riding back from Phil's

I knew Donna and Donna knew Gene.  She arranged a meeting for us because we both rode BMW’s, and neither one of us knew what to expect.  Gene had wanted to meet me because I had an R90S, and I wanted to meet him because he was the organist in the first rock band I ever saw play live, The Flock.  A real long hair in 1967, the memory of that afternoon and hearing him play Good Lovin’ by The Rascals had insured him a place in my teen age memory book.  But here seven years later, a friendship would begin, and we would take many rides together.

But Gene also knew Phil, who loved BMW’s, and had a shop in Ridgefield, Connecticut, next to Danbury, where the Marcus Dairy Bar was, a Sunday hangout for those who rode.  Immortalized in a Kawasaki ad in the eighties.  My BMW a hit, so Gene got some notoriety, and his fame and mine, no matter how shallow was added to our resume.  It was Phil who would prep my bike when I moved west in November 1975, Phil who would chase me in his sidecar, his wife taking pictures of me in the curves.  All because I knew Donna and she knew Gene.

Being buddies, I let him ride my R90S, and he was hooked, which was tough on a starving musician at the time.  He was in another dimension when riding it, royalty among the elite, as only those who were crazy or rich bought  $3400 motorcycle in 1974.  Note, I wasn’t rich.  But one ride back from Phil’s with Gene riding the S, me on his R75/5 complete with Windjammer, changed our opinion of German engineering, and Gene’s riding.  Riding down the Sawmill River Parkway, I stopped for a pee break, and Gene went flying past, eyes huge through his helmet, faster than I had ever seen him go.  I could see the terror so took chase, catching up to him, and he kept pointing at the right carb, yelling what I thought was “It’s stuck!”  In a moment of clear thinking, I pointed to the kill switch, and soon we both were stopped on the side of the road.  Gene excited, scared, exhilerated, and shaken.  “The throttle stuck open wide and I couldn’t stop it!”  Which upon examination showed the cable to the right Dell ‘Orto had snapped, and the carb stuck open wide, and backing out of the throttle had not effect.  But a quick call to Phil, after this laughter, calmed both of us down, “just ride home on the one cylinder.  You’ll be fine, and bring it up next week.”  With some last line about the importance of packing clean underwear to Gene.  But home we did make it, riding our own bikes, and the S still cruised at 70 in these early 55 mph days.  It had so much torque it would get going, even if not very quick, but hold its speed well.  For many years after we told the story of riding back from Phil’s, I am sure Gene’s was a bit different than mine, but we both would laugh.  We used to joke how a bike that powerful could get you into trouble, we both never knew how and when it would, or could.

Funny how not being the one in the situation had given me a cool head, although it was my bike.  Many times as Christians we neglect to see how God has things under control in our world.  We learn and tell of how Jesus died on the cross, how it was God’s plan, but forget or neglect to know that just as he had the whole situation in hand, he has ours in control also.  So instead we go to constantly begging, crying, complaining, doubting, praying, and wailing about our situation.  With the lack of faith really saying “what is your problem God, where are you?”  We neglect to fall back on our teachings, and fail to see how God is preparing us via the experience to know him better.  How in times of turmoil he is with us, and has the storm, the sickness, or the broken ride under control.  We panic, he never does, for it is all as he planned it.  Nothing surprises God, but much about God surprises us.  When God revealed to Jeremiah about him being the potter and us the clay, we forget it is the fingers of God shaping us, removing the impurities, and smoothing us out.  Making a lump of clay into a useful product.  But we too often go right to the cracked pots story in Corinthians, or the story of the shards of pots in the field of blood, where Judas was buried.  Broken pots that had no purpose and were thrown away.  Maybe that is how God found us, but not where or how he wants to leave us.  We fail to see the hands of the potter shaping our lives, making us into what he wants us to be, and giving us life.  All we see is the dirt, the mud, and the dizziness of spinning on the wheel.  When truly he is preparing us and guiding us for the pressures of life to come.  He guards us from danger....instead of panic when the throttle sticks open.

