Words for the ride
I feel that riding one of these unique machines is truly one of those "Zen"
things. The drive is a big part of any trip for me, the sounds, the
smells, the feel of the road and of the bike under me all wrap up into the
overall experience. A CJ sidecar bike or a solo for that matter, is an
integral part of any movement when you bring one along and wether you get to
where you're going tired or refreshed it's all the same-- you made it.
I have to give thanks to a couple of brothers who early on got my head screwed on about what it's about to ride a motorcycle. Bob and Rick"Spike" Shunk lived near me in Orlando, their kids played with my sons. Both were long time high steel workers, tough as nails and not afraid to make a statement--- they loved their shovel heads. Not that fast, not that smooth and what's your point-- those bikes were theirs. Leakers, scraped up parts and they were everything they wanted. I had owned several bikes before but I really didn't understand what it was all about. It's not about the pounds of chrome on your bike, it's not really even about how fast you go-- it's mostly about the feeling you have, the oneness with the machine, the comfort you have while moving along the ground and the freedom you have while riding. I picked up my first vintage motorcycle after lusting after what they had, a 1975 Triumph Trident (the Trumpet) as they called it. They helped me put that machine together and from there I was hooked. It changed the way I looked at 2 wheels and I'm happy I'm still there.
