I have added wirewrkr to the ADV Memorial Thread. Godspeed, Robert. Like kBasa likes to say, screw cancer, ride bikes.
We are planning a ride to Robert’s “Celebration” on December 9<SUP>th</SUP>. Herb will leave San Jose BMW at 1:00pm stopping briefly at Chris and Kathleen’s house (126 Mentel Ave.) Santa Cruz for others to join in; then on to Calabasas Rd. We welcome anyone to join us however a shout out would be appreciated for planning purposes. Chris <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o> <o></o>
I keep getting images of my grandpa's funeral, or willie nelson's impending one. My grandpa stipulated in his will that he was to be cremated, thrown in a bucket, and placed next to a keg out in the middle of the desert. A little bit of "Tiger" Harold Bright in your beer......wasn't too far from JT.....Lancaster CA. I obliged, my brother obliged, not sure my sister did. I got my gapped smile from him. I hope Robert's family and friends have a grand time in his honor, laughing and crying telling tales, and drinking red wine. I wish I had the money to be there, I still don't know what to write in his book. Thanks Flood for recognizing him here at ADV and thanks Charlie for representing us in MD.
What a staggering loss. He chimed in on my rebuild posts and always had super helpful input. So sad to hear this news...Rest in peace amigo.
Of course Robert has a left a legacy here in the pages of advrider. I keep coming across his posts, and it's always valuable stuff. I notice though, that often pictures are missing. Was this deliberate, by him? Or should we make an effort to restore them, if that's at all possible?
Most likely the Photo Site that hosted his photos has had his account closed. The links to his photos to here are forever gone. --Bill
I noticed that too. I went back to the thread where he cut open a muffler. I wanted to save that pic - but it's gone.
So sorry to hear about this. Robert was a valuable member of the motorcycle family. I met him a couple times while I lived in MD. Cancer sucks!
WOW... somehow missed this. Even for a lurker like me, he was a well known inmate and I recall his posts always being of interest. Godspeed brother!!!
Below is the note I forwarded to Beemer Boneyard and their reply regarding Bob's passing. Thought you might be interested..... Hi Dan, Thanks for the info. Really sad to hear about Robert. I appreciate the contact info for Ken. It is on our list of things to do to get a new supplier for the clutch tools so I will contact Ken. Thanks again. Mike Sent from my iPad On Dec 15, 2012, at 12:26 PM, "Dan Learned" <danlll@cox.net> wrote: Dear Beemer Boneyard, It is a sad day for the BMW community which affects all of us Roundel riders and your company as well I believe. I learned of this while pursuing the parts needed for a clutch spline lube and clutch replacement for my 04 R1150RT. Searching for the needed a clutch alignment/pilot tool I first tried R B Racing with no luck, then you of course but yours have been out of stock for sometime. Close inspection of the BMW alignment tool images on your pages and on Bob Vliets Wire Werkes Cool Tools and Gadgets page led me to believe that he is the one producing the alignment tools for you. Went directly to his site to order via a phone call that was not returned, Tried several more calls, emails and a personal email found on the ADV site, all unanswered. I was losing my patience and running out of time looking for a tool needed in less than a week. Yesterday, while perusing the ADV Olds Cool/Airhead forum I read that Bob has been in the hospital with severe cancer. Jumping forward I read that Bob passed away just last month from liver cancer. He has been a long time contributor to the BMW community with knowledge, wisdom and wit. He is and will be sorely missed. For more, see link.. http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=836748 Not all is lost though for those needing BMW tools. I found another machinist, Ken Lively that is making clutch service tools and says he is willing to make others. He already has a 2 Valve K series valve adjuster available, is looking to expand his business. Since he does not advertise currently he asked me to spread the word to others needing BMW service tools. With Beemer Boneyard being the largest purveyor of all things BMW, I first thought of you. He can work off of samples or any dimensions given. Currently images of the tools are found here on Flickr..http://www.flickr.com/photos/41449418@N08/sets/72157632081388219/ Attached is an image of the pilot tool he just finished for me. If you are interested in another BMW tool maker, Ken can be reached at polepenhollow@yahoo.com I have no association or interest with Kens business other than a desperate BMW rider looking for help. Sincerely, Dan Learned Escondido, Ca. BMWOA # 132458
We were all told some time ago that Robert's Business was being sold or at least taken up by somebody that would continue his services and providing the contacts he had developed. Does somebody know if this is still in the works and when might we see things like Wirewrkr tools available again. Or is the community going to pick up his projects piecemeal? I need a center stand repair kit now. Somebody might write. There are people here better than I to make inquiries, I think.
I believe I heard his daughter was going to take the reigns....it will just take some time I'm sure to grasp even a fraction of his knowledge. I hope it works out for everyone involved in the end.
Katie mentioned that wirewrkr arranged to have someone take over a part of what he was doing. Haven't heard whom that might be....
Selfish prick! I hope Robert is real proud of himself, what with the quandary he has left us in! The WireWrkr is dead.........Long live the WireWrkr!
I have talked to Alita and she led me to believe San Jose will be taking over part of the business and buying his inventory. Could be wrong. I will be visiting with her mid January.
"Even with "our sucky search engine" there maybe some way to search using the UserID (92584) for all of his 4300 posts." Bill, If something has told you there are 4300 posts, then we can say that there is, somewhere on the BB, a tool that can find all the relevant posts. Perhaps one of the Mods can advise how that may be used to achieve what you are after, although I suspect that collating so many posts into a coherent, sequential and useful 'story' would be a massive task requiring considerable editorial skills. Of course, this is not to say that it is not worth doing - I suspect it probably is, and would be willing to offer what help I can. Knowledge such as this should be preserved, and its preservation and utility is enhanced by a careful 'project' of the type you seem to be suggesting. I have never know Robert, being a latecomer to this forum, but appreciate that his knowledge is best preserved. Perhaps it is one of his greatest memorials, certainly one which will persist. It is sad when a person's knowledge dies with them. Peter H
Had a long talk today with Robert's daughter regarding his bikes and parts. Not an easy conversation.