While modesty meant the Kiwi motorcycling icon had always refused to accept the “ legend ” moniker , virtually all the tributes that have flowed since his passing on Saturday , October 14 – just two days after he ’ d celebrated his 90th birthday – lovingly describe him in this way . Actually Australian-born ( at Longueville , near Sydney ), Gibbes married his Kiwi sweetheart Joan ( Cleghorn ) and they settled together in the Manawatu to raise a family and for Tim to run a successful motorcycle dealership in Palmerston North . Sadly , Joan passed away exactly one month before him , on September 14 , and several family friends remarked following the sad news that Tim had now “ gone to join her in Heaven ”. Tim Gibbes contributed so much to the New Zealand motorcycling community over the years and his efforts as an inspirational leader , advisor , event organiser , team manager and mentor cannot be understated . As a young man in his early 20s , Gibbes raced motocross and enduro world championship events in Europe , providing inspiration to many New Zealand and Australian riders who later followed on to also race in Grand Prix competitions overseas . When Hollywood came calling in 1962 , Gibbes was on the spot in southern Germany to help out with stunt riding duties during filming of the World War II movie classic “ The Great Escape ”. The marathon 2-hour and 48-minute movie included only about five minutes of motorcycle action in it , but what great action it was . Gibbes was hired as a stand-in for several of the thrilling action scenes , including some played by a famous young American actor called Steve McQueen . The iconic war film also starred Hollywood A-list actors Donald Pleasance , James Garner , Richard Attenborough , James Donald , Charles Bronson and James Coburn . Gibbes also worked in England in the 1950s as a