticker and symbol would be best. (Adidas seems to use a few different symbols but this one is the "old school" / original logo it seems).

yamahonkawazuki,

I did find a round Adidas decal on Ebay and a few spots online and the engine decal area is exactly where I wanted to put it. However, it was only 2.5" in diameter and wasn't outdoor rated. I also figured that eventually, (sooner most likely rather than later), it would also get torn off just like the stock engine decals do, so I started looking at other options.

I can just imagine people around the world asking "why the heck is this Adidas symbol popping up on all of these GS500's"?? 

He certainly would be a legend worldwide -  like he was (still is) here.

Brian

[AnonRider]

I'm doing it.

[yamahonkawazuki]

Ive got an engraver. Which I used on jewelry, zippo lighters and the like. 7f I can round up anfew fork braces, ill engrave them with the adidas symhol and a couple wi4h the cat. Someone here wants, ill send. No charge. Just trade theone you have. I engrave that, and keep it going. Now, to locate 4 or more to get started

[GS4me]

Ive got an engraver. Which I used on jewelry, zippo lighters and the like. 7f I can round up anfew fork braces, ill engrave them with the adidas symhol and a couple wi4h the cat....

That's a great idea too.  Can't get more permanent that that.

[yamahonkawazuki]

Idk the costs of it. Should be fairly cheap. If I have to, ive got some scrap steel maybe can make them? Will see. Will update this. ♡
heck I can start this with one. Bunch o r wrecked jap bikes at local yard. Will see if I caj snag a brace. Also posting a wtb

[yamahonkawazuki]

Wtb posted. If I do this soon enough, I'll make one up for you if you want. Addy symbol and dates on one side, flip it over, grumpy cat and dates on that side. My friend,  im greatful for you posting this

[yamahonkawazuki]

Found one on ebay 15 shipped. This will almost wipe me out. But im pulling the trigger. Will let you know when its ready

[yamahonkawazuki]

Offer submitted. Will let you know

[yamahonkawazuki]

  offer of 12 shipped accepted. Will post when it arrives and engraving complete. I hope patrick approves

[Gorilla]

AWESOME!

[GS4me]

Pretty Cool yamahonkawazuki.

Reminds me kind of like one of those Engraved  Pewter holiday ornaments that the wife always picks up when we go to various places / travel etc.

To be honest, I almost deleted this thread a few minutes after I originally posted it.  After I read it, I wasn't sure how other members would "take it".  (Me being new to the forum and not really knowing him and all).

But after reading numerous posts by Patrick over the years, he sounded like someone that would have your back.  The way I look at it, it can't hurt to take a little piece of that with you on every ride.  I'm not "overly" religious but I'd like to think people like him (as well as others that I know who have passed) kind of watch over us while we are away from them.

When I get on my bike to head out on a ride I always take a minute to ask my uncle to keep an eye on me / keep me safe and "lend me his skills"  (He rode for about 60+ years without a major incident almost up to the day he passed.  He started riding in the late 1940's).

Glad this post seems to be ok with the majority so far.

And ya' know what?  I'm sure by the stories I've read about Adidasguy, he'd probably say: 

"Approve??  Heck no, don't go through any trouble just for me." !   

[yamahonkawazuki]

GS4me. LMAO you got him right lol. he would not accept payment or things like this willingly. unless you refused to say no. If I am able to but patricks camera from the estate, there will be another adidasguy tribute video.  but this is a long time off. there will be more tribute vids from me anyways.  maybe vlog style.  idk yet. it had to take a friend I loved  being killed to put me on that path in YT. anyhoo keep the thread up. addy would have liked ya at one post . he was just that kindf of guy. Damn there I go bawling again.

[GS4me]

..... anyhoo keep the thread up. addy would have liked ya at one post . he was just that kindf of guy. Damn there I go bawling again.

I hear ya'.  He actually replied to my very first post when I first joined (about a fuel petcock question).  I think he was the 2nd person  to reply.

The bike stumbled going up the steep hill on the street where I live.  I reached down "on the fly" and turned the  knob to reserve or prime - anywhere other than where it was!  I made it to the top of the hill, around the bend and into my driveway. 

I opened up the gas cap and SWORE I had more than a 1/2 tank.  I would have bet on it. 

His exact reply was:

"You look in the tank and see it is 1/2 full? Well, you are out of gas.
You need to switch to reserve.

Look at the tank from the side. You'll see most of the space for gas is in the front, well forward of the deep depression under the filler hole.
Looking in the tank is very very deceptive on how much gas you have left.

I have had many many phone calls from friends who say their bike stumbled and stopped but had 1/2 a tank of gas (by the looks). Told them to switch to reserve and all was OK. They then went to a gas station and put in about 3 gallons (4 gal tank where 1 gal is reserve).

Well guess what???  - It took about a little over 3.25 gallons!
That was my 1st and only reply from him and it was 100% right on the money!

My old Kawi, ran until it was pretty much dry.  I was just unfamiliar with the Suzuki tank.

[yamahonkawazuki]

Yeah ive always said check the tank, theyre gravity fed. this design even though it looks like you've got enough. you don't. with my gs' I had always ran on reserve. and remembered to reset trip odometer. I forgot once.l it backfired and died. in front of the gas station lol. Patrick was always on the ball with gs questions.

[jacob92icu]

Very good idea, and I find it amazing that someone which only had Patrick reply to one post is still moved by him, and its damn inspiring that you read 2.5 hours of his prior posts. I really miss him, and I would be willing to buy a GS again just to put an Adidas logo on it.

[GS4me]

Very good idea, and I find it amazing that someone which only had Patrick reply to one post is still moved by him, and its damn inspiring that you read 2.5 hours of his prior posts. I really miss him, and I would be willing to buy a GS again just to put an Adidas logo on it.

Thanks for the kind words.  yamahonkawazuki, mentioned that he was grateful for me posting the idea and since he has the skills, he's actually engraving the logo (and Grumpy Cat) onto the fork braces.

I was a little apprehensive about posting what I was going to do (since I didn't really know adidasguy) but I'm glad I did.  It seems like it will be a nice tribute to him.

My sticker should be here anytime now.  I'll post a pic as soon as it arrives.