Brucey Update

Talk women (or men), politics, gripe about your 6er (or other ride), and speak your mind.

Moderators: GRNSHRK, ron, bfons

Post Reply
wattsmonkey
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 1649
Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2007 2:58 pm
Location: Cheltenham, U.K.

Brucey Update

Post by wattsmonkey »

I finally got to see him! Visiting at the hospital was not possible, with two nominated visitors only. He has been moved to a care home, which does allow for visitors, but is obviously less than ideal.

I'm trying to tread a fine line between respecting his privacy and keeping you good people up-to-date, so apologies for clumsy wording, but Bruce wanted me to give you an update.

His fine motor skills have improved, although he has little feeling on his left side and his balance suffers. The most frustrating thing for him is the inability to maintain focus with his eyesight, which makes reading very difficult and even watching television a chore. He is as sharp as ever, and guessed at the ridiculous cock-ups I'd made before I got to the end of the anecdote (I made the carport for the white car too low, as I'd measured my Eibach-springed car, not one on standard ride height, as well as nearly knocking myself out with an unusually violent bootlid over-centre incident).

We are very much hoping that his house can be converted to allow him to return home, but this is not a quick process.

It is very unlikely that he will be driving again and in light of this, he has asked me to help with his cars. Brucey's red daily driver, the auto, LPG converted, Fritz exhausted monster that has graced this forum for all the years of his extraordinary relationship with all things sharknosed, is up for sale.

It is in need of a bit of TLC, but (as you'd expect) it is a testament to Bruce's skill and expertise. Some of you have already seen it on Classic Bahnstormers' social media, where it currently resides after Steve and Pete, along with Ron from this very parish - friends of Bruce for a good few years now - gave up their weekend and more to help with the BMW extraction.

I'll post on the for sale forum once it's had a clean and a polish.

On Brucey's behalf, thank you Steve, Pete, Ron and Tim Pollock for so much help.
"Most of it necessary; all of it enjoyable." LJKS
'84 635CSi, dogleg...itbs and supercharger????? Eaton Mess
User avatar
olympia57
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 1389
Joined: Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:47 pm
Location: Ireland

Re: Brucey Update

Post by olympia57 »

And , I think , a big thank you to you Rob for not just the welcome updates on Brucey's progress but for the time , effort and considerable support that you have given to assist Brucey in all ways possible . =D>
1981 635 series 1
Jubilados
Posts: 161
Joined: Sun Mar 08, 2020 4:48 am
Location: So Cal

Re: Brucey Update

Post by Jubilados »

Thank you for the update. I’m not new to BMWs but am relatively new here. Looking at past posts, I’ve been astonished at Bruce’s knowledge and his graciousness in sharing. A very well loved member of the BMW community for sure.
Best wishes from the colonies for his continuing recovery.
User avatar
Ralph in Socal
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 2745
Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:32 am
Location: High Desert of SoCal

Re: Brucey Update

Post by Ralph in Socal »

Thank you very much for the update Rob. Daily prayers for Brucey’s continued recovery.

Ralph
There is a very fine line between "Hobby" and Mental Illness.

85 635csi Zinno Auto
84 528i Euro
83 635 Euro Arktik
81 528i Kastanien 5-speed
88 528e Bronzit (Granpa Car)
86 535i Auto (For Sale)
81 633 csi (retired)
User avatar
jps635
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 872
Joined: Sat Feb 27, 2010 10:50 pm
Location: NZ

Re: Brucey Update

Post by jps635 »

Shame when these things happen but good to hear he's on the mend, and making steady improvement.
'85 635csi JPS (RA2-66)
User avatar
635sharknose
Posts: 513
Joined: Fri Sep 13, 2019 4:58 pm
Location: The Netherlands
Contact:

Re: Brucey Update

Post by 635sharknose »

Good to hear that he is slowly getting better.
Very unfortunate for him that his car has to be sold and that he has to leave this to others. :cry:

I hope he recovers as soon as possible and can do things that make him happy again, Brucey is clearly an active and lively person, heartbreaking to read that he can do almost nothing at the moment.
Paul
Image
Instagram: @635sharknose
1987 635CSi Bronzitbeige
User avatar
sharkfan
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 2235
Joined: Tue Sep 28, 2004 3:14 pm
Location: Guildford, U.K.

Re: Brucey Update

Post by sharkfan »

Thanks for the update Rob - please pass on all our best wishes to Brucey.
2001 Alpina B10 V8 Touring (1 of 12 rhd)
1997 Alpina B12 5.7 L (1 of 2 rhd)
1995 Alpina B10 4.6 Touring (1 of 1 rhd)
1985 BMW M635CSi (1 of 524 rhd)
1982 BMW 635CSiA (1 of 100's left from the 1000's made and still valiantly fighting against a rusty grave)
LarryM
Posts: 142
Joined: Sat Jul 13, 2013 3:19 am
Location: Camarillo, CA

Re: Brucey Update

Post by LarryM »

Thank you for keeping us informed; it's good to hear he's making progress towards recovery. Please let him know we're all sending good vibes his way and looking forward to hearing from him again soon.
1985 635CSi
1987 535is
1965 Impala SS
songzunhuang
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 1224
Joined: Fri Aug 14, 2015 10:04 am
Location: Silicon Valley, CA
Contact:

Re: Brucey Update

Post by songzunhuang »

Many of his posts have helped me as I got my car going.
Pile on the good vibes from me as well. I hope to see him active on the forum again one day.
-----
Song Huang
1984 633CSi
Last 7 of VIN: 6997383
Jlc
Posts: 287
Joined: Sun Sep 27, 2020 5:27 pm
Location: Atl

Re: Brucey Update

Post by Jlc »

Is there anything we can do for Brucey?
85 635CSi Bronzit
BenM635i
Posts: 167
Joined: Thu Dec 10, 2015 7:23 pm
Location: St Albans, UK

Re: Brucey Update

Post by BenM635i »

Good to hear that Brucey is fighting back, if anyone has the stamina and persistence to make the best of the situation then it has to be him.