But just as Phil knew how to get us home, how it was no big deal because he knew all about BMW’s, we too have access to dealing with all life’s problems via Jesus.  He left us his spirit to guide, protect, comfort, and show others the way.  Jesus never panicked, even unto death, can we say the same?  Out of our mouths come so much faith until the situation arises.....You may be the broken vessel today, or you might just be scratched, or hurting and confused, Jesus isn’t.  He knows far better than we ever will about pain and suffering, desertion and loneliness.  He knows rejection, when friends turn on him, and all seems to dark to go on.  But he knew his father who never left him, who he trusted, so when the cross came, he knew what he had to do, but also only in his father’s will would it be done, that without his father he could not do it.  and such a promise he gives us.  We can do all things in Christ who gives us strength.  No matter how broke a pot you are, or how broken your throttle cable, he is in control!

It is always easier to not panic when a friend is, so keep Jesus as your best friend.  He never panics, and will see you through.  I knew Bill, who knew Donna, who knew Gene, and I knew them all.  But knowing Jesus makes my life work.  From broken cables to exploding aortas, he knows and we can too.  We may know the word, but when we know the one who is the word personally, when our clay begins to take a useful shape, when the wheels are spinning and out of control, he isn’t and we really aren’t either.  Something to think about the next time you swap rides, or find a lump in your clay.  We are told of the blessings for those that believe, but somehow are more comfortable with the curses.  You may be one broken cable away from needing Jesus, one doctor’s visit, one argument with your spouse.  But when we realize we are truly in the potter’s hands, we relax and enjoy the ride even more.  Knowing that what ever comes, Jesus is prepared for it and has overcome it.  You may be a cracked pot, but Jesus lets you decide where you will end up.  He did Judas too, Judas denied him.  Don’t you, we have enough crack pots running loose.  I made it home on one cylinder, but I did make it home, and that made the difference in the ride.  Ride your own ride, knowing we will only make it home in Christ.

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25bikr.blogspot.com

where oh where has the Cragar SS gone? or do the wheels still make the man

I was there in 2006 when the black wheels started showing up on new cars.  Really as options or aftermarket, and I bemoaned the passing of chrome again.  I will admit that on some cars they had an aggressive look, but one orange Land Rover we put black wheels on looked ready for Halloween.  I guess some color combos are good for certain holidays, but have no place on cars.  But looking at new cars yesterday, first the prices put off, the average new vehicle sold for over $35,000 last year, but so many had black wheels as part of an option package.  Which took away from the good looks of certain cars.  I can go with blacked out trim on certain colors, but the black wheels just don’t bring out the bright blues, bright reds, or any bright color.  But since most cars are black or shades of gray, maybe it’s alright, and I’m the one who is missing the point.  I keep looking back to when any car you put Cragar SS wheels on looked better.

We had a family where I grew up who had a 1963 Chevy wagon, dark blue and plain, except for the Cragars.  Outstanding.  I know we all have our preferences, I once had a van with American Racing Mag wheels, but still the SS can dress up any car.  Seems the brightness of the polished chrome brings out the bright colors of the car, even black or white.  From drag racing to Muscle Cars to mom’s wagon, they were the cool custom wheel for any occasion and any car.  So pricing them for our Mustang, I went into shock.  $2000 dollars of dream later I will get used to the black, but not on any of my cars.

Trim whether black or chrome is supposed to set off the lines of the vehicle.  Too much chrome and it looks cheap, not enough the same result.  It seems with chrome rims we were always keeping them shiny and clean, these black ones I cannot tell if they are clean or dirty, but a look at the cars confirm it-dirty.  Maybe that explains the 50 shades of gray cars come in, you cannot tell if they are clean or dirty, so who cares.  But chrome wheels, they demand attention, and looking at a truck with chrome rims in the driveway here, they are filthy, like the truck.  Can it be that chrome defines our hygiene?  I have this philosophy that the condition of one’s car tells a lot about their personal life.  What color are your rims?  How clean is your car?  I haven’t been wrong yet.....

