It's springtime, when a young man's fancy turns to love... and all men's fancy turns to motorcycles. And after a long winter, the first warm days, and fresh smells remind us that the wait hopefully was worth it. And as we anticipate riding again, reflect on the stories and ads we read all winter to fend off the blues. With that, let's reflect on the spring of 1972, and see why this was a particularly exciting time to be in love.
The Brits were down to Triumph and Norton. BSA, once the best selling bike in the world, had merged with Triumph, and when the Rocket 3 failed to sell, bet their future on Triumph and the Trident. Essentially a 500 Daytona engine and a half, they were fast, handled great, but were expensive-more than $400 more than the competition. And with the right hand shift, put many a Jap bike rider on edge, or over the handlebars when they stabbed what they thought to be the rear brake, and found the shifter. Ask the driver of the car whose trunk I landed on, it also wasn't good for PR. Your other choice was Norton, and if you had the guts, went with a Commando with the Combat motor. Shifting one up, the rest down, again adding excitement, as if their bikes weren't exciting enough. And fast!
BMW was in the third year of their redesigned line, featuring 500-600-750cc bikes, engine displacement the only difference, and the performance that goes with it. And new this year were chrome panels on the gas tank, earning it the title of Toaster-not affectionately either. Add shaft drive, an unusual opposed twin motor, and keyless starting-you stuck a rod or anything else in the hole on the headlight and it would start. But with shaft drive, the Cadillac of bikes-when Cadillac meant something. British what? No Bavarian-poser.
But this was the era, a golden era of Japanese bikes, as the big four were bursting with ideas, styling and performance. Honda was still the king, with its CB750, 4 cylinders, disc brake, electric start, and handling-things only found on a racer just few years ago, all for under $1600-the bike that broke the Trident's heart. Kawasaki was fielding triples-the Mach I 500cc, fastest thing on two wheels, until its big brother, the 750cc Mach IV came along. Both were three cylinder, 2 strokes-ring a ding ding! Fast, noisy, with no handling at all, but from 0-100 gave you the thrill of your life. And at $995 for the Mach III, you could be riding the quickest bike for less money! The Wildman had one-get yours now before they are gone. And soon they would be, as two strokes were going away, and next year Kawasaki would turn the motorcycle world on its ear with the Z-1! 903cc's! But you have to wait till next year.
Suzuki also had a three cylinder 750, but it was water cooled, the first mass produced bike to do so. And also was a 2-stroke. With its finless motor, radiator, and low rumble-not quite a ring a ding ding, it was fast, smooth, and comfortable. And advertised as a touring bike, no less. The aptly named Water Buffalo would last until 1976, when Suzuki also set the motorcycle world on its ear with a new 4-stroke 750, which was almost as fast as the original Z-1! What an exciting time! And lastly Yamaha fielded a 650cc twin, a copy of a BSA/ Triumph. That would go onto fame in flat track racing, and today has a collector appeal of its own. And finally AMF/Harley Davidson-yup, you read it right. coming off a year where they sold out of the first factory custom, the Sportster was still their fast bike-and for the real men in the group it came kick start only if you so desired. But for the true biker, the 74 was the way to go. Don't know that model? Hint-74 cubic inches, or 1200cc. Biggest, most macho ride you could own! From the company that sells bowling balls and diving gear. But-they would be back. And check out what a used Harley 74 is worth today-your $2000 investment in that would be better than gold-and more fun! Yes, after a long winter, anyone with less than $2000 could explore any of their pent up dreams. Maybe they should rewrite the old saying-we know what we really looked for come spring-then and now.
1972 was also a year in which the Jesus Movement was still gathering speed. Starting in the late 60's, as God's response to the hippie/free love movement, it found a following all over the country, but particularly in Costa Mesa, California, where Chuck Smith, a pastor for 17 years in a mainline denomination, followed God's calling instead of a denomination's, and took over Calvary Chapel. Taking God's advice, and teaching through the Bible, verse by verse, thousands of hippies, bikers, and other outcasts found the true love of Jesus Christ. And at a time when the Viet Nam War was tearing the US apart, Jesus was bring them together via His holy spirit. A new found freedom was found in Jesus, where no drugs, or even motorcycles could take you. Long hair-ok. No suits or ties-come as you are. Music-well the hymns are ok, but a whole generation started to worship Jesus using their music-more personal, and above all-NO RULES! Follow Jesus, using the Bible, and watch as your heart changed. And your old bad habits went away. And hearts did, and where mainline churches were in decline, the Jesus movement filled churches-Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa still runs three Sunday morning services of 3000+! Bob Dylan had sung "The times they are a changin'" but it was really hearts that were. And that same Jesus is still available today-right now in fact! Bummed out, confused? Jesus is the answer. Lonely-you'll never have a better friend. Freaky? He'll transform your heart, and your life. You see long before the toy, or the movie-Jesus was and is the original transformer. Even talks about it in Romans!
Jesus took a generation without hope, and changed it. Look around, couldn't we all use a little hope?
Today a 1972 CB750 can run you several times more than it originally cost new. Try to find a Mach III or IV-better investment than gold. BMW still stands for broke my wallet. Technology-no. Memories-yes. And Jesus Christ. Still the same. He paid the price for your soul, all you have to do is give Him your life. You see all I had to offer Him,was my brokenness and strife-and He made something beautiful out of my life.
Still ridin'-and still ridin' with Jesus. It just don't get any better! And the Jesus movement is still alive and well. Jesus Christ-the same yesterday, today, and forever. Some things should change-like your old Honda. Aren't you glad He is the same? Perfection, in any generation...ours!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
