Anchor

Silver Surfer

2012-02-12T13:27:00.000-08:00

So Shea got his bike up and going right in time for WOW. I finished up the wiring last week and all that is missing is the crazy tall exhaust that is still at the chrome shop. The bike took on a new look and motor for that matter. Look out world its silver and its gonna get surfed.

WOW 2012

2012-02-12T13:17:00.000-08:00

Top 5 Saturday

2012-02-12T04:21:00.001-08:00

A little view into my reading. So top 5 things you should be or want to be reading. My taste is mostly along the magazine line but I have read some great books.

Number1. On The Road. I have read on the road like 6 times at this point and every time I get something else out of it. I long for a time that you could just leave a place and thumb your way across America.

Number 2. Rodders Journa.l Best car rag out there. If you want details and history about the cars you are lookinh at then this is the one for you. It is more a book then a rag and cost allot. There is no Retro BS going on in it. Just real good cars and the writing is always top notch.

Number 3. Chopper mags. There are quite a few out there now and I love all of them. My favorites are old rags but My collection needs some more in it.The end

Number 4. Ugly Things. Ugly Things is all about 60's punk rock. Every issue is crammed pack of knowledge and facts. I love music so reading about a band from the 60's that only made one 7 inch record then fell off the face of the planet is very fun. The writing is the best and again it is a large periodical type magazine. They do include some new record reviews and I have found some great bands through the Ugly Things.

Number 5. Hop UP. Just buy the first 12 issues book. It has all of the first 12 issues in one book. Timeless hot rod photos and has some great write ups. Like all things old I am fascinated by mechanical genius, so this will blow your mind. Men drove deathtraps at unimaginable speed ust for the fact of going fast. Great product reviews and always a legit girl in the back.

Des Moines or bust

2012-02-12T04:15:00.001-08:00

Not much to say about the drive up. We got to the show about 10 and was driving back home by 2. Scored some trinkets and got the motor. Out of the car and into the frame. Thanks to Shea, Michael , and Noot for making the trip a good time.

Springer Redo

2012-02-07T16:51:00.001-08:00

So here it is. After about 5 hours and a small wad of money I shortened and rebuilt better then new this old springer. Shea had this on his bike for a minute and after I pulled it apart I was scared for him. When he bought it I believe it was about 10 over. We shortened it to about 4 over but left it all together when we did it. That is not the right way to go but as I found out it was allot easier. Just to get it apart took a solid hour. I broke one of the spring bolts trying to get the nut off. One came off with the heat put on it and the second one just snapped right off. the next hour was spent drilling out the broken bit from the fancy nut. I had to save it due to the spring sits in a little cup built into it. Lots of cussing and drill bits. So I pulled the springs and front leg out and I see the spring bolts are bent like a banana. So I cut both out and then punched out the part in the front leg. New home built spring bolts out of stainless and thread for the top spring nuts. Ever tried running a die on a piece of 1/2 stainless. Fine thread no less by hand.Pressed in to old holes and now have them set up to last forever.These springers from the 70's are poorly built even when they were new. So I drilled out the back leg to 5/8 and pressed in a new bronze bushing. Front legs got 1/2 heims. Cut new slugs and then spent a solid hour making sure everything was dead nuts square. Also had to weld in slugs for risers and cut down the stem so everything went together tight. Well worth it and now I have a 2 under super narrow little jam. Enjoy

Noot kills

2012-02-06T16:54:00.001-08:00

Going up to Des Moines for the swap meet and bike show this weekend. I will be picking up my motor at the show. Noot in Iowa built this absolutely perfect 63 sportster for my new project. Weird it is the first motor I have not built. I trust Noot that much and his work speaks for itself. Check back next week and I will have the mock up pics going. Its like the day before you lost your virginity but better. This thing is gonna put out for sure. Woo

Electric Wizard - Scorpio Curse (Live @Bierkeller Bristol 06/03/2011)

2012-02-05T18:50:00.000-08:00

You want Proof

2012-02-04T08:58:00.000-08:00

Here is Tom with his wife Rose and the trike. Randy Smith is stronger then you and this is his Famous 45 Magnum. 45 flathead bottom end and a ironhead top end. I can't even imagine how many hours it took to think and execute this motor. I do know I love it.

Damnit

2012-02-04T07:41:00.000-08:00

So after my post below I forgot to include all kinds of others. Damn. So I was going to talk about Randy Smith who was behind CCE. Killer parts and a engine genius. Also I was going to talk about Tom McMullen, he changed the entire chopper world with AEE. Street Chopper magazine was basically a magazine to show off his products. In the 70's he was insanely rich and had his hands in allot of things. You could look through a magazine and see all there products on the bikes in the magazine. Brilliant marketing. Sure allot of it was goofy crap but he started something that was bigger than himself. Sorry just had to add these.

Pics to prove it

2012-02-04T06:20:00.001-08:00

Top 5 Saturday

2012-02-04T05:42:00.000-08:00

I have had a cold for days now and feel like crap. So I was laying around thinking of the best bike builders of all time. Someone that has changed the face of motorcycling time and time again. There has been tons so I will name a few. So no real top five but more a list of 5 awesome builders.

Number 1. Someone out there was the first person to strip a bike down to its core. They called them bobbers but I think it was genius. No one person can be found but there was a movement of like minded fellows that decided that a fast sleek bike was what they wanted. Hence the chopper craze was born. So to the men from the 40's thank you.

Number 2. The EL Foresteros. If you don't know about this club then you need to pull your heads out of the dirt and check it out. Midwest originals at its best and with a amazing history behind them. David Mann was a member and from KC as well as all the Iowa members all rode the best choppers out there. There style is what you see in almost all of the current retro built bikes out there. Including my taste in bikes. For us all we have is this idea of what a chopper should look like, these guys are the reason we do it. The COC blog always has pics up of Tom Fugle and the club guys so check it out and get schooled. We are talking early 60's here and the bikes speak for themselves.

Number 3. Arlen Ness. I was going to rant about Arlen for hours but I all I have to say is DIGGERS. I don't care how or when the real first digger was built but I know I love them. Arlen built the sickest diggers out there. Supercharged sportsters sitting 2 inches off the ground and about 9 feet long is just koo koo. Engraving, paint, flow all where top notch. Many tried but Ness in the heyday was king.

