Когда я впервые попал на этот сайт - был восхищен и растерян. Сколько всего полезного прежде всего и красивого, что немаловажно, предлагается для моего любимого и уже немного улучшенного Shadow Spirit. Потребовалось время, и усилия, подстегиваемые жгучим желанием сдедать все, как надо, чтобы во всем разобраться и через моих друзей в Америке заказать все возможное, что производит американский мотопром для моего любимца. Очень здорово здесь придумано с аксессуарами уже купленными и желаемыми. Наблюдая, что приобрели другие, можно составить wishlist и для себя. Я встречал многих неамериканцев, кто покупал здесь. Были ребята и наши. Если кто-то из наших здесь новичок, но добрался до этого блога и уже читает его, не стесняйтесь обращаться ко мне - помогу сориентироваться. Некоторые вещи, как это бывает и у нас, требуют установки со смекалкой. Тоже частично пройдено. Тоже смогу кое чего посоветовать. Особенно владельцам непревзойденного и очень уважаемого в америке мотоцикла Shadow. Если найдутся русскоговорящие мотоэнтузиасты - буду рад знакомству. Пишите.
As I sat and pondered about my latest order placed with CC and ebay. I thought of how lucky I am to have a "better half" that not only tolerates a mistress, but one who understands. You see, my mistress is of the 2 wheeled sort, not the 2-legged that is far more expensive and troublesome. My mistress has the heart of 1600cc's that pounds between my knees. For all the excitement and faithful response that she gives me, I feel that in return I should give her things. Such as chrome, I've heard the ladies like things that shine and sparkle. For the women riders here, this is a non-issue. But for the guys here that may have a wife or girlfriend that just may not understand our need or obsession with getting on the bike and going anywhere. This is more for you. I will admit this, and the ladies here may applaud the honesty, but as guys we can be like overgrown children at times. If we have the latest, newest toy, we have to have all the bells and whistles that go with it. We want it all and we want it now. And yes ladies, alot of us will pout if we have to wait. I will stand at the front of the class, hold my hand high in the air and say, Guilty!
I don't know why we are like we are. Many divorce judges will have varying opinions I'm sure. My better half, Liz, who tries her best to understand my love of bikes is probably more patient at times than I deserve. She knows I can be what she calls a "big baby" but she forgives me. With my job there are not many things I have time to enjoy. The one thing that I enjoy more than anything that is just for me is riding the bike. When I'm on it I'm thinking of nothing but the ride. Now some would think that's nuts. They tell me, "Russ you drive over 600 miles a day at your job and you want to drive more when your home?" They don't get it. The 600 a day is for the bank and bills. The bike ride is for me. It's exactly like they say, "For those who understand, no explanation is neccessary. For those who don't, no explanation is possible."
So with that ride, you want that bike to also be an expression of you. You're not happy with just the look of what the factory put together. You want it to say, this is who I am. Now mind you, I'm no bad-ass tough guy, don't have anything to prove to anyone. Nearing 50 I'm perfectly happy with who I am as a man and happy with my life. I have no interest in any of the "mid-life" crisis issues some of us guys bring on ourselves and family. Not interested in any 20 something hardbody either. If they can't tell me who John, Paul, George, or Ringo was then I really don't have anything in common with them. You kinda see where I'm comin' from here? I'm perfectly happy loving the woman who I know will always be there for me, doing my job, hugging the grandkids and having the time to just get away from it all and ride.
So one thing we need to remember here guys. With all the money that we put into our "mistress" we have to remember to be "big boys" about what our wives and girlfriends want or need. Remember, she may not be into bikes like you but she is patient and tries to be understanding. So remember that when she says to you that she wants something, hold your tongue, just because you're not into what she's doing or wanting doesn't mean it isn't important to her. So let that extra chrome piece or performance part wait a month if it means her passion gets met for a change. It's just a trade-off for all those times when someone pulls up next to you at the light and says, "Nice bike". It feels good that your work and money is acknowledged, but we have to remember that she's wanting that same recognition too. When I look at just the parts I've ordered the last 2-3 months, I know I really have been lucky that Liz has understood what I'm doing and actually likes it. Some people who don't, just see the dollar signs of what you're doing. I know I'm gonna' to have cool it for a month or so, sorry CC, but we/I owe it to the better half to make sure I'm holding up my end to her. But the little boy when he logs on and sees the chrome piece on the wishlist still is going, "Man I want that!".
So I'm asking the ladies here to please forgive us for how we are at times and thank you for the times when you do your best to understand. Thank you for holding your tongue when we act like big babies and to let us apologize later without the I told you so's. To please understand that not every guy who goes out and buys a bike is "looking" for something better. The guys who do this were going to do it whether they were on a bike or driving a mini-van. Most of the men, and I call them men that I know feel this way. We love our wives, are loyal to them like they are to us, want them as happy as they make us. Hope they can have the same passion for bikes as we do, but not be resentful if they don't. To love them even more when they understand our need for what we do.
To the true woman in my life. Thank you Liz for trying your very best to understand. I know you have probably bitten your tongue a time or two in letting me have this one passion that has always been there but had to be put away because of responsibilities over the years. To being the honest and faithful woman you are when I am on the road doing my job and having to be away from you. For being a partner who has shown that she will stand strongest when things seemed to be falling away, when others would fold you showed your inner steel. As we both age we sometimes doubt ourselves. There is never a time you should. Because of who you are and shown yourself to be, you are more beautiful to me with each passing day. The one thing I look forward to is coming home for good. When that day comes I know you'll understand that on that bright spring morning when you just want to sit on the porch and enjoy your coffee that I'll be back where I belong, after a nice long ride with the mistress.
Kyle Bradshaw of Cruiser Customizing talks about the New Cruiser Customizing Motorcycle Community. Cruiser Customizing has always been about Bikers helping Bikers. The new community has taken membership at Cruiser Customizing to whole new level... check it out!
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