Aint no cure for the summer time blues...

Sitting here in my office the night before the birth of Baby Jesus, and the closing of 2009. Its been a rough year for just about everyone I know, some sold coveted motorcycles just to keep a roof over the heads of their loved ones, others spent months in the box...and some friends are now just a memory to hold onto in our hearts. Nevertheless my love of motorcycles art and culture has brought me around the world, and its kinda got me jammed up reflecting on how good life has been for me despite 2009 completely sucking, like shitting your draws on the first day of highschool. Heres to the memories of years past....

Is it hot in here or is it just me?

Its always nice to see another artist shoot your work in a proper setting...Well who am I kiddin my FTF sign had little to do with this photo. MissVhaven is a smokin hot little Bettie...she just happens to be holding one of my FTF signs. John Jackson of NotStockPhotography shot these beautiful photos and was kind enough to shoot me over the pics of MissV with one of my pieces.
John shoots some amazing photos and really has a great eye for 2wheel and 4 wheel go fast machines and their laborers of love. Check out more of his work and the beautiful MissVhaven at
NotStockPhotography.com

Huck it Chuck!

I could write an entire blog about how badass Chuck Carothers is...
But I will say this...Chuck is that guy, that guy that people love to count out...and count on.
What I mean by that is, Chuck tends to dissapear from radar for brief periods, hiding away at his Texas bunker only to remerge stronger, more focused and ready to blow minds. This time by Back flipping a Harley XR....NUTS!
So without further adue...

Wowsers!

Well winter is here so I decided to fire up the shop heater, and wake the tools from summer slumber.
I picked up a 1978 T14oV "race motor" with an ARD mag, some time ago, on the cheap. It took what seemed like forever to get this motor in my possesion, after falling on some hard times and not being able to come up with the rest of the scratch.
But where theres a will theres a way....it was to good of a deal to pass up.
I sold off some stuff, I'd been storing to never actually use and coughed up the extra coin left over from tax season.

I was told by the previous gray bearded owner it was a "Full Race Motor" blah blah blah...Heard that line 1000 times over and rarely has it ever been what they said.
And this time was the same as it always is....Boy had I been fooled. This so called "Race Motor" wasn't built to be raced... it was built to WIN RACES!
The more I tore into it the more crazy one of trick parts I found, everything has either been drilled, lightened, grooved, machined, or shortened.
I just got the barrels of this evening and this is what was waiting inside....Pretty slick stuff. Stroker Motor BOOYA!

I got in I got Over I got gone

All I need is 45 and I can get on. I can get over. Give me 2 wheels. split lanes. Knees in the breeze. Ride the coast. Dodge the storms. Chase the sun. Lose this job. Shed this skin. I got in. I got over and I got gone...

"Bored"Track Racer...

I was bored so I kicked it over to the Local Sat. Swap...Low and Behold a perfect candidate for a Tetnis shot...Or Board Tracker replica whichever comes first. Already made the call to a buddy that hoards small engine race bikes and a 110 motor will be adorning this fine Monarch Bicycle...Unless I decide to keep it as is.... Den art.
It was made in 1923 so I kinda feel bad whackin it up, but we'll see how idle time plays out its fate.

P.S. I know Tetnis is spelled Tetanus...however anus make me uncomfortable

The building of a Lane Splitter.....

Had plans on racing this bike but I think it would be better suited as a fine Street Tracker/Terrorizer....

Started out as a 1966 Triumph Tr6 650...until I decided it needed a HP boost...Tore down and frame stripped...Now being fitted with a 750 Triumph T140v Ard Mag Fired Race Motor, lightened fly wheels/crank, Race Cams, Ported Polished and Flowed Heads, ...Dual Mikuni Carbs, Torque tubes, and huge honkin K&N filters....More to come. Hard part is gonna be swapping from right side shift to left side...

Haulin ass...and Slidin the pass

Love!

