When I left New Jersey to move west in 1975 on my R90S, bike shops were much different. But so were the people who rode motorcycles. With the possible exception of Slegers-Forbes, owned by Malcolm Forbes, bike shops tended to be what we would refer to as mom and pop stores. Family owned, with pop handling service, mom working parts and helping dad with sales, and the kids learning the business from both. Where I lived, the Norton store was in an old house, that sold lawn mowers. Much like the Triumph store we visited seven years ago in Lynchburg, VA. Closed for lunch, when most of us would go there for the K81 Dunlops that they sold. I had to get off work early more than once to get a tire there. BMW was sold at East Coast Cycles-a bicycle shop, with them in the back, and the then new to them Yamaha brand behind them. What a change from the palaces they sell BMW's in today. Honda meant VIP, in a huge store, at least to us-an old supermarket. But they sold so many Hondas they needed the space. Take a look, Honda never referred to themselves as motorcycles. Suzuki was sold with Kawasaki, along with Triumph by Rick's, who soon was to move into a large store-still very small by today's standard. The only Harley store I remember was across from the train station in Plainfield, in a narrow store front that was only wide enough for bikes along the one side, and a path wide enough to walk between them and the long parts counter. It may have been called Pop's, with no name on the window we were never sure. BSA would be gone soon, and Norton in a year, leaving only Triumph to stumble on until John Bloor bought them and resurrected the brand. It was the start of the Japanese revolution, and if you wanted to ride, or at least get there reliably, they were your choice. The bikes were changing, the market was changing, dealers were to change, and so were the riders.
So it was that I didn't realize what a great motorcycle town Albuquerque was to be when I moved there. Bobby J's Yamaha, still in business today. Jake Alcon sold Harleys, once let my friend Brett ride a Sportster, and wondered if he was on drugs as he wheelied it off the lot. Now a mega store, and Jake is no more. Either is Brett, who died in a single bike accident. Honda did well, Kawasaki was becoming the bike of choice due to the Z, and had two dealers, and Motorsport with two stores sold BMW, Suzuki, and Triumph. Joe Turney was still selling Laverdas, but no longer Triumph and BSA. Lastly Henry and Ilsa Rissman sold Moto Guzzi, and were open on Sundays, but still closed on Mondays like all proper stores were. Again, you knew the people, and they knew you. Break a turn signal, they would take one off a new bike for you. Broken down, they had a truck to come get you. And when you were ready to buy, always were willing to make a deal with you. Throw in a free helmet or gloves. You were more than a customer, you rode. You were a fellow rider, and no matter what you rode, after all the harassment died off from riding a Yamguzikawahontri, you all shared the brotherhood of being a biker-the common denominator was motorcycles. It was all about the bikes.
Most of us were brand loyal, but still loved to visit other shops. We learned about the other brands, and shopped for shirts and accessories that our shop may not have. We were all under the common moniker of bikers, we just worshipped via different brands. Just like Christians who share Jesus as our common denominator, but attend different churches. Theresa and I are fortunate that we travel and get around to other churches. Meeting pastors, hearing the gospel from a different perspective, and making new friends. When in Torrance we visit Steve Mays, who always recognizes us and talks motorcycles-he is an old Harley mechanic. Pastor Rob at Calvary Chapel Ramona rides, and through him we were able to minister to Gavin and Lynsay. Skip Heitzig rides a Road King, but also has a CB750 cafe racer. And because we share Jesus as Christians, we are able to fellowship and minister with and to each other, sharing motorcycles. Maybe even changing the way ministry is done because we ride.
Pastors, if you don't have a Saturday night service, come on down and worship with us at Marantha. Get out and see what God is doing in other churches. Be blessed and be a blessing to others. Need prayer, let them pray with you. Be welcomed as a new friend. Jesus didn't stay within the walls of any church-He was out and about. Maybe a good example or a wake up call for you and your flock. Meet other Christians, and enjoy the fellowship. And like those of us who ride, we find we have more in common than we do different. For whether it is the gospel on two wheels, or the gospel of Jesus, you need to take it to the streets. Get out of your Jerusalem, and find your Judea or Samaria may be a 30 minute ride to visit another church. And find that the outer areas will call your name sooner than you think, with blessings abounding when you visit. How you get there is up to you. But you will never know until you get out of your rut and try.
No longer a Honkawsuzyam owner, but a motorcyclist. And no longer a Bappresluthcath, but a Christian. Share the common denominator that God has given you. Whether it be Jesus or riding, do both to His glory. It is still about the ride!
Kick stands up, let the blessings begin!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com