God tells us that he is the potter and we are the clay.  In the potter’s hands we all start out as clumps, but as he fashions us, we are given form and life.  In his hands via the spirit, the earth went from void to having form when created, and we do too as Christians.  Some of us were pretty bad examples of lumps of clay, and many of us are still a work in process, hopefully with progress.  But sadly like wheel choices change, so do what is popular socially, and Jesus has never been the social climber many Christians hope he would be.  They fail to see that the potter shapes the clay, and they want to be the potter.  Out of nothing God created us, out of the dust of the ground we were formed, but when the spirit was added, water being used as a symbol throughout the Bible, we are given form and life.  And when the potter sees an imperfection in the clay, he can start over, or make corrections.  His choice, for he knows what he wants, and shapes us accordingly.  We fail to see the circumstances of life shape us as we are on the potter’s wheel, we get dizzy and want off.  We call it fashion, and being trendy has never grown any one closer to God.  But then neither have chrome rims....

It may be that we like to control things, that we rebel against the potter, or we know better.  Yet he who created you for his glory knows best.  Styles change, as do wheels, but Jesus stays the same.  As does the potter’s wheel, the same basic design, but now powered by electricity instead of by a foot.  Maybe something to consider when we talk of the invention of the wheel.  I am continuously amazed at all the different wheel designs, remember when hub caps were king?  But as trends change, fortunately God doesn’t, but he wants to change us, to make us the perfect design he had in mind.  Yet we settle for wheel covers, that look like rims but are a fake.  Could it be that only car guys who are passionate about cars love the old Cragars, and that those of us passionate about Jesus look to the potter’s wheel?  Both wheels help define who we are.  Only Jesus makes the difference.

Clay has never changed, nor has the shape of the wheel.  Nor has Jesus.  Our interpretation has.  Not sure of the next trend in wheels, I hope chrome comes back and Cragars again are affordable.  But I also hope that the potter continues to shape me as he sees fit.  One size does not fit all, but one God loves all and created all, and still spins the wheel that defines us.  But still some of us are crack pots, that only need to be dipped in the water of the spirit to be made whole again.  Only a wholly God can make us whole.  Only his spirit can guide and change us.  As always the one behind the wheel has control over where we are heading.  Black or chrome, in the potter’s hand we all will be made holy.  By a wholly god who is complete and whole in all things.  Chrome never left, it has just been temporarily replaced.  Jesus never left either, for he left us his spirit.  Both are making a comeback, only one will come back.  Tighten your lugs and be prepared for the ride of your life.  Some thought they were a big wheel until they found out squares don’t roll. Cragars can make any car look finer.  But trust in Jesus first.....

Your wheels should look so good!

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the ultimate motorcycle weight loss porgram

Just how much your motorcycle weighs is an interesting question.  Talking with my friend Scott who ships bikes, including the crate they always seem to weigh less than the manufacturer claims, yet in magazines they always weigh more.  While Harley, Gold Wing, Indian, and others add weight, performance riders look for ways to shed it.  Companies have discontinued center stands, 10-15 pounds, tool kits, add another two, and owners manuals that used to be kept under the seat, 1 pound.  Here they just lost 13-18 pounds, a major weight savings.  Install a new header system, another 15-18 pounds, and suddenly you are talking serious weight loss.  Using 500 pounds as a baseline here, you just brought your bike weight down to 464-172 pounds!  Sport bike guys remove the rear foot pegs, another 3 pounds, and anything else from reflectors to passenger grab bars, another 2 pounds.  Maybe remove the battery or go to a smaller one.  Speedo, who needs one, any cop worth his donuts will tell you when you are going too fast.  But still why do they weigh so much?  And are there other ways to lose weight?

