Dear Brothers and Sisters:
I offer the two following short stories to, in particular, those colleagues who are experiencing the UCE recall. Both stories are true and, among others, include lessons about patience and positive thinking. I sincerely hope you put them to good use in your less than ideal – but very temporary – UCE recall situations.
Absolutely No Regrets
I know this fellow who first spoke of getting a motorcycle to the small group of family members and close friends who followed him out of the funeral home, as he stepped out for a cigarette, during his mother's viewing. All those around him were very surprised to hear his statement "I'm going to start looking at motorcycles." This was especially the case with his wife and soul mate of 31 years at the time. She and the others in the group asked questions like what are you saying and why at this point in your life? His responses were: "When I was about 10 years old, I drew the first art work worthy of going on the refrigerator's door. It was a motorcyclist leaned over on a curve ahead of a cloud of dust. As all of you know, my father" (who had passed away 9 years earlier) "was a car guy. Although he thought motorcycles were dangerous, it would have not killed him to have seen me on a motorcycle. When I was 15 years old, my mother, on the other hand, said to me: 'It would kill me to see you on a motorcycle.' This is why I am now going to start looking at motorcycles." He was 52 years old when he buried his 85 year old mother.
This fellow can be seen on his motorcycle all over town and even when he visits his parents at the cemetery. You cannot miss him because he wears an open face helmet and he rides with a huge smile on his face. Those that do not know about his two-wheel career and ride with him make comments like you have ridden all your life or you have ridden a ton. Those who do know him and his motorcycle story have asked him do you regret not having started riding earlier in life? His response has always been: "Absolutely no regrets."
The Happy Young Man Who Won the Poker Run
The Greater Atlanta British Motorcycle Association (GABMA) held its 24th British in the Blue Ridge Rally from June the 4th through the 7th. The Poker Run was held on Saturday morning. I helped two other club members at the last station. This was where the riders drew their 5th card and the three of us kept the scores. At approximately 12:30 PM two participants drew the best hands of the day. These were Four Kings and immediately following a Straight Flush. These hands were drawn by a fellow in his late forties and his nephew in his late teens. The Straight Flush hand held until 1:00 PM when we closed the event. Later in the afternoon and without giving away the winner of the Poker Run, I took the time to talk to these two fellow motorcycle enthusiasts. It turned out that the uncle lived in Florida and the nephew in Georgia. The uncle trailers his two impeccable 1969 Bonnevilles and he and his nephew get together every year for the rally. The two of them were quite the enthusiasts; they were very positive individuals, they were really "good people", so to say!
All the awards for all the events were handed out starting at 7 o'clock in the evening by the club's president. The announcement of the Poker Run Award came at about 30 minutes into the ceremony. When David heard his name, he sped through the crowd toward the club president on his two wheels. He flashed an ear-to-ear smile at the audience, as he accepted the plaque. And, the happy young man who won the Poker Run sped back to his place on his wheelchair.
Yes, the uncle has a Velorex sidecar attached to one of his beautiful Triumphs. His nephew cannot – and will never – ride a motorcycle on his own. But David can count on his uncle – once a year – to allow him to enjoy and participate in his favorite sport: riding motorcycles, especially in his uncle's sidecar!
My friends, I close by listing some of the positive elements associated with the UCE recall. For the record, I do not draw a paycheck from either REM or CMW. In the interest of full disclosure, nonetheless, I am a shameless agent for the Bullet in all of its variations. In addition, I do feel bad for those of you who are going through your temporary trials and tribulations.
The "filter" I include below should distill the matters we know into the pure truth or the facts and, obviously, trap the impurities or the emotions of the moment.
The Positive Elements Associated with the UCE Recall
Quality Control
We have proof that REM has actually instituted quality control standards, measures, procedures and records because the factory employees were able to pinpoint the range of the VIN Numbers affected by recall.
Identification/Solution/Plan of Action
REM readily identified the cause of the problem and its solution and developed a plan of action to fly the factory technicians and the parts to repair the affected units.
Transparency
REM and CMW (1) put the recall and its cause out in the public domain in a very prompt manner.
Clarity and Frequency of Communications
Kevin Mahoney (1) has made very clear announcements regarding the recall. He has posted informative updates through the progression of the matter.
Expediency
Mahoney (1) got the Federal Government of the United States of America to move in an atypically expeditious manner.
Other Elements
All of these are there if you reread the public record in the CMW Forum we access and post into.
Note 1: I exclude the other international importers and distributors only because I am not aware of the steps they have taken with regards to this matter.
In the end, I hope this post helps all, most or some of you.
El Fin