Number 4. Ed"Big Daddy"Roth. Everyone in the now knows he is responsible for the first real Chopper magazine. What most people don't know is Ed was a true biker at heart. He danced a fine line between art and insanity most times. It was the late 60's when the first Choppers Magazine came out and needless to say they are rare as shit and I have only seen one in real life. I almost went insane and spent hundreds on it. There is a great story about a certain club wanting money from Ed for showing there bikes in his magazine. He dealt with it by setting up on the roof of his studio with guns and a pile of ammo and was going to squash it. He was a black belt in martial arts and a large man so if you wanted to get destroyed he could do it. Robert Williams worked at Roth studios back in those days and he recalls so insane stories himself. In his own right Williams is a true counter culture icon and a really nice fellow to speak with. Anyways Ed built some amazing motorcycles in his day and you can look them on line and just drool for hours.

Number 5. Shinya Kimura. I wanted to include one new school old school builder. I really don't need to go into how insane his bikes are. Just look him up. His bikes are handcrafted works of art that serve a purpose. They get ridden and he knows how to build a bike for riding. The Zero bikes where his company when he was still in Japan. He know runs his Chabbot Engineering co. in SO Cal. Famous people own his bikes and if I could afford one I would have one. They aren't choppers, or cafe racers, or drag bikes but some how he can turn all of these into his own. His Triumph he calls The Needle is simply amazing as well as his Knuckle he brought to Bonneville. Take a minute and look him up.

Mags or No Mags

2012-01-29T17:08:00.000-08:00

Trying to decide which way to go with this build. I am digging the Mags right now, tomorrow who knows. I also am gonna try a springer front end and see how that looks.

Top 5 Saturday

2012-01-28T05:53:00.000-08:00

I had a thought this week about music. Everything I do revolves around music. I get into my shop and the first thing I do is turn on music and get ready to work. So this week is gonna be my Top 5 records to work to.

Number 1. Johnny Cash- This should be a giving seeing that he is the baddest MFer to ever live. I finally got all the American recording records and the box set so I can go for hours with JC telling me how it is, was , and should be. The man lived a amazing life and I am so glad he did these last records. I love his early records but I truly feel he did his best work on the American records. The songs are humble and straight forward. In the times we live in it is hard to believe that Johnny only needed a guitar to change the world.

Number 2. Electric Wizard- There Black Mass record has been on heavy rotation as of late. Super Fuzzed out heavy as a ton of bricks Rock and Roll. Having a super cute lady rocking the guitar is a plus. The riffs are great the songs are long and the record is a blistering fester from beginning to end. Mind blowing.

Number 3. Black flag- It is funny that after 20+ years I am still in love with Black Flag. Why you may ask? Well there first 4 years record is about as awesome as it gets. Greg Ginn's guitar assault on all the songs are mind blowing. This record has all the first OG singers. That doesn't matter the songs are short and the singing all rules. Buy it now.

Number 4. Bloodshot Bill- The wildest Canadian Rockabilly Trash that ever lived. Bill has his feet into all kinds of stuff, but his one man band bloodshot Bill as amazing. The songs are raw and the singing is somewhere between growling, howling , and teenage lovemaking. The Rockabilly Trash record is my Fave and is hard to find but if you really want it you can find it.

Number 5. Back from the Grave Comps- These are put together from Crypt Records. All the volumes have tons of obscure 60's garage bands. Even if the songs aren't good they are better than any new music. I have burnt a ton from vinyl to the old Ipod. So hours and hours of fuzz and reverb can be heard with no breaks. I love the idea a teenage kids in there parents basements trying to write there own music. Some of it is really good but my favorites are the really loud crappy punk songs. Such a great time for music, it is a little before the hippie stuff and a little after the pop explosion. Anyways there are a ton of comps out there so take some time and look them up.

Runner ups Black Sabbath, Minor Threat, Beach Boys, The Mono Men, Hank SR, The Black Angels, Converge, Crocodiles, Weekend, Adolescents, The Ventures, Howlin Wolf, Charlie Feathers.

Juans Ride

2012-01-25T15:17:00.001-08:00

Anyone recognize the front end? Juan did the right thing a pieced together a killer bike. Sure it took a few years but he got exactly what he wanted. Killer Diller

Past Rides

2012-01-21T12:48:00.000-08:00

Moldy oldies. I have had allot of cars but these are my favorite. The Falson was my first real car build. Learned allot about wrenching and what looks good. Sold it after 5 years or so and bought the 56 Buick Special. 322 Nailhead was the coolest motor ever. In 2000 I got the 52 Chevy pickup. Slow as death but still fun. The 67 Rivi was the best driving car I have ever owned. Drove like a cadi sitting only 4 inches off the ground. First flame job I ever tried to do. I like seaweed flames and these took along time to lay out. Panels on top and flames running the length of the body. I was trying to get the 56 B3uick grill to work in the Rivi at this point. I had put a 53 Buick grill in the 56 right before I sold it. The bike is the OG 75' 500t Honda. First hard tail and I welded those pipes up the morning of the show. I believe this is the first Primer National show in 2004. They were Triumph scrambler pipes that I reworked to weld to the Honda header pipe. I eventually cut the hard tail off and remade it with a little bit of stretch. I had just put the CZ tank on it also which it still has. Good times and sorry for the pics of pics but I don't like scanning stuff. I bought the 64 Falcon 20 years ago this year. Man I am old.

Top 5 Saturaday

2012-01-21T04:34:00.000-08:00

How about we talk about shop stuff today. It has taking me a long time to amass my shop set up. i always made do with what I had but lately I have been hell bent on getting the right tools. Nothing pisses me off more then not have the right tool for the job. So with that here is the top five for Saturday

Drill press 1. What can I say about this tool. Drilling holes in metal is about the most important thing in the world. I went for years drilling everything with a hand drill. Of course with a drill press means you need a good set of drill bits, hole saws,center punches, clamps etc etc. For the price they are the best tool in any ones shop.

Sheet Metal break 2. Once I got into doing tanks and really working on my car this is a must. I do not have a sheer but a jigsaw does a pretty good job and then the break lets you make the shape you need. Battery boxes, seat pans, patch panels all can be done with ease.

