Do you'all mind if I reminische?

[solo1]

It sure is interesting to see how things change over time, especially as we get older. As we age I think that time speeds up and if we are not careful we might find that time might get away from us.
All of us accumulate memories ,good and bad, and we rely on them to 'flesh out' our  personal history.

Even bad memories, many times, have some good aspect in them.  They can make our mouth turn down in sadness but then turn up in a smile.  This little true story, repeated here, is one of those.  Although my Valkyrie in this story has a new owner, its name still lives on.  Thank you Deb!

My wife of 46 years has also passed on but she lives in my memory.




                                                   WHAT'S IN A NAME?   (2001)

I have never named any of the many motorcycles that I have owned. I don't know why. Certainly all of them deserved some kind of name. However I never gave it a thought until now.

Today, my wife told me that I should go riding. No big deal, you might say. You're right except that my wife told me by mouthing the words because she has a tracheotomy. You see, since January of this year my wife of 45 years has been twice taken to the hospital by ambulance suffering from what is known as respiratory failure. In fact she is in the hospital as I write this, recovering after spending over 14 days in intensive care. Day after day, I have been at the hospital and I now know the full meaning of the words that the wife and I uttered many years ago "in sickness and in health". I have worried and prayed, along with our family, friends, and church members for my wife's health to be restored. Now it appears that our prayers are being answered. My wife of 45 years, who has only ridden once with me on a new 1955 Matchless twin, now has told me to go riding!

It is the next day. The weather is so-so for Indiana this time of year, the sun is shining but it is cool and quite windy. I start the Valkyrie, put on the riding gear and go. Although northern Indiana is flat and offers no real challenge to me, I chose a route that I have traveled much, Wayne Trace southeast of Ft. Wayne. It has a few curves but nothing to tax the Valk's suspension and power. The murmer of the Valkyrie's engine changes to a snarl as I twist the throttle. The wind rushes past my helmet, the rhythm of the road lifts my spirit, and I am free once again to sample the satisfying peace and relaxation that this sport still brings to me, even after almost fifty years of riding. The Valk hums along as though it can sense my mood, its six cylinders droning quietly in tune with my thinking. As I countersteer through the few turns that Wayne Trace offers, I am aware that I am approaching Monroeville Road and my curvy ride is just about to end. In this peaceful setting, I realize that this motorcycle will be my first to have a name. I have chosen a name that will remind me of our family trials in the last few months and the peace that I have come to know while riding.

Though this name at first, might seem at odds with the name that Honda has given my motorcycle, since one name is a Viking MYTH and the other name is the TRUTH, this doesn't bother me. The name fits. I have decided to name my motorcycle Emanuel. God With Us.

 I can't think of a more fitting name
 

[Robert]

Thank you for sharing that awesome moment in time and the name. I have been looking for a name but just like you nothing seems appropriate but Emmanuel seems to fit beautifully. When I am on the road and look around at the fields and open space of the Everglades all the green and space I thank God for His presence and the ability to enjoy something I love so much like riding. Many places, many experiences, many people just to enjoy the things of this world as the wind goes by. We are so privileged

[Art708]

 I have never named a motorcycle myself, but several years ago I bought a Kawasaki Nomad from a guy and he had named it Leyla. He said that the first time he saw it she looked so good "she knocked him to his knees".

[Willow]

I have named or almost named most of my rides.

The first two when I was high school age I simply referred to as The Beast.  I'm not certain if that was a name or just a descriptive reference.

Fifteen hundred miles from home and missing my two-wheeled mode I picked up an S-90 and threw it into the trunk on my way to a weekend at my friends' house in Maryland.  She became known as El Bebe.  It's a distortion.  Her name was actually LBB, the initials for Little Black Bitch.

When I went over the pond I picked up two bikes, consecutively, a used 125 and a CL450 new.  I was focused intensely upon time in that tour.  The bikes were named April May and The Autumn Zip.

My first Valkyrie is a blue and white Standard.  She is Blue Velvet.  Lori's is named Sunrise for the blue with an orange line.  It reminded me of the sunset but I didn't think it right to name a bike Sunset.  My first Interstate was purchased as a wrecked to be repaired green motorcycle. Her name was The Jade Phoenix Dragon.   Actually all my Interstates have been green.  The second was Emerald Emily and the third is Lucy.  It's short for Jealousy (green is the color of envy).

My newest ride is Daisy Mae.  She's yellow.  I never thought I would own a yellow bike.

It helps me keep track of who they are.

Emmanuel is a good name and maybe should have been attached to a couple of mine.  He has been with me very specifically evidenced by my continued upright posture.   

[old2soon]

While I call the Valkyrie "phatt ghurl"-I KNOW I'm not the only one that uses that name-and I've called them lotsa names-used to motocross-never Really had a Proper Name for any of them. BUT after a ride and in the confines of their area I have talked with them and thanked them for safe interesting and FUN times in the wind. We as Riders share a Bond while not Really explainable we KNOW with certainty exists. And as others have stated-feel much closer to GOD on top of a Motorcycle. I've found answers to questions and solved some of life's mysteries on top of a Motorcycle while Just RIDING. Wayne-Thanks for sharing here with FRIENDS.  RIDE SAFE.