So'full Garage

"Uncle" Stevie and his buddy Jim - early 80's.

2012-02-09T14:53:00.002-06:00

Brando.

2012-02-09T10:02:00.000-06:00

Do Us Part / Hold Fast

OR

Fart

Weird Beard.

2012-02-09T09:55:00.000-06:00

West Coast Cohort.

2012-02-09T08:53:00.002-06:00

Too funny, Randy & Adria!!!!!!!

Thor's Hammer

2012-02-07T12:39:00.000-06:00

Bill's metal rendition of Thor's Hammer.

Without further adieu, hailing from Columbia,Missouri, the Hooten Hallers!!!

2012-02-07T12:13:00.000-06:00

Pomona or Bust!

2012-02-07T09:54:00.000-06:00

Kayelynn Johnson & Co. out of Kingman, AZ track down and restore surviving Denvers Built choppers. Here's the load they took to the Grand National Roadster Show.

In progress.

My Man Jimmy Does Great Work...

2012-02-03T15:02:00.002-06:00

33 years ago...

2012-02-02T09:35:00.000-06:00

Our friend Jen visits George the Painter...

2012-01-31T14:42:00.000-06:00

...at his desert compound.

I'm working on a book of photos for my friend Jen and she had included these two shots from last summer.

I think GTP took them.

2012 Boneyard Art Fest - April 19-22, 2012

2012-01-30T11:26:00.001-06:00

(Aaron Grote sculpture)

I have joined forces with 2 other individuals, Josh and Becca, to make my Art/Bike show idea happen...and it has become much larger than I could have ever imagined.

Becca has been setting up a stand alone gallery for Champaign-Urbana, IL's "Boneyard Arts Festival" for at least the past handful of years. When I have been able to attend its always been cool work, stuff that's a bit left of center compared to what the rest of the community is showing during this citywide event.

When I mentioned the Art/Bike show idea to my buddy Josh, who's art I wanted in my show, he said "we've gotta talk". He and Becca were already in cahoots, setting up a show space for this years B.A.F. event, and when I mentioned what I wanted to do, they invited me to join their efforts.

The three of us met up one night about a month or so ago and agreed we were all the same page.
this is also the 10th Anniversary of the B.A.F. so the addition of the homebuilt bikes will be a fresh added attraction to their ongoing efforts.

The dates are April 19-22, 2012.
Last week we secured a building as well!
Right downtown in the heart of what's happening.

I'll continue to post updates here as they transpire.

Arlen Ness' first CB750 Chop 37 years ago.

2012-01-30T09:41:00.001-06:00

Scan from Custom Chopper, Oct 1975 (click image for larger size)

(courtesy of LRT)

Lester wins $500

2012-01-30T08:31:00.000-06:00

Jonathan (Jonnycakes) Hughes brings home the booty with his latest build, a CB750 Hondamatic chopper called "Lester". Way to show all them Flori-duh cats how it's done Jonny!!!

Dig this.

2012-01-29T17:15:00.000-06:00

Saw the pic on Violation Tour blogsite...there's just something about it.

A nice classic looking scooter.

AJ in the Devil's Playground

2012-01-26T22:33:00.000-06:00

Nevada

Lowrider Tommy's First CB750

2012-01-26T13:10:00.000-06:00

Here's a pic of LRT's very first CB750 from some 40 years ago.

Starting out with some minor changes like that, evolved into building bikes like these below!

My Idea, Duane's Rendering.

2012-01-24T15:12:00.000-06:00

Finky!

My Friend Richard

2012-01-24T15:01:00.000-06:00

He's a little different. Please Don't stare.

Flash

2012-01-24T14:53:00.002-06:00

Master of Disaster

2012-01-24T10:43:00.000-06:00

World Honda Chopper Meet, the Rider's Roost, Ferguson, North Carolina

2012-01-24T08:48:00.000-06:00

A few songs accompanied by a collection of pics from various meets over the past handful of years.

Nothin' fancy, just a quick impromtu, video collage.

Winter.

2012-01-24T08:40:00.002-06:00

We Turned Off The Music Player

2012-01-17T10:32:00.000-06:00

The Playlist is still at the bottom, but you have to manually hit "go" if you wanna hear it.

Gasp! A Honda in EasyRiders!

2012-01-17T10:17:00.000-06:00

CLICK THE IMAGES FOR A LARGER READABLE SIZE

(thanks LRT)

Happy Friday the 13th

2012-01-13T10:10:00.000-06:00

Kenneth "Greazy" Cory's Truimph

2012-01-12T10:15:00.000-06:00

Greazy built this clean little Trump some 30 or so years ago. He's been workin' on freshening her up and we think he did a great job! Classic and clean.

Where's the Brakes!?!?!

2012-01-11T09:49:00.001-06:00

Working on "In no Mood's" konged Cb750 last night and realized that the splined tube where the rear brake shaft resides has been removed from this frame! Doh! Now we're on the hunt for that section from a stock frame so we can graft it back on....he's not gonna run a front brake, and he doesn't wanna "flintstone" it!!! Just a minor set back.

Update: It turns out the frame is an "F", which means its a SuperSport frame. They didn't have that brake section, but rather a bolt on mount for the rear brake pedal...well anyhow, the mounts for the bolt on are gone too...so we're gonna still have to weld on a new mount.

Shrunken Head Barbie.

2012-01-10T12:34:00.000-06:00

Big Daddy Don Garlits in Decatur, IL

2012-01-10T12:33:00.001-06:00

Toilet Tag

2012-01-10T12:32:00.003-06:00

2012-01-10T12:31:00.001-06:00

Get em boys!

2012-01-10T11:08:00.000-06:00

Nice Little Batch of Goodies...

2012-01-10T11:00:00.000-06:00

...from my buddy Matt (Roadkill), up in Detroit.