Misc grinding 3. What I meant by this is don't just buy one little grinding disc. Buy a bunch of different ones. Different sizes, texture, and material. Doing metal prep is something you have to do when welding. I use allot of grinding wheels for various things. I usually buy all these expendable type things at Harbor Freight. They are cheap and when they get used up just throw them out and grab a new one. Sears sells flap disc for 7.99 a piece and HB has a 4 pack for 9.99. Cut off wheels are even cheaper and I use them allot.

Scissor jack 4. These little scissor jack is the best little jack in the world. You can pick one up for about 50 bucks. They have a flat plate on the bottom and top. Fairly stable and will raise a bike up 16 inches. I use mine on the bike lift allot. Keeps things from moving around and on the ground they are great for pulling a wheel off.

Bike lift 5. I still can not believe I worked on the ground for years before I got a lift. I did build a table that helped allot but a real hydraulic lift is the way to go. Mine doubles as a welding table, frame jig, paint booth, , engine stand, etc etc. Being able to get to everything at eye level is the best. I would sell a kidney if need be for a new lift if mine takes a shit. No joke.

Seriously Nice Out!

2012-01-15T12:34:00.000-08:00

If you live in Cali you won't care a bit but it is so nice out today. Middle of Jan. and It is almost 60 out. pulled out the Ironhead and went for a putt putt. Still not used to the new brakes. They work so damn good that I end up sliding up to most stops. Before I would have to heel the damn thing and now I just rest my foot down and I am power sliding. Anyways if you live in the midwest I hope you got out today. Such a good way to get my head all cleared out. Later

Top 5 Saturday

2012-01-14T05:30:00.000-08:00

Today we will talk about Motorcycles. I will list my favorite motorbikes ever. I have almost owned every type and make of bike out there. Excluding a new Harley, I have never had the salt to pay that much for a cycle. I got my first real dirt bike at 10 I think and I have owned a bike ever since. There was some dry spells but for the most part it has always been cars and bikes.

Number 1. 1982 YZ 80. My first real dirt bike. For the times it was the fastest thing I had ever owned. The sound of a well running little zinger is the best. I can't wait to take my boy out and let him rip. I got it for christmas in 83 and I rode the piss out of that bike till I got my KX 80 a year later.

Number 2. 67 BSA 441 Victor. Still hate that I sold this bike. This bike is the one that made me learn how to work on old bikes. These bikes are known for being hard to start and mine was the worst. I have never owned another one since and my knee still hurts I think. Very fun though when it was running. Light and nimble and the big thumper motor was a torque monster, but slow as shit.

Number 3. 1975 Honda 500t. My first jap street bike. When I picked it up it was already treated to a ghetto cafe racer look. Clubmans and the seat was trimmed down. It was fun but this is the bike that was my first chopper. I got my first welder and tried to hardtail it in my back yard. I hated the first one so I cut it off and made my own. I rode this bike for a few years and was the first bike I got a award with at the first David Mann chopperfest 2004. I was very proud of this bike but it was a pile in reality and after I blew the motor up it sat for a year or so until I put the rd350 motor in the frame. In that set up I took it to the Horse West show and took a top ten trophy. It was a good little chopper.

Number 4. 1970 R5 350. By far the most fun bike I have owned to ride. Scored this bike on Ebay for cheap. It was a local bike so I picked it up and when I got there it would not start. I low balled the guy down some more and brought it home. Rotted out ground strap was the reason. 5 minutes later I was off ripping up town. Fun little bike and I really do love the sound of two stroke bikes. They aren't tuff sounding but the ring a ding sound is intoxicating. The smoke cloud that explodes as you whack the throttle open is like have the Batman smoke screen.

Number 5. Moto Guzzi 750 Eldorado. Not much to speak of except this is how me and Tony met. He had this bike for sale and I had some money. These are the weirdest bikes to ride ever. The transverse v twin motor makes for a very odd bike.
When you whack the throttle open the whole bike would dive to the right. So I ended up trading this bike to Brian for my 67 Triumph 650. I loved the Triumph and for the first time I really fell in love with a motorcycle. The Triumph was a pain in the ass for a long time but I learned allot from it.

Number 6. 68/79 Harley Sportster. Started this bike from a ebay motor. I have built this bike now 4 different times and I love the bike as a whole. If you take the time a work out all the bugs they are great bikes. I had never owned a big displacement bike until now. 1000cc motors are great. Plenty of torque and with the gearing played with the bike will flat out go. Ridden this bike all over and in the next year I am gonna kill some miles.

This is not all the bikes I have had. There was a time where I had a 750honda, 2008 Triumph, pile of Triumphs, 73 Rd 350, 73 Rd250, It 250, etc etc. I love motorcycles and that is that.

Noot Knocking it Out.

2012-01-11T14:53:00.000-08:00

Thru twist of fate the motor Noot got from me is now coming back into my life. Only it is coming back in awesome Noot fashion. First time I am paying for a rebuild but in the grand scheme it is all the same. So believe me Noot and his pops do crazy good work and I believe I am gonna have a little hot rod Sporty to go by summer. I mean another one. Look at these heads I would be scared to look at them to long they are so pretty. Feb 11th I will be bringing it home.

OMG OMG OMG

2012-01-08T12:41:00.000-08:00

I want to ride this so bad. Triple 2 stroke chopper is looking amazing. If I ever come up on one of these it will be go time. I have already stared at this pic for a half hour. Still blowing my mind. The proportions are perfect and those expansion chambers even look right in down in the belly. Weed Wacker Express will be its name.

Almost a Wizrad

2012-01-08T12:21:00.000-08:00

Top 5 Saturday

2012-01-07T06:37:00.000-08:00

Saturday the 7th of Jan. Top 5 this week is gonna be a doozy. Top 5 reasons not to give a shit what others are doing.

Number1. Blog influence- I of course use my blog to show what I am up to and show off some customer bikes. Others use theirs to show nothing and do nothing. I have found myself just staying off of the computer all together. It is a dream world out there. I live in Kansas City MO and we are about the most dead center a place as you can get. There is no scene here and without the 4-6 guys that have bikes I would still be riding alone and actually I still ride alone about 90 percent of the time.When I moved here I knew no one that had a chopper. I brought my So cal style to the Midwest and have since met so good fellows that are like minded. Granted there are only a few that are ate up over choppers like I am.

