4/26/10 Road King

Got the Road King out of the shop today, fully serviced with new rubber. Ducked the 5:00 traffic and took the Trace north. Once all the traffic passed I dropped back to 30-35 mph and tooled along drinking in the verdant MS spring; all shades of lush green in Technicolor. At that speed I could soak up the smell of the open road; clean fresh air tinged with honeysuckle, fresh cut grass and occasionally the fading stench of a skunk. But the best part of traveling at that speed is the sound of the Harley; a deep throaty rumble, like the soughing guttural growl of a prowling tiger. A thumping heartbeat that exudes raw power. I couldn't help but think how the Harley Davidson motorcycle symbolized the American spirit; iconic, bold and brash, unashamedly reveling in its power. Nothing is more American than the Harley Davidson motorcycle. Aficionados are fiercely proud of the Harley's 'made in America' heritage to the extent of calling other motorcycles not by brand name but 'Japanese' or 'German' bikes. That pride Harley lovers share is also one of independence and self reliance. The HD Company has been around over 100 years and lately has been enjoying some good years. But through those many years HD has had its struggles as well, reaching its lowest point in the 1970s when American Machine and Foundry Company, known for making bowling equipment, bought the company. The machines HD produced during the few years AMF owned the company were less than lovingly referred to as the Bowling Ball bikes. And the bikes made in that era deserved the disdain. Poorly made with leaky engines, poor performance, shaky handling and worst of all, ugly as sin. But, like good Americans, Harley lovers bought and rode the Bowling Ball bikes, not in huge numbers but they stuck with the brand praying for deliverance. And deliverance came in 1981 when the company bought itself back and gradually restored its motorcycles to their rightful place of idolation. Big, bold, flashy and proud; 100% American.