If you’ve ever returned to where you parked your motorcycle only to find an empty space, you know the shock and dismay that follows. But this experience pales in comparison to what Brady Morton endured.
Brady’s father, Gavin, owned a 1998 Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic. After Gavin passed away from cancer 12 years ago, Brady was forced to sell the bike to cover funeral expenses. This meant not only facing the grief of losing his father and managing the funeral arrangements but also the heartache of letting go of his dad’s cherished motorcycle.
Fortunately, Brady’s support network was determined to make sure the bike wouldn't be gone forever. The journey to recover it was anything but easy.
A 12-Year Longing
Even though Brady was too young to ride the bike at the time of his father's death, he always dreamed of reclaiming it. “For the past 12 years, I’ve said I would love to buy it back and return it to the family,” Brady said. “But life got busy with my own family and kids.”
While Brady’s schedule was packed, his sister Ashlee, wife Alisha, and a family friend dedicated themselves to locating the Harley.
Tracking Down the Bike
Locating a bike after selling it can be as elusive as tracking down an old flame. Unlike finding a person, locating a bike sold a decade ago is no small feat. Yet, Ashlee’s tenacity proved invaluable.
Starting with the bike’s number plate, Ashlee discovered it was still registered through VicRoads. The first obstacle came when the current owner didn’t respond to her calls. Undeterred, Ashlee found the owner on Facebook, only to learn that the bike had been sold. Thankfully, the previous owner provided contact details for the new owner, allowing Ashlee to continue her search.
The trail led to a dealership, where Peter Stevens offered their assistance in tracking down the bike. Eventually, Ashlee learned that the Harley was in the possession of Dean, who had kept it in his garage for years without riding it. Dean was moved by the story and agreed to sell the bike back to Brady. “He teared up and said, ‘I’m happy to sell it back to you; it’s going to bring you a lot more happiness than it does me,’” Ashlee recounted.
After months of searching, Brady was reunited with his father’s Harley on his 30th birthday. It’s a heartwarming story that’s bound to bring a tear to anyone’s eye.
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