No words...Just admiration

Recent Photos I really Dig

Had some free time.... which is rare so I threw up a few of my favorites from the recent photos outings.

Paul Allison and Chronic Motorpsorts...Take ASRA Championship

Victory for Chronic Motorsports.
Dave Brite (Owner) has been a long time friend and is one of the last people in the industry that truly cares about racing, and not becoming a rockstar caught up in politics and the all mighty dollar. Dave is the last of a dying breed, built with a true passion for racing, shrouding both shop and race team with friends. A throw back to the days of the Mom and Pop shop that remembers names of customers, and treats each of them as if they were their only customer. There are few that still build motors one at a time, and even fewer with the talent for ringing out the horsepower like Christian Price, Chronic's resident engine builder, has produced an astounding number of winning race motors over 15 years. With this team and Paul Allison in the saddle there seems to be no shortage in talent, Its a dynamic crew coupled with Paul's aggressive winning attitude that will propel both rider, tech and owner to greater heights and taller podiums.


Allison Wins Two With ASRA At VIR
Sep 20, 2009, ©Copyright 2009, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
From a press release issued by ASRA
Allison Secures Michelin Pro Superbike ChampionshipVIR, Alton, VACongratulations go out to Paul Allison who had to take his Chronic Motorsports Yamaha R6 to twenty-first place or better to lock up the the 2009 Michelin Pro Superbike Championship sanctioned by ASRA. Allison had his own ideas about the finish for the ninth round of Superbike racing at VIR. On his way to the win Allison dispatched Brian Stokes aboard his DuPont & Lipton Kawasaki. Bob Michael finished third riding the B&E Motorsports Yamaha.Sean Dwyer had a nice afternoon bettering Allison and veteran privateer Scott Carpenter for the top spot on the podium for Michelin Pro Superstock. Carpenter and Brian Stokes were wheel to wheel from the start with Carpenter edging past and holding the lead for two laps. Carpenter said at the podium that he could hear Dwyer catching him and enjoyed watching him get the job done. Carpenter finished third behind Stokes.In Thunderbike Nate Kern took the win aboard a Morton's BMW twin. Amateur superstar Jordan Richardson, riding his Ray Price H-D Buell like a pro, landed the second step on the podium. And 2006 Thunderbike Champion Dan Bilansky locked up the Michelin Pro points championship by finishing third.Chronic's Paul Allison scored his second Michelin victory, taking Sportbike to Brian Stokes' second. Nate Kern aboard another BMW twin had a stranglehold on third for most of the race, but local Yamaha rider Alex Lazo of Axton, Virginia demoted Kern in the closing laps to round out the top three.The next Michelin Pro race is Round 10, the final round of the season, from Daytona Beach's Daytona International Speedway as riders from all over the country converge to take their rightful place contesting every class trophy in the CCS series class championships presented by Motosport.com.American Sportbike Racing Association and the Championship Cup Series form the largest body of amateur road racing motorcyclists in the United states. Go to www.asraracing.com or www.ccsracing.us for information about the series' and find how you can compete against America's largest body of road racing talent.

You think you got skills?

I met Drake what seems like an eternity ago, one of the few people Ive remained friends with since moving back east from cali.... Drake seems to have a knack for drawing people in with his charisma, but the way he handles a motorcycle is something you dont wanna take your eyes off. Keep em' peeled for an upcoming peek inside the mind of McElroy. Ducati Single Suicide!
Ducati single sacrifice....Smokin Seagulls

Uphill Battle

Seems like everyday is an uphill battle...trying to keep up with a stable of Vintage Motorcycles is never an easy task. Most of us enjoy wrenching as much as riding. Live, Eat, Sleep motorcycles....But the occasional departure from 2 wheels is good for the soul. In these last few mild days of summer and the beginning of fall, we enter some of the most amazing days for riding on the East Coast before heading into our dungeons to finish next springs projects, or recoup and rebuild last summers beater. Today im taking some time off to spend with family, not talk motorcycles, and pull the truck out for some BBQ fun with Uncle Sal and the crew...Projects will still be there when I get back, but stepping away to enjoy the family I sometimes take for granted, produces some amazing and rejuvenating enthusiasm for work inside the shop.

