I had the pleasure of meeting Mike for the first time a week prior to TPF. I had business in Tennessee that week and so I arranged to bring some lock bars to him directly after I landed in Nashville Sunday evening. I got to his home at 7pm and lost track of time listening to his stories and seeing his collection (Indy 500 was his favorite). To hear him talk about riding his bike in the back roads of Kentucky at 170 mph made me feel like I lead a rather risk free life. Needless to say, Mike was great to talk to and easy to become friends with. He was eager to help with issues I had with my machines and encouraged me to call him anytime I needed advice. I received the replated lock bars just the other week (LOTR-brass, TAF & TZ - chrome) and they really made the machines pop and for me to realize new rails were next.
Mike will be missed.