Some years back a friend had the motor of his Harley rebuilt. After
120,000+ miles it was tired, and needed work. Spending a lot of money and
fixing some other things, he spent well over $6000, such is our devotion to our
bikes. When he got it back, he was excited, as it had more power than before.
So much power that in the higher gears under full throttle the rear tire would
lose traction and spin. The tach needle would spin, the speedo needle didn’t,
and he thought it was the rear tire losing traction. This rebuilt motor was
fast, and he wanted me to ride it, to show how fast Harleys were. Having passed
a few in my time, I was well aware, but I indulged him anyway and we went for a
ride.
The engine definitely sounded tighter, and smoother, 120,000 is a lot for
any “white man’s machine” as my friend Brett used to say. After letting it warm
up, for gasketing purposes, so they won’t leak, we headed up the freeway, me
leading, he on my Bonneville. I accelerated through the gears, nothing real
exciting, and then just like he said, in 5th gear under full throttle the tach
needle pinned itself, but no more speed. His description was accurate, his
diagnosis was wrong. What he interpreted as wheel spin was really his clutch
slipping. After a 15 mile run, I did get it up to 115, using a 3 mile steep
downgrade to get there from 90, and we rode back and he was excited. “See, see
how powerful it is. I bet your bike can’t do that,” and he was right, was
clutch was fine. After telling him delicately the clutch was slipping, I asked
if he had new clutch plates installed at the rebuild. His quizzical look told
me no, his answer was how the mechanic had worked on Harleys for 30 years, was
known around town, and did great work. Just answer the question yes or no. But
he would check....
A week later he called, he had a new clutch installed the day before, the
mechanic didn’t put a new one in with the rebuild because my friend didn’t ask
for one. Which immediately made me wonder what else my friend hadn’t requested,
and saddened that he should have to. We trust, or should be able to trust
those that work on our prized rides, it is right up with the one who cuts your
hair, fixes your food, and fixes your motorcycle, don’t tell them how to do it
once you find one you trust. Doctors practice medicine, I’m glad Mickey, my
mechanic doesn’t. He would have fixed it in the first place. And like he told
me yesterday, he has been doing it for over 30 years. And today makes a
substantial living fixing problems on Harleys repaired by Harley techs. His
dyno room is always full, the waiting list long, and the customers happy, and
telling their friends. The theory simple, you can have all the power in the
world, but if you don’t get it to the pavement what good is it? A simple
problem like a slipping clutch can give the illusion of power if you don’t know
what to look for. And my friend’s slipping clutch would eventually let him
down, and doubting the motor’s builder. Which he should...and did, and now
problem was fixed. No retest yet on my part....
Meekness is a word the world has little respect for. We hear of a meek
man, we think of Mort Meek, from an old cookie commercial, who once he ate the
cookie went from a 98 pound weakling to getting all the girls. All Oreos got me
was fat. But God lists meekness as fruit of the spirit, right there before self
control. Meekness to God means power under control, getting the power to the
pavement when it is needed. Power under control, when combined with self
control tells us how much to open the throttle, and when. We don’t sit waiting
for the light to turn green at 10,000 rpm, nor do we cruise at idle. Power
under control tells us when, and what results we get. Meekness also allows us
to do the better thing in a situation, when doing the right thing may cause harm
to us. Think of it as the second guy who hits always gets caught. He was just
defending himself, but he got caught, the first guy goes away laughing. How
many penalties have you seen in football that way? So when we are meek, we have
power, the same power Jesus had, we have at our disposal. But it takes self
control, based on our decision we either spin our wheels, do a burnout, or take
off. Burnouts are fun, we just don’t want to become one. Knowing when and
where is important, knowledge is good, wisdom is better. Going fast is fun,
that is common knowledge, wisdom is don’t do it in front of a ChiPpie. We all
know those results. Speed testing a Harley at 100mph will get you noticed, you
just don’t want the ticket to verify it. Meekness keeps us from the ticket,
also from sin. Which has a price...it always does. And eventually leads to
death. On a bike it may seem like fun, you never know what Ms. SUV on her i-Pod
is thinking in front of you. A little meekness on her part may be too much to
expect.
An old saying tells us to measure twice and cut once. I fall victim to the
opposite many times, my decision, my fault, my consequence. Today we all face
situations where we can respond with vindictiveness, fall back on meekness
instead. Be slow to speak, and slow to anger, meekness. Displayed by our self
control, our decision. Stay close to God in the spirit, and find out we not
only avoid situations, but come out ahead when we listen to God. Today I win
more battles because I pick my fights better.
You may have 264 hp like Ray’s BKing, but without throttle control, without
the power under control you make some incredible burnouts. You don’t go very
fast, but the illusion is great. Don’t spin your wheels when you don’t have to,
in riding it is hand to throttle control, in life it is head to heart control.
No one sets out to get a ticket today, or have problems. Our actions are
important, our reactions show more of where we are with Jesus. His power, his
control, our choice. Life can be a simple as replacing a slipping clutch, or
thinking you have power you don’t that eventually leaves you stranded. Usually
the farther from home, and the darker. Add rain, no money....I think you get
the picture. Whether a Christian for 30 years, or just Born Again yesterday,
meekness is a fruit you need daily. A free gift from God, part of the signup
package upon salvation. Now pass the Oreos please, God please show me meekness
in my weakness. Maybe if I make it balanced meal with milk....self control
Mike, self control.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com