Born Free 4, six months and counting.

The nice thing about having a blog is being able to look back and see what I thought might happen compared to the way things actually went down. Last year my trip to Born Free 3 exceeded all expectations because I had no idea what would happen. It was a blast.

In retrospect I stayed too far away and spent more on my hotel than needed due to my lack of familiarity with the area. The show was promoted as being in Silverado but is actually adjacent to Irvine Lake, about 20 minutes due east of North Tustin at Oak Canyon Ranch. I am not sure if I will be camping for BF4 or staying in a cheaper motel. The only real variable is if the DicE party will be held again at Cook's Corner at the other end of Santiago Canyon road, about 5 miles further SE.

The plan this year, at this point anyway, is to drive out with with all of the magazine stuff, easy up, chairs, cooler, etc and my bike. I totally missed riding last year. Somehow a Chevy Malibu wasn't the same experience. Born Free was the highlight of 2011 for me. I can't wait to get back.

Merry Christmas from Indiana

I wanna ride...

I sold my Honda in September, but the sentiment is the same.

Merry Christmas.

New Boots, a new project?

My aunt gave me a pair of these boots for Christmas, brand new HD Mega Conductor engineer boots.

I actually like the style, but not all the HD gee-gaws. I was going to get some Chippewas. But now I am thinking of getting these cut down to shorties with some new buckles. It's really a money consideration; spend $100 on a cobbler to make them cool or sell them for the same amount and get some other boots. Why does everything have to turn into a protracted project with me? Why can't I be satisfied with stock and just enjoy something for what it is? It's a sickness.

Midnight Feelin' Blue

Just A Heart

From the land before irony.

Shhhhhh...no words, behold the glory

Tony Joe White

Lately I am digging the totally underappreciated and all around fantastic Tony Joe White through the magic of Spotify.

No, it's a Tear Joint

GKM #24...I almost didn't make it.

I wrote up Kevin Price's black 1964 Ironhead, The Penner Special, for the newest issue of GKM. I shot the pics the evening before I left for Born Free 3. I guess I was excited to be going because I didnt realize that I had smudged the lens. Everything from that session and BF3 shot in direct sun was unusable. I didn't notice it until I got home and viewed the pics on the computer screen.



Luckily some stuff was salvagable and the piece came together. Honestly, if I hadnt said anything you fair reader would be none the wiser. The truth is, this kind of stuff happens with magazines all the time and it is usually a mad rush to cobble together an issue. I am happy to leave the editing to the other guys...err Guy.

Buy it here

I promise not to hurt myself this time.

Jesse James: Blacksmith

Today I woke up early (7:30 is damn early for a Sunday) and saw this was on the History Channel. At first I thought maybe it was a biography of the famous outlaw. I checked the description and sure enough it was about the founder of WCC.

After seeing all of his specials and most episodes of Monster Garage I was confused. How could I have missed this one? Say what you will about Jesse James but this whole neo-chopper subculture never would have got going without him. Everyone that I know who has met him says he is a genuinely nice, interesting guy and insanely knowledgeable about all things choppers, motorcycles and anything related to racing.

I was staying at my parents so I quickly ran out to get some coffee since they don't drink the high octane stuff. I settled in, guarded the remote and was not bored in the slightest during the entire two hours. Not only did JJ build a chopper from a rare Drake motor, a water cooled knucklehead used in Midget cars, but he talked about his life, his successes and failures, and hand forged a set of forks from raw steel using skills learned from a master blacksmith at a kibbutz in Israel.

It was great to see two other cats featured whose work I have also admired;
the amazing sculptor Jeff Decker

and Dan "Bacon" Carr

I am hoping that this will go into heavy rotation on THC and signal a much deserved comeback.

My only observation is that the release must have been delayed due to his high profile divorce and resulting negative tabloid attention. Most of the action takes place around the closing of WCC and the opening of Austin Speed Shop. The exposure from the recent Biker Buildoff 3-way goat schtup probably had something to do with it too. Admittedly it is impossible for me to sit through anything with the Teutels. I dont regret missing that show one bit. However, a sure way to cleanse your palate is by watching a true craftsman in action. Jesse James: Blacksmith is a satisfying showcase of the talent and humanity of a guy who at one time or another has been a hero to us all.

Graham Bonnet Rising

My friend Jennifer Loveless is obsessed with Graham Bonnet lately. I think she is onto something.

Princess Tiny Hands

Best gal ever.

My hands look bigger in Crawfordsville

There is a bar in Crawfordsville, IN named after Lew Wallace who wrote Ben Hur, was the governor of Indiana and also the Territorial Governor of New Mexico during the Lincoln County War. It is a locus of silliness.

Nashville Roadtrip

Anybody got a metal detector I can borrow?

They are tearing up the parking lot of the former Linkert Foundry. According to Jim Summit, who worked next door at Carburetor Exchange, when Linkert shut down they buried hundreds of carbs. This may be my only chance to dig for buried treasure.

I'm done with choppers. I've found a new hobby...