Donald DeVault of Omaha, Nebraska was rather dumbfounded when the local authorities contacted him in regards to his stolen 1953 Triumph Tiger 100 motorcycle. While it's not uncommon for stolen motorcycles to turn up, and find their way back into the original owner's hands, this case was rather unique since the theft occurred 46 years ago. Most people would probably write their motorcycle off as 'never to be seen again' after the first year, but this just goes to show that miracles can happen.
So, how did this classic beast of a motorcycle end up in the hands of authorities 46 years after it was stolen? According to this ABCnews.com report, U.S. Customs & Border Protection agents noticed it was stolen after running the VIN through their computer database. It's standard procedure for agents to cross-check exported VINs with their database to see if any are stolen, and sure enough, this one came back with a big ten-four.
The bike was being shipped out to Japan when custom agents discovered it was stolen. At that point, they contacted the local authorities in Omaha, Nebraska whom got in touch with its rightful owner.
The now 73-year-old owner, Donald DeVault, originally paid a mere $300 for the motorcycle back in the early 50s. Today, however, the bike is reportedly worth $9,000. DeVault remains an avid biker, even at the ripe old age of 73. He currently owns a chopper-style Harley Davidson along with a Kawasaki motorcycle. When asked what he plans to do this with his 1953 Triumph Tiger, he stated that he will ride it only on "special occasions."
Of course, there's certainly some sentimental value in a motorcycle that was stolen and then returned 46 years later. To honor his motorcycle, DeVault plans to have the back gas tank custom painted to say "46 Years Later."
Motorcycle theft is a serious problem that bikers need to be aware of. Some people would even say that DeVault was lucky to get his old 1953 Triumph Tiger back into his hands. In any case, owners need to take precautionary measures to help prevent theft. This includes not leaving your bike running (even if you're just running into the gas station for a pack of smokes), storing it in a locked garage or shed, and parking it in a location where you can easily see it. And in the event that your bike becomes stolen, don't wait to contact the authorities. The sooner you make a report, the better the chance of recovering it.
