Has anyone asked you to join?
I have written in the past about my concerns in the area of motorcycle maintenance. I feel I must now talk about the more important BIG things in our motorcycling life. Please know this is the most important part of motorcycling, but what seems to be the least talked about. It affects us all, no matter what you ride! Road riders, dirt riders, adventure, competition, city, or country. Our freedoms to ride are under attack, and it’s not just from the government, the petroleum industry, or the environment. The threat is greater than that! The greatest threat is ourselves! Motorcyclists are some of the best people I have ever met, but we seem slow to understand what it takes to ride. Sure, you can have a great bike, the best gear, good weather, a full tank/charge, all necessary, but if you don’t understand the work it takes just so you can throw your leg over and ride, you shouldn’t even start.
I know what we can all do so we can keep riding; join any of the motorcyclists rights organizations (MROs). The main ones are the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) 800-AMA-JOIN, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), 202-546-0983, or your local A.B.A.T.E. organization. All states have A.B.A.T.E. organizations, but the acronym may be different, originally standing for “A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments.”
There are many other MROs, but these are a good start. JOIN NOW! If you love motorcycling, do something now, or don’t be surprised when it’s gone! I’ll keep fighting, but like I said, I’m old, and this fight has gone on for many decades among a SMALL percentage of riders, but the problems are BIG!
–Greg Smith, Ligonier, PA
Unfailing support of the organizations Greg mentions should be in every motorcyclist’s budget. Watching what’s been happening in England and Europe for 20 years proves we need a voice representing us to the government, especially for our now non-compliant old motorcycles. –Ed.
Hours well spent
I’ve been a regular subscriber for many years and thought I would submit a couple of pics of my 1979 Honda CX500D. I’ve had ideas for creating a cool café racer for a long time, and I wanted to share a few photos of the finished product. After lowering the bike, adding some modern colors, powder coating the wheels, and adding a little red contrast, I also did some welding for the new seat. After many hours of work, here it is!
–Monte Labatut, Metairie, LA
Your custom CX500 has a great look in slate gray. Lines of the tank and sidecovers flow, and the engine, which I’ve never much studied on a stock CX, really shines with its reinforcement webbing. Super sleek exhaust. How’s it sound? –Ed.
Leno lookalike?
Is that Jay Leno doing a little industrial espionage, looking over the shop rag of secrecy, trying to scope out the magic fuel combination?
–Jack Bellinoff, Georgetown, TX
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