Trog's First Chopper

2012-01-09T14:58:00.000-06:00

He found this pic in his parent's house:

"I took the front wheel off, flattened one end of each conduit, drilled holes, installed the front wheel and pushed the conduit on to the front frame. Done. My first chopper...."

Whoa Mr. C

2012-01-09T09:49:00.000-06:00

Sparky's at it again.

Must be slow day at the Barber Shop.

Farewell Alain Duwime

2012-01-04T11:13:00.000-06:00

Rest In Peace.

Cool Photo

2012-01-04T09:52:00.002-06:00

Krummel's Tank Bib

2011-12-28T08:55:00.000-06:00

Nate Krummel scored a righteous CB750 chopper "survivor" last year with the help of his brother, Bill "Dirty Sparkles" Krummel. Instead of rockin' the "period" tank art, which has Sylvester the Cat holding a can of suds and a number, he decided to cover it it with this tank bib he crafted...I'm glad he decided to roll with the handlebars too. Nice work Nate!

the O.G. group...

2011-12-27T13:49:00.000-06:00

...that attended the WHCM & the Horse BC SmokeOut back in '03,

at the Rider's Roost, Ferguson, NC - June 2010

(L to R - Viking, Max, Mary, Tumpy, Chuck, Barry, Doc, Andy, Nate)

West Coast Cohort's Ford Pick'em Up

2011-12-21T08:25:00.003-06:00

Righteous.

Ready for Winter?

2011-12-20T15:41:00.003-06:00

Sparky is.

En Route to Sturgis '07

2011-12-16T09:57:00.000-06:00

Hail Happens.

Winter Blows...

2011-12-15T15:15:00.000-06:00

Venice Choppers

2011-12-15T15:05:00.000-06:00

Our main man Chris Tragert out on the West Coast sent us these choice photos to include in the 2012 Hondachopper.com Calendar. Unfortunatley for us, they just weren't high enough resolution to be seen in print. So, we decided we'd share them with all you sickos here on "the Garage". Chris builds some amazingly clean and righteous scoots of varying styles. Take a stroll thru his website and see for yourself, Venice Choppers but in the meantime feast your eyes on these beauties...the bike! The bike!

750 Four....and more!

2011-12-14T09:45:00.000-06:00

Harry Ramone

2011-12-14T08:33:00.002-06:00

Levi's 's Dad's 550 Cafe Racer

2011-12-08T18:23:00.000-06:00

My buddy Levi sent me these pics of his Dad's recently finished 550 Cafe...plenty slick. Clean and Simple. I dig it!!!

Been Slow Around Here

2011-12-02T15:36:00.000-06:00

Damn, time flies.
Been kinda slow around "the Garage" lately.
Winter is creeping upon us here in the midwest and I've been busy with some remodeling projects.
After the demise of a 6 year relationship, I've been prepping the house for sale.
Shopping new digs and packing up the house.

Haven't even had time to work on the various projects in the shop....and I am dreading the thought of having to pack up and move the shop as well.
I've accumulated a lot of cool shit in the 5 years I've been at this house...parts, tools, etc.
And its gonna be a nightmare to move and re-establish.
Such is life.

Once the new shop is set up though we will have a digger, a far out 70's long bike and a cafe in the works, all being built around a CB750 powerplant!!! Too bad I gotta do all this moving shit in the wintertime....

Onwards and upwards!!!

Dennis the Drummer - Rockin Down the Highway

2011-11-21T13:11:00.000-06:00

Wing Tank Replica

2011-11-16T08:40:00.000-06:00

Some of you regulars may remember me posting awhile back about a AEE "wing tank" replica that my buddy at Hillbilly's Wicked Choppers was working on. Well, its found its home atop the de-raked pan it was intended for. HB sent me this link, from the bikes owner, of some really killer shots of the bike.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7203035%40N02/sets/72157628095034084/show/

The owner of the bike also has the BOTTL helmet right now. That stands for "Brotherhood of The Travelling Lid"....something a member of Chopcult started. A Biltwell helmet is being passed around the country, spending time with different members of CC before being passed to the next one. Cool idea.

Planet Weiner - Charleston, IL

2011-11-14T13:38:00.000-06:00

Headed down south to CAR's garage yesterday for some Flatlander time and to rummage and sort thru a driveway and shop's worth of goodies he picked up around the state over the past few weeks. Some was junk, some was treasure, and some's getting sold.

After clean up we ate lunch at what has become the unofficial lunch spot of the Flatlanders, PLANET WIENER...lately outranking nearby McHugh's Burger joint!!!
Planet W. has all kinds of old signage and LP/45's littering the walls, offering a cool little diner feel and its near the campus so there's always a chance for lots of eye candy.

This place has any kind of hot dog you could crave, and offers a "build your own" menu...which none of has ventured to try yet...though Cody's contemplating it next time. And their fries are fuggin awesome...add vinegar!

I marked our territory while we waited for our grub...right between the Bates Motel and Marilyn....seemed fitting.

2011 Hunnert Car Pile Up

2011-11-11T10:39:00.000-06:00

A few pics from the weekend of Oct. 9

Dennis Hopper "The Glory Stompers" 1968

2011-11-11T09:31:00.000-06:00

Portrait by our own, Cody Pruitt

Manwolf

2011-11-04T13:54:00.000-05:00

Justin McMullen Memorial Patches

2011-11-03T10:59:00.001-05:00

Hey everyone, my buddy Chris and I teamed up and had these patches made in memorial of our friend Justin McMullen that passed back in September after complications from injuries sustained in a motorcycle wreck.

ALL PROCEEDS FROM THESE PATCHES GOES TO HIS KIDS.

f you are interested in obtaining a memorial patch, they are

$6 ea/shipped.
PAYPAL to: barry6st@hotmail.com

Please include your full name as well as current shipping info in the message. Thank you for your support!

The Triumph Cafe - St. Louis

2011-11-02T15:58:00.000-05:00

I ate at the Triumph Cafe the last time I was in St. Louis.

