Bob Hansen: 1919-2013
BOB HANSEN: 1919-2013
BOB HANSEN NEVER REALLY UNDERSTOOD HIS CELEBRITY. Enjoyed same, yes. He was an early inductee of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame and spent many happy hours at vintage meets and shows, signing autographs and pictures.
Much later, when he was confined to a rest home (“They won’t let me go home, but the food’s good.”), he enjoyed reading the magazine stories about how he persuaded Mr. Honda to build the CB750, and how he tuned the winning Daytona 200 bike in 1970, and why he joined American Honda back when you didn’t meet anyone, nice or not, on those little step-throughs.
But to Bob, it simply made sense. Like most of us, he saw motorcycles as a kid and knew that was what he wanted to do. He raced until he had a family, then founded Team Hansen and managed teams for Honda and Kawasaki.
Of course, he worked long and carefully; that’s how you win. And sure, he and Mr. Honda were pals; they were both gearheads.
I All routine, Bob thought. Fame and fortune were what the rest of us gave him. ;Allan Girdler
