The loss of Joe got me thinking.

G-man wrote:

"I'd also like to state for the record that NOBODY was as helpful, friendly, and willing to jump in and help as Joe Newmann. My buddy...

"I'd also like to state for the record that NOBODY was as helpful, friendly, and willing to jump in and help as Joe Newmann. My buddy and I are in my shop resurrecting vintage bikes today, like everyday. The difference is, we can't pick up the phone and give Joe a call when we hit a roadblock.

Godspeed brother."

Well said Mark

I don't resurrect vintage bikes but if I did Joe would be the FIRST person I would try to contact, his builds looked like brand new bikes and the Love and passion he put into them just jumped out at you.

I could only imagine he was like that with everything he did in his Life.

He will be missed by MANY.
RIP Joe.....

Tbteam wrote:

I'm getting old. I'm 62 now and have been around this board and the previous ones that led to Vital for many years. Through those years...

I'm getting old. I'm 62 now and have been around this board and the previous ones that led to Vital for many years.

Through those years I've met and become friends with many really great people, all sharing the love for MX. This board has been responsible for some pretty amazing things. Raising money for kids to get started racing and riding, raising money for riders who were in really tough situations, assisting new riders in getting started (after ridiculing them for a brief hazing period), and generally doing good things for others.

At the same time, there have been times when I've wanted to find some other members and break their kneecaps, LOL!

I guess my point is that in this community there is a lot of good stuff that happens, in spite of our occasional differences of opinion.

I don't know where everything will fall out with Steve moving on, but I'd like to say thanks to the general population for help that I've received regarding this sport, my bikes, event access, ideas and suggestions on many topics over the many years I've enjoyed this place.

I'd also like to state for the record that NOBODY was as helpful, friendly, and willing to jump in and help as Joe Newmann. My buddy and I are in my shop resurrecting vintage bikes today, like everyday. The difference is, we can't pick up the phone and give Joe a call when we hit a roadblock.

Godspeed brother.

FreshTopEnd wrote:

I’m still without words, so thanks for your very good and kind ones.

GForce MMG wrote:

We are all getting older and our time will come soon also. I hope one day vital rule #1 is If you dont have anything good...

We are all getting older and our time will come soon also. I hope one day vital rule #1 is If you dont have anything good to say dont say anything at all. Joe was clipped constantly trying to stand for the greater good but the negative slugs always won. Im very interested in the bikes and parts he owned and will pay over market value. Sad all his posts and knowledge got deleted from this site.

FreshTopEnd wrote:

Anyone talking right now about what happens to Joe's bikes needs to get their head in a very different place.

Lonestar_399 wrote:

Raw iPbone picture here. Three weekends back I went home and as usual I brought an Elsinore motor home for him to help me rebuild. Joe...

Raw iPbone picture here. Three weekends back I went home and as usual I brought an Elsinore motor home for him to help me rebuild. Joe could pop one of these little things apart and we would go through in 4-5 hours (depended on all my questions and possible Shiner beer break). This one had a fried top end bearing waste the crank and a nice cylinder. Low hour motor and I recall both he and his youngest son raced this particular bike at least once over the last 10 years. The struggle when putting this motor back together was once bolted up the gearbox was stuck. We loosened it all up and wha-lah it would run through the gears. Anyway, it’s hot and July in Beaumont, TX. At about 4pm he says “I’m hungry” and my reply was as usual “I need a drink”. Actually we both needed to sleep on this. Off to a Tex-Mex restaurant and we were semi slamming Negro Modelo’s and knocking down grub. I called a local electrician that races AHRMA with me and he met up. Told some race stories, looked at vintage bike pictures, and discussed local Southeast Texas scandalous politics. Sunday morning I call and ask where are you and of course he’s already back up at the shop and taking apart the motor. Turns out 4 thousandths of a center case gasket really was the difference maker (we pretty much knew that the day before but Tex-Mex and beer got in the way of sound decision making). Added a second gasket and all was good. Bitched about it a little and he said let’s go get some chicken wings, which was a favorite of his, and a few more random draft beers.

Here is the bottom end back in my little ‘78 CR125. It will sport a new cylinder, most likely some DG or Webco head and a Miller Mano pipe I have found to be the best overall for my riding and that pipe is annoyingly loud and beautiful sounding.

Look at how Joe rubber banded the rod and top end bearing. I would have never thought to secure it up like that…


Diamond Don’s on his birthday weekend look for the 399.

Albert Newmann

Heggo wrote:

Were you waiting to be the inappropriate police? It was just a suggestion to remember him. Through his bikes. No interest in his bikes myself.

Heggo wrote:

Were you waiting to be the inappropriate police? It was just a suggestion to remember him. Through his bikes. No interest in his bikes myself.

FreshTopEnd wrote:

You know, I’m not a mod, but yeah, too soon. This isn’t some abstract internet thing where people are just avatars. The other stuff will take...

You know, I’m not a mod, but yeah, too soon. This isn’t some abstract internet thing where people are just avatars. The other stuff will take care of itself in the future, the present is about loss of human relationship and what those who cared about Joe can do to support the family now. But you appear to be new here and maybe you’re not aware of the depth of some of these relationships.

My experience with Joe was that he enjoyed swapping around cool bikes. I was shocked when he let go of that OW125. Joe sold more unobtainium bikes than I’ve even touched, let alone would have been willing to let go. And generally he found them good homes. I know he had some that were special to him, but he always seemed ready to trade up.

What I will love and remember more than his builds and bikes is his love of bikes and his love of enjoying bikes with people.

Some of his work is with Fox at their museum, so there’s that for now.

OldPro277 wrote:

Joe was a great friend, great husband, obviously a great father, great businessman and just a generally great man. Opinionated, yes-- but most great ones are...

Joe was a great friend, great husband, obviously a great father, great businessman and just a generally great man. Opinionated, yes-- but most great ones are !!

He should be defined by those qualities ---- not just because of his love and ability to build awesome vintage machines