It all started on our way back from visiting Frank near Portland, Oregon.
Where they have sun breaks. A noise was coming from my rear wheel on my old
Tiger, sounded like brakes. But checking the pads, they were like new, and the
noise so intermittent, it was hard to locate. But after riding within 350 miles
of home, the noise got louder, and then the back wheel started to wobble. And a
quick glance told me the rear wheel bearing was coming apart. Never a good
thing, especially 300 miles from a Triumph dealer. And so I called Mick, my
towing service had agreed to tow it to him, he would order the part. But he
soon called back, Triumph had no parts in stock for it...so what to do? He
suggested I call Shel, the national service manager for Triumph at the time, and
see if he could help me. I knew Shel, and how we met was interesting, our
connections even more so.
I knew Bouke, who knew Rick. Shel worked for Rick at one time, and he knew
Mickey. I knew Mickey, and Bouke, and also had hung out at Rick’s, the local
Triumph/Kawasaki store in Bound Brook, New Jersey. Bouke was the fast guy back
then, still might be, and everyone at the shop knew him. And since we hung out
together, I gained access to Rick’s, and was one of the guys. Which when Shel
told me he once worked at Rick’s, and knew Bouke, instantly put me on the inside
track. And since Mick and Shel are best friends, and Mick and I are good
friends, I was in good standing from friends past and present. Which in an
emergency, is a good thing, for you can never have too many friends. So I
called Shel, who called England, where the bikes are made, and he called me
back. He had been in touch with them just before they closed, they are 8 hours
ahead, and they had no stock. It seems no one had ever needed to replace a rear
wheel bearing on one, and they didn’t stock them. And even engineering at the
factory had no specs to offer. Despite all my connections, no parts, and not
even information about the bearing was available. Was I stuck in Paso? Was my
final ride home on a flat bed, my bike riding behind me on it?
So I called the local tow company, who wouldn’t do it, a 700 mile round
trip didn’t interest him, meaning his pocketbook. So not giving up, my
insurance company said they would pay for a rental truck, so back into the phone
book to find a one way rental. Good luck. But I did find a guy sympathetic to
my cause, and when I described to him my situation, explained he was an ex-Honda
factory trained mechanic. He had left the city for a more peaceful life, and
did motorcycle repairs, rented trucks, and fixed whatever came into his shop.
He could fix my bike he assured me, and called me later after picking it up at
the motel I was stuck at. He had ordered the part from Honda, it came in a kit,
and would have it the next day. He had measured the bearing, crossed it to an
industry number, and found it would fit. Seems he knew more than the factory.
And for all of $91, parts and labor, including the tow, which he did for free,
since he was doing the repair. The bike was apart, when the part arrived
overnight on the bus, he would have it when he opened, he would install it, and
we could return home. Which he did, which we did, and passed on the info to
Shel in case he ever needed it again. And by 11am we were on the road.
I have been told and tell others, sometimes it is who you know rather than
what you know. And despite all connections, the one person working behind the
scenes, hasn’t been introduced yet. A loving God, who we call Jesus. Who too
many times is the last person we call on. Seems we are too busy worrying, or
planning, or doing things our way to stop and pray. But God already has things
under control, even rear wheel bearings for a Triumph. Before we had a problem,
God knew it, and had made arrangements to handle it, and he did. Over the years
I have known and dealt with many service managers, and parts managers. Guys who
were very good,and would use their connections, favors as we called them, to get
people back on the road. But we forget that Jesus spent most of his time on the
road, and was prepared for our emergency, even if we weren’t. That nothing
surprises God, even if it does us. And he is always the best, the first, and
sometimes the only one to call on. When I asked someone, “what were the chances
of all the people I knew coming up empty despite their connections, but yet
finding a Honda mechanic who knew the part and cold fix it 350 miles form a
Triumph dealer,” what would you think were the chances? When the answers came
back as anything from a long shot, to good luck, to a million to one, my answer
differed. “100%.” For with God, it is always 100%, while all these guys had
connections, Jesus was and is the connection. So when someone tells me the way,
I know him personally. I was looking for the way to fix my bike, he was and is
the way. You mean Jesus fixes motorcycles too?
And he gave sight to the blind with no degree. Made the lame walk while
not an orthopedic doctor. In him doors will open, and also close when needed,
and he can fix anything. But you must let him. Despite my best efforts, and
friends willing to help, he was the way. And got me to Paso so I could get my
bike fixed. It could have happened on any of the 9000 miles I had ridden that
month, it broke in Paso. Where a rental truck company was owned by an ex-Honda
mechanic, he knew a part number, and had it fixed. In one day. And you wonder
what were the chances?
Today we will face many problems, tests, obstacles, and trials. Some we
can overcome, some need prayer, some need an answer right now. Maybe an example
of an old mechanic who worked for me at Mercedes Benz said it best. A woman
came in with no AC, and he lifted her hood, replaced a fuse, and it started
working. She was amazed, thankful, and asked “how much do I owe?” His reply,
$20.” “Twenty bucks for a fuse?” “Yes” he said, “but I knew what fuse...”
Whether fuses or bearings, no matter what the world throws at you, go to Jesus
first. He calls me friend. Nothing surprises him....does that surprise
you?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com