Number 2. Timeless- Choppers are forever, Hot Rods are forever. A proper chopper will forever and always be at the forefront of cool. One hundred years from now a chopper is gonna still be what it looks like now. Forget about all the bullshit fads and whatever. Build yourself a timeless period correct or not chopper. It all has been done before so don't even think for a minute you have a original idea. You can except this and then build a bike with this in mind. All it is is a motor, two wheels, and some tins. Other then that it is amazing at what kind of abominations people build.

Number 3. Love Thy Bike- It was in the bible I think. Maybe just my bible. Nothing gets my goat more then seeing a bike neglected. If you don't give your ol girl what she needs then she is gonna burn you. Take pride in your bike, while you are on it blasting down the highway you want to know nothing is gonna fall off. I take great pride in my bike. I know there are better bikes or faster bikes but I know I have done my homework and if it breaks I am the only one to blame. Screw what everyone else thinks a tidy bike is a happy bike.

Number 4. Scene report- Nothing to report here. I had a funny short conversation with Chopper Dave at the Dice party. He was saying how rad the Midwest was because we don't have all the scenester fucks screwing it up. I agreed and said about the same. We are just lucky to meet anyone else that has a bike. I mean if you have a bagger there are millions of people but a chopper you are screwed. I never thought of it as a blessing but in hind sight he is right. I grew up in Cali and let me just say when you go to a show and everyone there is flexing and trying there hardest to be the biggest, loudest, most chopper guy in the land. It gets old real fast. These are the guys that ruin everything. Same for car guys, they are a bunch of pre-madonna sissy boys. They are more worried about there hair/clothes then having a legit ride. That is why I love my club the Punk Rods. Just a bunch of solid grease monkeys that don't get all nancy about anything.

Number 5. Why are you here- Good question I suppose. I ask myself this all the time. I don't care what is going on in the bike world. It is just smoke and mirrors. I will be here doing what I do until I can't pick up a hammer. So ask yourself this every once in a while. Why do you need a chopper? For me it is like a artist painting or how a bird has to fly. I crave the outlet. I'll spend hundreds of hours building my bikes then you get to go ride them. It is the best therapy out there. Satisfaction at its best. I lay in bed and think of brackets, sit and draw exhaust,think of retarded paint jobs, etc etc. If you just want to ride then by a new bike. If you want a relationship that pays 10 fold go vintage.

Selling some parts

2012-01-02T18:39:00.001-08:00

Trying to off some stuff on Egay. Need some dollars to put towards my motor. Mullins Chain Drive 41mm narrow set up. Old chopper tanks, and a Corbin Gentry king queen seat. Tons of other shit also. If you are bored during the next week feel free to check it out.

Top 5 Saturaday

2011-12-31T08:54:00.001-08:00

Top 5 reasons you should buy a sportster.

Number1. Price- You can get on any Craigslist forum and find a Sportster for under 3,000. A running bike for under 3,000 is insane. You can buy a 500 dollar jap bike and then spend easily 3 grand building a chopper then when its done it is worth 2 grand. All Harley's hold there value.

Number 2. More Bang- For the money you spend you get a fire breathing ass kicking monster. The big twin guys have to spend all kinds of money just so a stock sportster won't kick there ass.

Number 3.- Building platform. Sportster motors look good in any form. Chopper, Digger, Cafe Racer, and bone stock they look good. I would guess the unit construction helps that it is all one big lump.

Number 4. Race Pedigree- Once you take a minute and look up the racing history of the sportster you will want one. From the early 60's almost all kinds of racing records where held by sportsters. Drag racing was a specialty as well as Bonneville. 68 and 69 Daytona races where won by Sportsters and if you where looking for something fast you bought a sportster. The XLR flattrack bike is the most beautiful race bike of all time. It wasn't until the 70's that Japanese/British companies built big bikes to compete with the sportster.

Number 5. Hands on- If you own a old Ironhead you are gonna have to learn to work on it. So people love them or hate them which goes along with how much they like working on there bikes. Me I love tinkering on my bike. Once a month I check over my bike and check all components. During good weather I ride my bike everyday so the routine of checking over everything is key. I check all fluids, pushrods, points, and look for missing bolts/nuts. Loctite is key. When I put my bike together I used grade 8 stainless allen head and nylock nuts on everything. One little dab of blue loctite and have not had a single thing fall off. My top motor mount likes to loosing up so I hit it with a 9/16 wrench when ever I think about it.

Funny Story Not Really

2011-12-29T15:50:00.000-08:00

So it is Dec 29th and in KC today it was 60 degrees outside. Insane so I high tailed to the shop and got the new bars on my bike. Installed the new kickstand and then pushed it outside. I was seriously so happy to get the bike out. Bikes been sitting for a month or so but after a few kicks she fired right up. I am staring at my bars as I bounce through the parking lot at the shop. I pull out and give it a few good whacks of the throttle. It is a Harley and all Harley dudes make this kind of noise. There is no point of doing this but they all do it. I crank it up down the main drag. First, Second, Third, Blah. I was out of goddamn gas. I was so fucking pist I pushed my bike almost a mile and set it in the shop and drove home. Motorcycles are a pain in the ass and will always break your heart. I still love them.

Looks Good in Primer

2011-12-29T15:45:00.000-08:00

Decided to Get all the parts in one color. It is hard to see all the pieces when they are all different colors. Did the first round of filler on the tank and about 100 more hours and I think I might be ready to paint. I am gonna hustle some parts and get the 63 motor for this bike ASAP. No sissy bar but I am thinking some crazy tall exhaust. I love the tank so far and the fender flows good.

Chrome Gets You Home.

2011-12-29T15:40:00.000-08:00

Got our chrome parts back. Holy shit they look good. Not cheap but man when you see this sissy bar your gonna have to pick your jaw up off the ground. I got my bars on and the kickstand. Don't even want to lay the bike on the stand now. I mocked up Shea's pipes so they flow with the sissy bar. Looks proper.

Sheet Metal Crazy

2011-12-26T11:10:00.000-08:00

Took apart the Ironhead and started on the tins. I set a stock fender next to my skinny one. Huge difference when you take the skirt off and just one inch out of the middle. On the tank I Ran a piece of 1/4 round stock around in a panel shape so I can mold it all in. I am thinking the whole bike will be silver with some purple fogging around all the molded bits. We shall see in the future where I go with this.

