Keep it rollin

The Trackster(still not sure about that name) is coming along. Since the last update I've installed several new pieces. The bike now sports the longer FXDX rear shocks, as well as a Fabricator Kevin front fork brace and Tokico brake caliper/mount. As usual, the Fab Kevin parts are as beautiful as they are functional. I know he probably gets tired of everybody saying how great his stuff is, but at this point every bike I've built has used at least one of his parts and I can't imagine building one without some of his stuff on it.

I went ahead and installed the 2 into 1 header I got for the bike as well. This was a part where it really helped to have a good knowledge of stock harleys. I knew the 883R model H-D built for a few years came with a 2 into 1 exhaust on it from the factory. The muffler they used was total crap, but the header was perfect for my bike. I hit ebay and scored one for cheap, lucky fuckin' me right? I've got a sweet aluminum Supertrapp exhaust can that will go on the bike, with the mid-pipe being the only part that has to be fabricated.

Thanks to everybody for the feedback on the Ducati tank. I liked it from the get go, but it doesn't hurt to know that people who's opinions I respect don't think it looks like shit. This bike will be a full custom build in regards to the level of detail I will put into it, so it's going to take a while to finish. I do feel very good about how things are going so far and hopefully everyone will dig it when it's done. If not, keep it to your fucking self!!!

Choppin' in the Back Woods

While Bill is in the backwoods of the Middle East doing who knows what, things are moving on with his Shovel. His goal is to make the bike better able to ride for distance, so we've done a few things to meet that goal. Swapped out the 21" front wheel for a 16", changed handlebars, and went to a much bigger 4.2 gallon mustang tank from the small 2.2 it had. I also installed a stainless Fab Kevin jockey shift handle, just because it looks slick as fuck. Eventually Bill and his brother Tommy intend to take a long ride together to spread their special brand of jackassery. Tommy already rode the bike I built for him on an 11,000 mile trip last year. In about two months. With one leg. Yeah, we're all pussies compared to him. Ha ha.

Progressive progress

My sportster is moving along pretty well. I scored a set of rear shocks from a Dyna Superglide Sport that should solve my stance problem nicely. I got lucky too, as I won them on ebay just beating out the next highest bidder by less than two dollars! Nice. They're due in early this week so I'll post a pic once they are installed. Just as importantly, I finally found a tank that fits my vision for the bike. It's NOS for a Ducati Mojave 260. What is that? Fuck if I know, but the tank is perfect for what I'm doing with this bike. Like always, it'll take a good bit of modification to work, but the overall shape is dead on.

I'm excited about this project because 1) I fucking love sportsters, and 2) It's been a few years since I've built a bike just for me. I doubt I'll make huge progress on it in the weeks left before the Smokeout though. I've got several friends/customers bikes to deal with before then and that deadline is breathing down my neck like a zombie about to strike. Either way I'll keep the updates coming. Keep it on two wheels.

Back At It

It's been a good while since I've posted anything new and I won't waste time with the reasons why, but I got back in the shop today and things are moving. I stripped my sportster of almost all the crap that needed to come off and I've got the new laced wheels installed. 19" & 18", dirt track style. The bike is looking better already, but the shorter rear shocks are bugging me. I really want the bike to sit tail up a little, so as much as hate to take off a nearly new set of Progressive shocks, I need a set an inch to 1.5" taller.

I've got a ton of stuff to get done on several bikes (mine & friends) before the Smokeout, so look out for regular updates. Yeah, for real this time.

Almost there.....

Sorry for the lack of updates lately. I'm almost done moving everything out of the old shop and getting into the new place full time. I got the front wheel I'd been hunting for my Sportster project a couple days ago so I will have some pics of it up in the next week or so.
I've got a couple customer project in progress as well, so it'll be busy all the way to the Smokeout in May. Rockingham Drag Strip motherfuckers. Be there or don't.
Stay tuned.

The Bad Monkey Also Rises........

What's up fuckers? I'm in the final stages of shaking the retail albatross from around my neck and bringing Bad Monkey back to what it's supposed to be.

By relieving myself of the burden of running a storefront, retail business I'll be getting back to doing what I got into this whole thing for in the first place: motherfucking motorcycles. No more baggers, no more chrome bolt-on buffoonery, no more chickenshit punks with crappy XS650s. I'm back to building em the only way I know how: loud, fast, and meant to insult the tender sensibilities of every HOG member on Earth.

Bad Monkey Motorworks will be at the Smoke Out in May in full force and anybody that's got a problem with that can come get it. I'll be posting pics & updates as I get moved into my new shop, I've got some good stuff in the works.

The End of the Road

I'm closing Bad Monkey Motorworks in its current form on December 30th. I will be moving all operations to my home shop, but I will no longer be working on bikes for the general public. I'm going back to only working on what I like, i.e. my own bikes and a few select friends bikes. Otherwise I will be permanently out of the pro mechanic business forever.

It's been an up and down four years running this shop and I appreciate the people who have supported Bad Monkey. Keep it on two wheels motherfuckers.