The Big Bang

Anyone who's been into the custom H-D scene for a long of time will certainly know the name Gary Bang. As a matter of fact, there was a time (in SoCal), if you walked into any Harley dealer or custom bike shop, practically the only aftermarket parts you'd see on the walls were Gary's in their familar orange and yellow packaging.

Stumbling upon this box in my garage prompted this post. It's from a FL rear wheel brake cylinder purchased at Motorcycles Only in 1992. Remember them? That's where I bought my '70. I kept the box since I thought the graphic was cool. The good old days. Not only made in USA but California to boot!

The Bang family has been into motorcycles as long as long as motorcycles themselves have existed. I believe Gary's grandfather tinkered with building a motorcycle even before Mr. Harley and the Davidson brothers came up with their own first motobike.

An ad from Street Chopper circa 1972.

For many years you'd still see Gary at swapmeets (like Long Beach), selling parts from his big yellow delivery truck. Then one day I realised, you don't see him there anymore. So, about a year ago, I Googled his name and found that not only is he still around but, he and his family have operated an H-D dealer in Atascadero, CA for the last 20 or so years.

The 3 images below are enhanced photos from his website that are no longer posted.

Here's an old picture of Gary. I believe he was a distributor of these popular sissybars. I had one on my first Sportster and bought another one at the swap meet a few years back.

Some of Gary's old pals.

Some of you might recongnize this trike. It's the trike from the cover of the 2nd issue of Big Bike magazine.

The Force Was With Him

A while ago, Joe Hurst sent me some scans (magazine unknown), of one of Nez's bikes he really dug.

While diggers or Crazy Frank fenders aren't at the top of my list (I might get flak for that), this thing is pretty damn cool. Especially when you consider when it was built.


Joe likes performance so it's natural, he likes it. One thing he really liked, is the VL style ibeam forks with the dampened springs. It probably doesn't hurt that the paint job is sort of White Bearish in color and style.


This almost identical photo from the Kid Duece' collection looks like it was taken during the magazine shoot. What's up with that?

Enquiring minds want to know. The Force, obviously built after Star Wars (1977), shares a number of similarities with this bike built earlier by AEE in 1974. Digger style chassis, check... Bodywork, check... Supercharger/Blower, check... Springer, check. Now, I like Nez's bike much more but, it begs the question, was he influenced by the AEE bike?

Joe Hurst's Black Bear

Anyone who has been following the blog has seen several of the bikes that Joe built over the years. I always tell Joe, you need a program to follow what bike was what, which version, and the years to keep track of them all. As a matter of fact, between this bike and the last few versions of the chrome frame bike, there were a couple versions of his red bike which I haven't posted yet. Except for having H-D 9 spoke mags and a Sportster tank, the red bike was very similar to this black bike.


If I remember correctly this is from 1995. Joe never call it Black Bear. That's just what I think is an appropriate name for it.




It's a very purpose built bike. That purpose being function and performance. It was sold to a friend many years ago yet still exist and for the most part, is totally intact.

To see all of Joes' bikes, photos and related stories, click on the Joe Hurst label below.

This Month's Header-Flower Power

April Showers Bring May Flowers.

When coming up with ideas for the header, I never quite know how they will turn out. This one really bloomed. You might say, some of the flowers are Pansies.


As an example. I thought of using this alternate version, but the top one was more in line with my original concept/vision. It doesn't always work that way. Sometimes I like something better that comes from experimentating with the image and colors.

LBSM-Feb

I hadn't taken a camera to the swap meet for awhile. Here's a few from February.

These are the kinds of bikes I enjoy seeing in the parking lot. Especially the 45 solo.



A very nicely preserved Sturgis. I believe it's a '82. I like this one with the gold trim much more than the ones with the red/orange accents. More proof that even late model Shovels are aging gracefully.


The swap meet has a fairly large bicycle segment. There's usually a few interesting custom and or motorized bikes cruising the aisles. This is definitely one of the better ones.


The engine is a modified chinese knock off Honda industrial motor .


A kick to look at but, I can't get behind bikes like this. First it was fat beach ball rear tires, now it's tall fronts. What's the next silly trend going to be?


More bling in the lot.


Three amigos... or stooges.

A Different 45 Magnum

Normally I don't like posting photos from other blogs but you got to see this 45 that's on magnetozoo.com

When was the last time you saw American 12 spokes on a 45?... or at least what started out as a 45.