Kind of a hip, upscale joint, but they have all kinds of cool old and rare sickles on display.

Worth checking out, in my opinion, if you're in the city.

I've got many pics to sort thru, but here is one of the bikes they had on display.

TOO COOL!

Our Favorite Holiday

2011-10-31T09:30:00.002-05:00

Another Congratulations!?!?!

2011-10-24T10:44:00.000-05:00

Love is in the air and another one of our homeboys, the West Coast Cohort, Randy and his wife Adria, finally tied the knot Oct 15th. Congratulations you two!!!!!! Hawaii looked like a blast!

Congratulations are in order!!!

2011-10-21T10:46:00.000-05:00

Harlo and his wonderful gal, Haley got married a few weeks back and us Flatlanders represented with a few of us showing up to drink the beer. Congrats to you both, sounds like Hawaii was a great time!

Hey, you two remember Haley's birthday weekend ealier this summer? Did ya ever see the pic of your menage a trois?

Tumpy's new toy.

2011-10-21T10:36:00.000-05:00

It's a roller!

Red Good from Cycle One Mfg. delivered this, in pieces, to our boy Tumpy down at the Boiling Springs Campground this past August where about 30 of us met for a weekend of riding and camping.

Of course with a bunch of chopperheads hangin around drinking beer for 3 days, we just had to see what it looked like altogether!!!

Pile Up Teaser Pic

2011-10-18T15:06:00.000-05:00

I've got pics to share and stories to tell but haven't had a chance to sit down and get it all down on "paper".

Here's a pic from Friday night's pre-party in Clinton, IL to tide ya over....

Benefit Auction a Success!!!

2011-10-13T13:16:00.000-05:00

The auction we held on TCU forum raised just over $4100 dollars for our friend Justin McMullen's children.

A large group of TCU and Hondachopper.com members met up in Decatur, IL for the Hunnert Car Pile Up last weekend, staying at a nearby campground.

Saturday afternoon a huge bald eagle was circling our campsite.
Later that night we said a few words about our friend and lit off a sky lantern in his memory.
He was definately there in spirit!

I'd like to thank all of the members of the talented members of http://www.thechopperunderground.com/ & http://www.hondachopper.com/ that supported our efforts and to all of the contributors of items for the auction:

Tim and the crew at Death Science/Show Class magazine
the Eastwood Company
J & P Cycles, Biltwell
Englishman and the Horse Backstreet Choppers magazine
Cody Pruitt & Altered Egos Tattoos
Jeff "Po-Boy" Luke
Tail End Customs
Visual Impact
Hughes Handbuilt
Dock Merritt & Vintage Pure Heaven
Greasy Kulture Magazine
Joe Wiseguy & Wiseguy Customs
Hard Luck Designs
Troy Fabrication
Ink is Art
Spider Racing
PSW Customs
TWT Motorcycle Parts

...and of course all of the bidders!
Everyone's contributions are very much appreciated.

Chris & I are having memorial patches made for Justin as well, with all proceeds also going to his 4 children. They should be done within a few weeks.

HUNNERT CAR PILE UP - 10th and FINAL year - Sat Oct 8, 2011

2011-10-05T13:06:00.000-05:00

http://www.hunnertcarpileup.com/

This weekend is the Hunnert Car Pile Up in Decatur, IL. It marks the 10th and final year for this highly anticipated hot rod show. A one day event with all kinds of rad cars, bikes, vans, art, etc. Members of Hondachopper.com, thechopperunderground.com, the HAMB board, ChopCult, etc. tend to make a weekend of it, staying in the area and attending the pre party in Clinton, IL on Friday and then a few of the post parties in the area, saturday night. Guaranteed to be a great time and kind of a final fling before winter decends upon us here in the midwest, when we spend all our time wrenching and building instead of riding. One more day of work and my weekend begins!!!! Are ya ready Flatlanders???

Here are some pics from last year:

Already missin' ya Justin....

RIP my friend

Blue Balls Edition

2011-09-27T15:37:00.000-05:00

Miss ya already Justin.

(scroll to the bottom to ixnae the audio player)

It's a Sad Day

2011-09-27T12:10:00.000-05:00

I received word this morning that our friend Justin McMullen, who had been in a coma since Sat, Sept, 17, passed this morning. Last I heard this past Saturday they had removed him from the brain drain since his heart rate was up and he had regained certain reflexes and was taking nourishment. His body was functioning on its own once again! We were all optomistic in light of this news....until this morning.

Rest in Peace Justin.
You touched many lives and will be missed by many.
Please say a prayer, or send well wishes, whatever your beliefs, for his 4 young children and his family and loved ones.

There is an online benefit auction for his children and family on

THE CHOPPER UNDERGROUND

see here for details

Got My Headlight Today!

2011-09-23T14:27:00.000-05:00

Back in '09 when I was building the long chop, I ended up using an old square headlamp. A buddy wanted a round style and had this old square light that I thought was off of an old Japper...hell I didn't know, I was just lookin to help him out and liked what he had to trade.
So here I am a few years after that, putting the bobber back together with a slight bit different look that its had for the past decade. I was running a 7" round light up front and decided I wanted something a bit different. I'd tried the 5" round Bates style back in '05 and it just didn't do it for me, something just wasn't right (incidentally thats the one that I traded off for the square one).

I decided I dug that square light so much that I needed one on the bobber revamp. So, after scouring the innerweb I discovered that they were not as easy to find as I'd hoped. I hit up the guy that I'd gotten the light from to determine what it was off of and he said he had bought it from an old woman selling off her husband's shop's inventory and that when he got it, it was in a Bates box.

So I put a WTB ad on a few online forums and low and behold my buddy John out in MD had not one, but two. They are not the exact same as the one on the long chop, but, they are the same style. Nice and big with a deep shell and side mount and sealed beam. I don't know what make they are....I dont' even know if the one I already had is truly a Bates, but I don't care, they're just what I wanted!
Thanks J-Lo (Draft Cycle Works)!!!

