Monday, December 4, 2017

oldies and premix-give me oil for my bike, keep it running













I still don’t understand how a two stroke motor works without having a head and the valve train and such.  Having started riding in a Honda world vs. on a Yamaha or Suzuki planet, we just put gas in the tank, never thought of checking the oil, and off we rode.  But friends with Ossas, or Montessas, Kawasakis, or Huskies all had to mix their gas with two stroke oil, and no van going to the races was complete without a Ratio Rite cup.  Carefully making sure you didn’t have too much oil or you would run rich, and foul a plug, or too lean, not enough and score a piston.  Sure these ring a ding ding bikes made more power, and introduced us to the smell of racing castor, but it was messy, and smoky.  Something that in our youth spoke of our maturity in riding, but later as we got older, was only a nuisance.  Which we learned from the Wildman, who had a 1972 Mach III, and was always stopping for gas, and to check his oil.  The ultimate ring a ding ding bike, it had oil injection, with no premix done by hand, an oiler did that for you, but as he learned not all two stroke oils are the same.  Even in an emergency, bad oil could foul a plug, which was why the Mach III came with an extra set of plugs in a neat little holder under the seat, and why he always carried an extra set.  In a pinch car oil would do, we had read the warnings, but when desperate bend the rules to fit the situation.  When cold and wet and far from home with no motorcycle stores open, the friendly Esso station’s Humble oil would have to do.  Needless to say, he rode at the back by himself due to excessive smoking, with no sweet smell of burning castor to be found....
My first experience with premix was with my 1974 Suzuki RL250 trials bike.  The twin to Gerald’s, they both ran a bit different due to the different oils we used.  Not one better than the other, but he was always changing plugs, and I wasn’t.  Seems that old CCI oil was better after all.  But yet my Yamaha friends swore by their oil, while others swore at theirs, and only a few who raced went for the expensive bean oil, or racing castor, if there is one thing I miss about two strokes it is the smell of racing castor, burns the nose and stings the eyes, helps fend off mosquitoes and girlfriends, but if you ever raced or rode behind a guy using it, you know what I mean.  Premix or injected, it don’t matter to me.
The problem with religion is it is a lot like mixing  your own oil and gas.  If you don’t get it right, you risk ruining an afternoon or even an engine.  Different denominations claim what they add or subtract from the basic gospel of Jesus Christ makes them better, and that they are the best way.  Which may lead you to believe there is more than one way, which scripture denies, there is only one whose name can save, Jesus Christ.  Yet it seems God is more patient with us than an old Ossa, we get the ratio of God and man wrong, he still loves us, a bad premix ratio ruins your engine.  But like we could tell the difference between different brands of two stroke oil, we can tell by the walk of a Christian how deeply rooted they are in Jesus, as opposed to a denomination.  Some respond better to the church, confusing the church for Jesus, and end up in a religious quagmire, having to drain their tank and add oil.  Like the parable of the ten virgins, it is important to not only keep oil in your lamp, but the right kind.  Religion or being religious may change your life, maybe even make it better, but the church cannot save.  It doesn’t have the ability, only Jesus does.  He is the injector system that measures what you need exactly, leaving nothing to chance, his spirit is the correct oil, and leaves a smell sweeter than that of castor.  He is the right ratio, as Corinthians tells us, no too much, not too little, he is adequate in all things. 
He knows the difference between us having a bad day or actually falling away and becoming backslidden.  He is without the legal aspects of religion, his love covers a multitude of sins, including those from disobeying laws that have nothing to do with scripture.  He is the tune up you need daily, not just a fresh tank of gas and fresh oil.  As you go and live your life, he knows just what you need, and no computer operated car can respond as fast as he can.  In fact his response isn’t really a response, as he orders our steps, and knows what we need when we need it, it is up to us to listen and follow.  But beware, there are many oils out there that promise to be as good, that are cheaper, and produce the same results.  If religion truly works, why do some many change churches?  Why do new ones pop up, why do old ones fade away?  It just may be the oil in their lamp, or lack of it.  For anything other than Jesus leads astray.  The root word for religion means binding, think of a chain without lube, here’s that oil again and binding, it will eventually fail.  Keeping it lubed with make it last longer and run smoother.  But chain lube is a special type of oil.....
So we need the heavenly oil in our lamps, not store bought or religion.  We need it daily like right now, we don’t need some prepackaged gospel, we need Jesus to make it personal.  Yet some still rely on the premix style of religion, their lives may seem to run right, no visible signs of damage, but may be deteriorating inside, unknown until they explode.  Scripture tells us that these things shall follow them that believe, what comes out of your tail pipe tells us a lot about what went in.  And only your mechanic can tell the difference when he tears down the motor.  Which is expensive, and means you can’t be out riding.  Or living!
We are to work out our salvation daily with fear and trembling, the wrong kind of relationship can only make it worse.  Low oil can cause the shakes, so can the wrong oil, so make sure the oil you use comes from a heavenly source.  You wouldn’t use 10-40 Castrol to cook with would you?  Don’t answer....I think you get the point.  Bean oil is great for a two stroke, not for refried beans, or a refried motor. Use only the factory stuff, when God made you he knew what you would need, and the right quantities, and qualities.  He not only forgives, but will restore to you what you have lost or had stolen from you.  With that kind of warranty, why would you ride with anyone else?  Don’t take a chance with the wrong premix.  Jesus Christ, the right ratio for life.  Or you may end up walking home in the dark, because Lucas, the Prince of Darkness failed you, but that’s another story.  And if he asks for 710 oil, well don’t answer.  You both need to go for a ride.  Injector or premix....Ring a ding ding!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com