In the April, 1972 issue of Modern Cycle, on page 29 is an article about "Timing a two stroke twin," featuring a 200cc Yamaha. And like any good how to article, it lists the tools needed. And listed among them, is a hammer and an impact screw driver, saying it is the best tool to use to remove the screws holding the cover on. Now to those of you who have never dealt with Jap bikes from the late 60's to the late 70's, you may not be aware of the curse of the Phillips head screws they used everywhere. Impossible to remove, and guaranteed to strip the head pattern, many a young man learned profanity while trying to remove them. And with each bike, came a pathetic tool kit. The first tool kit for many of us. A cheesy tool kit, and for sick reason they seemed quite proud of it, even putting them in a vinyl bag, and building little compartments for them on the bike, or hiding them under the seat. And we never quite understood why BMW, a more reliable machine, came with a better tool kit. If it is more reliable, why do you need better tools? No vice grips?
Included in these kits, were a double bladed shaft, Phillips one side and blade on the other, that came with a t-handle or regular handle-with either the handle turning, and not the blade, or buggering the Phillips head-either one guaranteed to screw up any screw. The spark plug wrench was a loose fit, and a boon to thread repair sales as replacing a spark plug was a given you would someday cross thread it, ruining the head. Lefty loosie-rightie expensive! The wrenches were not much better, of a soft metal that would bend, but not before rounding off the head of the drain plug. But my favorite were the pliers, which for some reason came in two pieces, with the screw to hold them together in the bottom of the bag. Such high quality demanded use of a hammer and impact driver, and if you didn't own one, made sure you had a friend who did. But this was much better than the previous fasteners used. Just think, setting timing with an impact driver and a hammer. And that's progress!
Prior to the Japanese invasion, the Americans used a standard sized wrench, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, while the Brits used Whitworth, not quite metric, and not quite standard. And nothing else would fit their bikes, and occasionally they would slip in a standard sized bolt, just to make it interesting. But the Brits loved slotted screws, and as bad as a Phillips was, the slots were even worse. Either the slot was too big, or the screwdriver blade too small, ruining the head, and so you either ended up using a driver like the Japs, or drilling it out. Note-broken flat screwdriver blades also made great chisels. Perhaps this is why when the last person out of England making motorcycles, turned off the lights and said "screw it."
Audience participation time, if you will. Hold your hand out and wiggle it, turning it and admiring its design. And realize a few interesting things about it. One, it is the original design. Always has had five fingers. Never seven, or four-but five. With an opposing thumb. And the thumbs are on the inside on both hands, when looking at the back of your hands, so they are not interchangeable, in other words you can't order a left when you need a right. Universal appeal-comes in many colors, but only one style. It has amazing tensile qualities, able to pick up a needle, or a hammer. And they are waterproof-also gas, oil, and brake fluid proof. And for times you were stranded on the side of the road, the opposing thumb was perfect for hitching a ride. A wonderful design, over 6000 years old, with never an improvement or modification. Designed by a creator, the ultimate engineer, who didn't need an R and D department, or test mules-He got it right the first time. No prototypes needed. And as we see, only this type of perfection is found in God.
They also have the unique ability to feel pain, when hit with a hammer while trying to hit the impact driver, but will heal. They fit perfectly in any glove, providing the glove is the right size, and fit perfectly around a throttle. They can pull in the clutch, or squeeze the brake as needed, or wipe the bugs from your shield as you ride. A perfect device, multi-use, created by God. Just for you, whether you ride or not. A tough argument against evolution, for they were perfect to start with, and only found on man. And answering the age old question, which came first, God or the motorcycle. Now did you ever see a dolphin ride a motorcycle? How about a dog shift gears? Can a horse wrap his hoof around the throttle? You see, we were wonderfully made by God, in His image. With planned design and purpose. And from what I can tell, the above shows me He rode a motorcycle. The evidence is well, evident! And the only evolution in motorcycling should be a Harley motor, and is never found in man. If anything, the second law of thermodynamics shows that all things wear out, or atrophy over time-they don't get better. How many of us replace bikes because of mileage or because they are worn out? At 50,000 miles which is better, that one or a new bike? If it works for motorcycles, it must work for humans. Which is why evolution doesn't and can't work!
Your choice-would you rather follow man's ideas, which have brought us the slotted screw, only to improve it to a Phillips, and need a hammer and driver to set timing? Or trust God, who got it right the first time, who made you unique from all other beings, just because he loved you? If you believe you are descended from muck, next time you are out riding, visit your legacy and jump in a pond. Feel at home? Maybe a mud bog? Comfortable yet? Why not embrace the one who created you, and sent His son to prove His love.
And just to show that we still don't get it, on the new Triumphs the tool to remove the seat was put under the seat-with no way to get it. The fix-when this was pointed out to them, they moved the wrench behind a side cover. And made a note in the owners manual, which is under the seat. But you don't know where the wrench is until you remove the seat, to access the book, which tells you the tool is behind the side cover. Which you can't do-because you don't have the wrench? Only the government could design something like this!
Be safe-trust God's design. He also has one for your life. Perfection, which leaves more days to ride. He tells us today is the day of salvation, and if timing is everything, would you rather have it set by a loving God, or a hammer and driver? He wrote the manual-the Bible, and has all the tools, too. You know-you just have to hand it to God...
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
