About 80 friends, colleagues, and family members gathered at Atascadero Lake Park in Atascadero, California, on Sunday, Aug. 2, to celebrate the lives of Clement and Sue Salvadori. They passed away earlier this year (read our obituary for Clem, as he was known to friends).
Clement and Sue had lived in Atascadero for many years, in a house that Sue had largely built herself. Their home, which was filled with an enormous collection of books as well as cats, artwork, and motorcycles, was often a gathering place for friends and fellow travelers passing through.
The celebration of life took place under a shaded canopy of oak trees on a hot afternoon, with guests sitting in folding chairs while enjoying snacks and beverages. Front and center was Clem’s Kermit chair with “Rider Magazine” stitched on it, along with his trademark beret, a motorcycle helmet, and a framed photo of Clem and Sue. Nearby was Clem’s 2006 Triumph T100 Bonneville, which he ran in the Run Watcha Brung class at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 2010. Photos of Clem and Sue, as well as several of Clem’s books, were on display.
Next to the platters of sandwiches and bowls of pasta salad on the picnic pavilion’s table were various bottles of wine, including the last of Clem’s personal stash of Two Buck Chuck (Charles Shaw merlot that Trader Joe’s used to sell for $1.99 a bottle; Clem was not pleased when the price went up to $2.99 a few years ago).
The event was emceed by Tod Rafferty, author of many motorcycle books, a contributor to Rider and American Rider, and a longtime friend of Clem’s. Among the friends and colleagues who shared memories of Clem and Sue were Craig Stein (aka Fireball), Clem’s best friend and best man at Clem and Sue’s wedding; Reg Kittrelle, founder of Thunder Press and former editor of American Rider; Walt Fulton, former Harley-Davidson factory and current AHRMA racer; Sue’s nephew; and others. As Rider‘s former editor-in-chief, I was honored to say a few words about Clem and what he meant to the magazine and its readers over the years.
Many shared memories about riding with Clem and/or Sue, or enjoying one of the pasta nights or parties they hosted at their home. Everyone noted Clem’s charm and writing talent; Sue’s energy, creativity, and industriousness; and their generous hospitality. They made a formidable pair, and the world is a darker place without them in it.
Most of their books will be donated to the local Friends of the Atascadero Library. Many of Clem’s motorcycle books and some of his motorcycle gear and memorabilia will be auctioned off at the 13th annual Central Coast Classic Motorcycle Show, Sept. 17-20, in San Luis Obispo, California, with proceeds benefiting Cal Coast MS.
Clem was my favorite.
Rider magazine was never the same without him.
RIP
We VERY MUCH enjoyed Clem & Sue’s company on the Rider Mag 2008 Museum and Castle Tour in Europe. Our first. Sharing their table at dinner and trading stories of riding was half the enjoyment of the Tour.
Neal & Cathy W.
Thank you, Rider, for posting this. Would’ve been nice to attend! Although never having the pleasure of meeting, we always felt like we knew Clem & Sue through his gifted ability to share their stories on a personal level, including his passion for motorcycling!
Footnote that few may recall; Clem was a contributor to a 1980’s regional publication titled “Free 2 Wheel”, which we enjoyed. The two of them will surely keep the shiny side up on Heaven’s Highways and avoid the “interstates”, no doubt.
Had the very distinct pleasure of Clem’s company for a few moments at the Rider Rally in 1988 at Cody Wyoming, putting life into all of his words over the years..RIP Sir
Clem was larger than life, great guy. Enjoyed working on his personal motorcycles for many years. Always enjoyed his many stories and visits to the motorcycle shop in SLO. He had a great life and will be missed. God speed,
I happened upon Clem and the rest of the Rider crew on a road trip to watch the USGP at Laguna Seca one year. They graciously allowed me to tag along, and in Rider’s photo archive is a pic of all of us atop a sequoia tree stump, one of the stops we made as we followed a circuitous and much cooler route northward. Thank you, Clem, and the others, for a memorable ride.
I had read and enjoyed Clem’s columns for many years, and bought a book or two of his, and then ran into him outside of a book store in SLO about 20 years ago. He struck up a conversation after seeing my R90/6 parked nearby, and offered advice on modifications I might consider. Very gracious fellow, I would have liked to have known him better.
Clement Salvadori .. Read em, met him, purchased his books .. He was God’s gift to the motorcycle world.
Any chance that the auction items might be listed in advance and open to remote bidding?
No, prohibitive logistics. Perhaps the items left over will show up on Craigslist or FB Marketplace. The books will likely go to the county library for their fundraising sale.
Clem & Craig shared a lot of memories and I was privileged to hear some of them. Craig was kind enough to send me his eulogy and it was quite touching. Clem was one of the greats!
Well done, Greg. Glad you could be there. Clem’s legacy as the road scholar of motorcycle travel will last a long while. His keen observation, wit, and engaging personality built a far-reaching fan base worldwide. As a friend and colleague, his style and grace set a fine example for all of us in the motorcycling life. He was one of our very best.
When rider was a young magazine what got
Me to subscribe back when I was mired in
Mortgages and offspring poverty and was nursing a 71 BSA lightning and 73 XS 650 which together made for 1 fun
Motorcycle was Clems writing.
Rider kept quarter mile times off and would judge the bike on usability reliability etc.
While Clem
Lived all bike )( so it seemed) he never fell
For the trap of not pointing out problems
He was also a known good judge of good local food.
I remeber his description of a fried douse sandwich
Rip
Rider magazine suffered from the loss of Clement as he was their best scribe. Now we all miss him and his writings that have amused us over the years. RIP Clem
Having grown up across the street from Clem, I have many fond memories of our early motorcycle adventures, How our mothers sanctioned our Summer motorcycle trip across Europe at age 16, I am not sure.
Dick Tatlock
Shortly after Sue died myself and Don Smith went to visit Clem at his house. We spoke of dealing with grief, sadness, loneliness and loss.
Clem shared that he was having to learn new skills, like how to run the vacuum. How to make breakfast. How to feed the cats. To learn finances. I’m sure the conversation thread was shared with many others providing help and support to our friend in his time of need.
As the visit was winding down, Clement privately asked me to accompany him to the back porch. Clem said that he had something he wanted to show me. I was expecting to see a motorcycle. Rather what I saw was a grassy valley sloping downwards with a huge oak tree centrally located.
Clement told me that he and Sue both held the oak tree as sacred, as spiritual.. Words fail me, I’m not a writer – but the they held a special connection with that centuries old oak.. like it was a portal to the past and future. The tree brought peace and understanding.
Imagine the despair when they both saw that a storm had broken the largest branch on the tree.
Clement told me that he and Sue saw this as a bad omen. The most prominent branch lay dead on the ground, the tree mourning the loss.
I think he was correct, as Sue passed on unexpectedly shortly thereafter. If my memory is correct, three or four weeks later.
Is it coincidence then, or the universe, or a spirituality, or karma….
That on the very day Clem hired a crew to brush the broken limb, Clem passed through the portal to be with Sue?
Clem was a great guy. We shared a few rides with the local SLO county riders, Barries Boys. We met for coffee in Santa Margarita at the Porch.