Tintin & Motorcycles

I watched the Adventures of Tintin the other night. For all the work involved, it was just OK.

At least he rides a Motorcycle.


This might have been better... is this for real?
Via: Go Away Garage

O'Happy Day?

St. Patricks Day is basically a lame holiday (sorry Rich), and yes, I've posted this before (recycling).

You've probably noticed the lack of post. On a break so, I won't be posting anything new until the end of the month.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

...or, A Boring Post.

I hate to admit it... yesterday was our first ride of the year. Lately things have conspired to keep it from happening but, knowing it was probably going to be a nice day, I just had to get the bikes out.

Now, there's a Big Dirty Secret here in SoCal. Whenever it's warm, the local news will ultimately say, "it was a beautiful day out today!". What they don't mention is, that when it's warm, it's usually very dirty, as in smoggy and I personally don't see the beauty in that.

Yesterday, was one of the rare warm but, cleaner days we get. Like the day after it rains.

To the west you could see the rarely visible San Nicholas Island and Catalina was so clear it looked like it was only 10 miles away.

My big mistake was that I didn't take a camera along so, I took a few photos upon our return to personally log and remember the day.

Get the word out- Kill the Lightbox

I love blogger but hated when the new Lightbox viewing format came along. I like to see the images full size. Maybe I'm slow to the show, but just found out how to turn it off. If you agree, turn yours off too!

Here's how to do it

TMH Part 2 The Stripped Dresser Part 1

Here's my painting that I modified for This Month's Header.

The Harley art (below), for the 1958 model brochure served as inspiration. At the time I only had a postage stamp sized image for reference and thought it was cool so, wanted to do something like it only with more of a 60's look. The bike was made a 1960 model by changing the gas tank paint, emblem, and a headlight nacelle. I used the rocket graphic from that eras saddlebags along with some stars for the background which sort of gives it a Jetsons feel.

I call this style of Harley a "stripped dresser" since from about the 60's onward, FL's were pretty much sold with windshields, saddlebags, luggage racks, spot lamps, parking lights/turn signals, etc.

Rigid frame bikes definitely make the best choppers and bob jobs but, in my opinion, the Duo-Glides look even better when it comes to this stripped down elemental form.

El Camino 2011 Part 1 Sportsters Only?

I'm real late in posting anything from this years show.

If you go to the promoters website, it says that this years show was the biggest and best ever!... "Really?"

When I was asked what it was like, my reply was, "it sucked"! ... and think it has been in decline for sometime. My reason... for the last several years there has been a shrinking amount of American bikes entered in the show. Sure, there are always some interesting ones in the vendor's booths or rode in, but actually entered, very few. I do have some ideas why, but won't get in to that.

That's All Folks! This photo shows ALL of the bikes entered in two classes of American bikes, 1936-64 and 1965-89. Way back is Ty's very nice panhead , a K-model (cool, but of not show bike quality), and some sort of modified scooter that was completely out of place. To top it off, I overhead that the show officials had to ask 2 vendors to bring their bikes over to the show. There were 3 or 4 more Harleys in the custom class.


This very nice '72 and the above orange '69 were automatically in contention for 1st and 2nd place in the '65-'89 class. I would have liked to have got the owner's names.


This is definitely the nicest '72 XLCH I've ever seen and makes me question selling mine.


Again this bike, is nice, so don't get me wrong!... For fun and a personal challenge, I like to play judge and see if I can detect anything slightly a miss on bikes like this.

Disclaimer: I realize that many times an owner will make some personal choices which they are fully aware of. That said, I came up with 10 small items that a judge might find plus 2 I'd have to double check.

1. Fork bearing cups should be cad plated not black. 2. Front fender should have rivets not acorn nuts. 3 Inner front fender mounts improperly positioned. 4. Kickstand should be cad not chrome. 5. Kicker should be black not chrome. 6 Battery lid should be chrome not black. 7. Wire loom should be plastic not fabric. 8. Speedo cable routed incorrect. 9. Rocker box plugs should be cad, not chrome. 10. Carb/Air cleaner support should be cad, not black.

