Lost & Found – Azusa StreetRiders International

Every so often, I run across a heartwarming story of someone who has been reunited with a motorcycle they believed was gone forever.

Brady Morton was just 18 when his dad Gavin died from cancer at the age of 50. The 1998 Harley was sold to pay for Gavin’s funeral, but in the years since, Brady has regretted selling the bike. “I’ve been kicking myself ever since over why I let it go,” Morton said.

He hoped to one day buy a Harley Davidson of his own, in his father’s honor, but his wife and sister did one better. Morton’s sister Ashlee started the search for their dad’s old bike, enlisting Brady’s wife Alisha to help.

“It meant a lot to me because I just knew how much it would mean to him to have a piece of his dad back,” Alisha Morton said.

It took the pair 10 months of searching to track down the bike’s current owner.

“I think it went through four owners but it was about five to six contacts that I had to go through,” Morton’s sister said.

The pair managed to track down the bike’s most recent owner, Dean Briggs, who said he felt honored to help out and sell the bike back to the family.

“I did tell them the bike hadn’t started for a while,” Briggs said. “But once they turned the key, it started straight away, so I think it was meant to be – this bike was meant to be with them.”

Morton, who was given the beloved bike on the weekend, said the 30th birthday gift was “massive” to him. Morton said he had no plans to ever sell the Harley. Instead, he said it would become a fitting family heirloom to be passed down through the family.

“So although I get to ride it, it’s a good gift for everyone.”

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Donald DeVault was reunited with his 1953 Triumph Tiger 100 nearly 50 years after it was stolen. The 73-year-old DeVault learned that California authorities had recovered his motorcycle at the Port of Los Angeles. The bike was about to be shipped to Japan when customs agents who checked the vehicle identification number discovered it had been reported stolen in February 1967.

The bike was valued at $300 in 1967. Today, it’s worth about $9,000. DeVault’s first reaction? To hug the man who found the bike. His next move was naturally to take the motorcycle for a ride in the parking lot. DeVault had had the bike for only a year or two when it was taken from his fenced backyard. DeVault already has a Harley-Davidson and a Kawasaki motorcycle in his garage, so he plans to reserve the Triumph for special rides.

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I’m sure many days and nights are spent by those who have lost something, such as a motorcycle, thinking of the times when it was theirs. They reminisce on the rides taken, and the scenic vistas they had witnessed from two wheels. They no doubt, deal with sadness and despair about the loss of their prized possession.

How much more, does the King of Glory, who gave His life’s blood to purchase his most valuable possession, sorrow each time one of His children wander away? As a father, I can’t imagine how He must feel when He sees the ones who He gave everything for, simply turn, and walk away.

He remembers the times when the relationship was so special. Never a day went by that His child failed to talk with Him. And now, the thief, who comes to steal, kill, and destroy, has seemingly been victorious, and stolen the one He loves.

But, I am persuaded, that there is coming a day, when joy will spring forth from the portals of Heaven, as those thought to be gone forever, lost in a world of iniquity, once again find their way back to the Savior that gave everything for them.

^{Luke 15:20-24}And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

Do not lose heart, do not lose hope, but keep trusting, keep hoping, keep praying, and keep believing! The day is coming, when the Lost, will be Found!

Jeremiah Hayes
President
Azusa StreetRiders International