Online Memorial -Rich "Xavier31fl" [Archive]

Fictionnn

12-13-2006, 12:35 PM

I remember meeting him on the first ride he ever came on. It was a north run to the hess. I remember it so distictly cause he was just so friendly and it is always so strange meeting someone who will just come up and talk to you like they know you. He truely had the gift of gab. Ever since that NR he was a part of the family. I saw him almost everywhere i went. If you went to any gathering of bikers you could almost guarntee he would be there. He was a good friend i am proud to of known him.

skip

12-13-2006, 01:01 PM

I can't remember the first time I met him, but every time I saw him it felt like we had been friends for years... He was the type of person who made me greatfull for getting a bike, and meeting new people who rode motorcycles. .........You will be missed

buckwild750

12-13-2006, 01:07 PM

Everything was a sexual reference to him...everything.

If only I had a nickel for everytime he told some guy that I was going to have sex with him lol

KrazyRide83

12-13-2006, 01:36 PM

Everything was sexual with him...especially riding b*tch on his bike...but always made you laugh...& I had the video of Sat night with him :-(

Tarbaby

12-13-2006, 01:40 PM

.... He was a great man!
"LET'S GO TO OZ". haha, he wouldn't shut up about that place. :-)
R.I.P. brother!
I remember one night we went to Oz after the TSB meet at BWW in NPR. That was the night I wore my schoolgirl halloween costume... He loved riding behind me.. but he wanted me to take off the shorts I wore under my skirt.. anyway, Christoph or Gaby took the picture of me properly boobie-ing Bella in front of Oz. He was so happy when I gave him a copy of that pic, he said it was the first good skin on his Bella. He joked that I left two dents on his tank since it was so nipply that night...

Here are a few of the (postable ;) ) pics from that night...
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/1685/img0644acacul1.jpg
.
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/4483/tsboct251cac1.jpg
.
everyone admiring Bella...
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/3694/dscn3117cmd9.jpg
.
showing Busadawg how to ride bitch... on Bella..
http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/7158/tsboct254cbn3.jpg
.
going out to ho on Bella...
http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/3504/img0645acrk1.jpg
.
I'm the redneck Italian... whatcho lookin at???
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/39/dscn3121acns8.jpg

CombatVetR1

12-13-2006, 01:43 PM

"LET'S GO TO OZ" This past Monday night, was a blast riding with him. It was just an aimless ride around downtown St. Pete, but it was fun. Stopping for a drink at Baywalk, then getting some pizza. Great friend, man, fellow rider.

Gibby

12-13-2006, 02:10 PM

the first time i met rich was on the breakin ride for Leesa's new R1. We went up to the lot at one point, ate at the little pizza place, and rode around. What a card! let some guy no one knew ride his busa...i said are you nutz?!?! he says, F- it, im WELL insured! Wanna ride my busa??? that retarded smile and laugh, like he was high all the time, just high on life i guess. If i were gonna be gay, i wouldve fagged out to Rich...lmao JUST A JOKE! SUPER GUY! never be another like him

buckwild750

12-13-2006, 02:14 PM

sorry ill be at quaker steak then going to oz,, hmmm oz,,, yummy oz

His most recent post, #269

Blake3

12-13-2006, 02:16 PM

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j185/Blake3/RememberRich.gif

Yami_Chad

12-13-2006, 02:17 PM

After the pics of us on bella came out he sent me pms all day laughing and joking about everything.. heres one of them

"we are both catching hell over this,,lol,, chavier...lol"
__________________
SAVE A HORSE , RIDE A BUSA
IM A ITALIAN REDNECK,
http://www.myspace.com/xavier34fl
Forward Message

The_Jarhead

12-13-2006, 02:36 PM

First time I met him was out in CLB watching the fire spinners and then going to the lot.

As we wlaked up he said "Hey I'm with you guys."
He read about us going up there and joined in. The rest of the night it was like he knew everyone for years.
Always craking jokes and laughing. He could take them as well as give them.