Two questionable items. 1. I'm not sure this type of passenger pegs were an option for this year. Most had a mount bolted to the rear engine mount. 2. I don't think the #1 points/timer cover is correct for this year.

I know this post got sort of disjointed, but wtf?... and OK, the show wasn't all bad, so I'll be posting more.

One last thing, Hey Noot, How'd I do?

Bobber Not A Bobber #4, Birth of the Chopper?

My Google stats consistently reveal that some of the most viewed pages on this blog are the Bobber Not A Bobber posts. That, and seeing how Jeff over on the Knuckle Buster 1939 blog just did a post on the use of the term "choppers" and "chopped cycles" from the March 1954 Cycle Magazine, it prompted me to post some photos I've been meaning to for sometime.

Two years ago Dr. Sprocket sent me a package and included the two photo copies in which he said were from a 1950 and 1951 Cycle Magazine letters to the editor section. The only problem is, they were both marked 1954 on the back! Hey Doc, what's up with that?


Below are photos and caption from a 1967 article entitled "Let's Build A Chopper"

The Missing Link? The caption calls it a chopper. This machine is prettier and has more custom touches than your average post war Bob Job.

Even if the Oklahoma and Alaska bikes are from 1954, the writer of the '67 article includes the above bike (built in '51), as an example of an early Chopper. This strongly implies that the term was in use back then.

As mentioned in the first post, the terms "chop" and "bob" are both used (and not just for cycles), to mean, cut. So, my guess is that the term "chop" came to be fashionably interchangeable with "bob" in the early 50's. Then later, as the styles evolved, the two terms also evolved to mean something quite different.

It's fun to discuss, argue, and investigate the correct or first use of such terms. From today's viewpoint, and for effective communication, I still feel the bikes above (especially the first two), are best described as Bob Jobs, or Bobbers.

The Art of the Engine #3 & 4, Grime Time

It's been a long time since I last did an Art of the Engine post, so here's two old crusty nuggets.



A recent non running barn find. 1948 UL in a '51 frame.





A 1938 Knucklehead Bob Job at Born-Free 3. It features many chromed parts including the forks, which leads one to think it was a real pretty bike back when it was first bobbed.... It's still a beauty in my book.



I actually prefer old bikes with their "earned patina" over ones that have been freshly restored. At most gatherings, bikes like these usually get more onlookers than clean fresh bikes, but many still don't get it and hastily erase all the signs of time and originality. The guys that get my goat, are the ones that take real nice original bikes, and repaint and re-plate them just because they ain't perfect. Keep in mind, any old pile can be re-plated or painted but an old motorcycle or part is only original once!

Remember When...

..you were different, a rebel, or thought it was cool to wear a Harley shirt?



From the Pre-Evo era. I bought this one at the Orange County M/C swap meet around 1979-80.





A friend of mine (not pictured) had this one. This design was being sold around the same time as the one above. In case you can't make it out, it's a big Harley tattooed arm squeezing three little cartoon (and not very flattering), Japanese dudes. Their hats read, Honda, Suzuki, and the other either said Yamaha or Kawasaki ? (from the Harley Porn photo page)





I thought this one was funny and wore it until it was a tattered rag. I believe it's dated 1988. Acid wash and graphics certainly date it.



I'm sad to say, I pretty much stopped wearing factory shirts about 10 or so years ago. It felt like it went from cool to bandwagon way before that. I just don't dig to be lumped in with the stereotype image of today's Harley rider or how corporate or marketed it's all feels. Most of the new shirt's designs aren't my style to boot.



Now don't go thinking I'm ALL anti the Factory or new bikes. Sometimes I cut them slack and sometimes I don't. Maybe it's just because "Nothing's Cool Anymore"!!

Nice Bike....

....for me to poop on!

All kidding aside, this bike (from Long Beach last fall), is a good reminder.

You might pick some other bars, style of sissy bar, or a different bend of pipes ....

