Love Machines

A whole lot of Shag going on.

For our Friends in France

Another shot of Brigitte.

Likely from the same shoot as the previous photo, but she switched bikes with one of the guys.

World's Fastest?

When? ..... it's a Cool Decal, anyhow.

What Sort of Woman Reads MC ART?

An out front woman. An independent gal who's not afraid to break from the pack. The kind of gal who knows where to find the kind of MotorCycle entertainment, that like her, ....is miles ahead.

Camo Stahlhelm

Modern Art?
This old WWI helmet's pattern would be cool for an old bob job's paint. The Germans were probably the first to use camouflage. The colors makes me wonder, where were they hiding?

Credit Where It's Due

It figures. Irish Rich's blog was the place I saw the ad. I had a sneaking suspicion it might be there... and it was only posted last January. Should have double checked. The ol brains going to mush.

Bombay Buzzard

I forgot to post this photo (for the story below), I stole from Irish Rich awhile ago. It clearly shows Buzzard with the Bombay Taxi Horn. I cleaned it up and tweaked it. Sorry Rich.

The Buzzard Mann Connection

Laid Back Jammin. Roth's pal Buzzard was featured in one of his "The Country's Grooviest Bike People" Posters. Note the antique bulb horn on the left side pullbacks. Was he the first to build six-bends? This bike is Bitchin! and there's a good reason this shot looks like a David Mann painting.


Buzzard in a early Choppers Magazine Wheelie Prones ad. It's a somewhat confusing ad for risers and slugs. Extending and trimming wide glide trees and legs seemed to be his specialty. He had also placed a few ads in the Beg Borrow and Steal classified section promoting these services. Buzzard later wrote an article on the subject for the Nov. '68 issue.


David Mann circa 1969. I remember seeing one of those ads stating that Buzzard was selling his bike since he was off to the "Joint", but can't find it. I also read somewhere that David Mann was the guy that bought it. For the longest time I didn't put the two together. Dave lost the front brake.


Dave and the bike in 1970. Now painted black featuring an SU carb, drag pipes, longer forks, and Finned Dish Pans.


Here you can clearly see a large brass horn mounted on the bars.


Art imitates life. Dave even used the bike as inspiration for this later Easyriders center spread art. The six-bend pullbacks, unique high pipes, and fork boots give it away. Note the entry info taped to pillar.


Later, when it was featured in Choppers Magazine Aug. '73 it sported a 20" over D&D springer and frame. This article never mentions that the bike was once owned by Buzzard. It does mention him as his friend and the builder of the Ankh sissy bar and pullbacks. I believe this sissy bar was on the bike when Buzzard owned it, but the additional side supports are not in the top photo. The article states the brass horn as being from a Bombay Taxi and questions how Dave acquired it. It also states that since the shoot, Dave had gone back to the original H-D frame and wide glide. What really puzzles me, I don't recall Easyriders ever doing a feature on Dave's bike?

Update

This familiar shot was recently posted on The Shame of it All blog. It shows a different horn on the bars. The top Buzzard photos look to be the larger Bombay Taxi horn.

This Month's Header

The photo for this month's header was the second post on the blog and was posted before I knew I'd be doing a monthly masthead. I felt it's just too good not to use this way, plus some of you may never have gone back that far to see it.

That's me on the left. Greg's mom took the photo in their backyard. For more on it, click this: Some History We really need to recreate this photo again.

Favorite Von Dutch Sign/Taking Off

I'm going to be away from the blog for a bit. Feel free to leave your comments and I'll post them when I can. In the mean time....
I leave you with my favorite Von Dutch sign.

From the Brucker auction

Dumb Stuff: Ugly, Lame, or Stupid...

or How to Destroy a Perfectly Good Motorcycle.

I've been holding back for a bit.

This blog is mostly about what I like, but like the header says, also Dumb Stuff. Those of you who have been reading the blog for awhile probably kind of "get" what I like and what I don't, so here we go.

Ugly, Lame and Stupid... and a waste of Knuckle Heads.


Grubby old bikes are OK with me, but I don't see how just piling on Garbage is cool.

Speaking of Garbage....

Holy Swiss Cheese! It slices and dices! There's a lot going on here.


I believe Ness makes these foot boards. Money and chrome don't necessarily=Cool.


Theme Bikes. WTF? The guy checking it out basically sums it up.

I've said it before: "Just cause ya don't like it, doesn't mean it ain't fun to look at!"

Last Born

You really don't need me to post a ton of photos of bikes that have already been all over the blogs, so this will be it.







History repeats itself. I predict... After everyone gets their fill of the Bates solo, contoured seats will be back.





Cool shirt



For the the last 10+ years guys have gone back to an aggressive riding position, but there's something to be said for the long laid back style of the early 70's.


Photo: Mike Davis
Final note: When I walked back to my bike, who was checking it out? None other than "Sugar Bear". A King of Long Choppers checking out a stock bike? I asked him if he wanted to cut it up? It turned out he once owned a '70. His ol'lady was trying to get him to leave so I didn't bother him for a photo. It was a pleasure talking with him and a nice way to end the day.

