Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/1507628
24 | WheelsOfGrace.com | #69 Onramp Onramp Several years ago, in order for my wife's Sportster to be more comfortable, I decided to put forward controls on it, removing the center controls that came stock with her 2001 883. Loved that 'little' bike, but being 6'4", 290 lbs. and able to drag my knuckles when walking, I was told I looked like a gorilla violating a football on it. Okay, but with forward controls, I could at least be comfortable, even though my posterior was pretty much on the passenger seat. After-market kit – check. Crescent wrenches – check. Vague instructions that came with the kit – check. No idea of what I was getting into – check. But with perseverance and repeated rereading of the afore-mentioned vague instructions, I got all the old stuff removed, and the new stuff installed. Most amazing of all, it worked correctly the first time. Some of you might be just shaking your heads in disbelief; 'What could be easier than switching center- mount foot pegs for forward controls?' That's probably true, but there's also many things on the Harleys I've owned that were exponentially more difficult. An oil leak from the value cover assembly on that Sportster wasn't even attempted. There was something about the seal between the rocker box, and cylinder head, and the thigamigger cover, that brought me up short. I never tried to even unloosen the various bolts that were, by the way, pretty much inaccessible unless you have the secret tools sold only to the initiated. Fortunately, for Bikers like me, there are some pretty marvelous mechanics around. These are the guys who go by the book, probably have written the book, and can tell you the difference between the green wire and the orange wire on the tombstone taillight assembly found only on the 1946 knuckleheads produced between January and July of that year before the Motor Company replaced them with better stuff. Known such mechanics? I have. And they're definitely worth every penny you pay them to fix your aftermarket parts, pipes, and pieces. They go by the book, have memorized the book, dream about the book, and can hardly wait until the Service Manuals arrive describing in minute detail the next year's bikes. In our walk or ride with the Lord, each of us who name the name of Christ must become such 'mechanics' in applying the Scriptures to our lives and the lives of those we love. In Colossians 3:16, we read, "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Unless I make a concerted effort to know the Bible, study the Bible, and live the Bible, my hands will be tied if anything more difficult than changing some foot pegs come up in your life. And such things will come up. How equipped will I be? Off the main highway: Paul's letter to the Colossian Church came with a post card; he also wrote a note to Philemon, a wealthy slave owner in that Church. It's a long story, but the bottom line was simple. These two letters, one longer and one shorter, changed from below all the social structures of ancient culture, putting all people on the same level, whether slaves, slave owners, men, women, or foreigners. It broke down all artificial barriers. The message of Christ continues to do so through those who "let the word of Christ richly dwell within them." Milepost 12 on the Highway to the 316 Highway to the 316 Highway MARVELOUS MECHANICS I HAVE KNOWN MARVELOUS MECHANICS I HAVE KNOWN By Steve Merrill