| Even at age 81, Wayman still enjoys regular outings on his motorcycle. |
Even as a young boy, Max Wayman was fascinated with motorcycles. The desire to ride set in at an early age and continues to this day as Wayman cruises the highways and biways of America at age 81.
The Carbon County native vividly remembers his first experience with a motor bike. He explains that while his brother was shearing sheep, he and a couple neighbor kids pushed his brother’s bike up on a big mound where the family stored potatoes. Wayman then hopped on the bike and began to coast down the hill.
“It was right in line with our driveway and it went across a main road. I put it in gear and let the clutch out on it and it would make it go chug-chug just as if it were running,” explained the avid biker.
One time, Wayman managed to start the bike and had the throttle clear on. He explained that the bike took off and traveled across the road where it hit a big ditch.
“I fell off and went through the fence into the neighbor’s garden. He had just planted that garden and it was all watered. I tore a hole through his fence and messed the garden up,” explained Wayman.
“All he said was that he wouldn’t tell on me if I did as he said while doing chores and I didn’t give him any trouble. That was my first solo ride on a motorcycle.”
The fascination of motorcycles drove Wayman to purchase his first bike at age 19. It was a 1932 police Harley that he purchased in 1941. His next purchase would be a 1941 Indian Chief which he paid $37.50 for in 1943.
| Many trips were made on this candy apple red Harley. |
Throughout the years, the Carbon County motorcyclist has purchased several bikes and has enjoyed riding them across the country. He has even passed on his fascination to his family who rides with him quite frequently.
In fact, in 1965, Wayman and his first wife, Jerri, traveled to Salt Lake to buy a new bedroom set. Instead, they came back with a 74 cubic inch 1959 Harley.
Wayman’s fully dressed 1966 candy apple red Harley has been one of his most used bikes. He and his wife, Jerri put a lot of miles on this motorcycle by going on several long trips including one to Canada.
Throughout the years, Wayman has traveled thousands of miles but has only been in two crashes. Both of which occurred in Price and was due to car drivers not spotting Wayman on his bike. Neither caused serious injury however.
At age 81, Wayman enjoys riding his bike along with his second wife, Ruth.
If not on his iron horse, Wayman is enjoying his cabin in Scofield or is hunting, fishing or even snowmobiling.
To this day, Wayman still goes on four-wheeler trips and takes his dune buggy. He even rides his bicycles weekly.
As a pastime, Wayman makes place mats and chairs in Arizona while visiting during the cold winter months. That is however, when he is not riding his motorcycle.
“You don’t stop riding cause you get old. You get old when you stop riding,” concluded Wayman.