David knew how much I liked BMW’s at the time, his family owned Motorsport,
my first job in Albuquerque, so when the new 4 cylinder K models came out he
offered me a ride. Smooth, fast, and very expensive, I was heading back to the
shop when a red light came on, looking like a gas pump. It was a warning light
warning of low fuel. And so I naturally looked for the petcock to turn to
reserve and there wasn’t one. And so I began to panic, but only a few miles
from the shop so I made it OK. He explained how there was no reserve, the light
warned of one gallon left, and get to a gas station. My first experience with
low fuel lights, but fortunately one that didn’t end in no fuel. The signaling
for me the day of the petcock is gone, and a light now tells you what sputtering
and stalling used to. You need gas....
Hooker, Oklahoma is nowhere, between two places that are nowhere. So of
course I didn’t get gas when I needed it. My Honda Nighthawk 650 was known for
poor gas mileage, and with a small tank, 100 miles was max. Doing a quick math
check, I could make it to Clayton, no problem, except the bike didn’t know
that. And for almost 40 miles I rode at 40 mph, laying on the tank, on
reserve. Coasting the last 200 feet, all without a low fuel light. But I made
it...another time leaving Santa Cruz on a Thunderbird Sport, I figured I could
get gas in Los Gatos. As soon as I left town, I went on reserve, and ended up
coasting down Route 17, a dangerous curvy road anyway, and into a gas station.
And managed to put 5 gallons in a 4.5 gallon tank. There is empty, and then
there is really empty...And on our first trip after open heart surgery, we had a
Tiger Explorer XC, and rode the Carrizzo Plain. I had figured on getting gas in
New Cuyama, and after riding off road, with Theresa on back, it should have been
no problem. Except the only station in this wide spot in the road was closed.
So we rode over 60 miles, cruise set on 60 into Santa Maria, not enjoying the
great curves of 166 with the red low fuel light on the whole time. The miles to
empty showed 54 miles, the road signs said 60 to town. Which turned into an out
of gas light 100 yards from a station. And a real test for post open heart
surgery, pushing 600 pounds of motorcycle and baggage. So I hope I have learned
my lesson...only time will tell.
So now I get gas every 100-125 miles. My 955 Tiger has a 6.3 gallon tank,
my smallest tank is 5 gallons. Long before any light comes on, I fuel up.
Lessons learned the hard way, but the most effective way. The books and owners
manual may say how big the tank, road tests how far you can go on a tank, but
nothing beats experience. Except gassing up when the light comes on. Today
with a focus on Christian education, I still find Christian experience
preferable. Some know scripture, I know the author. Some read how to seek the
gifts of the spirit, I have been the benefactor of them. And some know the
facts, I rather know the truth. And when we get saved, the truth has set us
free, and Titus 3 shows us how we once were, and how we should be changed. It
states “at one time we were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all
kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, hating and being
hated, But when the kindness and love and of our God and savior appeared, he
saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his
mercy.” Sound like anyone you know, or used to be? Running out of gas is a
personal thing, and your fault, just like denying Jesus is. The signs are
there, and the spirit is calling, but we are too busy with life, and ourselves,
to the point of putting Jesus off, some unto death. And hell, and it didn’t
have to be. It is our choice, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of
God, and only Jesus saves. Simple enough, we call it the gospel. But he goes
on, “warn a divisive person once, then a second time. After that have nothing
to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful, they
are self condemned.” They are out of gas, they passed the last station,
thinking they could do it on their own, only to find no more stations available
between them and death. The spirit crying out to them until the end, and they
are out of breath, and life. We were all like that once, and down to our last
breath hung onto sin, only Jesus kept us alive to enjoy heaven with him. Like
the rich man and Lazarus, those who die without Jesus would like just a drop of
water, a chance to warn others, a second from eternal pain, when they had all
the time while alive to choose Jesus. And once saved, tells us “our people are
to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs
and not live unproductive lives....Grace be to you all.”
We are saved to do good. Not argue, not to sequester ourselves from the
world, not to live only within church walls, but to get out and live. To depend
on Jesus and not on our own understanding. To develop a relationship with him,
so that we can go to him first, and only. For he has saved us, not a church,
pastor, or religion. We are saved by the renewing of the holy spirit...and we
never walk, or ride alone. But we are not exempt from mistakes. “On is up,
reserve is down,” a universal setting on any motorcycle petcock. And I usually
kept Theresa’s bike filled, so she could ride when she wanted. And one
afternoon, she wanted, so we took a short ride, shorter than planned. A few
miles from home, she began to sputter, then stall and turned the petcock to
reserve. Or at least she thought...and then the bike wouldn’t start. She had
been on reserve, and when running out, had switched to on-just the opposite. We
laugh now, but for a few hectic seconds, it was my fault, then the stupid bike,
and anyone’s fault but hers. Deceived and disobedient, she learned, and it
never happened again. Just like the owner’s manual told her, “on is up, reserve
is down.” Now she knows. That day she became more personal with her
Bonneville, errors will do that in our walk with Christ also. But he takes us
in, and when we do the things which are honorable and good, we find them
profitable and excellent for all involved.
Still riding on reserve, don’t wait to find out how far you will go til
empty. Empty will always leave you short and on the side of the road. And who
you gonna blame? Better yet who you gonna call? At one time we were all
foolish....I still find it is better to walk in the light than walk after the
light has come on. Miles to empty....no way to live or ride. Greet those who
love us in the faith. And grace be to you all. All y’all. Saved in order to
do good. No matter the size of your tank, empty will always be empty.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com