Steve Richard Daniels

Steven (Steve) Richard Daniels, man of many talents and friends, passed away on July 28, 2025 at the age of 67. He died from complications due to cancer, after fighting to live for six long years. He will be greatly missed.

Born on December 19, 1957 in Ukiah, California to Richard W. Daniels and Joan D. Daniels (Lambrecht), Steve grew up in the Ukiah area where he graduated from Ukiah High School, attended a few classes at Mendocino College and then began working for Masonite at the water treatment plant as an operator. He was ever curious and wanted more from life, so over a 5- to-6 year period he became trained as a surveyor and worked with Bing Wong Engineering throughout the 1980s.

Steve discovered motorcycles when he was 10 years old. As an adult he became an expert rider. Starting in his mid 20's he and his brother Keith raced the Northern California District 36 Enduro circuit, enjoying the thrill of competition and making new friends. Sometime in the early 1990s Steve decided to follow his passion and went to work at Ukiah Cycle Center, learning the motorcycle mechanics trade under the guidance of Steven Burns and Craig Vincent. He eventually went to work for Duell Parks at Lost Coast Cycles. Many years went by, and Steve became known as a top-notch mechanic, able to work on a wide range of vehicles. British bikes eventually became his specialty. When he opened up his own shop in 2008 he started “Steve’s Motorcycle Repair” out of a shop he built on the family property in Talmage and from that point on he was his own boss.

Steve was a meticulous mechanic, carefully fixing, rebuilding or repairing just about any kind of motorcycle, regardless of year of manufacturer. He became the backbone mechanic for many of the area’s motorcycle restoration projects, projects where the owner might do some of the restoration, but bring the more difficult aspects of the project to Steve to solve. And solve them he would! When he handed you back that engine, part or even a complete motorcycle, every single thing he did was documented clearly in his neat handwriting, and old parts were always returned to the owner.

Steve was an “old school” soul who believed in fairness and in the general goodness of people. He rarely, if ever, had a critical word to say about anybody. He held himself to high standards of performance, whether he was riding, performing mechanical work or simply telling a story. Steve believed in truth and honesty and in simply being nice to people. He enjoyed helping others. He always had a smile and a kind thing to say, no matter what. He loved long motorcycle rides with his various buddies, taking overnight camping trips several times each year. He also loved fishing with family and friends, watching the 49ers or the Giants play (no matter WHO won!) and all his various dogs throughout his life – Andy, Cindy, Ginger, Holly, Josie and finally Bonnie.

Steve was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Richard and Joan. Steve is survived by his brother, Keith J. Daniels, his uncle Don Daniels and his aunt Joan Daniels as well as a wide variety of caring friends. A memorial to celebrate the life of this remarkable man has yet to be planned, but will happen sometime in the fall.