Top 5 Saturaday

2011-12-23T19:58:00.000-08:00

I decided I will list the 5 most important tools in my shop. These are the tools I use on a daily basis.

Number 1. Sawzall- The ultimate tool for chopping a bike up. I bought my Milwaukee Sawzall over 15 years ago and has probably chopped over 50 bikes apart. Spend the money on the quick release one you won't be disappointed.

Number 2. Welder- I am not going into the kind of welder you need but you do need one. It was like the light of god showing down on me the first time I stuck some scraps together and they did not fall apart.

Number 3. Tool Box- Again with out a proper tool box to keep your tools in, you are in hell. Try finding a socket on the floor after you've kicked it. Where did I leave that wrench? Fuck I need a .016 feeler gauge. Get it. I scored a super sweet old John Deere Factory tool box at a auction house. Best 100 dollars I have ever spent ever. Check pic for box. Tons of drawers and is heavy duty.

Number 4. Grinder/Cut off- With your standard 4.5 angle grinder you can change a plain piece of steel into art. Cut off wheels fit on and now you are cutting sheet metal like a surgeon. You have your flap disc ready for cleaning up the cut stuff and now you look like a pro. I own two , one with a cut off wheel on it all the time and the other with a 80 grit flap disc.

Number 5. Air Compressor- With out air you will die. Yes if you don't have a air compressor you can't even imagine all the uses. I have bought a ton of cheap air tools and now you have a way to paint, fill tires, blow off grips, clean off parts, etc etc. There is always a magic moment when I hook up my 1/2 impact and tear some god damn shit up with 160lbs of pressure. Clutch hubs are no match.Rusty bolt, fuck it just hit it with the impact and break it off. Welding a spot that needs to be cooled off fast, hit it with air. A must in any garage.

I will not even start on the fact that you need hand tools. If you want to start your sweet tool collection just start hitting up swap meets and buy hand fulls of good used tools for a fraction. When I first started I would write down the tools I was needing then start the hunt. Some stuff like screw drivers are best bought new. But I have bought entire sets of snap-on sockets for 5 bucks just because they looked kinda crusty. Pliers, vise grips, wrenches, hammers all can be bought and cleaned up then put into service. You will feel more manly and will be happy to work on your cycle knowing you have the tools to do it with. Later

Having Fun

2011-12-20T16:27:00.001-08:00

Well this is what I do when I am bored. All the bikes I have built lately have a huge sissy bars so this one is getting none. Small struts, narrowed up the fender one inch and cut the bottom flange off. Now fender fits the Goodyear perfect and is nice and tight. Tried every tank and every set of bars in the shop, but this looks pretty good. This is not the motor I am gonna use so I need to wait to go any further. Had the cover for the seat laying around so I took a shitty swap meet seat and recovered it. Looks good and with the 3 inch springs I should be bobbing down the road in ease. These pipes are not the ones I am leaving on but for about ten minutes of fun I like them. I love the inbetween the strut and bell hanging out. We shall see what sticks. Later

Some Ideas

2011-12-17T13:38:00.000-08:00

Here are the bars I whipped up as well as a before and after. Enjoy

Proper Hardtail 12345

2011-12-17T13:30:00.000-08:00

Always hated this bolt on hardtail. So I did something about it. Did the research and measuring then came out the Sawzall. Actually went real smooth and now I have a killer frame to start the 63 project. The whole bike is gonna be simple and clean.

minor threat-straight edge

2011-12-17T06:23:00.000-08:00

The Wipers - Over The Edge (live - 1983)

2011-12-17T06:21:00.000-08:00

Ramones - The KKK Took My Baby Away

2011-12-17T06:18:00.000-08:00

Black Flag - Revenge

2011-12-17T06:17:00.000-08:00

bouncing souls-the gold song

2011-12-17T06:16:00.000-08:00

Top 5 Saturday Punk Bands

2011-12-17T05:42:00.000-08:00

I have been into music my whole life. In 1986 I found punk rock and ever since that it is what I am and what I believe in. Punk is such a amazing thing and mixed with skateboarding meant everything thing to me. So now 25+ years later I still listen to the same bands and these are the ones I am gonna list. Being a punk is the only title I have every been proud of. When people call me a biker I always correct them and say "No I am a punk that just loves motorcycles" and I am good with that. I still loathe popular music and have been into underground music since 1986. I love Punk/HC, old country, 60's Garage /surf, Power pop, whatever you get the picture and now here is my list.

Number 1. MINOR THREAT First time I heard them I fucking freaked out and went and stole both cassetttes from my local store. Crazy good still and is the beginning of my Straight Edge beliefs.

Number 2. The Wipers Putting Oregon onto the punk map. So good they changed how I thought of guitar and the songwriting is bar none top level. Good songs good guitar riffs and songs with depth and passion.

Number 3. The Ramones This is a no brainer. I grew up listening to old Rock and Roll and the Beach Boys. The first time I heard the Ramones it was there version of Do You Wanna Dance by the Beach Boys. I thought it was loud and awesome. Super good pop but raunchy and tight. Still listen to them weekly and it keeps getting better.

Number 4. Black Flag This is the ultimate in riffage. As a young guitar player I would sit and try and learn the Damage record. Still to this day it blows me away. Greg Ginn is on another planet with his vision and abilities. If you don't own the First 4 years Record you are totally lame.

Number 5. The Bouncing Souls NJ at its best I guess. East costs longest running punks are still at it. In 1991 I was at there first show in Cali. At the time I was knee deep in all the shitty Straight Edge bands and to see them crawl out of there van all crusty and Mohawks up. I was stoked. They have a insane amount of records under there belts but there first 5 records are always getting played on the ol turn table.