"I might not be able to turn. but I can go real straight. Real fast!"

"Come on I'll race to the corner then it's over for me."

At the poker game at MR's house I said I'd like to ride to ride the busa and he says, "The keys are in my jacket in the other room. Go ahead take her out since I'm still playing." After that he was always asking if I wanted to ride it. He had just mentioned the other day that Bella was waiting for me to rider her tonight at the meet.

Peace brother.

Gibby

12-13-2006, 02:40 PM

I almost killed him in my garage one night. I was walking out as he was getting out of his truck. It was dark so I couldn't tell it was him. Once he stepped in the light all was well and he lived another day. I honestly thought he was someone trying to take the babies out of the garage. Instead it was the redneck Italian with greasy hair. Go in peace brother, go in peace.

this was typical rich goofiness....man we ragged him

Tarbaby

12-13-2006, 02:55 PM

I am THE first person that he ever let ride Bella.. not the first girl, but the first person ever... Rich (and Snook) helped create the bike ho that I am. From now on, every time I ho on a bike, Rich will be with me.

A few months ago we were at the TSB meet at Gator's. Christoph got a pic of LB and me with his Busa. I asked LB if I could ride her and he said no. :chair:
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/6907/dscn2882acryo8.jpg

After the pics were posted later that night or the next day, Rich im'd me and said if I really wanted to ride a Busa, that I could ride his at the next meet. Sure enough, a few weeks later he was still willing and I was finally ready to ride one night at Barnacles. I told him I was a little nervous about riding someone else's bike.. I didn't want him to think that I was going to take off with her or worse, wreck her. I told him my insurance covers me on anything I ride and I tried to give him the Bandit keys as security.. but he said it was ok since he also has good insurance and Christoph was staying there with him.. I was so high from riding Bella! I think you can see my smile thru the helmet.
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/4379/193074835aced3.jpg

He later told me that after his last relationship ended, that he needed to start trusting women again and that was the best way for him to do it... by letting someone, especially a woman ride his pride, Bella.

What a man.. I miss you and can't believe it.. someone wake me from this nightmare.

Gibby

12-13-2006, 04:23 PM

bump......

SideShow

12-13-2006, 04:55 PM

I met him like 7-8 weeks ago at qsl and had a blasted hangin and riding with him.he let me sit on bella and told me to get my knee pads.I told him soon as he gets his elbow and chin pads.Ever since then we mess with eachother hardcore.I loved talkin smack to him cause he can take some hard shots aswell as I can.Man I will surely miss him.You will be in my prayers bro and hope you are looking down on us

BMBSHL

12-13-2006, 05:23 PM

Everything was a sexual reference to him...everything.

Or related to the strip club!

CBR600hottie

12-13-2006, 07:00 PM

I have known Rich for almost a year...a month and a half shy. My 2 girlfriends and I first met Rich and his guy friend on myspace(2 friends are in the pics). We all decided to meet up at Hog Fish Grill. It is like everyone has said so far...Rich was a very happy person..and he made you feel like you have known him forever. It is very true that he always spoke of women,sex, and of course "OZ". But you know if he didn't always speak of those things...than it wouldn't have been Rich.

Here are pictures from when we met at Hog Fish Grill

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e18/softnpretty4u/100_0748.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e18/softnpretty4u/100_0747.jpg

SloDown

12-13-2006, 09:14 PM

Thoughts of a Biker

© By James A. Rhinehart

Thoughts of a Biker
By: Jim Rhinehart

God, yes, I'm a biker.
Yes, your know what its like,
You feel the vibrations, hear the sounds;
You shift into gear and move away with easy, balanced, grace,
Up hills, down hills, and long stretches of hi-way;
God, yes, I'm a biker.
You feel the wind, smell the earth, discover life,
Twisting and turning, or running straight and true;
You may chase a golden eagle, high in the bright, sunlit sky,
Or seek a star at midnight, on the moon-lit horizon;
God, yes, I'm a biker.
You know freedom such as no other,
You seek adventure, you seed solitude, you seek friendship,
You are a friend to all and all, a friend to you;
You are a nomad, exploring life, seeking your way,
Without charts or directions to guide your way;
God, yes, I'm a biker.
Your know the feeling, seeing, smelling the early morning foggy air,
As it gently caresses your face, and greets you on your way;
You wave at others, as you pass by while they wave back,
Wishing they were you,
Just you and the bike and the world;
God, yes, I am a biker'.Ride with me.