....but it's hard to improve on the classic style of chop

....and no, it's not a bobber,

This Month's Header

Freedom
Whenever the question comes up, why ride a motorcycle?, many answer, Freedom. Now, that can be debated, but within some fairly practical limitations you are free to ride the bike of your choice. As a matter of fact, in today's world of mass management, I'm almost surprised a motorcycle is a legal choice of transportation at all. It's even more surprising that it's still legal to build a wild contraption yourself.

The bikes above are from the 4 categories you'll most likely see on this blog. Antiques, Dressers, Bob Jobs, and Choppers. It's all about Choice... your perfectly Free to chose other styles or makes.

Happy Birthday Nation!

Today's Cost of Bobbing

I found this H-D product announcement a few weeks ago and thought it was kind of amusing. Is it just me?

Combine Chopped Rear Fender and Solo Spring Saddle for Classic Style

MILWAUKEE (March 26, 2010) – Owners of most 2006-later Harley-Davidson Dyna® models can achieve the hot bobber look with the installation of three new items from Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories that are easy to install with no cutting, welding, or fabrication necessary (and no fun!), my words.


The new Chopped Rear Fender Kit – Dyna® Models (P/N 59860-10BEO Primed, $349.95; P/N 59860-10DH Vivid Black, $449.95) is a complete “bolt-on” chopped fender kit. The chopped fender eliminates the traditional tail lamp and center-mount license plate, replaces the original equipment rear turn signals with the included stop-turn-tail lights for a clean, stripped-down appearance. Installation requires the separate purchase of the new Side Mount License Plate Kit (P/N 60938-10, $194.95), finished in brilliant chrome, with a durable steel mounting bracket that incorporates license plate illumination.



Complete the bobber transformation with the new Solo Spring Saddle – Black Leather (P/N 54373-10, $269.95), a 10.5-inch-wide solo seat with the minimalistic “just enough to ride” look. The torsion-style springs are designed for the optimal balance between spring suspension and support. The smooth metal seat pan and the simple frame cover leave a clean, finished appearance. The seat can be removed and replaced with a touring seat for a two-up riding. Installation requires separate purchase of Spring Seat Mounting Hardware Kit (P/N 54075-10, $229.95), sold separately.

Add it up and it only costs $1045.00 (plus $100 for black only), to bob your Dyna's fender , change seat and to relocate the license plate. Not counting tax or paying the dealer to install the kit. (we wouldn't want you to break a nail).

You too can have a unique customized bike... just like everybody else's.

Remember the days when Bobbing was done with a hacksaw, a file, surplus parts, some imagination, and little or no money?... me neither.

Factory Bolt ons? - Not a Bobber!

Dedicated Hardcore Blogs

I recently found these two blogs by hopscotching through a follower.


Click on logos to visit. There are a few Sportster only blogs but this is the first Evo only one I've seen.

The first one features an interesting and fairly unique point of view. Seems that the owner of the blog won't post anything but Blockheads (Evo's) and expresses (kidding or not), a disdain for earlier H-D's. The Blockhead name was thrown around when Evo's first came out and I wish it would have caught on more than it has. Anyway, it's a reminder of how segmented this sport (?) can be.

The blog puts down "Old School" and I can understand how someone might react to the recent craze in vintage chops but, since Evo's are 10 to 25 years old, they themselves aren't exactly New School.

I myself don't dig Twin Cams that much and feel that the Evo is the last true evolution of the classic H-D twin.

Some Evo owners probably now feel like Shovel owners did (maybe still do), not too long ago. Sort of like a lost step child instead of a favorite son.

Bobber

Not A Bobber Part 3

Again, I'm only dissing bikes that were found labeled as Bobbers that I think shouldn't be. Photos were lifted for the purposes of education and clarification of course.

Bobber. I'm really digging this '62.


Not a Bobber Lots of dudes call this Old School, but until recently, this type of bike never existed. They might be fine for an old Hot Rod or if you're parading in a clown costume , but sorry folks, Red Wheels and White Walls are cornball on bikes.


