In owning a Harley Davidson motorcycle, I find that I am now part of a unique family. Everyone owns a Harley. Everyone identifies her or himself as being part of the HOG family. They are proud of their membership. They take care of their rides. They acknowledge each other when they are out on the street. They reach out and help when someone appears to be in need. I have never heard of a Harley rider taken advantage of someone in the family.
With time, I notice that many take time to dress up their rides. You will often spot an extra big of chrome here and there. Many invest time and money in making their Harley uniquely their own. As I talk to Harley owners, I am left with the impression that their investment doubles or triples the original cost of their ride.
The results are often impressive. For all the money that goes into the works of art, I have never met a Harley owner that talks about this aspect. They are proud of the result. They love talking about what it took to bring it together, how it rides, and what they plan to do in the future. Harley owners taking the time to look at others bikes only have positive observations. Kindness, compassion, and praise are natural ways of treating other members of the family.
I love being a member of this family.
I find the culture of letting go of the monetary measure of everything invigorating. When people believe, money is never a roadblock. This has been true across history. When “all kinds of witches and warlocks came out of the woodwork with their books of spells and incantations and made a huge bonfire of them. Someone estimated their worth at fifty thousand silver coins.” (Acts 19.19) Yet, the bonfire was never about the money, it was about being part of something much greater than they were on their own.
Initially, I thought my CVO Springer had everything possible. As I look now, the tweaks make it more than it was.