Tarbaby

12-14-2006, 01:29 AM

I remember shivering in CandyCane's garage (on tech night) with Rich, CCG and Wolfie well after most civilized folks would've gone home... ok, this is where Rich would say, "I'm an Italian Redneck! I never said I was civilized!"

Anyway, Jeff kept amazing us with the powers of Honda Clean, even on a new Shoei and a bunch of Suzukis! The boys got to take Bella and Becky for a little spin around the block. Bella's pipes were a little loud and pissed off the cop neighbor at like 3 or 4am. It was so damned cold and foggy on the way back that we had to stop two or three times for hot cocoa and coffee... really good conversations while we tried to warm up.

When we got back into Clearwater just as the sun was about to come up. He finally believed me that riding over the bridge is warmer than thru town.. the temps must have dropped at least 5 degrees as soon as we hit Bayshore. We had such a blast riding Bayshore in the fog though! Rich, that is what gave me the courage to do the half north run the next night... in the cold and fog... good times!

and yes, Rob... we'll either show up a day early or 4 hours late for game night!

RICO

12-14-2006, 07:57 AM

I met him a couple of times, but actually sat around and had a hillarious conversation with him at BW3. He wanted to turn everyone to a busa owner by letting you ride his bike. I think I'm the only person who never rode it.

~SimplyDawn~

12-14-2006, 11:37 AM

I really didn't know where to post this. I didn't know him as well as all ofyou but I heard this and wanted to share it with all of you. I wish I could have been there to meet him. I read his posts and hopefully this can bring some of you a little peace. Sorry about the new thread. Merge it where you think it needs to go. My heart goes out to all of you and his family.

I love you guys

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=1550264316

Jaklyn

12-14-2006, 11:53 AM

Great pics of Chris here.. God bless...!

Jaklyn

12-14-2006, 11:54 AM

Two great guys man, Big anthony and Chris..

Jaklyn

12-14-2006, 11:58 AM

I really want to be at the memorial ride... Any info on when will be greatly appreciated.. Thanxx

Azazel

12-14-2006, 12:30 PM

Online memorial thread maybe?
http://www.tampasportbikes.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6992

OhSNAP!!!

12-14-2006, 01:21 PM

Rich was really good at being the guy to come up you if you werent talking to anybody and just sitten by yourself and start making you laugh. I remember times when i either wasnt talking to someone or got cut out of a convo cause i had no idea what they were talking about. Rich would pic up on that and walk right over and just talk to me. He was a really great guy who loved to see people having as good a time as he was. And I dont think he would have stopped till he got everyone around him laughing at least once.

You will be missed but never forgotten and always in the hearts of all of TSB!!!

buckwild750

12-14-2006, 01:22 PM

Online memorial thread maybe?
http://www.tampasportbikes.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6992

Thanks Baz!

GixxerVamp

12-15-2006, 08:11 AM

I met Rich my first TSB meet at Barnacles in October. It was the 3rd night I had ever rode my new bike. He was his typcial self - every time I asked him his name, he gave me a new one.... even showed me 2 names on his arm. After Barnacles, he rode with Busadawg and me to Quaker. He offered to ride with me on the way home, since I was inexperienced, and he didn't want me riding alone. This was the beginning of a trend on each Wednesday night I had the pleasure of riding with the gang over to Quaker, and Oz.

The last time I saw Rich was last Wednesday night. He rode behind me on the ride from the Meet & Greet to Quaker. I asked him why he was taking it so slow on the ride over, and he said that since I was still new, he was "just watching out for me." I waved him goodbye on the ride home from Oz. Little did I know, but that would be my last personal escort.

