Treasure trove scored at last Sunday's Long Beach Swap Meet. Ain't they purdy? Old H-D parts are like mechanical Art. I get high on this stuff.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Swap to Live/Live to Swap
Treasure trove scored at last Sunday's Long Beach Swap Meet. Ain't they purdy? Old H-D parts are like mechanical Art. I get high on this stuff.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Gasoline Gallery Art show 9/21/08
The day after El Camino (Sunday 9/21), I rode up to Gasoline in Smell Segundo for the opening of the "In the Wind" motorcycle art exhibit. It's a cool small store/art gallery that katers to the Kustom Kulture Hot Rod scene. The name Gasoline fits well in a town named after a oil refinery.
A small group of Triumph owners, young beatniks, and hipsters were on hand when this old dude pulled up.
Every time I go there for one of these show openings, I see Slim and his bikes. Slim builds stuff in a way that Ed Roth himself would approve of. He and his bro are two downright friendly, creative, and positive dudes. Slim's available for all kinds of Fab. Keep an eye on him, or maybe two, he's going places!
www.slimsfab.com 951-217-9303
Kawa Trike by Slim
Dirt Nap by Slim
Nanook by Slim, under the watchful eye of "the man"
Brown Recluse. A lot of us got started with Minis
Ghost Rider panel by David Mann
Sara Ray Fortune Teller
Gallerama
Keith Weesner
Lacy-Sportsterson
Tat Style
Shinya
Glitter Powered!
Finks by Sara Ray
Mosaic Tile Mania
Cycho tank by Road Dog
Shinya again ya
Store Winda Shovel
Cool little Chop Bob Cub 250 a Go-Go
I met the Gallery owner (Mark), for the first time. He instructed me to send some stuff for his artist file. Who knows, maybe some of my art will be there one day?
Current show runs only through October 5th?
http://www.gasolinegallery.com/
Nuff said!
A small group of Triumph owners, young beatniks, and hipsters were on hand when this old dude pulled up.
Every time I go there for one of these show openings, I see Slim and his bikes. Slim builds stuff in a way that Ed Roth himself would approve of. He and his bro are two downright friendly, creative, and positive dudes. Slim's available for all kinds of Fab. Keep an eye on him, or maybe two, he's going places!
www.slimsfab.com 951-217-9303
Kawa Trike by Slim
Dirt Nap by Slim
Nanook by Slim, under the watchful eye of "the man"
Brown Recluse. A lot of us got started with Minis
Ghost Rider panel by David Mann
Sara Ray Fortune Teller
Gallerama
Keith Weesner
Lacy-Sportsterson
Tat Style
Shinya
Glitter Powered!
Finks by Sara Ray
Mosaic Tile Mania
Cycho tank by Road Dog
Shinya again ya
Store Winda Shovel
Cool little Chop Bob Cub 250 a Go-Go
I met the Gallery owner (Mark), for the first time. He instructed me to send some stuff for his artist file. Who knows, maybe some of my art will be there one day?
Current show runs only through October 5th?
http://www.gasolinegallery.com/
Nuff said!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
El Camino Motorcycle Show 2008
It was one of those great weekends packed full of biking good times. Last Saturday the 33rd Annual Antique Motorcycle Show was held at El Camino College.
Two oldies. Nice but, perfect museum pieces are starting to bore me
It's always one of my favorite events of the year. My brother and I decided to put our bikes in the show at the last minute. We didn't do it cause we thought we'd win but instead for the comradeship with friends, spectators, participants, and to support the event. It's also the best place to park.
The old gal must of been proud, she didn't drip like usual
Cup 'o' second
I was really surprised that my 70 shovel placed 2nd in the American Classic 1965-1988 class. It kind of makes up for when they put me in the wrong (original un-restored), class in 2006.
This very nice fresh restored red 66 took first in the 65-88 class. It had been badly damaged in a fire. Turned out a friend of mine assisted with the restoration.
Paul Wheeler's Cop Bike. Many originally sought Cop bikes and Dressers only for their chopper potential. Funny how later, the "admiration of the potential" becomes the new cool. I think that's one reason why primered rods and bikes have become cool.
I thought for sure Paul Wheeler's 67 Police bike would take first and told him so. For some reason his bike didn't even get third, he did get a Sponsor's Choice Plaque. I didn't feel too bad for him as he built the second place bike in the Bobber class and has won a ton of trophies at this and other prior events.
My score, 96 points. Not bad for a ride in 14 year old restoration
Even though this year's event was the biggest ever , it might die. Glenn Bator of Bator International is weary of throwing it. He's hosted it for the last 9 years. There was one year it didn't happen between him and the previous promoter. Hope someone steps up. It would be a shame to see this traditional event die after 33 years.
Who doesn't like a Knuckle Bobber?
Coolest bike at show? My bro though so
This Salsbury is one Meaty Scooter
Clean Knuck by Paul Wheeler
Nice Captain America replica but, is the fork is too long and raked too much?
This year Indian Lewy was a Happy Loser!
The swap meet was great (I found a nice lower fork tree for my 65), and there was a ton of nice bikes. Like always, they were not just in the show but, in the vendors booths as well. Between hunting for parts, entering the show and talking with friends, I just wasn't up to the chore of taking a bunch of pictures this year. That will do pig.
Two oldies. Nice but, perfect museum pieces are starting to bore me
It's always one of my favorite events of the year. My brother and I decided to put our bikes in the show at the last minute. We didn't do it cause we thought we'd win but instead for the comradeship with friends, spectators, participants, and to support the event. It's also the best place to park.