Singing this all day OI OI

2011-12-12T17:39:00.000-08:00

You want Proof

2011-12-11T10:03:00.000-08:00

So here is some visual. I know this is not the actual David Mann bike but this is the look I am talking about. Classic

Top 5 Saturday

2011-12-10T21:07:00.000-08:00

Since it is just me holding down the Anchor I thought it would be fun to start a top 5 post once a week. Since I have great taste in all things cool(ego trip) I will start this off with Motorcycles I love.
Number 1. Tom Fugles Blue Panhead
Number 2. The Turnip Eater Sportster drag bike
Number 3. David Mann's Red Chopper from the El Forestero days
Number 4. Chopper Daves Superfreak
Number 5. Everything Mark Drew puts together.
Pretty solid list of good bikes. The list is just for initial bikes I would kill to own.
Runner ups would be Shinyas Knuckle, T-bones swingarm Shovel, Bratstyle anything, or just my Ironhead

Busy Time of Year

2011-12-08T17:16:00.000-08:00

It is that time again, when the weather sends us to our holes in search of warmth and food. I hate winter and all things that go with it. I was born and raised in SO Cal and will never understand why I moved to Midwest iceland. As for the shop I have been getting some calls and really I have just been turning people away. XS 650 hell is what I am in. I don't understand why no one in KC wants a good super legit Harley built. I would be happy all day building Sportsters forever. I look at other blogs and see guys building insane bikes and have to wonder where they are getting there scratch from. Maybe they all have sweet grandma's that lend them 10 grand to buy a panhead. As for me I have the Ironhead and that is all I need for now. Had a e-mail about my bike, they wanted to know where I bought my sissy bar, oil tank, exhaust, seat, etc etc. I laughed a minute and just said I built all of it and even the Paugcho frame was now modified to my liking. He asked how much it was to build all of that. I said for me it was just the time and metal. For him it would be about 6,000 dollars. He did not write back. Again I laughed. What the fuck is wrong with people. Anyways I am glad I will have some serious time in the shop this weekend, Need to get the new oil lines ran and polish the side covers. Waiting on chrome sucks but is so worth it once you put get it back. I built some super tight pullbacks that noone has seen and they should be killer for eating up miles come spring. For now I will wear many layers and get the sleds out.

My Rebuttle is OFF! Great new band with old guys.

2011-12-01T07:33:00.000-08:00

Wanda I Gotta Know, The Reason Why I hate New Music.

2011-12-01T07:05:00.000-08:00

Check this out.

2011-11-29T18:22:00.000-08:00

Tony has picked up the Past in Time name again and will be slaving away in his hole for all that need it. If you need your Jap bike worked on he is the man to get a hold of. He does killer paint and is damn good at putting a bike together. He is a true bike lover and that should say it all. Check out his blog at www.pastintimecycle.blogspot.com

Smut My Wife Brings Me.

2011-11-29T18:10:00.000-08:00

This goes with the theme of my life. I love old Motorsickles, Old Cars/trucks, Old music, old music equipment, and old porn. So there.

Good stuff

2011-11-29T15:47:00.001-08:00

Thanks for the extra cylinder it will come in handy. Yep I would only use this if it were the last fucking 1000cc cylinder on earth and even then I don't know. The good stuff were a brand new set of pistons, New valves and springs and Andrew q grind cams new in the box. Other then that this motor is just getting shelved I think. I can buy a running bike for the money it would cost to build this pile. Noot is off the hook on this one.

Holy Cluster Fuck

2011-11-29T15:42:00.000-08:00

3 easy steps to find out I'm screwed. Finally got to looking through the boxes and pulled the tranny out and BANG. Looks like this damn thing was 20,000 leagues under the sea. With the bad there was some good.

Funny and True If You Can't Get The Timing Right

2011-11-27T14:51:00.000-08:00

Done with Leftovers

2011-11-26T16:14:00.000-08:00

Forgot to take a pic of the done bike yesterday. Not bad really Started it last Friday and rode it yesterday. Fairly fast for a little bike. It has 6 gears and I used a way smaller back sprocket so I took off and it was like shift, shift , shift ,shift, shift ,shift. See it even looks like allot of shifting. Got it up into 6th and was seriously scaring me how fast I was going. Fun today I buttoned up the wiring and tweaked on the carb but it was raining all morning so no more test rides. Shea and I got the chrome stuff together and I am gearing up for the 81 motor build. Should be cool but I am missing a ton of little parts for the motor. All that means is more money. Been nice to just thrash on a bike and get it done. I take so much time building my bikes that I kinda forget that a simple no dollar bike is just as fun to build. As a whole I personally just can't get behind Jap bikes anymore. I have been there, done that kinda thing and at this point in my life I want a god damned BI G TWIN in a bad way. When I get like this I usually drive myself crazy but I always get what I want in the end. I have started my seed money and we will see what transpires. Thanks and have a great night.

Watch this then look up the rest. Watched this about 1000 times

2011-11-21T18:22:00.000-08:00

Early Black Flag Kills

2011-11-21T18:15:00.000-08:00

All time greatest.

2011-11-21T18:09:00.000-08:00

Left overs is Sold Already

2011-11-21T17:49:00.001-08:00

Looks like Ben is gonna get the Leftovers. Should have it done in the next week or so. Been kinda fun just thrashing a bike together. All my money is going into a Shovel head pot. 1 dollar at a time until I can get a good running bike to start with. There are all kinds of bikes for sale right now and all I have is lint filling up my pockets. Suppose to have a ton of customers drop there bikes off and you know how many have come. Zero, zilch, none and you know I don't miss them at all. Sending off a big pile for chrome plate this week and then on to the 81 motor. Should be fun and really expensive!

Leftovers hits the streets

2011-11-19T12:03:00.000-08:00

Bike has already been Named" Leftovers". Pretty much had all this stuff laying around. Got a free 1983 Suzuki Gs450 and that is the motor going in. So here is the list so far.750 Honda front end, Ironhead Frame, 500t Honda rear wheel, tins from Sheas bike as well as the sissy bar. Old highway pegs kinda in the forward position. It will be kick shift set up and I moved the brakes to the front. Seat I bought at Born Free and until now it never looked good on anything. 2 into 1 Mac pipe with a kick up sets off the exhaust not to mention the one fishtail I have been putting on every bike for years. 12" apes look killer and really put the bike into biker territory. I am gonna make a 2 into 1 intake with a Mikuni kick out the side a little. All that is left is the coil mounts and a battery box/electronics to be figured out. Not bad for one day of work. This will be for sale as soon as it is done look out for progress pics.

Already Been Two Years.......