T100r is toast....

Sad day for Charlene, she been a sweet ole girl for 40 years. Pulled this out of her chest today, another story to tell, like so many more yet to come.

Stay Gold P Swayze...Stay Gold

Dear Mr Swayze:
Thanks for the memories and all Ive learned.
You showed me how to Rumble with the Soc's, Dance Dirty, Surf and Rob Banks, Fight Communist Invaders trying to take over my town, Play Hockey, Be a Bouncer at a rough Bar, Channel my energy to Move objects and Make Pottery....
Last but not least Dress like a women and look dam good doing so...
You will be missed God Bless and Good Night.
R.I.P. Patrick Swayze

Dinosaur Show 09...Slightly better then last

Not much to WOW over this year, but definitely a far cry from last years fiasco having a SpiderMan themed Hayabusa win Best In Show....at a show aptly named "Dinosaur Show", But I digress.

Few tables full of swapmeet goodness (junk) and some nice Motorsickles nevertheless.

Never Forget!

8 Years later and every mention of 9/11/01, keeps me with the chills. Never Forget, is understated. How can we not remember this day? This was OUR country, now we get our morning coffee from some "guy" that bought the corner store. This was OUR country, we rode our bikes in the streets our fathers paved...we looked to the sky to see sky scrapers our fathers built...Never Forget, where you came from. Honor the Fallen

Salt of the Earth....Life Lessons

A few years ago while at the local Hot Rod and Bike night, I recognized (Pepe) that used to work at the HD dealership around the way, Pepe had been turning wrenches in the same dealer since before most of us were even a twinkle in our fathers blue jeans. He's seen all kinds come and go, The evolution of 5 Harley power plant generations, HD's corporate structure, and the varying costumes of the folks that walk the showroom floor. That was until 2004, choosing to turn his back on the very place he had cut his teeth.
He said "He could no longer bare witness or touch another ugly girl in an ugly dress" and walked out.... He was referring to the V-Rod while at a meeting of HD's Corp Big Wigs...
What does he care? Hes never been a fan of Evo's or TwinCams, he keeps a stable of 2 Knucks, a sweet Oldsmobile and a parts stash that Indian Jones would spend an eternity trying to uncover...The 46 Knuck is far from a garaged trophy, having been ridden just about anywhere and everywhere for more years then most of todays "bikers" have bike week Tshirts.

Even with being somewhat of a legend around these parts, many know of Pepe, can attest to his craftsmanship and wish for his knowledge but not many people can muster the courage to approach him.
From what I was told he's Archie Bunker with a Buco Helmet and a road proven leathers, just an opinionated old fella, that will tell you to keep your grubby yuppie fingers off his bike or just put ya lights out without warning.
Pepe grew up in the same section of Brooklyn as my father, and maybe the era or location molded men to be men in this fashion, but there is no question something in the similarities between them is uncanny. Rough and Tumble, but genuinely true type of fellas.

About 2 years ago he caught me admiring his scoot when over my shoulder in the dark cast of a looming shadow comes... "Ya know what ya lookin at kid?" Now having studied every inch of just about every year knuck, I was certain of its 46 date of birth, with all correct bits in all the correct places right down to the Army Surplus bars and correct fillister head screws in the dash panel, he was somewhat impressed, but still unmoved by this youngin.
A few weeks pass where, I'd run into him again and struck up a conversation, we get to bullshitting and he began lightening up a bit, perhaps even taking a shine to this young kid on a motorcycle.