The old gal must of been proud, she didn't drip like usual
Cup 'o' second
I was really surprised that my 70 shovel placed 2nd in the American Classic 1965-1988 class. It kind of makes up for when they put me in the wrong (original un-restored), class in 2006.
This very nice fresh restored red 66 took first in the 65-88 class. It had been badly damaged in a fire. Turned out a friend of mine assisted with the restoration.
Paul Wheeler's Cop Bike. Many originally sought Cop bikes and Dressers only for their chopper potential. Funny how later, the "admiration of the potential" becomes the new cool. I think that's one reason why primered rods and bikes have become cool.
I thought for sure Paul Wheeler's 67 Police bike would take first and told him so. For some reason his bike didn't even get third, he did get a Sponsor's Choice Plaque. I didn't feel too bad for him as he built the second place bike in the Bobber class and has won a ton of trophies at this and other prior events.
My score, 96 points. Not bad for a ride in 14 year old restoration
Even though this year's event was the biggest ever , it might die. Glenn Bator of Bator International is weary of throwing it. He's hosted it for the last 9 years. There was one year it didn't happen between him and the previous promoter. Hope someone steps up. It would be a shame to see this traditional event die after 33 years.
Who doesn't like a Knuckle Bobber?
Coolest bike at show? My bro though so
This Salsbury is one Meaty Scooter
Clean Knuck by Paul Wheeler
Nice Captain America replica but, is the fork is too long and raked too much?
This year Indian Lewy was a Happy Loser!
The swap meet was great (I found a nice lower fork tree for my 65), and there was a ton of nice bikes. Like always, they were not just in the show but, in the vendors booths as well. Between hunting for parts, entering the show and talking with friends, I just wasn't up to the chore of taking a bunch of pictures this year. That will do pig.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Drawings from 69
Two drawings I did in 69. They are among the oldest I have. Greg Parigian kept them all these years and sent copies along with the chopped Sting-Rays photo. It's really strange to see something you did after 35 years. The moment rushes back like it was yesterday. He says he has 2 more and I'd love to see them. Though they are not as polished as later work, they exhibit a freedom, passion, and raw energy that's hard to capture as an adult. The bike in the top drawing was influenced by Ed Newton's California Choppers for Ed Roth.
About the Swastika on the sissy bar. In the 60's you saw them on bikers, their bikes and in biker movies. Back then a lot of us kids thought German stuff was cool. To us the Germans were the bad guys in movies like Darth Vader was to a generation later. We didn't think of all the implications. It was just a anti-authority (establishment), symbol to us, and we thought it was wicked. The gas tank has the all seeing eye from the Then Came Bronson Sportster. The pilot/movie was shown that year.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
El Camino Antique MC Show
Click on title above for more info.
A reminder for those in SOCAL . The 33rd Annual El Camino Historic Motorcycle Show & Parts Exchange is this Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008, on the upper parking structure at El Camino College in Torrance, CA.
Below: My favorite bike in the 2006 show.I have to build one of these classic styled chops one day
Bator International Shot from 2006
One of my favorite events of the year. I haven't missed it since 1985, when it was a free event held in a shopping center parking lot at one time La Mirada and La Habra. I was glad when it was moved to El Camino in 1987 since it's only about 4-5 miles from me. The only downside, the day of the event is sometimes really hot. Last year it rained hard off and on, so it wasn't the best showing.
Stock Sucks! My 70 H-D in 2006 show
In 2006, my brother and I put our bikes in the show just to park in the upper lot not expecting to win anything. My brother just wanted to exhibit his un-restored 65. I told him to have it judged and he took first place in his class. I knew I wouldn't win anything. It did win 3rd place when it was fresh in 1994, and a first in 95.
Indian Lewy is a gloomy looking winner
A reminder for those in SOCAL . The 33rd Annual El Camino Historic Motorcycle Show & Parts Exchange is this Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008, on the upper parking structure at El Camino College in Torrance, CA.
Below: My favorite bike in the 2006 show.I have to build one of these classic styled chops one day
Bator International Shot from 2006
One of my favorite events of the year. I haven't missed it since 1985, when it was a free event held in a shopping center parking lot at one time La Mirada and La Habra. I was glad when it was moved to El Camino in 1987 since it's only about 4-5 miles from me. The only downside, the day of the event is sometimes really hot. Last year it rained hard off and on, so it wasn't the best showing.
Stock Sucks! My 70 H-D in 2006 show
In 2006, my brother and I put our bikes in the show just to park in the upper lot not expecting to win anything. My brother just wanted to exhibit his un-restored 65. I told him to have it judged and he took first place in his class. I knew I wouldn't win anything. It did win 3rd place when it was fresh in 1994, and a first in 95.
Indian Lewy is a gloomy looking winner
Chopper Concept Art
For more information on the following post, click on the title above.
From time to time, I get commissioned, to do concept work to help builders envision their projects.
Here's a couple of samples.
The first piece is an unpublished sketch I did for a Street Chopper Magazine build off series. They used a drawing (similar to the one above), I sent and then later in the series, for some unknown reason, used a weaker image drawn by somebody else. I don't know if they ever published the built bike.
Below is two color versions I did for a customer
The finished bike
From time to time, I get commissioned, to do concept work to help builders envision their projects.
Here's a couple of samples.
The first piece is an unpublished sketch I did for a Street Chopper Magazine build off series. They used a drawing (similar to the one above), I sent and then later in the series, for some unknown reason, used a weaker image drawn by somebody else. I don't know if they ever published the built bike.
Below is two color versions I did for a customer
The finished bike