Ed Newton, Big Twin Again

Ed Newton, Art Hero 3

Here's an old AEE/ Ed Newton ad I kept from a 1969 Cycle Guide.


Ed Newton had been doing all kinds of cool art and designs for Roth. Since Roth and Tom Mc Mullen were friends, I guess it was natural for Newton to design the Big Twin. During this period, nobody was doing cooler stuff than Newton.

This Month's Header

For October I figured a Halloween themed header was the way to go.


At first, I was just going to post this art, then decided it would be better if it was something motorcycle related. I then thought, maybe I could make it a cool trike using part of my KnuckleReaper art.


The donor art.


It took about 4 hours of tweaking and color retouching to blend the bike into the scene. I think it came out pretty neat.

First Born

Highlights from last Saturday's Born Free Show


After pulling in, this was the first bike that caught my eye.


Row after row of old's'cool scoots showed up.


You don't often see bobbed stock fenders on chops like this. Check out the old time fork extension technique.


"Look at dem Brit bikes"!


OK, I'll come clean. I was the dude responsible for picking Best Shovel. The vintage style, stance, and the unique paint theme sealed the deal.


What sort of man reads MC art? Who the F#@K knows? If this guy had shown up just a wee earlier, He would have snagged Best Shovel.


Some of the hard charging staff. Mike was running all over and Grant was the MC. All day tons of Free stuff was given away. So much that, if you didn't win, you truly must be a Born Loser.


Not all the cool rides were chopped.


I love this style of sporty.


I believe John Edwards won Best of Show. It cracked me up when I saw him ride in wearing that real WWII German helmet. Later, he introduced himself, seems like a good guy.


This Pan just didn't want it's photo taken (every shot came out blurred). I had to include it anyway.

The show was a complete success and the gang should be happy. Where else can you see so many of the coolest rides around, enjoy free food and drinks (yes beer) , and win some really good stuff. Not just t-shirts and stickers but, stuff like Roth air scoops, and custom kicker pedals.

The only thing not cool about the show was the weather. It was about 100°. The high temp and glaring SUN took it's toll on my camera, as an unusual number of my pictures came out bad, therefore some bikes won't get covered. Or, ...maybe it was the beer.

More to come.

El Camino 09 Part 2

It took me so long just to do the swap meet, that by the time I made it back to the show area, many of the bikes were loaded and gone. Most of the bikes left belonged to guys waiting to hear if they had won anything.

If your into Antique MC's , you probably know this fella. Mike's done bikes for big shots such as Jay Leno.


This '66 returned but this time with a side hack.


Too flashy for me and likely for the judges as well.


Craig Taylors exceptionally clean '61.


I heard he took it all the way to Davenport.


You had to see this BMW's color in person to really appreciate it.


Nice '51. I love black wheels but not with whites. If your into flash and want to run whites wouldn't it make more sense to have chrome wheels?


Interesting but too much flash (and red), for my taste. All that work, so why the funky and torn '80's Sportster seat?


A simple Chief. It may have been the only Indian in this groups line up.


Pepper Red and Ivory White. Yes, the factory really did this simple form of two tone for '54.


This funny little Powell was the last (scooter class), bike standing when I came back. It appears the seat and rack are sprung by those 3 springs in the back.

An Indian for Irish Rich....

and other Indian Motorcycle lovers... well sort of... it's the P-61 American Rocket

For 1951, it's quite the Hot Rod. Although it looks the part, it's really too heavily modified to be considered a Bobber. Pierce hoped it would become a factory model.


I like the "H-D parts dept." gag.


Old time cyclist seem to always come up with clever slogans for putting down other makes.

For more on this scooter click on this:
http://irishrichcustomcycles.blogspot.com/2009/09/american-rocket-p-61.html

EL CO 2009 Part 1

If you live in So Cal and are into vintage iron, then you probably look forward each year to the El Camino Classic MC show and swap meet. Now that both the Ventura and Del Mar shows are no more, it's our only truly vintage venue. But, if we are to only have one, it's the one to have... and we almost lost it too!


Projects looking for the right caretaker.


This knuck featured a poorly done Faux patina paint job that just ain't working. It looks like black paint was rubbed way too evenly over it's entire surface. It needs to be a bit more random with some rubbed thru areas, chips, etc. to sell it.


A tidy Pan in the "Noise" space. I chatted with the owner and T-Bone (who assisted with the build), and complemented their work. It has some very clean mid controls set up. You really need to see the shifter side. It also featured a glide handlebar clamp nicely integrated into the top tree.


Mike (Born Loser), Davis had a space and was promoting the upcoming Born Free show.


Interesting take on stuffing a Knuck in a VL. Nicely done, but the seat, tank, and whole stock looking fork, fender, horn, light and bars aren't working for me. I'd like to see a more aggressive bobbed look.


Looks better from this side, but who has 35k for a toy these days?


I'd guess '20-'23. Wheel rims don't appear to be originals.