Online Benefit Auction for Justin McMullen

2011-09-22T16:16:00.000-05:00

Justin is our riding buddy and was involved in a serious motorcycle accident last Saturday evening. We are unsure of the exact circumstances. Justin was found by himslef laying in the road unconcious, not a scrape on his body, but he hit his head and has been in a coma with brain swelling, high temperature and high blood pressure. He is on life support and in critical condition at St. Francis Medical center in Peoria, IL. The Chopper Underground motorcycle forum is holding an online auction to raise money for Justin and his family in their time of need. Please send good juju towards the heavens for Justin and his family, and if you can lend a hand, please do! Here are the details of the auction.

Waaaay Cooooool

2011-09-22T15:53:00.000-05:00

Pinstripe virtuoso, Steve Kafka with a short video about his restoration of Von Dutch's legendary workshop/bus! Thanks to Irish Rich for sharing this video. I'm a huge Dutch fan, but had no idea of this project until now!

Bobber Update Fall '11

2011-09-21T13:53:00.000-05:00

Having been gone so much this summer the bobber got a bit neglected. But since my flat tire a few weeks ago, I've gotten rejuvenated on 'er. Got the carbs cleaned up nice. The drag pipes, man those things were fuggin haggard, gave em a new life by hacking off the worn down, road rashed, slash cut tips. Cleaned up the "old" wheel my Uncle Ed gave me a few years back. Damn, that thing is chrome and like new! Swapped the tire from the Invader that was intended for the 70's hardtail chop...but I be broke and needed new rubber on that bright, shiny rear wheel. Last night I masked and sprayed the repaired rear section. Now its gettin down to the nuts and bolts of putting 'er back to the rideable stage. Here's some shizzy cellephone pics:

Carbs got a nice lemon juice/water boil bath...with a touch of carb cleaner afterwards to taste.

Hillbilly's Wicked Choppa - VA

2011-09-21T11:29:00.001-05:00

My buddy HB is workin' on a repop of an old AEE "wing" tank for a customer out in Vegas for his deraked Panhead chop. HB contacted Duane Ballard who put him in touch with Dave Brackett via the innerweb. Dave used to have a hand back in the early days with Tom McMullen. The next day Dave called HB about the "wing" tank and they spent about an hour on the phone, Dave sharing cool old stories and tales of the heyday of choppers back when.

The O.G. tank - http://aeechoppers.blogspot.com/2011/02/wing-tank.html

The deraked pan:

HB's version of the "Wing"

(note: in construction stages...bottom yet to be finished)

Raymond Pettibon

2011-09-20T11:02:00.000-05:00

I came across this cool print from punk rock artist Raymond Pettibon. You may recognize his work from old Black Flag or Minutemen album covers, among others, or flyers from the heyday of the early CA punk scene. Dig it!

Buddy Down

2011-09-19T11:24:00.000-05:00

I receieved word yesterday morning that my buddy Justin McMullen had wrecked his motorcycle sometime Saturday night in Peoria, IL. It's pretty heavy. He's in a coma with a 105 degree temperature, and while mostly breathing on his own, is hooked to a respirator. He had brain swelling and fluid on the brain and surgery was done to remove part of his skull to relieive the pressure. Right now, the Doctor's say it is a waiting game.

Justin, we're all pulling for you dude. We've got too many miles left to ride and too many beers left to drink. We'll be here for ya when ya wake up my man. Please keep Justin, his four kids, and his family in your thoughts....send some good juju his way!

Justin, Dirka, Land

His XS650

Some cool old chop pics!

2011-09-15T10:41:00.000-05:00

My buddy Vince turned me onto this link...I never get tired of lookin' at pics of choppers!
CHOPPERS AUSTRALIA

9-10-11 and a Full Moon

2011-09-13T16:15:00.000-05:00

I awoke saturday morning with Kari nudging me, saying “Your alarm just went off!!!”. It was right around 7 a.m. and the Flatlanders crew was supposed to be here at 8 a.m. We were riding a 400+ mile round trip to visit our friend Jeff Hammel over in Hamilton, IL, just across the river from Keokuk, IA.

I first checked my phone, yep, slept right thru the annoying wake up call. I also noticed a few texts already from Scrap (our resident early bird) asking: 1) If I was awake and 2) had I heard from the others. The answer to both was no.

I scooped myself outta bed and headed for the shower. Once out of the steamer I’d noticed that the others had since gotten in touch and would be arriving shortly.

I thru some clothes on over my long johns and headed out to the shop to check over last nights doings. Everything was complete and tightened down. After double checking the rear brake adjustment I pulled the chop out to the gravel and kicked ‘er over to warm up a bit. It wasn’t long after I’d grabbed my jacket and vest, a few misc tools that weren’t already in my bag, and my camera, that Chris, Derek and Falldown pulled into the drive. Within about 15 minutes Cody rode up, and the main part of the crew was assembled. Shooting for 8 a.m., we finally hit the road closer to nine, in the usual Flatlander custom.

After our first fuel stop in Heyworth, IL we only made it a few more miles before I began frantically pointing at the McDonald’s as we rolled into McClean, the next town along Rt. 136 headed west. I raced up to the curb, found neutral and leaned ‘er on the stand, bailed and sprinted for the door. Once inside and sitting down I sent a message out to the rest of the bunch....lets just say the coffe and Honey Bun I’d eaten at the first stop wasn’t jiving with the Keithstone’s or Captain that had entered my gut the previous evening.

Back on the road, we cruised thru the corn ‘n beans until we arrived in San Jose, IL. This is where we met Scrap at the Casey’s Station entering town. I don’t think the locals knew what to think as they were rubbernecking and google-eyeing us as we stood next to our scoots in the corner of the lot. My guess is they’d probably been watching too many episodes of Sons of Anarchy.