As with any weight loss program, consult a professional first.  But here goes....first, put 10 less pounds of air in each tire, an immediate savings of 20 pounds.  You never check them anyway.  Only torque the head bolts to 5 pounds less than the factory, another 20 pound weight loss.  On your next oil change add one less quart, another 1.5 pounds.  Change from 50 weight to 10 weight.  Only fill your gas tank to half, another 12-15 pound savings.  Say, this is adding up.  Remove the mirrors, 2 pounds, fenders 4-8 pounds, and suddenly we are leaner and meaner.  Your 500 pound ride now weighs now should weigh much less than 400 pounds, or the same as an old Triumph Bonneville before all its oil leaked out.  See, it can be done!  Who needs all that extra weight anyway?

Race designers either tell you to cut weight or add horsepower.  They do both.  But weight reduction can be a tricky and dangerous proposition.  Please don’t try the formula I just suggested.  For just like the heart, it can be deceitful and who can understand it?  I have always told my sons never make a decision on a high or low emotion.  Ever fall in love with the perfect bike until next years model came out?  Or are you an expert on marriage like my friend who has been married five times?  If love is just a feeling, you missed love.  Or only experienced a superficial aspect of it.  God is love,  a noun, loves us, a verb, and is loving, and adjective.  And all decisions made without him involved stand a greater chance of disaster.  Over 50% of so-called Christian marriages end in divorce, they should know better.  They claim to know better.  But God tells Jeremiah it is deceitful, and cannot be understood.  Yet we try with limited success, and ultimate failure.

Even our Constitution doesn’t give power over to one person, lest their heart lead us astray.  They knew, and were influenced by God.  Any man made creed will have its failings when it depends on man instead of God.  No philosophy, no belief system, no education, or club can replace the misunderstanding our heart can provide.  We need Jesus, we need the spirit to guide us.  We say we do, we follow him, but end up losing weight like my ultimate motorcycle weight loss program, and end up with something not rideable.  Sounds good, but how many chase after God like they do weight loss programs?  Or Bowflex ads?  Looking for performance based on an emotion?  Sadly we never look at things to see them quite as bad as they are.  We tackle the easy things first, always putting off the hardest for later.  I bought the program, that is half the battle.  No, implementing it is the battle.  Already deceiving ourselves.  But yet the heart can be crafty, allowing us to think we are better, based on how someone else is doing.  We have an innate ability to hide the truth from others while believing the lie ourselves.  That is the heart, it can promise results, vow to do better, and still deceive itself.  No self help book will get the results that taking the advice from God via the Bible will produce.

For the Bible is the only book that condemns the heart, but points us to God.  Lean not on your own understanding, as we try to figure it out.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, yet we still try to figure him out, reaching a stage emotionally and calling it success.  God has opened up his life to you via Jesus, revealing himself via the spirit, and giving us insight and wisdom no other book or philosophy can.  Perfect from above can only promise perfect below if we trust and obey.  The only real way to face life and not be deceived, or deceive ourselves.  Or you can become an emotional retard, a drama queen or king, being ruled by your emotions and never finding the peace only God can provide. 

And one last weight loss idea for your ride.  When faced with wanting to shed more pounds, the Mercedes Benz race team in the thirties removed all the paint from their race cars, leaving only the silver aluminum skin, hence the name Silver Arrow.  Another few pounds.  Before you go sanding, cutting, removing, retorqueing, or replacing, consider what you have and what you might end up with.  Same with Jesus, trust in the Lord with all your might, and he will direct your ways.  Ever wonder why some are still fixing while some are out riding?  Did you know that your brakes weigh almost 20 pounds?  Of course if you want to stop....

So let God be truth and all men liars.  Only one way to heaven, no matter how much you weigh, but it depends on whom you believe.  Don’t let “but God” be the first words you say when you face him,  but thanks and adoration.  Only God allows you to start anew while still on earth.  Both a heavy heart and a heavy motorcycle are harder to live with.  Of course If you take the bus....

Knowing it is not what we do, but what Jesus did.  Not who we are but who he is.  Only Jesus can shed the weight of sin from us, can your weight loss plan promise as much? 