Friday night rolls around and I find myself at the local HotRod and Bike Meet once again, this time Pepe summons me over, to where his crew of usual heavies are parked along the wall under the tressel, among his crew was Freddie-Fritz (The Father of "Spritz by Fritz") and Bob McQueen Legendary Motor Builder and Machinist as well as a few other heavies from my area...we get to bullshitting again about everything from motorcyles to politics... and every week Id run into him at Friday night meets and bullshit for a few amongst the endless sea of obsessively chromed Harley's and their owners tirelessly polishing spokes on bended knee of designer jeans. Now 2 years later we've become pretty chummy, Swaps, Coffee and old guy jokes. When a few weeks ago, his asthma really put a hit on him, laying him up for a few, in which time Id check up on him and see how he's doing through Freddie.

Come this Friday night, I make my usual 3 street corner journey, up to the station and to my elation there stands Pepe, back on 2 wheels and in his usual spot. Its kinda odd that this man I know all of but 2 years, absent from my friday night ritual is no longer missing and Im that much relieved knowing he's back on 2 wheels and keeping the tradition.

Happy to see my old friend, I extend a hand and welcome him back, "Its damn good to see ya Pep!" when reaching from his back pocket he comes up with a folded cellophane wrapper containing an item which he places in my hand and says "This is for you kid"
Unfolding the wrapper I see a hand engraved Belt buckle straight out of the glory days bearing an identical 1970 Triumph Daytona to the one I own. Turns out in Pepe's travels, he had spied this gem on a flea market table and thought it to be a fitting gift.
Now yes the buckle is nothing short of the most amazing joining piece to any belt, but the shear fact that in the midst of being laid up with asthma, the thought crossed his mind as he saw the buckle.
I couldn't tell you if I was more happy to have received it, as he was to give it to me....But this is where, sadly the difference between generations has gone a skew, the buckle to me meant more then a gift, it was more of a lesson in life, these days people far to often think of themselves first and foremost. Often tending to overlook simple things, things that can be as easily over looked as items on a flea market table, because they are to pre-occupied with their own agenda to stop and think of something simplistic that can be done for another. A handshake used to mean something, families ate together at the same dinner table many times feeding the neighbors kid as well, children learned trades passed on from their elders, and people took a genuine interest in helping others, imagine..... sometimes it was even a perfect stranger.
You can have more friends then your able to count, but a person that can teach you the true meaning of humanity with a simple gesture...is "Salt of the Earth."
Thanks Pepe....

More pics from GR3 Courtesy of Spartan Frame Works

GR3 in the Books.....

Well Im just about recouped from the epic adventure that was GR3. Tommorrow Ill will try and lay out the series of events that made it so Epic...Hell Fire and Rain is the long and short of it but there are many details that need to be told. Thanks for the memories fellas!

Shelter for the night was an abandon warehouse- race track

Well it rained the entire way, not just regular rain...it rained buckets. soaked to the bone when we reached camp. Good news is we found and abandoned warehouse and set up camp for the night. Warm and dry inside. The good fellas from Licks Cycle bought a van load of Beers, Biltwell & Kickstart came through with 18 pizzas. I drank enough moonshine to kill a plow horse and woke up to no rain, just a mist. Looks like the storm is headining East so were hoping it'll be an OK day to the next camp site. Stay tuned.

1000 miles of open road awaits....

Just about that time to head out and pray for fair skies.....See you guys when I get back

Long Way Eh?

If all goes well AJ, Will be 2300 miles away from his home in Canada and in Jersey by the end of the week for the Gypsy Run.
Following that, he's heading to New Mexico for Trent's Ground Zero.

A little over 6500 miles in three weeks solamente

Dirty South Tim

Tim from Loaded Skates...makin his way up from the Dirty South on the Pan...

And so it began.....

I'm going to do my best to document this epic journey to the U.S.'s Northern tip on a 40 year old motorcyle.

The run Officially begins Friday morning out of Americas Arm Pit, New Jersey, but the debauchery begins in a Brooklyn warehouse, affectionately known as the "Autumn Bowl"

Stay Tuned.....