Back from Montana

We got back from our Montana trip late Tuesday night. The ride was great and we ended up doing around 1800 miles total. Let me be the first to say that if you haven't ridden through Glacier National Park you are fucking missing out! That place was flat out amazing. The last day of the trip we rode over the Chief Joseph scenic highway in the snow, yeah, the snow!! That was some of the sketchiest riding I've ever done, but once we made it back to Red Lodge in one piece we all felt like we really accomplished something. You know, like NOT dying!! It was pretty hairy. This pic is in the Granite Pass in northern Wyoming right near the Montana border, also a really awesome place to ride a bike through. More pics on the way.

It's Brick's world

This is my English Bulldog, Brick. He's cooler than all of us put together. Sometimes he pisses on stuff he's not supposed to, and sometimes he's very pushy about trying to make love to your leg, but he's still the greatest. Bow Down to the Brick!!!!

Evil Chop Upgrade

I received this custom kicker pedal from Fabricator Kevin last week, and it's so nice it makes the rest of the bike look like crap. My Dad said it's almost too nice to have to put your foot on. The point is that Kevin makes some of the best parts for your bike in the whole fucking world and if you've never used any of his stuff then you're missing out. Plus, he's easily the best looking man in all of Michigan. Check out his stuff at http://www.fabricatorkevin.com/

Another one gone.......

Just finished this bike for another customer. It's been about a year and half project so I'm glad to finally get it done and delivered. The bike came out fine, just not really my style, but it's not my bike so that's OK. But, Jim is a nice guy and was very patient working with me on how he wanted the bike to turn out. Part of the delay was closely related to the amount of 'swap meet' parts he brought me to use on the bike.

A word of advice: If you don't have enough experience to know what parts are good and which are crap, don't buy stuff at the swap meet. Go to your local independent shop and let them help you get the right parts.

The Swedish Chef

The newest customer project here. He brought me the frame, wheels, motor, trans., and forward controls and that's about it. I did the calculations for what length forks I would need and what degree of rake in the trees and, Damn! 14" over stock forks with 7 degrees in the trees to get the trail right. So, 52 degrees overall rake. Yeah, that's a good bit. It's got a nice Swedish chop look to it though, although the back tire is too big to be right on the Swedish style.

BTW, if you need a hand figuring front end length and tree rake this is a great resource: http://www.perseperformance.com/

Hit the 'rake & trail' button at the top and it'll guide you thru the measurements you need to enter for your particular set up to get the proper trail. Stay tuned for progress pics.

A year ago.....

One year ago I got back from a riding trip in the UK and in a month we'll be heading to Montana for another week of riding all over Yellowstone and the surrounding area. When it comes down to it, all this work bullshit is just a means to make money to be able to go and ride motorcycles in places you've never ridden before. Take my advice: Don't put off the trips you really want to take until 'later', because there isn't any guarantee that 'later' will ever come. Get off your ass and go see something you've never seen before. And I mean really see it, not just on fucking TV.

The pic is me, my Pop, and my good friend Mike in Northern England somewhere. The shot doesn't do it justice.

The Black Bastard

I got Andre's KZ out on the interstate a couple of times recently and it runs very well. Plenty of power and louder than a gang of little kids at Chuck E. Cheese. I've got one nagging issue I'm still fighting with, but once it's solved Andre will be out doing stupid stuff on the bike in no time. Check it out.