Moto Guzzi’s have always been an anomaly to me. I just don’t get them.
For over 40 years when first exposed to them by a Guzzi nut, a guy I worked with
named Rick, aka Capt. Hook, because he looked like him, he loved them, and I
think actually liked being as unique as his ride. To me they were just a big
and overweight bike ridden by the SFPD in Dirty Harry, but to those who loved
the Italian breed, they are loved and adored. And I still don’t get it! Wasn’t
the motor based on a tractor motor? I can go with the opposed twin, but a Vee?
With those heads sticking up at those gawking at me? But over the years I have
mellowed on them, still not a believer in them, but talking with friends who
have newer ones, they appreciate them for what they are. The rest of us
appreciate them for what they aren’t.
Now after having five BMW’s in the seventies, I have an understanding of
different. When everyone had a Honda, I had a BMW, that could get dusted by
anyone’s 250. But they were for touring, or so the reputation said, and only
true believers in them rode them, to us Hondas were the other. Rumor or
tradition, stated at the time that every 100th BMW was painted white, I had a
1973 short wheelbase R75/5, with a windjammer fairing and Krauser bags, all
painted white. With even a Honda ignition key incorporated in it, take them
historian purists! Maybe the best BMW I ever had, as two got totaled, neither
my fault, and the two S models had the engines come apart, literally. So I know
the price paid for uniqueness, but still have never owned a Guzzi.
When Pearl sang “my friends all drive Porsche’s, I must make amends,” she
really had one. But it seemed all my friends drove Hondas, until the Z-1, and
the world around me was starting to change. But Guzzi somehow stayed the
same....even Reissman Motors, the Moto Guzzi dealer in Albuquerque was
different, staying open on Sundays when most rode, for his customers. The rest
of us had to wait until Tuesday when we broke, Guzzi riders didn’t. At least if
they broke locally. But in an era of BSA’s, Triumph Tridents, Ducati SS 750’s,
Suzuki’s rotary, and Yamaha’s RD350, each bike and its brand was unique. To us
the Hondas were the other, there was just more of their others than there was of
us.
But we all rode, and all got along, helped each other, and made fun of each
other’s rides. It was called a brotherhood, with no membership, you rode and
you were in. Some for life, some for a ride or two, some to pick up girls. But
to those of us who really rode, Moto Guzzi’s were and still are different. Just
like Capt. Hook who introduced them to me....we all had a choice to make and
some chose Guzzi’s while some chose others. But still just because we owned a
motorcycle it didn’t make us a rider.
Just because the Jews are God’s chosen people, doesn’t mean he approves of
all their behaviors. God chose them to be an example of a people who need him
and in whom he can show the love and forgiveness he has for all. But yet they
thought it was a license to do whatever they wanted, and not face retribution.
It was easier to get mad at Moses, curse at Aaron, and make fun of God’s
prophets. To stand on and by a set of laws they didn’t obey, unless it worked to
their advantage. So when they tried to impeach Jeremiah for calling them on
their sin, a message from God, they rebelled against him. Treason, traitor, we
are God’s chosen, and claimed just because the temple was God’s house, if they
were in it they were protected. Same with the city, they were off limits to
correction, so they went after Jeremiah. And they really got upset when he told
them to mend their ways, and God will forgive them, repenting of the evil he
allowed them. They were getting their own way, and God was allowing it. Surely
God must not understand....but leaving it in God’s hands was the last thing they
wanted.
Today when we pray for Jesus to intercede, we too take an attitude like the
Jews, giving him advice, it’s them Lord, not us. It’s their denomination Lord,
their church, not ours. Failing to see the sin in their lives, as scripture
says “being unable to take the splinter from another’s eye because they cannot
see the log in their own.” Funny how we can always see someone else’s sin, but
can cleverly make an excuse for ours. Fortunately God is just, with Peter
telling us that when Jesus was reviled, he did not revile in return. When
threatened he didn’t threaten in return. He trusted in God who judges justly.
Something to remember before you plead your case next time. Or when you choose
the brand of your next bike...
For God so loved us that when we are saved we are made part of his family,
those not saved are the others, the lost. But he loves them just as much, just
like he did us before we were saved. So I guess I can ride with a Guzzi, but
just never own one. Straddle a Harley, but never own one. Maybe the question
we need to ask ourselves, is the one I asked a friend when he was looking for a
new bike. He liked the looks of some better than others, until I asked him “you
gonna ride it or look at it?” But we all need to remember that choice doesn’t
always have its priviliges. The Jews were chosen, but so were those who Jesus
saved. Before we were saved. You may argue, but God is just, and always wins.
So go with a winner, Jesus Christ. The Jews are still waiting for their
messiah, he’s already come and gone. And if they didn’t like him the first
time, they really aren’t going to the second time. Only those saved have God’s
written warranty, our names in the book of life, and his word written on our
hearts. It is always safer to trust in the Lord, just put it in his hands,
Jesus has already pled your case.
BSA, Norton, Indian, Matchless all left us, Triumph for awhile, Guzzi
faded. No one to plead their case. Don’t fall into a trap. Like the story
goes, 95% of the Harleys sold are still on the road. The other 5% made it
home. From 1%er to 5 %er, to Guzzi owners, we all ride, we all need Jesus. The
only way to make it home. You gonna ride with him or just look at him? Capt.
Hook rode a Guzzi, but that’s another story....what’s your excuse?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com