This Sport Twin is looking for a new home. Harley was literally going in a quite different direction with this "Opposed Boxer Twin" design. Looks like half a VW turned sideways. It also may have the longest intake manifold in all of motorcycling, and yes, that casting includes the exhaust manifold too. It's heat makes up for the loss of atomization the long path creates. I suppose VW's have those pre-heater tubes for the same reason. I believe they had a run from 1918 to 1922.


I hope this Knucklehead gets some paint and isn't left rusty and bare.


Nice to see old cases are still available, but I shudder to think their cost.


When I was a kid, Hodaka was a magic word.


This well built 45 from Biltwell was being offered for 7k.


You'd be hard pressed to build one for that.


This chopped one has a nice stance. I didn't ask the price.


Since the clutch lever needs to be modified and a sharp bend is required, you don't see too many up sweeps of this type on 45's.


A decked out UL.


I prefer riders like this to pristine show bikes.


KR top on a WL bottom stuffed with WR goodies.


Any color you want, as long as it's Black!


H-D singles are pretty rare. Unless it's an overhead racer, you really shouldn't call them Pea Shooters. The twin lights probably makes it a '28.


I hadn't seen Grace McKean at El Camino for some time. She told me it had been 15 years! Sneaky Paparazzi stalks behind the Indian.


Stay Young... Ride a Bike. Grace stands proud with her 45. She purchased it new in '51 at the tender age of of 17. You do the math.


The old gal is holding up real good... You decide.

So far, these shots are just from the swap meet area. I'll post more later.

It's a Von Dutch Thing

I had seen the Kenford truck and read tales of the Toronado, but it was really cool to hear that one of my biggest Heroes owned the same kind of car as mine. Since I had already known how Dutch felt about "all things German", and of his personality, it figures that he owned a VW Thing.

I first got wind of Dutch's Thing (in 1995), while reading Hot Rods by Ed "Big Daddy"Roth. I was intrigued when Roth wrote, "Dutch started goin' to the Santa Paula Airport every mornin' cause he wanted to build a VW Thing airplane. He was gonna make the wings outta electrical conduit." I didn't know what to think and wondered what it would look like?

The mystery was finally revealed in 2002 when it was featured in a magazine.

This was Dutch's daily driver up until his death in '92. While not converted into a flying machine, it has various airplane features. It has a Pitot tube for airspeed up front, or knowing Dutch, is that a gun barrel?


I agree with the message on the back, "Have Fun, Don't Grow Up".


Dutch's humor/obsession with the obvious. Every where you looked, he painted labels or initials on the fenders and panels indicating "things" like, L.F. for Left-Front, and Right or Left, and so on. This guide key was painted on both rear side doors to keep it all straight.


The pilot's cockpit features only one seat, no passengers. Levers are for dropping Bombs? If it was anything like his Toronado, that would mean empty beer cans. The Horn Button is inscribed Von Dutch '85, so he seems to have owned it for a little while.


The Thing sports two fuel gauges. On the hood, a ball inside a plexiglass box connects to a float in the fuel tank, the other, a simple indexed sight tube, is inside the cockpit.


Dutch figured the engine lid may as well be useful if it was up while on the side of the road.

On the subject of planes and beauty, Dutch once told Roth , "They are not designed to be beautiful, they are designed to work and that's what makes them beautiful". I'll bet he felt the same way about his Thing.

A Proud Sponsor

I'm not just lending support, but am actually an Official Sponsor. Also, four of my art prints will be part of the Free Prizes.

All the info you need is on this flyer

I have a strong feeling this will be one of the best local shows bar none.

An Important Reminder...

El Camino is Back!

The 34th annual El Camino College Classic Cycle Show and Swap Meet is this Saturday Sept.19.

After several years as the host/promoter, Bator International announced last year they were calling it quits. Ironically it was said to be bigger than ever. Thank goodness Classic Cycle Events has stepped up to take it over.

Here's a few shots from some previous years to wet your appetite.




That's your esteemed author (with hat in foreground), refereeing the arguing over some minor detail.

I've been going since '84. It actually wasn't at El Camino back then. I don't recall what they called it, but it was held in the parking lot at a couple of different locations (shopping centers), a bit more of a field event and was free! One year it didn't happen because no one wanted to be the promoter, and in 2007, it sort of sucked as the rain made a poor showing and it ended early.

For me, it's a must attend event. Great bikes, interesting people, and a giant swap meet that draws folks from far far away... and I only live about 4 miles from it.

For more info go to:
http://www.classiccycleevents.com/

East Coast Bike Show

Our friends at W.K.I.T.H.O.K Present

1st Annual Brooklyn Invitational Bike Show

When: September 19th,2009 3 p.m. till 12 a.m.
Where: Autumn Bowl 73 West St ,Brooklyn New York. 11222.
The night before the show, Friday night is Dice Mag's release party in same 'hood!!

http://brooklyninvitationalbikeshow.blogspot.com/

The Dresser Wars

Are Heating Up!
Another classic Battle Wagon to keep Tjebbe of ZZChop inspired.

This one's a 1960 in the cool original H-D Hi-Fi green/turquoise paint.

Don't worry, I'll get back to posting some cool choppers. It's just that these things are so much fun to look at.

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.