Steppin' Out: A short muse on why we do it.
by: BB DASLER

From the very first wobbly launch as a no00b on a kids cycle with maybe a gentle but deft parental guiding hand, you suddenly find yourself all alone astride this simple mechanical marvel, as the wind flickers on your face and you realize that for a brief moment in time, you 're totally in control of what is happening to your day-to-day equilibrium.

As the learning curve progresses, your instincts and reactions become sharper,as you survive many near misses with disaster and begin to get the feel of navigating all the unexpected obstacles, that inevitably come your way.

Soon enough, your basic skills become second nature and instead of pumping pedals you need a motor to ease your aching legs. The also-rans borrow Dad's car and learn to drive, the remainder discover the next phase of an incredible journey and get a motorbike.

This is where a very special love affair begins to materialize out of the ether and slowly but surely sinks it's fangs into your soul, until the effect becomes irresistible and for ever more you will have to live with the fact that you have been bitten by a bug in your life that is virtually impossible to shake off.

Add to this the spirit of adventure and the much used aviator analogies and it all begins to gel.

With the open road winding out toward the horizon beckoning you to ride the miles, the relationship between man and machine begins to grow into an all embracing bond.

People from diverse backgrounds ride motorcycles. They are so much more that just another mode of powered transport.

They are in fact an art form that attracts not only those from hands-on engineering environments, but also provide a focal point for art and design and a means to express individuality for people from all walks of life.

But most of all, they are a supreme source of pleasure and enjoyment that can reward your input with a sense of extreme satisfaction from a smooth and well executed ride, as long as you never forget they may equally punish any momentary lapses of concentration with both major expense to your wallet and possible irreversible skeletal re-alignment.

So just why do we do it. Well I believe that cannot be answered by one individual alone, because there is not one single line statement that can sum it all up in a nutshell. Every individual will create a different word picture to try to define the cause, and will undoubtedly contradict a particular point of view ventured by any other explanation offered.

But here I'm trying state my case. If you identify with it, may be some chord of recognition has been struck in your own persona, because what i'm driving at is quite simple really, I truly, seriously, honestly cannot imagine living without one!

They are my joy and my pain in equal measure, not unlike a woman if you think about it. Could be that's why we speak of our bikes as if they are g/f's or wives who sometimes need a little tender persuasion to deliver the goods.

They can be temperamental prima donna's or salt-of-the-earth sloggers, they can be ball achingly beautiful or mean butchy freaks that will spit in your eye as soon as you loose your grip.

I suppose it's all down to your own perception of life, but when the chips are down, they can both be a bottomless pit that can soak up your money, but if luck is on your side you will eventually reach a point of Nirvana where all the vibes of the universe are in harmony.

And when my time is done, I want it emblazoned on my head stone:

"I told you It was an Illness"

End of Muse.
__________________________________________

Cheers Mate!

-BB

Road Ramblings
by: Lost McGoon

Welcome to Road Ramblings brought to you by CustomFighters.com. Tthis monthly column will basically be the musings and ramblings that randomly come to mind while I am out and about on the road. But first, a little about me... I am Goon; secretary and treasurer for Lost Inc. Motorcycle Club. All of my life I've been drawn to motorcycles, but due to circumstances I didn't own my first bike until 5 years ago. That life changing
	purchase was a Suzuki VL800; Suzuki's middle weight entry into the cruiser market. As time went on the bike and I both progressed. I added saddlebags and additional lighting because that's what I saw a lot of and it seemed like a good idea. Then slowly I began to drop
off the excess weight, the extra baggage so to speak. I added the low profile seat, did away with the front fender, rattle canned a paint job of the flat black variety. Each and every one of the modifications I made just felt right, it felt like the bike was telling me what it wanted, lean and mean, I lowered the center of gravity, added the ape hangers, and hand built the sissy bar.. I noticed as the bike progressed that it was more agile, more rideable. This "cruiser" had evolved into something different for I did not merely ride this bike around town, this was my all purpose ride. I became a member of the Iron Butt association by riding this bike 1000 mile in under 24 hours, then riding 1500 miles in under 36 hours. These rides were completed for no other reason than to simply see if I could do it. I have ridden this machine in 28 states and 3 countries. It is light, agile, and no frills. Along with my daily ride I have a few projects in the works. Currently I am 90% done with a chopper based on another VL800 but this one will be even lower, and lighter than my current ride. Next up will be a '92 Katana rebuild. So as long as I can keep up with the column and all the projects it should be interesting... -Lost McGoon