There's no info on the build so I'm going to guess at a few things. The frame is a WR or has been modified to look like one. Same for the WRTT oil tank. The top end sure looks like it's from a factory overhead hill climber but is likely Sportster with fabed up exposed rockers. I also noticed a small thing. The guy who built it, used chain links for the clips on the exhaust springs. My buddy Ironhead Ron likes to use them in such ways.

Use the link at the top of the post to see more neat details of the bike. Stuff like a Linkert mounted on the left side and a belt drive.

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

Nasty Nesbit Choppers

Here's some old photos of Nasty Nez's bikes. The first three images are courtesy of Joe Hurst.

Nez's Knucklehead. Probably taken at Dick Allen's shop around '68-69. That's Dick's chrome frame chopper and Joe's wheelie pulling buddy Steve Drale's panhead in the background. Note, both bikes have their primaries removed.


Nez's Shovelhead. I'm guessing it's the same bike below. The twisted sissy features the "South Bay Swoop".


"Confusion". The tanks are not chromed in this version from a magazine. What confuses me is, why run almost the same angle photo twice, and the comment about '69 heads (whatever they are?).


Ladies Like'em Long Phase III style. Nez is the guy responsible for Phase III Belt Drives. This image is from one of their ads. It's probably safe to say Nez liked girders. At this point his bike is taking on a more of a White Bear/Southbay look.

This Month's Header, Everybody Plays The Fool

This Month's late, late, late header is dedicated to the fool in all of us. No one is immune. One time or another we all act or do foolish things.

The April Fool. It's spring time and love is in the air. If a girl just gives him a glance, he thinks she's interested. The Fool's too dumb to realize, he doesn't have a chance.

Swedish Riders

Letters, we get letters.... actually emails from time to time from various readers. Recently I received several photos from Carina and Ulf Nordemyr of Sweden with no messages or explanations other than subject lines stating the year the photo was taken. Here's 3 of the best.

Circa 1993. A nice big ULH Flathead like this will always get my attention.


Circa 1991-92


Circa 2011

Saturday's Born-Free 4 Party

I've been out of town for several weeks but, made a point to get back just in time for last Saturday's Born free party at the Garage Co. in Inglewood Ca. It was supposed to feature the unveiling of both give away bikes but, the dresser's painted wasn't finished.

The Garage Company's facilities are huge and is actually two large adjoining buildings.


At times it was busier than this photo shows. It was estimated that about 500 people came and went.


This Twenty Something J Model was probably the oldest bike ridden to the event.


I'm always amused when two friends have similar bikes.


This 1959 Harley is being offered for sale by the Garage Co.


In a sea of chops and customs an old surviving dresser like this '68 will always get my attention.


Bikes were parked clear around the corner.


This clean Knuck features a somewhat unusual fender/seat set up. California recently enacted a new law cracking down on vertical license plate positioning. How come some guys get away with hanging their plates like this?


Where do all the Knuckleheads keep coming from?


The give away 69' Chopper. Once again Kiyo did an excellent job. The color/patina of the rear mag tells you it's a 12 spoke of the magnesium variety.


The Shovelhead has been given the same attention to detail that last year's Knucklehead received. The DC Linkert is rarely seen on bikes these days. Sportsters used them for several years but, they were only used one year (1966), on Shovelheads.


The bike has a good stance. Use of Harley rubber pegs through out is a nice touch.


Kiyo proving it runs. Sorry about the picture quality.

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.

This Month's Header

Like usual I'm late putting up a new header. I've been busy and didn't know what to do so, I just pasted in some new concept art I just finished.

The design was changed and I won't mention the builders name... to protect the guilty.

R.I.P. Ralph McQuarrie

Last night I heard the sad news that Ralph passed on Saturday. It was probably just as sad to learn that he had been suffering from Parkinson's disease, meaning he probably wasn't been able to paint for some time. It may have been the reason he retired in the 90's. After all, most artist, don't usually completely retire unless they are unable to produce work.

The Force was strong with this one. Most Star Wars fans know who Ralph McQuarrie is, as for the others, Ralph was the talent who created the pre-production paintings that helped George Lucas sell Star Wars as an idea for a film.

Being both a science fiction fan and a fledgling artist in the 70's, I was a huge fan of Ralph McQuarrie's work. When asked of my artistic influences, his name is always one of the tops on my list. I may not be quite the sci- fi fan I once was but, I still have all three of his portfolios from the original trio of Star Wars films.


There are so many good examples of Ralph's work to choose from. Not only does this one show his talent well, it features Darth Vader in what appears to be an old Harley sidecar. How cool is that? I believe it was originally used to announce Industrial Light and Magic's move from North Hollywood to Marin County.