The rest of the trip to Jeff’s was pretty smooth and enjoyable. We managed to dodge the rain all around us, only having to deal with pesky wet roads and overspray from other vehicles on the road. After a quick lunch stop in Macomb, it seemed like no time at all before we were pulling into the parking lot of Jeff’s favorite coffee spot on the east edge of Hamilton.

We met Jeff at his local coffee stop, where once again I was MIA for about 20 minutes, this time it was due to the tuna sub I had for lunch. It was obvious the little hole in the wall was “his spot” by the way he interacted with the locals and the waitresses, he had us all rolling. After eveyone (but me) had a cup o’ joe he invited us to check out his shop just a few blocks down the road.

Jeff’s is not your typical shop. He rents a place about a block from the carpet store he owns, that shares a building with a cellular store. Being ahead of us out of the java stop parking lot, he greeted us as we pulled into the lot.

We passed thru a wooden gate to a back porch that overlooked a decent sized “pond”. I say pond with quotations as it is an old rock quary and is about 75 ft deep. A canoe and a zip line were the first things that I noticed, then the giant carp and ducks milling about the pond. Jeff thru a handful of feed into the water and both the fish and the birds swarmed around sucking up every last morsel.

Beyond the porch was the doorway to his work space. Once we entered we were face to face with Jeff’s creations. A few XS650’s and a Honda 550 were immediately recognizable. Surrounded by shelves covered with misc parts and gas tanks, pipes and misc. Around the way was another 650 called the “8 ball” and another bike, known as the Barnstormer powered by an MT250 dirtbike motor. This was Jeff’s build off winner for the Chopper Underground’s yearly Build Off. Man, what a sweet little machine. Definately a head turner with it’s clean lines and all of it’s parts showcasing Jeff’s knack for re-purposing.

(the Barn Stormer)

(XS650 "Street Tracker")

We hung around asking questions, sharing stories, and taking in the surroundings for a few hours before deciding we’d better make the trek home. As mentioned we’d left around 9 a.m. and didn’t get to Hamilton until around 2 p.m. so we had another good sized jaunt ahead of us.

(fork lower tail light)

After sucking down a soda and mapping our way home, deciding to take the 4 lane instead of the 2 in an effort to make time, we said our goodbyes and fired up our crop of bikes. Jeff’s lot was quite sloped and covered with rocks leading right onto the main drag. As we were pulling out Chris hit a spot of gravel that showed him no mercy and slammed him onto the pavement. Derek and Scrap were already headed to the station for gas, but Falldown and I killed our motors and jumped off to make sure he was okay as Jeff ran from the shop.

(Jeff, Scrap and Chris)

(Chris & Falldown)

Chris jumped up in good spirits as we lifted his chop from the ground. There was no major damage except for a small dent in the tank. I commented “at least it didn’t fall on the left side”, where he had a Wild Turkey bottle for his coolant overflow. This was the beginning of our journey home.

After fueling up a few blocks from Jeff’s place we hit Rt 136 back east. We then picked up the four lane 336 to shoot south down to I-72 for our trek back across the state. As we merged onto the 4 lane I thought I felt a weird groove in my back tire, but after glancing around to the others in front and behind me, I shrugged it off to a vibe in the road.

Then my thoughts drifted to the previous night. “Did I tighten this? Did I tighten that? What could that feeling be?” We carried on down the highway at about 80 mph where eventually Scrap pointed behind us noticing the other 3 were not in sight.

He and I pulled to the shoulder to wait. I went to put my kickstand down and thought the crown on the shoulder was keeping me from putting the stand down, until I went to push my bike forward and thought I was in gear. I wasn’t.

“Fuck”, I exclaimed, “I gotta flat tire”. We both looked at each other with an expression of ‘what now’. After getting ahold of the other 3 on the cellie to find out they had pulled off for a break, we informed them of my dilema. Ten minutes later they were there with us scratching their heads too. I don’t know how we were running at the speed we were and within 5 min of pulling over I had a flat. I tend to think I may’ve been very lucky.

After the usual hemming and hawing of “what the fuck are we gonna do now”. We decided to head back about 20 miles to Quincy for dinner. We’d made a few phone calls and lined up a buddy, Tim from Springfield, to come get my bike. I told the others to go on ahead and I’d wait but they wouldn’t leave me behind.

I rode the bike down into the ditch along the freeway and tucked it behind some weeds by the exit sign to wait for Tim and the truck. I looked at Falldown and said “You ready honey?” as he was the only one with a 2 up scooter.

After we had some fine dining at Kelley’s Tavern we mounted the steeds once again, me riding bitch on Falldown’s ‘82 Tour Glide, and headed back out to the interstate to sit by my bike and wait for Tim.

About 20 min later Tim arrived, having missed us as he headed north, but making tracks back south once he realized. We had told him we were on 336 but actually we were on 172 as the highway had changed and we didn’t notice...so he didn’t start looking at mile markers until 336 and he was coming from the south! No worries, he was there with the rescue machine and we loaded my ole heap up into the bed and strapped ‘er down. We were on our way home!

A few miles down the road Tim and I noticed the pack start to slow down. No sooner did the 4 bikes in front of us merge to the shoulder. “Damn, we forgot to get gas back in Quincy!” In light of dealing with my tire no one thought to fuel up before leaving Quincy, where’d we’d already ran close to 100 miles, the last fuel up being back in Hamilton after leaving Jeff’s place.

No sweat. Falldown had a Poweraid bottle and I jumped out of the truck, pulled my fuel line and filled it up twice for Chris to fill his tank to get to the next stop. Once again we were on our way, that is until Dirka and Scrap succumbed to the same fate before reaching the truck stop at Barry, IL. Twice again I pulled my line and filled the Poweraid bottle so we could make the station...which we did, eventually.

