Two years ago I gave my Iraqi Veteran brother a bobber with the help of many of our sponsors. Sucker Punch Sally’s, Custom Chrome, and Lucky Devil stepped in for the biggest contributions, while Bikernet.com organized the whole thing and also came through with more products, help, guidance than I would have ever hoped. It turned into a major splash in Daytona, when my brother returned from overseas to receive his bobber on stage. It was one of the most moving moments of my life.
Just one glitch in the chrome and iron protein shake. My brother doesn't understand the outlaw code of the west. Well, to quote Bandit, “I don’t get rid of bikes, I get rid of bitches.” A devoted family man, he wasn't into riding choppers into each brazen night. I don't get it, but whatever. The brand new bad-ass scooter languished under a tarp behind his house, until I told Bandit about it. That's when the blender was punched on “High.”
“A lot of folks poured their hearts and souls into that machine,” Bandit said. “It needs to feel the pavement.”
I passed this message onto my brother, and he dug it, but couldn't alter his straight citizen course. He offered the chop back to me. I accepted his offer, like a kid being offered his first ride at Disneyland, and moved to my next New York second task of getting the bike transported from Miami, Florida to my hometown of Humble, Texas. I researched the web and decided to call a few of my friends in the industry to ask about shipping advice and recommendations. One name kept getting repeated more than anyone, “Keyboard Shipping.”
I looked them up on the web using the link from our homepage, http://www.keyboardmotorcycleshipping.com/. After reading about their services I gave them a call to get the necessary paperwork and get the ball rolling. That afternoon I had the faxed paperwork required for the shipping. The process was very simple, requiring me to fill out my information as well as the info on the bikes current location. I sent the paperwork back and was told I would be on the schedule the following week.
First of the following week, my brother calls and let me know Keyboard had called him and told him they would be picking the bike up Wednesday between 6:30 and 7:00 pm. Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m., the rig showed up at my brothers pad. Within 20 minutes, the bike was secured and the truck was pulling out of his neighborhood. The only thing he was required to do was hold the brake while the driver secured the forks with straps. The rigging the bike is secured into is top notch. The driver told my brother I could expect the bike in a week.
Friday morning started with a call from Keyboard, informing me I would have the bike by Monday. Ecstatic, I couldn’t wait for Monday to come. I luckily I had a busy weekend and before I knew it Monday was upon me. I paced the floor as I was told I could expect the bike by 10:30 am. Surprisingly, 8:30 the phone was ringing. It was the driver informing me he was 30 minutes away, Time stood still as the anticipation grew.
I sat at the computer in my office looking back at the pictures from the entire build process. I was immediately taken back to the day the first trailer delivered the parts I would use for the roller. I remembered the uncertainty every day of trying to get all the parts to finish the bike on time, all the setbacks, all the help I received. Each obstacle I encountered was made sweeter by the rewards that would follow. The final stretch handled by Kent Weeks, courageously guiding me down the final pathway to finishing my first bike build. He led by example as I watched a professional take a bike from mock-up to completion in a week. I still owe him.
Then I saw it; the tractor trailer making the turn in my cul-de-sac. The bike was finally here. The driver immediately leapt from the cab and became bike deliverer. He opened the gate and I saw the bike, strapped to its carriage wheel lock, stable as could be. Within seconds he had her lowered down to the ground and the only help he needed from me was to hold the bike up as he un-strapped it. Almost as quickly as he appeared, the bike was on the street and he was driving away to his next delivery. I couldn’t have been more impressed with Keyboard’s professionalism, poise, and customer service. I’d have to rate them an A+, and would recommend them to anyone who wants their bike shipped in first class style.
A little TLC and the bike was running and I couldn’t wait to get her on the road. This article was due about two weeks ago, but I have been riding this bike every chance I get. If I’m not riding it, I’m cleaning it and checking everything over. Kent Weeks, aka Lucky Devil, did a helluva job on the final assembly of this bike. Over two years ago he finished the final assembly and I have yet to tighten anything on the bike worth noting. I have ridden at least 250 miles on her now and the only adjustments I have made is to add more gas. While this bike isn’t my V-Rod, it will definitely have a place in my stable as long as I can ride!