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com

the flags of Ft. Scott

In our continuing effort to exercise freedom from freeways, we skirted Kansas City using the beltways, and took US 69 south.  From four lane metro to two lane rural, nothing particularly special about it, no one gets their kicks on Route 69.  But down the road is Ft. Scott, Kansas, and here all history buffs need to make a road trip.  One of a number of forts built in the 1830-40’s by the US government, Ft. Scott has been renovated, rescued, and redone, preserving many of the original buildings, and reconstructing those beyond help.  A fort designed prior to the standardization of Army forts, it was laid out and designed by a fort commander who was a trained architect.  And it is park like more than fort like.  And definitely worth the trip.

From the visit, free admission, and park rangers who would guide you or just answer questions, we learned much about US history prior to the Civil War.  It seems the US government when displacing the Indians west, set up the row of forts from north to south to protect them.  Not much to do as far as protection then, and the worst offenses were falling asleep on duty and intoxication.  Seems much hasn’t changed.  But the troops from there were sent to help us win the Mexican War, and an important ally to the north in the Civil War.  But on this day, a week before the 4th of July, Independence Day, the courtyard area was decorated with 7000 American flags.  In a time when it is socially acceptable to deface our flag, these waved proudly, and brought tears to our eyes.  Not just laid out, but laid out evenly to the topography, with little bases to raise them to make them all even in height.  Quiet yet saying a lot, it was a great thing to see that our flag was and still is there.  Not a political statement, but one of pride, honor, and glory.  A symbol of the greatest country in the history of the world, where God truly has shed h is grace on thee, and still does today.  No matter how the fake news tries to make us believe lies, America is God’s country.  It is up to us to be his people, and he gives us a choice.  The 7000 flags that day reminded me of how thankful I am he chose me to be an American, and how glad I am I chose Jesus.  No one tries to break out of our country, maybe that says more than we know. 

Fr. Al loved singing God Bless America, and the words reflect our rides across it.  But as much as God blesses America, we need to bless God.  But we cannot do it alone, it must start in the heart, and as hearts change, actions and attitudes will change.  Jeremiah saw first hand how even his friends and neighbors turned against him, but really it was God they were against.  How true today also.  And God tells him “do not pray for them, for it delays judgment.”  Just the opposite of what we are taught to do today.  So in the midst of his troubles, he gave it all to God.  “You deal with it.” Much different from our social issues permeating churches today, replacing the gospel with social ideas and opinions.  He had learned to trust God, and let it be his problem, it was too big for him.  Instead of another man, he went to the Man, and God honored him.  Maybe he remembered the words from 2 Chronicles, “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, if they change their heart, I will answer form heaven, and heal their land.”  It starts with a relationship with God, when God’s people, not the Jews, but those who call upon the name of Jesus and are saved, let him be God, when we honor him and bless America by turning to him, we see revival.  We see changes in social, personal, and religious relationships.  Can we pray the toughest four word prayer in the Bible, brought to us by Jesus, “thy will be done.”  The flag you wave, the God you represent is portrayed by your patriotism, who do you bow your knee to?  Remember, we are watching...and so is the Lord.

The 7000 flags that day reminded me we are not a perfect land yet, but when we put our faith and trust in God we will prosper.  So remember when singing, “God bless America, land that I love,” we aren’t perfect.  But God has sent us out to be his ambassadors from heaven to take the gospel to a dying world.  Maybe the American soldier is the only one who truly knows what Jesus meant when he said “greater love has no man than to die for his brother.”  When God confronted Cain, and Cain replied “am I my brothers keeper?” God never answered yes or no.  For Cain wasn’t.  But Jesus calls us family, brothers when we are saved.  And he wants us to love others as we love ourselves.  Which we cannot do without his forgiveness and mercy.  It always starts with Jesus, and it will always end with Jesus.

“Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be well established.”  That morning 7000 flags waving in the wind reminded me of the victory God has won for us in Jesus, but also those who perished to preserve our liberty.  So thank you God for blessing America, now can we as Americans bless you too?

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com