Monday, January 25, 2016

on buying a bike sight unseen
















A dream of mine, based on a dentist friend in Albuquerque many years ago, was to locate a certain bike outside of my local area, take a train ride to get it, and then ride it back.  This dentist friend had told me, this in 1976, of buying a 1937 Packard Dual Cowl Phaeton, I love the name, with a V-12, located in Minnesota.  He took Amtrak which only took three days, and carried the cash only transaction in a grocery back with him.  After three days he smelled bad, had started a beard, and was wearing jeans and a denim jacket.  Carrying a paper shopping back, before the question of paper or ?  He took a taxi to the address given, and knocking on the door in a well to do neighborhood was excited to get his new car.  He knocked, and no one answered, so he knocked again, harder, still no answer.  Finally a voice came from behind the door, go away, we don’t want any.  He knocked again, stating he was buyer for the Packard, no response.  Finally seeing a face looking out from the peephole, he dumped the $35,000 in cash on the porch, “I came from New Mexico to buy your car!”  And though suspicious, they opened the door.  And got to be good friends, Tom was not quite what a Minneapolis dentist looked like, but his money was good anywhere.  His trip back took longer, he cruised the old roads, and the trip was mostly uneventful for a 40 year old classic.  And so the seed was planted, and I was going to live it.
I had settled on early Honda 750’s, Suzuki GS 750 and 1000’s, and kept my search within 1500 miles.  Which led to many bikes looked at, quite a few phone calls made, and many questions asked and answered, with lots of photos emailed.  And as I got to know the seller, they revealed things not in the ad, to my chagrin sometimes, and also my disappointment.  A 1974 CB750 seemed right, until the seller told of newer parts, I wanted it stock.  Pass.  Again a 1981 GS1100, red and stock, but the owner’s picture showed a dent in the tank his ad didn’t mention.  Finally a 1978 GS750E Suzuki, just what I wanted, clean with low miles.  We agreed upon a price, all his pictures matched his description, and the deal was made.  Until a later voice mail told me he couldn’t sell the bike.  He was a perfectionist and wanted to give the bike a tune up for me, and when he went to adjust the valves, found one cam lobe rusted and worn.  He couldn’t and wouldn’t sell me the bike...I was disappointed but grateful and impressed by his integrity.
But finally I found my 1978 GS1000E Suzuki at a dealer in Everett, Washington.  Sold on consignment, it was a barn find, but well reconditioned.  A rare find still being stock, as most had been raced to death then thrown away.  With just over 20,000 miles, we set the deal and I was off.  Not by train, a two and half day trip, compared to a two hour flight at half the cost.  Cash in hand, or really pocket, I arrived, I was picked up at the airport, the bike was as advertised, and we did the deal.  With only a Washington law about sales tax the only problem, they discounted the bike the additional amount.  And I was off on my planned 4 day return ride home, some 1400 miles.  Which I did in two, the bike ran so well, cruising at 80, or really by tach as the speedo cable gave up by Oregon.  But no other problems, a great ride, and a dream fulfilled.  Lessons learned, a trip taken some 32 years after the bike was new, and today I still have it, with 9000 miles added over 5 years.  But I learned a lot about buying a vehicle long distance, and would do things differently next time.  Ask more questions, take the full 4 days, and bargain harder.  I got a good deal, but there is nothing like experience to guide you, good or bad.  Hopefully good on your end, learning about and from the bad of others.  And if you are wondering, yes I would do it again, and I hope to someday.
Accepting an invitation to church can be a risky thing.  We all extend them, but don’t think about what the invitee is thinking, what is their preconceived notion?  I have had a few, one a pretty face invited to a Bible study, and when I was the only one with a Bible I should have known better. It turned out to be New Age, and I left, no love here, and freedom of expression was defined as if you agree with me.  Another time a group of us were invited, and when I got up and left, many came with me, a few staying out of respect for the inviter.  Who had himself been led astray.  Just because the invite mentions church, doesn’t mean that God or Jesus are part of it.  So I have learned, like I did from buying a bike unseen, to ask more questions.  Better questions, and to listen better to the answers.  For not all who come in the name of the Lord are of God.  Some even have Jesus in their name, but deny his deity.  One group claims to be God’s chosen witnesses, but denies Jesus is God.  Changing key words, and outright denying Jesus Christ for who he is.  Fortunately they will admit to not being Christians, but a church.  So beware. 
In 2 John we are warned by the Apostle of love to beware of those who have a false gospel.  To not even wish them God bless you, not to engage with them, or let them into your home.  Yet many fall prey to them, and some will argue or study with them, claiming how will they be saved if they aren’t told?  And come away bruised and damaged, they will tear you down before you change them.  Only Jesus changes lives, and if not led by the holy spirit, they are led by an unholy spirit.  So beware....many will come in his name but are wolves in sheep’s clothing.  And once in are hard to get rid of.
Remember that the next time you ask someone to church.  They too may have been burned, or maybe you have.  Jesus gave us his spirit to take the gospel out to the world, not to invite it to church.  It is not just the pastor’s job to share the gospel, and your lifestyle and testimony may speak louder words than any message from behind a pulpit.  Revelation says we are “saved by the blood of the lamb, and our testimony.”  Jesus saves, we are the messenger, and he is the message.  Our testimony the proof.  The gospel, good news.  Consider that when you are told to evangelize.  We are to be witnesses, not go out and witness.  Our lives should reflect Jesus when no one is looking.  Our words should match the ad we portray in daily life, not just a pretty picture not showing the other side of the bike with dents.  The spirit will give us words as we need them, and if silent, maybe a good thing too.  We are not salespeople, but ambassadors.  Stop and think, would you like to be like you?  Is Jesus your true Lord, or are you exaggerating hoping to win an argument?  To sell your own ideas?  Or are you just lost altogether? 
Rely on the spirit when sharing, but also buying and selling.  Too many times I have rushed into a deal wishing I had waited.  But God’s mercy caught me.  Maybe the fruit of the spirit, the characteristics of God are better than words.  Love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, meekness, and log suffering will show more about God in your life than any memory verse.  Words are forgotten long after the experience is remembered.  I don’t remember the names of the potential sellers, funny how I remember the bikes down to the details.
Study to find yourself approved, not saved.  When driven by the spirit of the Lord you will see truth through his eyes.  His word, the Bible will back up what he has been showing you.  For Jesus is truth, the only way.  Don’t be misled by a clever ad, or a free offer.  Ask questions,and if it doesn’t seem right, walk away before you wish you had run.  Only Jesus saves, and he will lead you to places you never would have thought of.  God loves questions, and loves you to ask, to test the spirit to see if it is him.  Seek ye first the kingdom of God, then all things will be added unto you.  Which makes it easier to explain the rust bucket in your garage that seemed like such a deal on Craigslist. 
Now about that original bike you have for sale....except for what, you say?   Take the time to pray before, rather than seek forgiveness later. And if God says no he knows best.  And may have a better yes just ahead.  Funny how we can trust him with our souls for life, but not ask him about things we need to do.  So seek him first....and enjoy the ride of your life.  No matter where it takes you. 
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com