I'll miss Rich for his humor, his raunchiness, his generocity, and mostly his incredible kind heart. He sent me something via email last week, something just between us, that I will keep in my wallet. (I just hope my boyfriend or son never find it! Ha!)

I will miss your humor, your smile, your girl-rating strategy, your compliments, and YOU - my roller coaster riding buddy......

Until.....

Tarbaby

12-15-2006, 03:17 PM

If you haven't already done so, please post up your memories and thoughts in this thread tonight. I will be arranging a bookstyle printout tonight... I will ask that everybody from TSB sign this tomorrow so we can give it to the family.

The_B!tch

12-15-2006, 03:26 PM

All my memories of Rich are good. He was always laughing and joking.

Rich you will never be forgotten by us.

Booger

12-15-2006, 05:40 PM

I remember being at QSL numerous times and out of the blue rich would say 2 hrs or 20 min. Even once he said 6 hrs. I asked him what the hell he was doing and he was rating girls looks by how long he could have sex with them.

Booger

12-15-2006, 05:41 PM

i also remember the first meet i went to when he could let it be because he got passed by a 750. What a great guy he was. I'm really gonna miss all the taunting an laughter from. He is truely the glue that holds us together. He will ride on forever.

stevewfl

12-15-2006, 06:09 PM

As I've told others- he couldn't have been nicer to me when I first came around, and then every time I came around.

I knew him just well enough to know he was for real, down to earth, humble, and the type person that brings people together. He could not have been a nicer, kinder fella'. And when a newcomer came around our crowd they instantly clinged on to him because of his instant warm personality and constant joking around. He was one of those special type people who makes it impossible to be shy around. He will be missed.

snook

12-15-2006, 08:03 PM

I'm an "Italian redneck".
I'll never forget that.

#2000 for you X!

tampabusa

12-15-2006, 09:58 PM

the x-man and i pm'd back and forth until we met at buffalo wild wings ....

he walked into the seating area and yelled ... "who in the hell is tampabusa ?"

i looked at v-rod who we were sitting with .. and asked ... "should i say me ?"

we both laughed and i stood up .... he shook my hand and handed me his keys ....LMAO

i told him i had to finish my wings before i rode a "real" 'busa..... afterwards... we talked for awhile .... and i instantly knew we would be friends .... before i left ... i walked by him to say good-nite ... and as we shook hands ... he lean over and said ... " it's rich .... the X just drives the women crazy ...." ... i knew then, i was in .... funny thing about that nite is that i knew we would have more talks about "stuff" ... about guy stuff... about girls ... whatever ... just stuff .... and that was ok by me ....

i really dont know what lead me to this gruop of crazies ... but having the opportunity to know rich, albeit WAY too short of time, was worth it ... for whatever reason ....

thank you X .... i am a better person for knowing you ....

your friend ..... tampabusa

The Tourist

12-15-2006, 11:19 PM

Rich was genuine.

mosh69

12-15-2006, 11:39 PM

I wish I had half the memories and kind words those who knew Rich do.
One of the drawbacks of belonging to such a huge group of awesome people is not finding time to get to know everyone as well as you would have liked.
Obviously, especially at a time like this.
I've seen Rich around more times to count.
From my first North run to 2 weeks ago at BWW.
I've had to relive this character through most of ure memories even though I had many opportunities to get to know him better, and that sux.
Of course everything about this sux.
R.I.P. Brother!!!

Blake3

12-17-2006, 10:10 AM

MONDAY NIGHT DELIGHT / "Monday night ride fo sho 12/11"http://www.tampasportbikes.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6939

This is how Rich will always be remembered by me. Our last communication w/ each other which reflects how he is remembered by all.