2011-11-16T15:45:00.000-08:00

New Mexico trip in 2010. On the way home we killed 700 miles in a single day on rigid manly type bikes. True Story

Watch Listen Learn

2011-11-15T18:57:00.000-08:00

So Good

2011-11-14T19:34:00.000-08:00

Kick Start Till My Heart Stops

2011-11-13T20:05:00.000-08:00

Anamosa Revisited

2011-11-13T18:00:00.000-08:00

I remember about 7 years ago wanting a Sportster but never really having a way to get into one. I have had almost every type and brand of motorcycle out there but until I got my Ironhead I had never truly loved any of them. Sure they are a pain in the ass but all old motorbikes are. Once you get into your bike and want to know how shit works that is the point you truly own a motorcycle. If you just want to ride then buy a new bike, push a button and away you can go. When you invest 100's of hours building a bike that is the true meaning of love. Anyway I had some good riding this weekend and I hope some of you folks out there did also. Sportsters are amazing if you take the time and work out all the tweaker repairs and bad tuning some other ass did. Buy the manual, read every god damn word like it is the bible and at some point it starts sinking in. Best advice I can give.

Family Cruising

2011-11-13T17:55:00.000-08:00

This little Falcon would be perfect for hauling the family around in. With all the new fangled car seats, booster seats I can only fit one kid in the truck.

Chevy Love

2011-11-13T17:49:00.000-08:00

I have to say that this Chevy is at the pinnacle of cool. Haven't seen it in a few years but looking around the harddrive and there it was. Every little detail is perfect. Perfect chop, stance, color, etc etc etc. This very well may be the next style car I build. We shall see.

When Punk Was Something To be Proud of!

2011-11-13T13:38:00.000-08:00

Fuck Soft Cell get schooled

2011-11-13T13:33:00.000-08:00

Frog Rock

2011-11-13T13:32:00.000-08:00

It Is Only 6 Months Away

2011-11-10T20:18:00.000-08:00

The Gaslight Anthem "Bring It On"

2011-11-06T05:05:00.000-08:00

Truth Is Always Stranger Than Fiction

2011-11-06T04:39:00.000-08:00

Ironhead 4.0

2011-11-02T16:48:00.000-07:00

Finished up the old girl today. I would like to think every time I redo this bike I am improving but this time I know for damn sure I have. Buell master cylinder and my insane ISR dual caliper set up. 2 two piston calipers is a far cry better than my old GMA set up. Needed a bigger master cylinder to push enough fluid. It was a MFer to bleed all four pistons but I think I got the last little booger of air out and should be able to slide this thing all over the place. Repainted the tins after a gnarly fish eye problem and molded in the neck. I will be riding on Saturday. Later

Two For Real

2011-11-01T03:39:00.000-07:00

Seeing that you can go back to when this little man was born on here, I can't believe he is two already. Happy Birthday Ian. Styling and profiling.

Sold 1 Got 1/2 of 1

2011-10-24T20:48:00.000-07:00

Met Jimbo through a mutual friend. Awesome guy and has chopper shit everywhere. In his house, in the yard, in the garage, and this pile I got off the front porch. 81 Sportster and a couple bucket of parts. I am gonna build a spare motor for ONE bike I have. Awesome feeling only having one bike to worry about. I just can't help myself when a deal like this comes up. Shea got his frame all fixed and I painted some lace on the Orange tank. For now I am gonna roll these tins till I can get Michael to hook some up. I like the new pipe set up and I am loving the derake stance. All that is left is the brake situation.

Triumph Bangs

2011-10-22T18:11:00.000-07:00

H.A.M.B. drags Triumph. Only bike I saw there and he blew up the tranny on his first pass. Took off from the line and on the up shift BANG, GRIND, and GAMEOVER. Still looked good even all fubar

Brown and Down

2011-10-22T18:07:00.000-07:00

Mind Melter

2011-10-22T17:58:00.000-07:00

Oh there is a bike in this photo. Didn't notice.

Broken Bone

2011-10-19T16:49:00.000-07:00

As in back bone. Go figure having a seriously fucked front end and riding 4300 miles might be screwy.Shea avoided death only in the fact his gas tank was holding the rest of the frame together. I missed the initial OH SHIT moment when he picked the tank off the frame and had the icky feeling that these moments give us. He has been riding all summer with this busted frame. The tank I welded up a couple months ago and has been holding the frame together since. Crazy stuff really the ends of the pipes are all mushroomed out frame banging together. Slugs, plug welds, gussets, all coming up.

De Rake KC Style

2011-10-15T15:53:00.000-07:00

First job at the new shop. Rode the bike in at 11:00 by 12:30 I had it all tacked up and started mocking up the new look. Never liked the 40 degree rake. I do however like the 4 up 2 out frame. So now I have the exact bike I want. 4 up 2 out 35 degree rake and still get to run my 6 over narrow sportster front end with out the sky high look. Had to do some head scratching to get it all back together but it will be better than new and about 10 inches shorter. Sweet

Back on the Block

2011-10-11T17:10:00.001-07:00

True story I listed it on the evil Ebay today. It is not cheap, and this will be the last time I try and sell it. I did a bunch of work on it after the Cali trip and it is in tip top shape. Anyways if you want something fast and reliable then check it out. Ebay item 290619351222

NOOT NOOT NOOT NOOT Damnit

2011-10-09T14:22:00.000-07:00

Noot check your damn Email please. I have big things coming up that are going to need some dialing and indicating not to mention head scratching and cursing. Geltz said he would do the paint and I am heading up the build part. Motor is all yours.

All Done With The Set Up.....

2011-10-09T14:11:00.000-07:00

Spent a bunch of hours down there today setting up shop. I still need to go buy a bunch of tools and misc crap but Tomorrow night I will be working on a bike and that is great. Still feels weird but with some work done and some soul interjected I am going to to make this place go off. Thanks Michael again for the gift and it inspired me to make my sticker a one off piece.

Thanks For the Help

2011-10-09T06:35:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was the big move day. I want to thank Shea, Aaron, Tyler and Dave for all the help. It went smooth and I damn near have the shop set up for work and as of today it should be done. It is a weird feeling to have enough space for all your crap. I will get used to it. As a special surprise Michael Geltz and Clair came down from KEOKUK to hang out. He brought me and Shea a little shop gift. The man has crazy good skills and I am glad to call him a friend. Thanks again to everybody that looks at this blog and look out for some crazy chops this winter.

