Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/567026
GraceRiderMag.com September/October 2015 29 I loved that bike. I loved the way it looked when I "soloed it out", removing the windshield, removing the rear seat and even the rear running boards... It reminded me of how my father's 1936 Indian looked in a photograph when he was just 19 years old. In a way, it brought me closer to him since he passed away in 2002. It also brought me closer to Jesus as it gave me a chance to unwind, pray and consider my life and what He wanted for me. Whenever Lori wasn't riding on the back, the Road King was in this "soloed out" configuration. Later on, we decided to move up to an Ultra Limited – more comfort for Lori who had numerous neck surgeries over the years. Shortly after purchasing the Limited, Lori exclaimed: "You can't solo out this bike, can you?" To my surprise I replied: "No, not really, but that's OK." "You need another bike," she said to me. I did not need another bike, I thought to my self. I'm the only one who rides; Lori rides as a passenger, so the need for two motorcycles wasn't there. But Lori wasn't willing for me to give up a way of riding that I loved, so she pushed me to look for another bike. After looking at a few used Harleys and finding nothing that suited me, I ran into Jeff Hemm owner of Tazmo Customs. I had met Hemm through Black Sheep Harley-Davidson's for Christ, a Christian motorcycle ministry where Hemm was the president of the Temecula CA chapter at the time. Hemm had built a custom motorcycle and the buyer had backed out of the deal, so he offered to sell it to me. After riding it and much contemplating, I decided it wasn't really my style and would reluctantly continue the search for something more my style, to which he asked: "So what is your style?" I explained to him and to Shawn Hill also of Tazmo Customs, that I wanted a bike that resembled "Old School meets Mad Max" to which Hemm stated, "let's build it, we'll have fun." I had never built a motorcycle before, nor am I mechanically inclined. I had been a woodworker but never a metal fabricator or motorcycle mechanic and builder. Hemm assured me that he would walk me through the process. As we discussed the possibilities, the smile on Lori's face let me know that she was more than willing to support this endeavor and wasn't going to let me say no! As the build began, I couldn't believe the opportunity that God had given me. Not only had He given me a beautiful loving wife willing to sacrifice for me to build this bike, but some incredible new friends. Our involvement with Black Sheep HDFC grew – and after completing a mentoring class over a period of time, we became full members of an awesome ministry.