I probably won't make this one, giving attention & TLC to the better half of me, I'm w/ you all in spirit.... gotta get the rear plastic/seat/&passenger pegs soon, she's beggin' me, then get her gear'd up & we'll both be out on the regular instead of just me when I can, u know what I'm sayin homie?

ill let you ride my busa tonight to take her out if you like and ill ride your bike... wow am i a nice prev or what..lol

After that I PM'd Rich, thanking him for the offer this was his reply to my PM....

no biggie,, just wanted to make it fun for all, i know what its like being odd man out.. we are all family here at tsb
__________________
SAVE A HORSE , RIDE A BUSA
IM A ITALIAN REDNECK,
http://www.myspace.com/xavier34fl

Tarbaby

12-17-2006, 11:07 AM

thanks for sharing that Blake...

......we are all family here at tsb....
I said this to Ronnie the other night... Rich is her brother by blood, he is my brother by choice.

CombatVetR1

12-17-2006, 11:56 AM

Very touching. It's been said over and over...he'll ride with each of us that he has touched, every time we raise our kick stands and turn that throttle.

Masterseducator

12-17-2006, 01:46 PM

Rich and I connected and I really liked him. He loves the dollar bill rings we'd give the girls at Oz... he was a good rider and he knew what he was doing so the whole thing doesn't make sense right now, but somehow some day it will... He's on my mind especially when riding...

RICO

12-17-2006, 07:44 PM

Well here are some pictures I took yesterday. If this does't work, I apologize its my first time using photobucket. So let me know.http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160068-1.jpg

Gibby

12-17-2006, 07:54 PM

Well here are some pictures I took yesterday. If this does't work, I apologize its my first time using photobucket. So let me know.http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160068-1.jpg

i see only one:Ttiwwop

RICO

12-17-2006, 08:05 PM

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160095.jpg.http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160093.jpg.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160092.jpg.http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160091.jpg.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160090.jpg.http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160089.jpg.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160088.jpg.http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160087.jpg.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160086.jpg.http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160085.jpg.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160084.jpg[/img.http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160083.jpg.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160098.jpg.http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160082.jpg.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160094.jpg.http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160081.jpg.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160080.jpg.http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160079.jpg.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160078.jpg.http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160077.jpg.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160075-1.jpg.http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160076.jpg.
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160075.jpghttp://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160074.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160073.jpghttp://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160072.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160070.jpghttp://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160071.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160068-1.jpghttp://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160067-1.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160066-1.jpghttp://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160065-1.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160063-1.jpghttp://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160064-1.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160062-1.jpghttp://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160061-1.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160060-1.jpghttp://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160059-1.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160058-1.jpghttp://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q80/rico2072/PC160057-1.jpg

RICO

12-18-2006, 03:24 PM

The pictures where comming up yesterday, but don't seem to be comming up today, I will have this fixed by someone who is computer literate.

RICO

12-18-2006, 09:13 PM

Thats weird, they don:t work at work, but they do at the house.

Xavier31FLFriend

12-19-2006, 03:07 AM

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g129/flbarbie04/100_0499-1.jpg

Look at all the love you have for a fellow rider and friend.
Thank you all for everything you have done to be there for Rich's family and friends. You all have been such a comfort to me. I am truly blessed to be getting to know you and have you in my life as well. I am proud that theTSB group has welcomed me in your lives and shown the tremendous love and support.
Thank you again, for being the tight , close group of friends you are to each other and for inviting me in. Means more to me than you know.

Be safe..Much love, Brenda

In loving Memory of Richard Drake

Tarbaby

12-09-2007, 10:48 PM

My friend, tonight is one year since I last saw you... I can still see your smile and hear your voice and the rumble of your laugh...

Rich, even with the same name, you are my brother by choice... you gave me such great insights, support and friendship. I consider myself truly fortunate to have known you, even though it was much too short on time. I still miss you, especially at 2am or 3am when you would pop up with a silly joke or seeking a woman's perspective... or when you would listen and offer a man's opinion to me. Then one day one of us (I forget who) mentioned something about being out for a ride and BAM... it just got better and stronger. I carry your friendship and can usually smile with your memory now. I thank you for that and so much more...