Sturdy Wrists for Throttles

2011-10-06T19:52:00.000-07:00

So Good.....

2011-10-06T19:51:00.000-07:00

This is all you need to feel free

2011-10-06T19:37:00.000-07:00

Moving on Saturday

2011-10-05T15:20:00.000-07:00

The shop looks like a goddamn bomb went off but that is the way it goes. The new space is all buttoned up and is looking sweet. Can't wait to get to work. I like organizing and should be one of those closet designers or something. I am looking for some tools to replace the ones Tony is taking home. If you have a Band Saw, AC/DC TIG, Table Top Mill/ Lathe let me know and I will snatch them up. I had to recruit some young strong kids to help so it should go easy. Johny is not moving with me so I will have the whole shop to myself. It will be weird but after I cover the place in punk rock posters and nekkid girls it will be fine.

More Good Stuff.....

2011-10-01T16:00:00.000-07:00

The top pic is of a 5 time national race winning XR750. Dude was koo koo so I am sure he was telling the truth. I am digging our Buddy Travis's Evo Sporty and the Indian at the bottom is just to freaking cool. I like things that are mechanical. My little brain can not handle all the new school engineered type widgets that make new bikes work. I love pushrods that you only need a 1/2 and 7/16 to adjust, carbs that you can rebuild on the side of the road, Oil that stays in your bike and most of all I love the weekend that Ralph does his show.

Holy Grail

2011-10-01T15:51:00.000-07:00

Ralph Waynes was today and the weather spot on. A little chilly but I am down for the ride out there. There is always this anticipation of getting there and watching all the bikes roll in. I will post some of my faves. First is my Holy Grail level bike. If I need to tell you about these then you are a lame duck and I won't waste my time. Drool

HOW TO BUILD A SHOP IN 1 WEEK.

2011-09-24T17:36:00.000-07:00

Like I posted below we are moving into a new shop space. Here it is in all its glory. Dave is insane and had the frame work up before I even new we were working on the shop last saturday. Many trips to Home Depot later and 1 week I finished all the paint and floor coating today. I ran outlets every 4 feet and will never have to run another extension cord. All we have left to do is the lights and put in the ceiling tiles. Well then move in but that is the fun part. The change will be good and I want the new space to function like a well oiled machine. No more taking in jobs I don't want to do just to pay the rent. So If you have a cool bike (no xs 650's) hit me up and I will give it some needed attention. Remember kids winter is here and it is the best time for chopping.

All Kinds of crazy............

2011-09-15T15:54:00.000-07:00

Yep as always we have all kinds of craziness going on. We are rapping up the bikes we have in the shop. Starting in Oct we will be moving to the new shop. More space and way less money, it has to be done. I can't wait to never ever have to work on another XS 650 to pay the bills. Tony is moving his stuff back home and Johnny and I will be moving into the new digs. So look out for some pics and we will be real busy building up walls and moving all our crap.. Did I mention the new space has a killer half pipe!

Old Man Kurt

2011-09-10T15:14:00.000-07:00

Well if you remember every year at Greaserama Old man Kurt comes to the show and always has a treat for me. He is one solid old dude and has some amazing stories about riding choppers in the day and he also has some bitchin cars. Anyways he found these at some junk shop and bought for me. 1939 Oakland Calif racing pics. So freaking cool.

Motorcycle wheels go round so do pits

2011-09-08T18:41:00.000-07:00

Falcon on the Brain

2011-09-08T16:42:00.000-07:00

And I'm not talking about the overly done overly priced bikes. I'm talking bout this insane Falcon Wagon. You never see these and you damn well never see them done this nice. I would give every bike I own and a big toe to own this car. Thank god the owner said he would never sell it. Anyways enjoy.

Looks Fast and is Stupid Fast

2011-09-08T15:57:00.000-07:00

Having some fun with the Scrambler. It is amazing what changing some bars, seat and wheel can do. Anyways I haven't ridden it much since the trip. I wanted a little more vintage Cafe feel and I think I nailed it. Made the seat pan and cut the back of a xs 650 gas tank to make the bubble. Euro flat track bars flipped on some Harley risers. Put a spool back on the front after I installed some new bearings. I was ripping up midtown this morning. The weather has been insanely good and at 6 in the morning there are no people out on the road to hit me. Any ways enjoy.

Adjust a Wrench

2011-09-08T15:48:00.000-07:00

So on out trip we used this Adjust-A-Wrench everyday. It really is a little odd tool. Looks like a super janky crescent wrench but the hole is the part that opens. It has two hex sections that are the clamping device. Anyways The most Awesome Michael from Flying Weasel bought one for Shea and I to share. So we popped Tony's Adjust a Wrench cherry putting together Shea's front end. It has the Thumb of approval.

Iron Maiden stole some riffs

2011-09-06T19:19:00.000-07:00

Trade Trade Trade

2011-09-05T17:41:00.000-07:00

I am gonna feel this out. I am interested in trading this fine 1976 Ironhead for a new project. Everything on the bike has been gone through and is in solid one kick running condition. I just gave it this candy paint job and is ready for a new home. Bill of sale only. What I am looking for is a Evo Sportster mid 90's to early 2000's. Solid Hot Rod project 1936 and earlier or maybe a solid Lowrider car. What do you have? Hit me up and we can do some chopper trading. E-mail B44tubiewatt@aol.com

Greaserama Cars Sunday

2011-09-05T06:40:00.000-07:00

Bikes from Sunday

2011-09-04T20:05:00.000-07:00

I went ahead and left out all the xs 650's. Sorry but if you have seen one janky xs you have seen them all. As for these bikes they are all legit and I have to say the Pan with the fat bobs was killer. Sounded so good just putting around. Webb is stoked on his little 500 Tiger I finished up for him last week. And of course my little Orange bike had to make a appearance. Thanks everybody for stopping by and saying hi.

Greaserama pics 2011

2011-09-03T20:36:00.000-07:00

Some super neat stuff showed up this year. Nice change from some years in the past. More pics tomorrow.

Motorbikin` feat Marianne Faithfull (GirlonaMotorcycle sNEaKYMiX)

2011-08-30T16:56:00.000-07:00

Girl on a Motorcycle (1968) Trailer

2011-08-30T16:55:00.000-07:00