Somewhere during this calamity I had gotten a text from Kari saying she was already in Springfield with my truck waiting for us. I regrettingly informed her of our woes and said “we’re still close to 2 hours out babe”. No sweat, she was chillin in the truck and just hoped we were ok and safe.

Once we left Barry, IL the pack was gone. With a few gallons of gas and a couple energy drinks those fuckers made tracks. Tim and I were left in the dust gazing at the full moon as we mozeed along the highway. As we were entering Springfield we spotted a side mount taillight in the distance ahead of us. We knew it had to be one of our guys.

As we approached the sideways red light we noticed the TCU emblem on the back of the rider and deteremined it was Chris. “He’s doesn’t have a headlight” I told Tim and once Chris realized it was us he merged to the shoulder.

His throttle cable had busted but he was able to cruise along at about 65mph as it had locked itself in. The other guys must have figured he’d catch up but at this point they were killing 90 mph and it just wasn’t happening.

Chris pushed his bike up under an overpass and we all squeezed in the Ranger before heading onto the Shell station on the east side of the capitol city to meet Kari and the others. We arrived to find eveyone in the parking lot. The unfortunate sight was that of Derek pulling all of his wiring from his XS650.

Apparentlyy he coasted into the lot as Scrap was fending off a local 5-0 that was yelling at him about his head light being out. “I know ya stupid fucker, thats why I’m trying to pull into the station!!!”

I’d lost track of time at this point but it was around 1 a.m. This had been a long day already and the end was nowhere in sight.

After we all put in our 2 cents about Derek’s electrical issues Kari, Scrap, Tim and I decided it’d be a good time to get my bike outta the back of Tim’s truck and into mine. We pulled across the 4 lanes into a car lot with a helluva ditch to make unloading and loading easier.

(Dirka & Scrap TCB)

Once that feat was accomplished it only made sense that we go load up Chris’ chop that had been sitting a few miles back along I-72 for close to 2 hours. Now we had both immobile scooters loaded up in a rescue vehicle and it was time to shit and git with Derek’s. After testing this wire and that wire to no avail, we decided to revisit the battery, which none of us thought was the issure hours prior. Chris, me and the local fella that just happened upon us with a truck full of electrical supplies walked over the Sierra and pulled Chris’ battery out for Dirka to try.

Sure as shit, once Dirka installed the new battery and had eveything hot wired, BAM, that ole XS fired right up, kept running, and the lights remained of solid illumination. All right, we’re back in business! ...well kind of.

It was now around 3:30 a.m. We had left the border of IA at 4:30 p.m. and were still 2 hours away from the So’full Garage. After bidding our adieus, and bungie-ing a mag light to Scrap’s girder to get him across town (he lives in Springfield), we hit I-72 once again in an attempt to make it to a mattress.

After one stop for gas and coffee, we made it back to the compound around 5:30 a.m. We all were approaching being awake for 24 hours with the exception of Falldown, who'd surpassed it at 4 a.m. Kari, Chris and I were cozeed in the cab of the GMC where I’d been hallucinating for about the last 30 miles of the trip from exhaustion...seeing trees, deer (that were construction barrels) and a raised garage door that were not real. All the while Dirka and Falldown were trying to keep their sanity following me.

Inside the garage a few Keithstone’s were cracked as we all questioned, “Did all of that just happen?”.....needless to say we all hit the pillows with force, only to rise a few hours later to deal with the reprecussions of the past 24 hours.

Friday Night 9/9/2011

2011-09-12T11:23:00.000-05:00

In preparation for the Flatlanders ride over to the Iowa border on saturday, I spent the night in the shop doing some RM I'd meant to do all week. First order of business was setting the valves. So I cracked a can and sat down with the feelers, a flat head and a number 10.

(pickled eggs in Jalepeno juice...a staple in the S.G.)

Once I'd set the valves I decided I'd move on to installing the EI that'd I'd been meaning to swap back to from the points that we'd installed back at the Riders Roost in June. After removing the points cover and pulling out the Martek 440 I had stashed on the shelf, I cracked another can and thought it over....been running these points since June and if something happened on the road I'd most likely be able to get myself going again. But this Martek I'd bought used and didn't know the history of it other than "it came off a running bike". After a few minutes and a few second opinions, I decided to just stick with the points for the time being.

The next and final order of business was the drive chain. I'd felt like I'd been pushing my luck with it all summer...it had gotten to the point where it'd stretch on every ride and I'd been running it for about 2 seasons now. I usually change the chain at the beginning of each season but didn't this year. Once I popped the master clip I noticed that my sprocket was fucked also. Nice sharp shiny points all the way around and the nice u-shaped dips were worn to more of a loose v. Well hells bells!

(patiently waiting)

I started searching around the shop for a runable sprocket. Most every one I found was not much better than the one I needed to replace and I didn't wanna run another shitty sprocket with a brand new chain. Ah hah! I'll yank that one off the Gent's wheel until I can get a new one! So I pull the sprocket off Duane's wheel before realizing its a 630...well shit! Its getting late and this is the last order of business before calling it a night. I start pacing a bit and racking my brain....the cafe!

(bad one on the right, 630 on the left)

(sprocket donor)

I went into the other room with my rachet and lift the back end of the cafe project up onto the jack stands. Then I remove the rear wheel and inspect the sprocket. Sure as shit, its not new, but definately runable so I yank it off the 18" and return to the shop to put onto the 16".

After tightening everything up on the rear end and giving the old gal a final once over, I kicked Keith Stone out and invited the Captain over to hang for bit before calling it a night. We were scheduled to leave at 8 am and I knew the morning was gonna come too quickly.

Ron Finch - Custom Chopper May 1973

2011-09-08T11:35:00.000-05:00

Click the pages for a larger legible version.

1995 Called...

2011-09-02T13:32:00.000-05:00

And Cody says tribal is lame.

