Helmut "Ham" Busack

1942 - 2014

Helmut "Ham" Busack passed away Dec. 2, 2014. On that day, the world got a little darker.
He was born Feb. 12, 1942, in Berlin, Germany. Ham was a motorcycle racer, collector, builder and innovator. He was well known and respected in the vintage motorcycle community for his knowledge and German ingenuity. In 1956, Ham made history when he built his first motorcycle using a Volkswagen car engine mounted on a two-wheel bike frame, something unheard of at the time. As an innovator, Ham was the first person to incorporate the use of disc brakes and electric starters for motorcycles.
He was a U.S. Army veteran of eight years and served in Vietnam. Everyone he came in contact with left a lasting impression. He moved to Inverness five years ago from Belmont, New Hampshire.
Ham was a trusted, loving and giving friend to many. He was a boss, mentor and teacher, as well as a father figure to Kyle Chandler and Katie Franklin. Ham adored his stepdad, Edgar Kelb, and took him in to live with him and Sheila after his mother's death.
He loved all God's creatures, good clean water and his beer. That's the kind of man the world will miss.
Ham leaves behind many wonderful friends from all over the world, but the one missing him the most is his sweetheart of eight years, Sheila Ranger.
There will be a celebration of life for Ham at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014, at Ham's Cycle, 304 N. Pine Ave., Inverness, Florida.
Heinz Funeral Home & Cremation, Inverness, Florida.