Bobber. Obvious stolen picture.


Not a Bobber. For some reason many dudes think white walls make it a Bobber. I'd call this a custom, and a fugly one at that.

It's likely a touchy subject and just my opinion so, have I pissed anyone off, will I loses any readers?

Click the Bobber, Not a Bobber label below for previous posts.

Apollo 11

A topic of great pride and shame.

It should be a National Holiday! Here's to the smart and brave souls who once dreamed and made it possible.


Not only as Americans but, as humans, we should all be proud of this achievement of will and scientific curiosity.

On the other hand, we should be ashamed that 40 years has past and we no longer care about these types of positive scientific goals. Not to mention, the dumbing down of a society that pollutes the internet with stupid Moon landing hoax conspiracy theories.

A good site for debunking the Hoax Believers: http://www.badastronomy.com/bad/tv/foxapollo.html

One of the only uplifting things on TV is NOVA Science Now, Tuesday nights on PBS. Check it out, it might give you hope.

Shooting The Big Stiffy for Barnett's

As an illustrator I've been published in several magazines but, up till now, never as a photog.


No, not the HUGE cover bike but, it's in this (April-May-June), current issue


This one. Those who have been following this blog or have gone back to it's beginning, should recognize this bike.


Jerry Blanks and his creation, The Big Stiffy. No jokes please! I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot...

I originally drew the concept art of it. Then, 18 months later, when the bike was completed, I photographed and wrote it's feature for Bikernet.com. Here's the link for the original feature I did (before the bike had the fork and other minor changes made),: The Big Stiffy on Bikernet.com.

Late last year, Jerry called me to say that now Barnett's wanted to feature his bike and since it had been modified, he asked me to shoot it once again.


I'm in the story, they published my concept art, and got a credit of thanks on the tech sheet, but no photo credit.

We finally were able to meet for the photo shoot last December 12th. No special equipment was used, as a matter of fact, I shot it with my trusty old Sony DSC-S85 digital camera.

If you want your bike shot and your in the Los Angeles or South Bay area, give me a holler.


Here's a better view of the art again.

Some random general thoughts about magazines. For the last several years I seldom find a good reason to buy a magazine. I think it sucks to buy one just for maybe one lousy feature bike, article of interest, or photo you happen to like. Plus, many are just full of meaningless ads (at least to me), of the latest do-dads. For the most part, I generally don't like the bikes featured or relate to todays image of the H-D rider. In fact, I find I'm spending much less time just browsing the newsstand these days. I find the best photos of bikes I like (vintage of all types), through the blogs and can keep up to date with the industry on Bikernet.com.

What's up with the one called Baggers and Bobbers? I glanced through one and it just didn't seem right to feature the latest in Baggers and old style Bobbers.

That said, They ain't all bad and I do still enjoy printed media. Dice on one end of the spectrum, is a refreshing alternative (more or less the kind of bikes I like), and on the other end, (if you mostly desire pictures of the current mix of trendy bikes), Barnett's is a good choice. While most of the bikes featured don't fit my groove, I have to give Barnett's credit. The current issue has 17 feature bikes.

Bobber

Not a Bobber Part 2

I'm only posting bikes that were found labeled as Bobbers. Let's see how they fare on the Ol' Bobber Meter.

Bobber


Not a Bobber


Bobber


Not a Bobber

The More You Know...
This has been a Public Service Message.

Chopper Fest etc.

Random thoughts about the Chopper Fest, the Jack Off Journal, Old Timers ,Young Guns, and Bikes.

These musings are in response to reading the JJ. They are just my opinions and reactions from reading the posts. You might want to go and check the post yourself. All photos were grabbed from that site.

I almost never visit The Jack Off Journal but, because I didn't go to the DMCF, I figured there would be pictures posted of what I missed. I'm not member and after reading some of the other threads and about the show, it reminded me why, for the most part, I hate forums. Who needs a bunch of tit for tat B.S. between strangers, coupled with lot's of misinformation. Then there's that senior members thing.