Red Star Liquors - Urbana, IL

2011-09-01T11:54:00.002-05:00

CB750 Auto Chopper for Sale

2011-08-29T14:57:00.001-05:00

CLICK FOR SOUND - lower right

Info here: http://hondachopper.yuku.com/topic/41996/master/1/?page=1

Model Sueing Urban Outfitters for $28K

2011-08-25T11:02:00.001-05:00

This photo was taken at an aquaintence of mine's, buddy's shop...and now its famous.

News Story:

http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/08/21/model-sues-urban-outfitters-over-salacious-photo-printed-on-t-shirt/

"Duane Ballard Custom Leather" Interview

2011-08-23T16:11:00.000-05:00

Duane Ballard is one of the best leather toolers working today. He is a true artisan and has been honing his craft since childhood. Not only does he have a knack for beating out rad designs on dead cow flesh, but he also has a penchant for building some of the sickest CB750 choppers you're likely to see. Duane recently took time out of his insanely busy schedule to answer some questions for the So'full Garage, about his craft and his bikes.

1. You and your wife Lisa moved to CA a few years back. Did you experience any culture shock or endure any major adjustment coming from the East Coast?

I grew up in Phoenix, Arizona so I didn't really notice any culture shock. Lisa sure did though. One thing we needed to get used to was the amount of shows and events that go on here. I never set up at a show until coming to California. We do it here because we enjoy going to the shows and setting up gives us a place in the shade to hang out more than anything else.

2. Do you find CA to be more inspiring with your work and motorcycle addiction than the East Coast, or does it even factor in?
I think it's more inspiring. There is so much going on that you constantly push yourself to make different things. I've been able to be a part of some very cool art shows since moving here. I doubt I would have been able to do that on the East Coast where we were at. There wasn't much going on in New Hampshire.

3. You’ve been honing your leathercrafting skills since you were a kid. So just how long have you been working the swivel knife?
I probably started messing with it around 11-12 years old and I'm 45 now. So a LONG time.

4. How about motorcycles, how long have you been riding? What prompted your interest in sickles?
Forever. My father rode and I'm sure the interest comes from him. He is also to blame for the Japanese bike addiction. I remember him saying he liked how HD bikes sounded and that was it.

5. You are partial to the CB750 Honda, as we here at So’full Garage are also. What was it like being the first guest to take a Japanese-based chopper back to it's homeland for the Mooneyes Show in 2010?
I was in shock they even asked. When they told me they wanted to bring two of my bikes they floored me. It was very, very cool riding the bikes in Yokohama. The Mooneyes crew was so professional and accommodating. The only thing I regret is how short the trip was. We should of stayed a few extra days to see more in Japan. The people were incredibly nice and seemed to really enjoy the bikes.

6. I’m a big fan of the styling that the 1970’s brought us in the way a chopper should look. Both of your bikes, Funkenstein and the Pink Taco, are oozing 70’s style. Do you see yourself following this theme in the future?
That's when I grew up and that's what is stuck in my head every time I think of what I want to build. I like that style but also like a few modern things, especially brakes. All my bikes run disks front and rear. I don't know if I could pull off any other style. Nothing else gets my attention like the seventies, early eighties style bikes.

7. Do you have any current bike projects in the works we can look forward to seeing?
I have a café cb750 my son and I are doing and I have another crazy project in my head I want to do.

8. What does a typical day for DB consist of?
In the morning I usually answer emails. I've always worked from home so once the house starts moving I start pounding on projects. Some days I'll go in and out working on things and some days I'm in there until ten at night. I have to be in kind of a groove to do something. If I'm not into working on something at that moment I'll leave it and come back to it. If I kept at it I'd end up not liking it and throwing it away. You wouldn't believe how many things I get to 50% or more done and then decide I just don't like it. I'll cut it in half and toss it. Drives Lisa crazy but I can't help it.

9. What kind of tunes are you diggin these days?
I listen to old punk rock more than anything else. This morning I started with Christian Death and I'm listening to Rudimentary Peni as I type this.

10. Who and/or what inpires you?
Al Stohlman and some of the other old leather workers. I also get inspiration from engravers, painters, and many other things. I'll look at something and see what I can pull out of it to put on leather.

11. You've decided to ween yourself from the day job and do leatherworking full time. What was your source of income before going full time with DB Custom Leather?
I've been doing it full time for over ten years now. Before that I did construction, land surveying and lot layout on the pc. Back in the DOS days. Old school with my father.

12. There are many motorcycle/chopper related websites these days. What is your opinion of online motorcycle forums and blogsites?
Oh God. I don't hardly ever go to motorcycle forums. It seems as if most, not all, of them turn into a fake tough guy shit storm. These guys would never say in person what they do online. To me motorcycles are supposed to be fun. So I avoid everything that could take the fun out of it. I do go to a few sites to look but you'll hardly ever see a post from me.

13. What does the future hold for you personally, as well as "Duane Ballard Custom Leather"?
I don't plan that far ahead. I just hope to be able to keep doing what I'm doing. I love that people enjoy my work and it's an honor that they would choose me to make them something. There is nothing like having someone call to tell you how excited they are when I mail them their finished project.

14. Thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions for us Duane, any last comments?
No problem. Any time. Keep building! I just had a new website built by my buddy's at Rubbertree. Keep looking for new work on it and my blog. Thank you!

Website: http://www.dbcustomleather.com/

Blog: http://dbcustomleather.wordpress.com/

Inline Four Model

2011-08-22T11:26:00.000-05:00

Matt "Roadkill" Stier circa 1987

2011-08-19T13:11:00.000-05:00

Before he was touring the country on his CB750 Savior, he was cruisin 8 Mile Rd in Detroit trying to impress hood rats on his Haro.

Midwest Hillbilly Jamboree 2011

2011-08-18T08:57:00.000-05:00

About 25 members from hondachopper.com gathered this past weekend just outside Dixon, MO at Boiling Spring Campground. This location was the spot for this year's midwest meet. Hondachopper has an annual "world" meet in June, held at the Riders Roost Campground down in NC each year, and then number of regional meets like this one, as well. We had great turnout and nice weather except for a doozy of a storm on Friday evening. The riding was great, the food was great and the company was excellent!

