Sometimes it pays to listen to the voices inside your head, they may be
trying to tell you something. I detest the term man cave, it’s a garage stupid,
where you park your cars, motorcycles, and hang out with your buddies and
discuss important things like why you would never buy a Honda, how gas doesn’t
smell as good as it used to, or how much things cost today, and how you are
barely making it, compared to how much things used to cost and you were still
barely making it. In our garage, we have TV, and a stereo, so while washing or
waxing you have semi-live entertainment, while watching races. And sitting on
beach chairs, the view of looking at various motorcycles, posters, and the smell
of certain chemicals is immensely better than your big screen and your comfy
chair in the living room, which also sponsors AC on hot days. But sitting among
your friends, even when no one is present, sometimes you hear the voices, and
sometimes it pays to listen to them.
I have been riding press bikes since the beginning of July, with another
one now ready to go back, parked next to Theresa’s Bonneville. Which lately
seems to get ridden more than any of my bikes. Putting the charger on the Tiger
in case it is needed, I sat gazing at my 1978 GS1000, and went back to 1978,
when they were the king of the road, and I couldn’t afford one, all my money was
tied up in a new 1977 BMW R100S, which was to soon self destruct, and end my run
of 5 BMW’s. But as I looked over, I can swear I heard the Suzuki telling me she
wanted to go for a ride, as it had been awhile. Now I usually don’t listen to
the voices, but this one was insistent, and so I got up and wiped her down. And
started her up, being patient as the old CARB carbs take some time to fire off,
they were set very lean to reduce emissions. But as it sat there idling, the
voices became louder, but I had a new 2014 sitting between here and the road.
As I turned off the choke, and let her idle on her own, I thought about going
for a ride, maybe back to 1978, and I had the perfect riding partner, all set
and ready to go. 2014 was going to have to wait...suddenly it was 1978!
The first thing you notice after throwing a leg over the Suzuki is the
comfortable seat, another memory of 35 years ago. And a twist of the throttle
tells you that the new wireless throttles are definitely easier on the wrist
than the old push/pull systems, which if one broke you could always switch the
pus to pull and still get home. The handlebars remind you that a wheel barrow
somewhere may be missing theirs, high,wide, and pulled back-the first thing to
go when you bought new back then. We were café types, and I have ridden with
low bars since 1974 and my first R90S. After accelerating to the first stop
sign, the dual front discs do their job, but like the throttle, 35 year old
braking systems that were high tech then can be dangerous now, and I am reminded
to leave more space than on my Street Triple with radial brakes. Also the pull,
did we really only use two fingers then, too? The next stop is getting gas, and
at $3.60 gallon is more per gallon than it took to fill the tank when new. And
prepay was unheard of then, you pumped then paid, sometimes an attendant who
asked all about your new ride, a far cry from pay at the pump. And gas smells
different too...oh well it has been 35 years. Hitting the freeway, 5 grand
equates to 80 mph, something done with extreme disrespect for your license when
the speed limit was only 55, easily done in first gear. But the speedo shows
90, which doesn’t seem fast, but then you remember how speedos were off 10%,
typical Japanese bike back then, and you are enjoying your 90mph cruise, even if
it is only 80. Still faster than the speed limit, maybe no else cares either.
And riding along at 90, which is 80, is not a memory, but a real thing today,
and later when refueling you are getting almost 45 miles per gallon, on regular,
and maybe $2995 spent on a superbike 35 years ago was the right thing to do,
even if it took you 35 years to get there.
“Is it retro” some ask, in this world of new is better, no it is the real
thing. A museum piece on the road, for the road. The grandfather of all
GSXR’s, the sportbike of its time, now considered a standard, but then a
standard of the day. How things have changed for the better, or have they? Or
have we? For the better?
35 years ago I was a just married, 3 year old Christian starting a family.
Jesus was new in my life, and prior to marriage church and friends at church
were my social circle, by choice. And as I look back, I think of how innocent I
was, how much I had to learn, and how Jesus was the bright and shining spot in
my life. Not much changing since then. First always I was to believe He was
#1, and He had been, but sometimes I lived like He was 1A. It is easy to see
how motorcycles have changed in 35 years, go back 35 years from 1978, and
suddenly it is 1943, and WWII. Harley building war bikes, military bikes that
we collect today, no Triumph as Great Britain was being bombed, and the Japanese
were our enemies, Honda was still 5 years away from getting his start making
piston rings. But fortunately Jesus has never changed. And I can expect the
same from Him today, as I did in 1978, and as they did in 1943. You see times
change, styles change, but sin never does. It will always be sin, so we will
always need a savior, we will always need Jesus. And fortunately He is just as
real today as He was then, and will be tomorrow. No surprise changes in right
and wrong, and no changes in His forgiveness either, except today it seems we
need it more than ever, and He is up to the task. He is still the standard that
we strive for, and He is still forgiving us when we fall short. And He is still
that voice in my spirit reminding me how much He loves me, just as I am, no
matter how I am, or who I am. Or what I ride, or if I ride. No conditions,
just love. Something that after 38 years of walking as a Christian, I still
forget, but then He lovingly reminds me. And when I listen to that still small
voice, not screaming to be heard, but desiring all of your attention, my days go
better. When I smile I no longer get bugs in my teeth, my full face Arai cured
that, but my outlook is different, and the smile comes from the heart, not from
the circumstance. It is more than the emotion of being happy, it is joy,
despite of the situation, and His presence. Even at 90 mph, which is really 80,
He is the truth, and wanting to spend time with me. Just like He has for over
38 years... not long compared to eternity, but a long time looking back at how I
was, and how I am today.
And suddenly I am back in the garage, and it is 2013. But for a few more
days it will be 1978 for me, as I have more miles and memories to remember and
to create on the Suzuki. And time to reflect and thank Jesus for the ride, and
the rides to come. By looking back He allows me to look ahead with great
excitement, knowing the good old days are still to come, even if it is right
now. At one time today was tomorrow yesterday, so why not enjoy right now, no
matter what year you are riding. But it is important who you are riding with,
the one who transcends time, who makes yesterday precious, today worth living,
and tomorrow worth looking forward to. Maybe I need to listen to those voices
more often, do the math. A 1954 body, in 2013, on a 1978 ride,
1954+2013+1978=time well spent with Jesus. Maybe that is why we spend time in
our garages instead of man caves. Somewhere between now and the future is right
now, the best place to be on any day...knowing we have a future in heaven, and a
right now with Jesus. A short time to go, and along time to spend there...spend
it wisely with Jesus. Suddenly never took so long to get here.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com