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The Bucket List a few years ago sent many off in the direction of making
lists of things to do before they die. Being a true rebel I never fell into the
trap, but last night began to think of alternatives to the bucket. And things I
still want to do, but thought instead of things I haven’t done, boiling it down
to bikes I have never ridden. And in true touring bike form, instead of a
bucket considered a “saddlebag list,” but I am not a bagger at heart. So I
narrowed it down to the way I have been touring for over 40 years, “the tank bag
list.” A list of bikes I have never ridden....see how yours compares.
I have never ridden a Triumph Hurricane X-75, the custom built by Craig
Vetter. I always thought this pre-custom custom looked cool, and I remember
them sitting gathering dust on showroom floors, too expensive. If only I had
bought one then, I could sell it and have enough to buy one now. A blend of old
Triumph, new triple, and custom styling, you gotta love those 3 pipes! But the
closest I ever came was owning a 1998 Thunderbird Sport, again a triple, but
with only two pipes. Great bike, sounded cool, but needed 30 more horsepower,
which Mickey provided when he put a Daytona engine in one. That bike I
rode...why didn’t Triumph ever build it, I would still want one now! But for
now, the Hurricane will have to wait.
A slight blip on the café racer radar occurred in the seventies, when sport
models of existing bikes sprung up, low bars, louder exhaust, and rear sets.
Even Harley got in on it, with the 1977 XR-1000. Based on the Sportster it
never sold, although it was fast, handled pretty good, and looked great. But
with no chrome, it never had a chance...another one for the tank bag, how great
a tank bag would look on it riding some roads I know, maybe my first Harley, are
you listening Milwaukee, what is Buell’s number? I still have an open invite to
ride any bike at want at Biggs, how about that XR-1000 on display? I still
would like to ride a Guzzi, Ducati, or any Italian bike that I felt safe riding
past the edge of town on. But with Audi owning Ducati, Ducaudi, when I rode a
Diavel, I fell in love with the power-now I just need a race track to use it
on. The new Guzzi looks cool, sounds cool too, but in my mind I see an old
friend, and resident Guzzi nut, Capt. Hook on his. Pass for now, but this three
cylinder MV Augusta looks good...
I also have an open invite from the GM at the BMW store to ride the
S1000-but probably won’t, the speed junkie in me would come out and I would have
to sell 2 or 3 bikes to do it, so I stay away from the store, but someday when I
am weak....I still have my New Mexico personalized plate, “MR R90S” wonder if
that counts? I met Michael the new owner and boss at Crocker, bringing back the
fastest bike in the 30’s from LA, he even offered me seat time when the
prototype is done, it needs miles and I was asked to ride it...I still have his
card, I wonder if he’d remember me? I like the new Indians, and hope they make
it this time. Almost bought one 10 years ago, a Scout for around town, but no
test ride offered, now I know they did me a favor. And with the new crop of
bikes coming out of Japan this year, Yamaha 09, a new 750 Honda, it will be neat
to see them make a comeback as they have been quiet for a while...a sleeping dog
lying that is about to be awakened, should be fun. Remember the first CB750,
the first Z-1, and how you fell asleep dreaming of owning one, knowing
someday...and for the above bikes that someday never came. But someday I will
ride a Vincent, got close when my now deceased friend Barney Li bought the
rights and was going to bring them back...with a Honda motor! Some hybrids were
designed to die at birth. Norton is again trying to come back, Royal Enfield
never left, another free ride offer, “Mike you would be surprised,” I would be
more surprised than you think! Even Triumph is joining the ranks of Harley
coming out with a Rocket 3 trike, made in Brazil, the only other manufacturer to
offer one from the factory, and both are building bikes in India soon, Triumph a
250cc! Remember when 250cc was big and 650cc out of reach? It took real men to
kick start a 74 inch Harley...another I would like to try if someone has old Pan
or Knuckle they would trust me on for an afternoon. But there will always be
old ones I missed, new ones to desire, but give me any bike with a tank bag and
a free weekend to ride and I’m happy. Some new to come, some resurrected, back
from the dead, and some dead and never knowing it.
Which leads me to a trick question, one I love to fool pastor’s with. We
all know of the death of Lazarus and how Jesus put off seeing him until after
his death. And his sisters got cheesed at Him, imagine getting mad at Jesus?
But then Jesus uttered the following words, “Lazarus come forth.” And Lazarus
did, a preview of the resurrection of Jesus and of we who believe. But the
question is, “who were the first three, if He told Lazarus come fourth?” A cute
play on words, but I have sent a few pastor’s into not thinking it was funny,
mainly because they didn’t get it at first, but hoped their congregation would
when they tell it. But the truth is, we will all be resurrected like Lazarus,
and like Jesus if we believe. Which is why Jesus calls us many times, sometimes
for years, sometimes to a deaf ear. But He still calls, and is patient for you
to come to salvation. He has a tank bag list with your name on it, which
included you before you were saved, and still does if you are still resisting.
Like many famous names of the past being resurrected, He still has the power
they don’t to change your life, and give you hope. An open invite like at the
Harley and BMW stores to test their product, they know I am not a buyer, but
want to brag on it. Just like we brag on Jesus, and want you to just try Him,
give Him a chance. “Mike come forth,” He must have said hundreds of times. For
Lazarus it only took 4, if you believe my joke. But how many will it take for
you? Accept Jesus today, you could be living instead of wondering.
And don’t put off the chance to ride when asked. Many have been converted
after a test ride, don’t say like I did “but my garage is still full.” Make
room for another ride today, maybe the ride of your life. Choose Jesus, kick
the bucket, and its list, and start living. Start a new list, call it a diary
of all the places and things done with Jesus, and share it. John the Baptist
bore witness to Jesus and wrote all about Him, bringing blessings to many. Not
a bad habit to have. Like the ad says, “stop dreaming, and start riding.” So
many bikes, so little time. But only one Jesus. What are you waiting for, a
personal invitation? Well, you are hereby invited....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com