Willie G., chief stylist and one of the original group of owners that purchased Harley Davidson from AMF is set to retire. At 78, he probably wants to slow down, maybe ride at a different pace, and escape some of the responsibility of who and what he has become. In case you are wondering, Willie G. Davidson is the grandson of Walter Davidson, the original Davidson of HD. Starting in 1963, he developed a styling department, to which I am extremely impressed. And is turning it over soon to a young man, who the bar and shield elite hope will carry on the tradition. But first you must ask, what is the tradition?
Style. When AMF sold Harley in 1983, one of the first things they did was to ask President Reagan for help in the form of a tariff against all imported bikes 700cc or more. Harley had fallen behind in a technologically growing market, and things that were high tech in the 30-50's, were unacceptable in the 80's. Ironically the "great American freedom machine," as their ads claimed, needed help from the government via taxing their competition. Why don't you hear that one bragged about today? But it took new ideas, a new motor, and new styling to keep Harley alive, it took a Davidson. And with a brand that was all about style, and not substance, without Willie G. there may not be any Harley Davidson today, at least as we know it.
Harley's styling and marketing programs are world renown, even taught in some colleges. They have taken a style of motor, the v-twin, and styled a line of motorcycles around it. Based on style. Motors that compared to anyone else's under perform, but when it comes to styling out perform. Gordon Jennings, engineer, publisher, and editor once said of Harley, "there is something inherently wrong with an engine that produces maximum power at idle." Some truth there, but to a company based on style, not substance, keep creating style, the loyal won't notice. Sell them Screamin' Eagle upgrades, that should have been standard, and keep adding chrome. Substitute lesser brakes because of the weakness of their "Springer" front end model-their admission to the press. The ex-president of HD when he dumped Buell stated it was easier to sell their customers $3000 worth of chrome rather than performance. A rude, but accurate comment.
So we are forced to admit it is style over substance. And quoting from Sonny Barger, any time you hot rod a Harley motor you are killing its reliability. He should know, he has built some fast motors over the years, but today rides a Victory the last I heard-more power, better brakes. AKA performance. So as Harley continues to reinvent nostalgia, to take us back to the 50's and 70's with styling, at a premium price, plus more for any other color than black, I believe they will miss Willie G. He was more than an owner, and more than a designer-he was the heartbeat of what a Harley should look like, and what the loyal came to expect and demand. Without Willie G. Davidson, Harley Davidson is just a Harley.
Who will take Willie's place? The disciples were faced with a similar dilemma when Jesus was crucified. Who will take Jesus' place? Who would guide them, and they certainly needed guidance. With Peter it took one last appearance of Jesus after He was crucified. When asked by Jesus three times, "do you love me?" Peter exclaimed three times "you know I do." And was told to "feed MY sheep," by our risen Lord. His sheep, not Peter's, not a denominations, and not a religion. His own sheep He left in the care of the 12. But He also left the Holy Spirit to guide them, and us today. Without the Spirit coming into Peter and the 3000 at Pentecost, there would be no Stephen to be martyred. No Thomas to start churches in India that still thrive today. No John to write five books of the Bible. No apostle Paul to spread the gospel throughout the known world. And there wouldn't be any of the church today-you and me, for without the spirit we are nothing. We are style without substance, and trying to do what we feel is best, for appearance sake, but failing miserably. Jesus never had a PR department. For just like Harley is all about style, with not much substance, Christianity without the Holy Spirit should have died at the cross. But because Jesus is resurrected, so will we be when we believe. It takes the substance of the spirit, changing the heart and our lives from the inside out, not the outside in. Just as a the motor is the heart of a motorcycle, without a change of heart with have no power. It takes God to guide us in a loving manner, and for us to trust Him. Then for us to follow and act upon His guidance. It takes a relationship-something no religion, no pastor, and no group can achieve without Jesus. It takes God! A triune God-God the Father, who sent His son to make a way for us to get back to Him, and the Spirit to guide us until He returns again for His church.
I know of few true riders who don't want more performance from their motorcycles. Or their God. Trust Jesus to give you what you need, when you need it. More than a bolt on set of headers, or a new chip, He gives you life, power, and love. Built in to your relationship-they are not options. He is the substance of things believed, but not seen. He is the truth, the life, and the way. More than a seasonal color change, or retro style, His mercies are fresh every morning.
So although I don't ride a Harley, I will miss Willie G., for what he has brought to the motorcycling community. A legend within the hallowed HD ranks. Without him Harley Davidson will always just be Harley to me. Don't make the same mistake with Jesus. The Christ. Without Him there is no Christianity. No hope. No resurrection. He is more than a legend, He is the real thing! Substance that no style can imitate. And no one can outperform Him. He is love-now that's style!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com