Shortly before the Feds stepped in with noise ecology laws, and long before certain riders thought that an unmuffled exhaust sounded good, you could tell the sound of every bike by its exhaust note. These musical melodies played via your throttle hand, could not only tell what bike was coming, but the mood its rider was in. Harley riders could tell the difference between a knuckle, pan, or shovel head-and I could even tell an iron head Sporty. Even though the Brit bikes were basically twins, you could tell the BSA and Triumphs apart, and the Norton had a sound all its own. We all could tell the difference between a 750 and a 350 Honda-but the no brainer was the shrieking sound coming from Kawasaki's two strokes. Sounding like rocks in a can at idle, when WTO they would make a sound like a hive of angry bees. While all you could see was a glimpse of the rider's smile through his Bell helmet as he passed. Yes, motorcycles made happy sounds, because we were happy to be riding, enjoying the freedom of two wheels, and the wind in our face-not to mention the occasional bugs in our teeth. Each exhaust note a melody, played to perfection by its rider.
But the source of this music was the motor. The heart and soul of any cycle-take the world motor out and you can have a bicycle, unicycle, or like my son's HD baby suit said, "I'm here because my mom missed her cycle." And each motor was a work of art itself, a visible design, allowing you to readily identify the bike without looking at the tank, eye candy they would call it today. When my friend Guy sent me a forward last week, I couldn't get it open, until Theresa did for me-and my persistence paid off. He sent me these incredible pictures of motors-all types, all brands, and just looking at them I could hear them, and identify most of them. Just like we used to be able to, even noting the black jugs on the Norton meaning a Combat motor, without all the stickers. Down to the three crossed rifles of BSA, Birmingham Small Arms, a gun manufacturer who built motorcycles. Talk about politically incorrect? Motors with fins, and tooling, and shapes that made you want one-even before you heard it. A far cry from today's water cooled motors, who have all the appeal of a refrigerator. Soul less, which is why many are hidden behind plastic. And I wonder, why did Victory make their motor look like one from an air compressor? The road tests generally pick them over HD, but one look at the motor sends the faithful back to the badge and shield. Looks matter, so does the sound. Beauty, looks, voice, but still no second date.
Motorcycles, that after the ads got you into the store, gave you reasons to say yes to buying them. Just listening as the salesman twisted the throttle got you excited, even running your hands over the tank, while your eyes lustfully eyed the motor from top to bottom. The manufacturer had given you so many reasons to say yes, and you would be rewarded-blessed, by your next purchase. A great time, with great motors, and even better memories.
God loves to bless us. He takes pleasure in it, but I run into some who don't let Him. "Oh, you don't know what I've don, He could never forgive me and bless me," and they are wrong. He is in the blessing game, it is called grace. And you can't earn it or purchase it. He gives it as a gift. Yet, so many who have accepted this gift, still aren't blessed. Some even going so far as to enjoy the suffering, thinking it brings them closer to God. Suffering can, but His mercy is what brings you closer to Him. Some are mired in their own misery, for so long it feels good. And when a momentary burst of joy comes their way, feel embarrarressed. While the whole time, Jesus is wanting to bless you. But perhaps the wandering Jews, led by Moses are the best example of most of us. Every time they lost their way,or got impatient, or got cheesed off at the food, they wanted to go back to Egypt. "There the food was good," they would exclaim, forgetting that they were in slavery there. And so many are on the way to Egypt today-the symbol of sin and bondage. The same reason every time-PRIDE! Thinking that the plan they have is better that Gods'. So get over it! You should be riding! You should be seeking pleasure and joy and the blessings that come from seeking and finding God, rather than arguing with Him.
So how do I get blessed? Read Psalm 1. Stay away from the scoffers, and the complainers. And hang out with Jesus-meditate on Him it says, in today's slang, hang with Jesus. You see, I found He likes to ride, know the best places to eat, and is a great conversationalist. Also He knows what is best for me, offering advice, but never commanding me to do this or do that. That's my choice. A true road captain, tail gunner, and prez all at once. Why would you not want to follow?
Happy people make happy statements, whether in word, deed, or attitude. Just like you can tell a happy rider by his exhaust note, before you get to see him. Today let the words of your mouth, and the meditations of your heart be pleasing to God, and watch as your attitude changes. Watch as you get to know Him, you want to spend time with Him, and His people. You find riding is more fun, and there is no better place to be alone with God than while riding. No phones, faxes, or interruptions-just you and God-like He wants. Is it possible that we bikers knew this all along? Are we truly on to something?
Thanks Guy for the pictures, I hope you enjoyed sending them as much as I still enjoy looking at them. Eye candy. Motors-the heart and soul of what we ride, and Jesus Christ, the heart and soul of why we live! WTO all the way!
love with compassion,
Mike
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