the motorcycle tool kit

Always there, hopefully when you needed it, the motorcycle tool kit has passed into history silently.  Once an intricate part of riding, bikes used to come with one, now you get an 800 number to call when broken.  But at one time, you used to be able to adjust your chain, your clutch cable, and perform a tune up with the kit provided with your bike.  Now the tools were never high quality, only in later life would we discover courtesy of Snap-On that wrenches came chromed.  Or that the reason you called pliers a pair of pliers was because they came in two pieces, or that screwdrivers were meant to fail before you stripped the head on a Phillips, the old two piece with different ends that would twist in the handle, just enough to bugger a screw, but not enough to loosen it, or tighten it properly.  And that wrenches meant for a Honda didn’t fit a Harley, which didn’t fit anything British.  But that an adjustable wrench, not found in the factory kit would.  Simple tools for simple fixes to be used by simpletons.  And they worked, somehow, and kept us riding.  But along came the BMW tool kit, the best tool kit out there, because BMW’s were the best, the Cadillac they were called.  But they never broke, so why the best toolkit for a bike you would need it the least?  A toolkit with shiny wrenches, a screwdriver where the blade didn’t twist, and one piece pliers.  All wrapped in a tool pouch, how cool was that?  Even had feeler gauges for plugs and points, no more using a matchbook cover for accuracy.  But included was also a tire patch kit, tire irons, and a pump.  A 40 strokes to the pound pump.  Do the math for a 35 pound tire-exhausting.  And it would work on other bikes, which made you popular when someone else had a flat.  Even had a neat little shop rag with BMW emblazoned on it, not much for wiping, but good for leaning your knee on so as to not get your chinos dirty.  All secured under the seat, in a tray designed for it.  A far cry from the Allen wrench found behind the side cover on my Bonneville.  But it never breaks, and if I get a flat, most carry cell phones.  The replacement tool kit for the trendy set, as things just don’t break like they used to.

But when they do, they must go to the shop.  Where no mechanics are found, now they are technicians, trained to diagnose and replace the faulty part.  After hooking it up to a scanner.  How impersonal.  And I think of how many rainy Saturdays we spent together in the garage fixing each others bikes, tightening bolts, checking spokes, and changing plugs, all with the factory supplied tool kit. A bit of the past, as most are gone, on dirt bikes remember them packed with dirt and mud, and on street bikes, covered with chain lube, and using the compartment for a stash. So it was a pleasant surprise to find my new old 1978 Suzuki GS1000 still had its tool kit when I bought it, also the owners manual.  A true trip back to the past.  And the pliers still two piece after 36 years, some things never change.

But just as motorcycles got to be more reliable, and no more tool kits included, after walking with Christ we can get lazy, and forget.  Out of sight, out of mind, and some of us are really out of our minds on any given day.  Things are going well, and we forget about God, we step away from praying, and figure all is well.  We don’t read our Bible, and our praying changes.  And then something happens, and we cannot find the tools, our Bible.  Or panic, and try to fix the problem ourselves.  We may be stuck on the side of the road, far from home, and try to fix the situation ourselves, or listen to whatever comes along.  When all the time Jesus is there with you, the ultimate tool kit, the ultimate fix it guy.  And sometimes we find that maintenance is cheaper than repairs, and if we had stayed close to Him in the good times, we may have avoided the problem now.  But after rehearsing panic, uttering some choice words not heard in church, and finally asking, Jesus answers.  He was there all along, and before the problem.  But for some He is only like the tool kit, to be called on when needed.  And if He doesn’t show up immediately, we get angry with Him, and turn against Him.  Ruining any witness we may have had to encourage others.  Not a new problem to Him.  And it all can be prevented...

Are you in the Word?  Is the Word in you?  Been awhile since you prayed, read, or attended church?  Welcome back, you are not alone.  We all stray, you have to screw up to get mercy, and God is mercy.  His tool kit is filled with the right wrench, and He won’t hand you a big wrench when you need a fine adjustment tool. aka hammer.  And He will hand you the tools before you ask, He knows before you do.  And many times we do, but choose the wrong thing, and suffer.  And then out comes the tool kit.  So why not skip over the stupid part, avoid the tool kit and go with God?  He is needed even more in good times when we are most wide open, and we never know how many times He ahs protected us form what could have happened.  Think about it.  Tools are more than for repairs, Jesus is more than a tool kit.

Read the Bible, see who He is, then let Him into your heart.  Follow Him, trusting His advice, and avoid having to pullout the tool kit.  But know that when you need Him, He is there.  Better than roadside, He is also bedside, sofa side, and dinner side.  But not to be put aside.  So reach into your spiritual tool kit today, it may have been awhile, clean up the tools.  Put the pliers together, and find all the tire irons.  Be prepared for any emergency, and it always pays to have the right tool for the right job.  Time to ride.

love with compassion,

Mike

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