About the show: Judging at shows always sucks. Also keep in mind that the name David Mann Chopper Fest, is mostly a marketing tool. "The Shop" used to just have a swap meet in December and a Antique show and swap in June. The first year of the Fest was the same year David Mann died and it was a tribute to him. My guess is that they wanted to make the December event bigger and since Choppers (thanks to TV), were back in style, it all fell in place.

In regards to what's in the show and how it's judged: I prefer true old school chops and bobs and I too would like to only see them featured in the show but remember, as the years progressed, the bikes Dave portrayed reflected the changing styles of the bikes featured in Easyriders. Also, the turn out wouldn't be as great.

As for Dave's art, one year I never even saw where it was displayed. Last year I found them poorly displayed in a building in the back of the Fairgrounds.

I'm not as totally jazzed with the pictures from the show as many of the JJ readers. Maybe it's my mood today or because I've seen a lot of the bikes before. Yeah some are sort of cool and others I can totally appreciate the craftsmanship but, I'm also really picky about what I like. Therefore, I always find it hard to completely like the way any one bike is done up.


Bobbers are supposed to be Bad Ass not Metrosexual.

The clean Bobber (above), that everybody seems to be drooling over is an example of what I mean. I saw it at El Camino and didn't like it much. It's pretty and a really nicely built bike but, does anybody else think it's a tad too fancy and bright? The color the fender trim and color coordination? Would you'd ever see a bobber like this in the 50's? Paint it all black (including the bars and headlight), take off the stainless trim and it would kick ass.

Then there's those the red wheeled white wall primer bikes (I hate'm), you see today. Seems everybody is forgetting history. Nobody ever built bikes like that until recently.

It pisses me off the way the term bobber is tossed about today. I need to do a post on that subject.


Another Metrosexual Bobber. Nice craftsmanship but... save the white walls and color coordination for a dresser. I spy a god awful red wheel with white wall in the distance.


This is more like it, but I'd still lose the green stuff. That's just me again.


Crappy, Slow, Built To Pose. Dumb shirt/Lousy art. When you were born don't mean shit. Cool dudes and "A" holes come in all ages.

On the subject of Young Guns vs. Old Guys:

For perspective, I'm 53 and have been into the bike scene since before I was old enough to ride. Does that make me an old guy? My guess is that many old timers have lost touch with the old style because they've kept moving on with the trends to the point where there's a disconnect.

It cracks me up that builders like Perewitz is now building "Bobbers". That's actually an incorrect use of the term as he's really just building an early style chopper. Maybe I'm wrong or not quite old enough but, I never remember him building that style of bike. All the old bikes I saw were pretty much those low stretched pointy bikes that some call Diggers. He admits the "bobbers" he's building now are simple to build and selling better than his usual customs.


Here's an example of a couple of things: differing taste and the way things change. It's a very cool bike and one of the ones I liked from the CF post but, I personally prefer primary covers on 60's style bikes.

It's also an example of a new take on an old style: The mid controls are done in a newer way. Same could be said for the pipes. I lean to a more a traditional approach to both.

These days, I seem to be more aligned with what the younger guys are building. I'm glad that they appreciate, keep alive, and embrace the old ways but, like what happens in fashion, it's a new take on an old style. For example: If you check the old magazines you'll find that almost nobody only custom painted the tanks and fenders on black framed bikes. They usually painted and molded the frames to match. The new way is not as costly and more practical.


Here's an example of custom paint, done only on the tank and fender. Nice bike but the front end being from a late model is too modern for me. I warned you, I'm picky!


One of the best bikes posted from the show, but again it begins to lose me at the front end. I would have liked it so much more if it had an earlier Sportster front end. I'd also lose the double lights. Picky, picky, picky!

Really the bottom line: Variety is the spice of life, you can't please everyone, to each their own, like what you want, and it's all for fun.We should be building bikes to suit ourselves anyway.

If I pissed anyone off, oh well... Screw you guys, I'm out'ta here.