My "Type"

The other side of the camera

If you don't like VH I'm not sure that we can be friends...

I have been a fan since I was in 4th grade thanks to my baby sitter. Once I found out Diamond Dave is from Indiana it was all over. If I win the lottery I'm gonna pull a Spicolli and hire the original line up to play my party.
Party ON!

I am thinking...

I have been kicking around some different ideas on which way to take my Ironhead build: skinny lane spliter, digger, Brat-style...then I came across this today:


My homie Guy posted something recently about going back to the source. By "The Source" he is referring of course to Danny Lyon's work, especially his amazing and inspirational book of photos and essays, The Bikeriders.

Timeless picture, it could have been taken yesterday as easily as 45 years ago. I think it says something profound about building and riding a mild custom. Not everyone has the tools, or the time, or the skill to build a radical custom chopper. But the cats in the Gary Rogues and The Outlaws knew how transform a stock bike just by adding a few personal touches and subtley altering the stance. As one of my buddys said the other night, traditional never goes out of style.

With that in mind, and the above picture as inspiration, I have my eye on a few choice parts:





Best of all I should be able to trade or sell off most of the crap that came with the bike that I dont want! This will be the best one yet!!!

Retail Randy's and my new project

I went out to pick up my new project, an '80 Ironhead. I got to dig around a little bit in the seller's shop and stash. He goes by the name of Retail Randy, aka Swapmeet Randy. He had A LOT of stuff. I counted 4 FLs in various states of disassembly, and that was only what I could see. There were boxes and lunpy tarps everywhere. Inside his house he had parts and pieces for a '31 VL build:



He also had a couple choice mills laying around. I honestly couldnt tell if they were for sale or decoration;


But, I came for one thing, and I was able to get it loaded up and to a friendly garage without incident. She ain't much to look at, though she has plenty of potential.

Those wheels, front fender, seats, bars and risers will have to go first thing. Feel free to make me an offer...

Getting a new bike tomorrow.

Its not this one exactly, but it looks pretty close;

For the bargain price of $1500 I will be the new owner of 1980 HD Ironhead Sportster. No clue about the engine displacement or anything internal. It has a wide glide conversion with extended fork tubes, fat bobs, king & queen seats and some pretty horrible billet wheels. It will need some work, and I will have to apply for a lost title. But for the price I can't go wrong. Worst case, I can part it out and make some jack to put into another project. My buddy Dan used to be a dealership mechanic. He turned me on to the bike and has agreed to help me get it on the road. Most likely I will ride it semi-stock for the summer then put the running gear into my SB&F frame next winter. I will post updates as I go along. This should be fun.

Rod & Custom May 2011

First R&C feature and my piece MADE THE COVER!!!

Born Free 3...Four Months Away And Counting Every Minute

I am going. Stop by to see me and my lovely sales assistant at the Greasy Kulture booth. We will have new magazines, back issues, shirts and hats for sale as well as some freebies too. I have waited a long time for this trip. I am totally stoked for a chance to meet some online friends for the first time and see old friends too. I will be in the LA area 23rd thru the 27th, so give me a holler if you want to hang out. PUMPED!!!

My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my, heart is calling...

I shuffle down the street
my eyes are on my feet
I got no place to go

I try to reason why
but end up getting high
I'm drinking more it shows

I stare into the TV screen
but every face reminds me of a girl
I never used to be so mean
but I can't bear to face my shattered world,
you just ain't fair to this romeo
I fell apart when I watched you go
Baby, baby, baby

My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my,
heart is calling won't you
Stay with me
My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my,
heart is calling won't you
Stay with me

The stars they used to shine
but now my tears they blind
the fun we used to have

At night I toss and turn,
the memories they burn
I don't know how to laugh

I try and make the social scene
but I get drunk and turn into a fool
Then I start a fight because I'm only half the man I was with you
said we'd never part until we die
Why didn't you stop when you heard me cry
Baby, baby, baby

My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my,
heart is calling won't you
Stay with me
My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my,
heart is calling won't you
Stay with me

Handsome Dick really knew what he was talking about...

Moving Ahead

Ce la vie...

Good things happen, they last for a while and then they change. Its all part of God's plan and we have to accept the twists and turns as they come at us. Tonight I read back over my blog all the way to the very beginning. I did the same with my email going back 4 years. It is amazing how dreams I had years ago came true, and continue to come into being, or even disappoint. The key is to never quit: keep a positive mental attitude and keep dreaming the big dreams. Things turn out as they are meant to.

Good things and realizations are on the horizon. An unexpected windfall will give me an opportunity to make some long pined for life changes. I can afford to go back to school and pursue a more satisfying career. A bike more in line with my dream ride has fallen into my lap. Opportunities for new outlets to express myself are beginning to materialize. The vision I have of myself in my minds eye continues to come to fruiton.

But still, my wistful nature has me looking back at the things, places and people that are part of my past. I can't leave them behind because I will always carry them in my heart, even when I want, and need, them by my side. I realize that is the fear of the unknown and the comfort of the past talking. I can't be afraid. Who knows where the ride will take us. The roads merge, cross and part. When we stop moving the ride is over, and I am not ready for that. Never question the wisdom of fate, enjoy the ride and keep running down the road ahead without fear. It will all be fine.

What a difference a year makes...

I dont know if I could ever share this movie with anyone ever again, let alone watch it, Happy Valetines Day, wherever you are...