Brooklyn 2012

Another great year of amazing bikes, good friends and great times...

Foggy Morning Drive

Visibility was a quarter mile or less at times. I missed two turns on roads that I am very familiar with. By the time I had got to the reservoir, where I expected the fog to be thick, it had lifted. This has been the oddest summer for weather; first a drought, then a tropical storm rains out Labor Day weekend, now these soupy fogs and hot humid days normally rare in September. Come on Autumn...

New Project and old parts

I picked up a mid 90s Evo Sportster 5-speed bottom end and assorted parts at a yard sale last week for a ridiculously low amount. I also got some wheels, a fat bob tank and other bits. I am supposed to meet with the old guy who sold it to me next week. He says he has the rest of the motor, fenders and more tanks in storage. Turns out he is an auctioneer and, "Comes across this kind of stuff all the time". I suppose I have finally found a use for my SB&F frame at long last. I ordered a set of cheap 35mm trees from eBay. I got 2 19" wheels in the deal. I think I will use those front and back with dual disc forks and a Honda drum. 35 degree rake, 6" over forks, hidden fork stops, pull backs, simple pipes and hidden battery should give it a nice late 70s feel. I am chomping at the bit to see what the rest of the motor parts might be. Of course I'd like to build a monster 90 incher, but realistically I will settle with a cheapo 1200 so I dont have to split the cases. I've got my eye on some other parts too. Now I just need to find someone to weld up the frame. This should be easy, right?

I think I am going to start a one man band...

so I can play whatever music I feel like.

Oh, hi...

The summer is winding down and I am back from blog hiatus. What's new with me you ask? Well, let me tell you friend-o, it has been a good few months. I have been writing, snapping pics, went to Born Free 4, moved my gal back from Colorado, riding my moto and spending time with my kiddoes. I have a couple new pieces on deck for various mags and recently working on a new music project. Also, I am studying to knock out some pre-reqs to go back to school this fall. I got a trick or two up my sleeve too. I always seem to have many irons in the fire so I guess I like it that way. I think I am sorta gonna stay in semi-hiatus blogging mode. There are a lot of amazing blogs out there like Church Of Choppers, Death Science, Bike EXIF and The Selvedge Yard. Greasy Kulture, DicE and Show Class continue to kill it in the world of independent bike mags. So, what chance do I stand of offering something germane, exciting and original? All I can offer is personal anecdotes and observations. But generally anything I am into has already been covered by more dedicated, knowledgeable and hipper (younger)

folks. More power to them, but I need to get back to my first love; music. So, in no random order here are some memories of summer 2012 so far...

36 hours until I shove off for Born Free 4

I'm feeling nervous and giddy. I have a few loose ends to tie up and packing to do tomorrow. There were a few things I didn't get done on the bike. I am sure I will be ok, aside from the grease spots to be left in my truck bed and points west. Just like last year I know I won't have time to see everyone and do everything that I would like. I allowed myself extra unstructured time just in case. We will see what happens. But I am sure it will be a blast just like Born Free 3, if not better. Last year I was stationed next to Kiyo from Garage Co.

KIYO BORN FREE 4 from Mark Choiniere on Vimeo.

I wonder who my neighbors will be this year?

The Vikings

a collaboration ot two of my most all time favorite bands, The Devil Dogs and Turbonegro, doing an early version of a nascent classic by the latter and covering Indy's Zero Boys and Oz's The Fun Things. How could this be anything less than stellar? I wish I could have a band 10% this cool.