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Great
6/5/18
To start off I want to let everyone know that I was not payed to write the following story. I think you have to say that before you write these.
Long story short I broke down a couple of miles south of the dealership and these guys squeezed me in 15 min before closing time so I could get home which was 2 hours away.
Short story Long, I broke down about 30 miles south of Rockford on my way home from visiting my little sister for her graduation. I called the Harley dealership in Dekalb and they were short staffed and there mechanics left at 5pm. It was 3pm and the tow wouldn't be there for another 2hours. I called Kegel and talked to Eric Johnson and he said that their pretty full at the moment. I explained my situation and what I thought the problem was (bearings went out). Eric said that if i could get there before 6pm (Closing Time) that they will sneak me in. I pulled up at 5:40pm and asked for Eric but he wasn't there. Andrew Alex and Paul Sanderson approached me and asked if I was Cody and that Eric had informed them of my arrival. At that moment my knight in shining armor emerged from the service shop floor, walked up to me, gave me a hardy handshake and told me "Everything is going to be okay". As he spoke these words I sank into his arms and began to sob. Who knew six little words would strip away all of the stresses of my day. As I held Curtis near, smelling of man musk and grease , I realized that he was short on time and the 5 min that I held him was keeping him from doing his job. I ripped myself away and said "Go now, and save my bike". With a confused look and award stares from the other bikers, Curtis strode away and went to work on my bike.
As I watched through the window at Curtis and Kirt Alex performing surgery on my bike, my stress level went up every time they gathered around my bike with puzzled looks. Or when a couple of other guys would come over to look at it. I thought "Oh no, is it worse than I thought? Could I be stuck here for the night? Where would I go? How much is everything going to cost? Will my cats miss me?" Then as I began to pace around a voice as sweet as honey with a cockney accent called to me. It was my new friend Paul Sanderson. He embraced me with his beautiful words and reassured me that they will get it done, even if it takes them to the weeeee hours of the night. I said "I don't want to be a bother and keep everyone from their family" and Andrew Alex leaned over and said "Cody, you are family". My heart nearly jumped out of my chest. The last time I felt this complete was when I dressed my cats and dog up in human clothes and had a stroll in the park. Then out of the blue a wise wizard by the name of Dean H. beckoned me. As I approached I looked into his wise yet youthful eyes and he asked me where I hailed from and I replied with "North Liberty IA" and he said "Safe travels my friend" and in that moment I knew that nothing bad would keep me from getting home to my cats, dog, and wife. He turned, opened the door and disappeared in a cloud of smoke (might have been exhaust fumes) and then he was gone.
After about 40 minutes arduous work, my hero Curtis emerged from the emergency room. With a humbling smile Curtis said "She's all good to go." As he reached for a handshake I quickly slapped his hand away and said "Brothers to shake hands, Brothers hug!" As I pulled Curtis in for another long embrace he figured he had time to explain everything. He said the bearings went bad and messed up the spacer. They didn't have a spacer so one of them went in back and forged a new one. This showed me how dedicated they were to getting me on the road, and off the premises.
As I paid my bill, I asked them how I could ever repay them. I told them that I was going to buy pizza for them and their crew (which I never followed up with). They said that my happiness is payment enough and to spread the word, so all bikers in the area know that they can count on Kegel's Harley Davidson in Rockford IL. As I left they all gathered around and waved me goodbye as I rode off into t
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Cody McLaughlin, North Liberty, IOWA