Best wishes and if there is anything we can do (card / beer / dancing nurses) then we should.

Also thank Rob for keeping us abreast, top man and a true gentleman.
'85 M635 #160
Pod
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 4492
Joined: Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:32 pm
Location: usually in the barn, Kent, England.

Re: Brucey Update

Post by Pod »

Thanks Rob. Good to hear that a bunch of you helped a friend in need! Please pass my best wishes to Brucey for a full and rapid recovery.
wattsmonkey
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 1649
Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2007 2:58 pm
Location: Cheltenham, U.K.

Re: Brucey Update

Post by wattsmonkey »

Thank you, everyone - I'll pass on your best wishes. I'll be going to see him in a few weeks.

The Brucemobile is now on ebay - I've posted a link in the For Sale section.

Cheers,

Rob
"Most of it necessary; all of it enjoyable." LJKS
'84 635CSi, dogleg...itbs and supercharger????? Eaton Mess
Pod
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 4492
Joined: Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:32 pm
Location: usually in the barn, Kent, England.

Re: Brucey Update

Post by Pod »

Good morning Rob. How is Brucey getting on?
wattsmonkey
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 1649
Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2007 2:58 pm
Location: Cheltenham, U.K.

Re: Brucey Update

Post by wattsmonkey »

Sorry Pod,

I missed this!

He's struggling a bit, to be honest. The plan to visit him in October fell through due to Covid here, so I've only had brief conversations with him.

There hasn't been the progress he'd have liked and that is frustrating him.

Naturally, he was well-equipped to educate me on a number of technical points of order: even though it's Brucey who had the stroke, it's me who benefits from speaking slowly and clearly with repetition and reinforcement of key points, so I now understand the unloader relays' relation to the start signal!

I know he'll appreciate your asking.

All the best,

Rob
"Most of it necessary; all of it enjoyable." LJKS
'84 635CSi, dogleg...itbs and supercharger????? Eaton Mess
Pod
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 4492
Joined: Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:32 pm
Location: usually in the barn, Kent, England.

Re: Brucey Update

Post by Pod »

Thanks, Rob.
Pod
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 4492
Joined: Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:32 pm
Location: usually in the barn, Kent, England.

Re: Brucey Update

Post by Pod »

Any further news, Rob?
User avatar
sansouci
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 1850
Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2013 10:52 pm
Location: Southampton NY

Re: Brucey Update

Post by sansouci »

Let us know how he's doing
Sansouci
84 E24 633Csi Auto, Bronzit/PearlBeige 6997510
93 E32 740il M60 Auto, Alpenweis/Ultramarine
60 528i M30 5-speed Green/Beige (crushed)
71 240Z 4-speed White/Blue (rusty & sold)
65 396 Chevelle 4-speed, Marina Blue/Black (stolen)
wattsmonkey
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 1649
Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2007 2:58 pm
Location: Cheltenham, U.K.

Re: Brucey Update

Post by wattsmonkey »

Apologies chaps, I missed this.

I saw him over summer and I'm afraid there hasn't been any progress physically, although his eyesight has improved a little.

He was his wonderful, excited and affable self though, with time flying by.

The Brucey brain was very much in gear - with ideas for a combined hub/derailleur gear, a better jubilee clip, a consolidated opinion on the best Powell and Pressburger film ("I Know Where You're Going" is a perennial) and consideration of the AVA Turbo which I think might well be in your capable hands now, Pod.

It was as interesting and informative as ever for me - Brucey told me I would never be able to avoid getting all manner of dust and dirt in any painting I tried to do in my garage and - after a very long research and development programme (i.e. trying it, getting it wrong, trying again and getting it a bit better) - I have come to the conclusion that there is, indeed, too much dust and dirt in all of the paint I did over summer!

Thank you for asking, he'll be really pleased to know that.

Cheers,

Rob
"Most of it necessary; all of it enjoyable." LJKS
'84 635CSi, dogleg...itbs and supercharger????? Eaton Mess
Pod
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 4492
Joined: Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:32 pm
Location: usually in the barn, Kent, England.

Re: Brucey Update

Post by Pod »

Thanks, Rob.
User avatar
sansouci
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 1850
Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2013 10:52 pm
Location: Southampton NY

Re: Brucey Update

Post by sansouci »

Rob
Is Brucy able to read our posts and best wishes on bigcoupe?
Sansouci
84 E24 633Csi Auto, Bronzit/PearlBeige 6997510
93 E32 740il M60 Auto, Alpenweis/Ultramarine
60 528i M30 5-speed Green/Beige (crushed)
71 240Z 4-speed White/Blue (rusty & sold)
65 396 Chevelle 4-speed, Marina Blue/Black (stolen)
wattsmonkey
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 1649
Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2007 2:58 pm
Location: Cheltenham, U.K.

Re: Brucey Update

Post by wattsmonkey »

I am afraid not - he is still struggling with maintaining focus.

He's always pleased to hear that so many people are still thinking of him (and benefiting from his knowledge and wisdom on this forum - and the bike forums too).
"Most of it necessary; all of it enjoyable." LJKS
'84 635CSi, dogleg...itbs and supercharger????? Eaton Mess
Post Reply