I ran into Ray and Kenny at the Orange County Vintage Motorcycle meet in
Huntington Beach yesterday. Held every month, over 144 of the loyal braved the
75 degree weather and came out riding. From the two Ariel Square Fours, one the
People’s Choice Award, to a clean /2 BMW with Earles forks to many Triumphs,
BSA’s, Nortons, and even a prewar Indian Scout, and a prewar-war Henderson, it
was fun. Add in a few Velocettes, a six cylinder Honda, and all bases were
covered. Ray has been around the So Cal scene for over 50 yers and many know
him, and he still rides-fast. And has passed on his biking genes to his son
Curtis, the fastest gun at Willow, and to his grandson Bradley, an editor at
Sport Rider. Ad listening to the old guys tell the stories of racing down
Fullerton Blvd. at 120 back in the day, and watching as many younger guys riding
bikes from the 70-80’s, older than them, it was good time. Even a 1974 Kawasaki
Z-1a with only 880 original miles on it, for sale for only $15,000. Of course
the owner knew Ray. But as Kenny and I walked around, we laughed at how no one
seemed to notice that we both were riding 2013 Daytona R’s. The only two in the
Us of A! And felt invisible in the crowd! Just the previous day I had been
surrounded at a motorcycle store on it, guys wanting to know all about it. Here
it was too new to notice. Maybe the way it should be. But a quick trip back to
when I started, and a reminder of how far we had come. Probably the only meet
where vintage Harleys, the only one being a 1969 Sportster XLCH are outnumbered,
and the new ones seem out of place. Why care for new nostalgia when there is
plenty of the real stuff available?
But it was a good day, and after two hours of listening to old stories,
commenting on bikes we used to own, and wondering whatever happened to You know
who, the guy on the old Honda, I took off, completing my 200 mile round tirp
ride with no problems. A feat not possible for some of the old bikes, or the
older riders. How far we have come, and how we can still be invisible. Given
the right crowd.
I have won numerous awards in my time. Salesman of the Year,
Rookie of the Year, and won trips to Cancun and Germany. it may be true I have
never come in second in a beauty contest, or first either, and a few years ago
when moving my office, took down all the plaques and trophies from over the
years. And threw the away. Somehow they didn’t mean the same to me anymore,
and had no desire to keep them. Trophies can be like that, just like the right
audience is needed for an old Indian, the right audience is needed to show your
trophies. No one but Coca Cola employees would care about Coca Cola awards I
won. It was time to move on, so I tossed them. No longer a part of my legacy,
as those things no longer seem important to me. But while looking at
restorations in progress, and some completed yesterday, I realized I had never
won a Most Improved Award. Which to me were always misleading, as you have to
come from near bottom to win, and once achieving Most Improved how to fall
pretty far to be considered again. Fortunately Farrest Fallen awards are never
given out, we just talk about them behind the person’s back. But I laugh at
Most Improved Awards, as many achieve them, but have difficulties maintaining
the level. In spelling there are always new words to learn, and old bikes will
wear our again. Thankfully God never does, and holds all the awards for an
Awards Ceremony in heaven.
I had been with Winzer only a year, after moving to So Cal, and
they were about to celebrate their 10 year anniversary in Texas. Timing could
not have been better to be Salesman of the Month for two months leading up to
the celebration. I would meet men from all over the country, and many knew my
name, but not me. After going on stage to get my awards, they made me wear a
suit and tie, in fact the National Sales Manger brought an extra one in his
attache just in case I refused to be seen none. After words those of us who had
won awards were surrounded by many asking questions. Or just wanting to meet
us. But as a group of 15-20 gathered around me, one asked, “what is your secret
to success?” I answered him, asking three times “you really want to know?” And
the anticipation grew. What is the secret? What sales school, or training
film, or motivational speaker inspired me? But my answer was simple, “Jesus
Christ. He makes all the difference in my life.” And the crowd thinned, faster
than it formed. Faster than riding the Daytona. For my answer was simple, just
like the gospel it represents, Jesus Christ. For He has made the difference in
my life, and makes me who I am. And that is why some years later I chose to get
rid of the awards. I choose to remember Him, to Him be the glory-not me. But
yet He allowed me to win to share my testimony. Think about that one for a
minute. Does your testimony give God all the credit, or is it all about
you?
Old bikes, old memories, and old awards will fade away. Who
Jesus Christ is never will. Cling to Him in good times and bad, while being most
improved, or falling away. He is still there, with the promise of heaven. And
delivering it here while still on earth. Someday in the future, someone will
ride into a vintage bike meet on a 2013 Daytona R. And those of us will
remember them as new, just as it should be. To a ne audience just waiting to
hear our stories of going fast, and escaping death. Of cops outrun, bikes
owned, and friends lost but remembered. Don’t let Jesus join the forgotten
file. Keep Him fresh in your life, tell others about Him, share your testimony,
He will give you the words and the opportunity. Just trust Him. Remember
someone shared with you, caring on a tradition. This is one tradition worth
passing on to the next. He will always be new to someone, He once was to you.
Salvation, the only award you cannot win, but is a gift. No matter how old, how
fast, or how improved-we all need Jesus.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com