It's late October in 1959, and the first frost heaves have graced the season. You haven't ridden for a week, and can't wait to get out on your new Bonneville to see the colors changing this weekend. 650cc of power, and with dual carbs can take you to over 100mph, you are excited. As you sit on the bike, turn on the key, and tickle the carbs, the smell of premium fills the garage, and soaks your boots-the ones your new wife says "stay outside". Kicking it through to free the clutch, you get it started on the second kick, and as it settles into a lumpy idle, your right foot pushes the shifter down, you let out the clutch, and accelerate through the four gears-knowing the drum brakes will haul you down when you need to stop. And life can't get any better!
It's spring of 1969, and the Honda dealer called-your new CB 750 is in. So taking off work early, you get there helmet in hand that afternoon. 750cc! Wow! 60 horsepower, and the magazines have seen them do over 100mph and less than 13 seconds in the quarter! A full second and a half faster than your old Bonne! How can you hang on? So after pretending to listen to the salesman tell you about the OHC engine, the powerful front disc brake, and Honda engineering-you can't wait any more. You lift the choke, that activates all four carbs, push the starter, and the sweet sound of four exhaust pipes comes to life. Adjusting the mirrors, you nervously go into first, then through fourth, forgetting momentarily about fifth, and as you see the speedo approach 80, back off-grabbing the front disc lightly so as to not go over the handlebars. And life can't get any better!
You've had your 1978 Suzuki GS 1000 for a month now, and can't believe the bike. It is faster than anything else on the planet, runs consistent mid-11 seconds in the quarter, and will go over 140mph! In stock form! And has twin front discs, and one on the rear-it even stops from those speeds! And after pushing the starter, the only problem is waiting for the bike to warm up-it has new EPA mandated, non-adjustable carbs, and takes forever to warm up. But the wait is worth it, and the rush when accelerating, and braking is worthwhile. Wait until I get a Yosh pipe on this! This is the same bike Wes Cooley won the Superbike Championship on-and life can't get any better.
It's a summer evening in 2009, and you are waiting for your grandson to come over on his new 2009 GSX-R 1000. 1000cc, almost 200hp, and even the slow ones have been into the nines in the quarter. You are concerned for his safety-this thing is faster than any race bike when you were growing up. And as he pulls in, it takes over the garage. With full fairings, rear set pegs, and ground effects, it looks like the 180mph motorcycle it is. Radial brakes that allow stoppies, and radial tires to increase the handling, and a fuel management system to control all the power. Pulling off his full face Arai, the grin he has is ear to ear. "Wanna take it for a ride Grandpa?" And as you carefully pull out of the driveway onto the street, you have the same grin inside your helmet, masking the fear of all this power. And as he pulls up next to you at the first light, you look over at him on your GS 1000, and realize-life just can't get any better.
And for you, as you learn to ride the new bike, he has to remember how to ride the old bike. Power, brakes, and handling have come so far in 30+ years-but the fun of riding a new motorcycle will always exist. And although you are called "Old School," you don't mind, as the film in your memory vault of riding memories has another chapter to enter, even today. 50 years of riding, and it is still as much fun as it was 50 years ago. Technology hasn't added a thing, or taken away anything either-twisting the throttle still opens up the fun zone-just much faster now than then. And it's a good thing brakes have gotten better too!
A life in Christ is like that, too. Each year gets better, and although the challenges will always be there, so will God-and so He has been. He never changes, and unlike the improvements on your new bikes, He started out the best and stayed that way. He always starts on the first kick, and stops just in time. He runs smoother than anything on two wheels, yet when the throttle of life in Him is opened, always delivers more excitement than expected. And after all the years, the same joy is there that was there that first time you asked Him into your life.
And like your riding, their have been rough roads, and bad weather. You needed some maintenance in your life that was not expected, and sometimes didn't brake soon enough when the signs said to. And even though you may have strayed, your old friend God was always there to welcome you back-open arms. In springtime, you celebrated with Him as life was ahead of you, in summer enjoyed the good times, and in fall enjoyed looking back. Now it's winter, and although the weather is cold, He is still keeping your heart warm.
Today, get out your old bike, and go for a ride. Put your film vault on good times, and as you ride remember all He has done for you. And as you ride, anticipate the good times yet to come. Each season, like each new bike, has its own blessings. Let Jesus be a part of all of them-and never ride alone. So many roads, so little time-and so much Jesus to enjoy!
And life just can't get any better!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