(scroll to the bottom to turn off the So'full Garage playlist before hitting 'play')

Chopper/Art Show Winter 2012

2011-08-17T13:00:00.000-05:00

This winter the So'full Garage, in conjunction with another collective or two, will be hosting Champaign-Urbana, IL's first ever Chopper/Art show.

The show will consist of handpicked local sickle builders and artists that will showcase their work. We're looking at a 3 night, 2 day, weekend event that will boast an opening reception the first night. We are really excited about this endeavor and realize we've got our work cut out for us. If any of you out there have experience you'd like to share we're all ears! Keep an eye out here at the So'full Garage for updates.

Custom Bike July 1976

2011-08-11T15:41:00.000-05:00

An old technique for some unique tank art.

This article was written 35 years ago by a friend of mine that was killed last year, July 18, when a car ran him over while on a motorcycle trip in Kentucky. Richard was a talented and kind individual, and while I only knew him short time, we hit it off right away. He would frequently call about his latest creations and endeavors.

He taught me about passion for doing what you love and that if you take your time and have patience, you can accomplish whatever your mind dreams up.

You are missed Richard. Rest in Peace.

Click the photo's for larger, readable images.

Vinny's CB750 Bob-job

2011-08-08T10:23:00.000-05:00

Hunnert Car Pile Up 2011 - October 8th

2011-08-03T14:37:00.001-05:00

http://www.hunnertcarpileup.com/

This year is the 10th and FINAL year for the Hunnert Car that was just moved downstate to Decatur, IL last year.
This show is always a blast with lots of cool shit to look at. We hate to see it dissappear, but kudos to the Chrome Czars Car Club for keeping it going as long as it has. A decade is a damn long time and I think its been an awesome 10 years!

See ya there!

Manwolfs

2011-07-29T12:23:00.002-05:00

Be A Manwolf Today from éS Skateboarding on Vimeo.

Bearded Lady Motorcycle Freakshow 2011

2011-07-26T11:24:00.000-05:00

The 6th year of this Northeast Minneapolis, MN event!!!

Click for a slideshow of pics...

Chopper Bagger?

2011-07-22T21:55:00.000-05:00

One of the Amatuer Build Off entries at the 2011 Smokeout.

A CB750 Chopper Bagger. Yea or Nea?

Best Blacklight Poster EVER!

2011-07-21T15:56:00.002-05:00

An inline 4 blacklight poster!

Sidenote: J-lo, if you ever off it, contact me.

The crew did a lot of work at the Roost this year.

2011-07-14T12:52:00.000-05:00

Many carb tune-ups. TJ welded up a cracked gooseneck frame. He also made some bushings for a springer that had ones that were shot. Think he made some kind of spacer for a girder front end also. My Martek went out so I had to scrounge a points plate and swap it out. Mike got a new tire. Ya know, usual stuff that comes with the territory when you're riding homebuilt freedom machines using 30-40 year old motors! Great times!

Red and Chuck clownin' around during "work hours"

TJ welding on the goosneck

Sunday July 10, 2011

2011-07-12T09:21:00.000-05:00

Sunday we gathered at the Robertson shop for some family time. Scrap had been there since Saturday working on repairing the cracked neck on his goosenecked chop. By the time Cody and I arrived Sunday afternoon, he and Chris had that taken care of. The crack had been repaired when we were down in NC last month, by our friend TJ. But Scrap and Chris welded in some thicker plate in the neck area as a gusset, as was recommended by Red Good from Cycle One Mfg.

I pulled my front wheel off to check the balance and it was dead on. So we determined the bouncing issue I was noticing when I had the bike leaned over was in the rear tire. It appears to be worn a little funky so when ya get over on that side wall, you feel it. Looks like I'll be ordering a new tire soon.

Once Bill arrived we all saddled up and rode down to a car/bike show at the local parts store. Chris had entered his trike so we went down to collect the trophy and then hopped across the road to the mexican restaurant for some lunch.

We finished off the afternoon riding down to an old railway bridge that was covered with bad graffiti. We snapped a few pics, shot the bull and then headed back to the shop. A lot of times you have the most fun when you don't even have a plan!

Paul's KZ400

2011-07-08T12:45:00.000-05:00

Went to Paul's house for a 4th of July party and got to see the progress he's made on this little scooter project. This thing is friggin nice, can't wait to see it on the road!!!!

Lenny "Asphalt" Davis' CB750

2011-07-07T16:07:00.000-05:00

Modified stock frame CB750 Chopper.

It's tough as shit (yes even with the pink basket) and has a great stance...

looks killer goin' down the road. I love this bike!

The Trip CB750 Bobber with Sidecar

2011-07-06T08:54:00.000-05:00

Rick Smith's classic style CB750 Bobber. Dig it!

Belltown Bash 2011

2011-07-01T17:15:00.001-05:00

(Scroll to the bottom to turn off the site playlist)

Each Fathers Day weekend my friend and his family throw a huge Hot Rod & Motorcycle party called the Belltown Bash (outside of Bellflower, IL) complete with a BBQ Wagon and bands....this video is compiled of stills and riding video from June 18. Enjoy!

Fort Wayne, IN July 9

2011-06-16T10:14:00.000-05:00

click for larger image

Brumie's Wheel

2011-06-13T12:36:00.000-05:00

Jason wanted the wheels on his KZ1000 chop powdercoated black. Naturally I obliged. Here are pics of the front wheel. Waiting on more powder from Eastwood for the rear. It had been awhile since I'd taken inventory and didn't have enough of the "satin" to do both.

Before

During

Finished

The light in these pics don't do any justice....I was losing daylight.

The wheel turned out really nice, and it was the first one I'd ever done.