Written by Howie Zechner
"I know a race track in the sky
Where brave young riders thunder by
And all who love this racing game
Must know that fate may call their name"
Rumors and false dates finally led to an announcement that a Memorial gathering was planned for Mike Parti on Saturday April 2nd. Long overdue, friends of the Trailblazers and AMA Hall of Fame recipient had been clamoring for a date to pay homage to their fallen motorcycle brother. A Sidecar racer, Bonneville Speed Trials competitor, Desert racer, Hot-rodder, master machinist and motorcycle restorer, Parti had reached many in his 80 years of life on this planet.
Held at the William Hart Ranch and Museum in Newhall Ca. the sun shone bright as over 150+ of Mike's closest and dearest gathered for an afternoon of food, drink and remembrance.
Pulling into the large 160 acre County of Los Angels facility there was no wondering on where the memorial was being held. Hot Rods, antique motorcycles and cars showed the way. The lot full, street parking outside the park was plentiful and close.
The layout was simple yet dignified. Large shade trees covered numerous tables and benches for those there to sit, talk and listen. At the front a small shrine with flowers, pictures of Mike, his racing and motorcycles. A guest book already half filled with tributes and a box of blank name tags for guest to fill out and wear.
On the other end the Triumph racing side-hack that Mike had won the AMA District 37 #1 plate for three years in the 60's was parked. The machine had been sitting for years but Mike's friend Wes White pulled it out and got it running. Loud, clunky, it was music to the ears when they fired the machine up like a twenty gun salute. The crowd cheered as the motor revved and the open exhaust sang a haunting tune for it's former master.
Next to the Side-hack was a immaculate 1915 Indian Power-Plus twin. Fully restored from the ground up it's owner Neil Nissing told the story of how Parti took to collecting and restoring old bikes full time after breaking both arms in a crash in 1975.
When I asked Mike to do the restoration his first question was "are you going to hang out and help or just give me money and go away. Help I answered, it was the right call, we have spent at least two days a week together for the last eight years" Nissing relayed.
On the side of the layout four long tables housed everything from freshly made tacos to salads and sandwiches. Prepared by Sargus Café chef Margarito and Isidro Ochas and family it was outstanding. The food was plentiful so 2nds and even 3rds were not a problem.
At the end of the food line stood a large desert table with cookies, cupcakes, mixed nuts and a multi layer whipped cream covered memorial cake with the inscription "In memory of Michael Anthony Parti, we miss you." It was definite that no one would be hungry at this gathering.
As the afternoon wore down a portable PA was set up. Guest were invited to come up and say their piece. Many spoke of Mike's younger days. A hell raiser for sure many of the stories are not for public consumption.
That theme of younger riders/collectors being helped and nurtured was also repeated several times. Several told of his generosity and how he helped with parts and discounted labor rates.
Jim Moffett his Sidecar monkey told of the races won and lost. Sidecar Susie Eilsworth relayed stories of a lifelong friendship that spanned a half century. Leaf the Scotsman Lewis, Dave Crash Roche, Jerry Pearson and others followed. Speaking praises, telling tales that make one wonder how they survived. The story telling only stopped because the portable PA system stopped working and it was impossible to hear the speakers tell their tales.
Day turned to night as the crowd thinned. Mike Parti would have been proud of the turnout. It was respectful, remorseful and hopeful.
Rest in Peace Mike Parti. We will miss you.