Teach myself

When fabricating the exhaust for my shovel project a little while ago, I intentionally forced myself to work in a way that I have a hard time swallowing sometimes. My comfort zone has always been fabricating parts or objects that are pretty symmetrical. I don't know what it is that steers me in that direction, it's just the way my brain is wired I guess. I really respect artists/fabricators/builders that can work in a controlled, free-form way without the work looking unintentional and sloppy.

Launch time

This dork...



... took this thing for a romp...



... to meet these dudes for some lunch.

More good stuff

The hum of cnc machines, slowly looking over really cool bikes, and nice cold Miller High Life. If this doesn't sound fun, then there's something wrong with you (unless for some reason you quit drinking so 2 out of 3 ain't bad).

I'm talking about my visit with Kim, Chris and Pat at the home of Cutting Edge CNC, Bench*Mark, and 70 Moto. There's some seriously good shit going on in that shop space. It's obvious the chemistry of talent and friendship is working out pretty well.

This pic gives you an idea of how Kim's panhead is turning out. Attention to detail and well thought out. I'll let him post progress pics.



A couple really cool details of Pat's ironhead.




While I was searching the pics in my camera to show Kim this really cool old PM caliper, he pulls this out of a box sitting on his bench. He won't give it to me so I'll have to hunt one down.



Bench*Mark goodies.



Thanks for putting up with me for the afternoon fellas, hope to see you in August at the GR4!

Thanks boys

Stopped by Biltwell headquarters to see Bill, Mike and Josh. Hung out, talked shop, drank some beer, and checked out the new Triumph desert whip Bill picked up. Would've taken some more pics but Bill started making fun of me for blog prepping. Thanks for the hospitality fellas, as always you rule.

Here's some stuff I learned while @ the HQ
-Mike D's sportster project is going to rule
-Josh's Falcon has carb issues
-Bill has had bad luck with dogs lately

Eye candy galore

Visited Garage Company and their new spot while I was in Socal. Motorcyles are cool, Yoshi's place is out of control.

Joel's tank

Joel Hauenstein is the super talented individual who painted the tins on my rigid frisco shovel. I'm working on this tank for his Triumph revamp. It'll be really cool when it's done but it's really rusty, thin, dented, chopped and tacked together in a way that makes me shudder (sorry Joel). The whole interior will need to be blasted to ensure that the weld will be as clean as possible.

This is how I got the tank




Cleaning up


Trimming evenly.

Another favorite

Another post that has nothing to do with fabrication or motorcycles, but it's a great car and an even better movie.

Flare

Playing with risers

These are the risers that will hold a set of bars for the Triumph project that'll be documented in Iron Horse Mag. I wrote up a metal tech step by step that will be in an upcoming issue. Thanks to McGoo @ Biltwell for sending me some risers for r&d!

Filler in.

Cutzzzz

If you can't shrink it, cut it (and weld).

S.O.S.

This is posted for our friends over @ HOTW, help them out if you can!

--->SOS<---
Emergency call to Boston, NYC, Philly, Baltimore, DC, and any other east coast city in the mid-Atlantic:

I need a one way ticket for a special bike from Born Free 2 to the east coast next month. If any one is driving and has room in a truck or van, I have some gas money and high fives to throw your way. I can pick up anywhere - just let me know where you're going. Email thebrain@hatedoftheworld.com to work out the details. Thanks.

Playoffs

Ok, I know my blog is usually right in line with moto building, parts fab, and other 2 wheeled fury but the NHL playoffs are out of control good right now. If you grow up playing hockey and you're from MA, you follow the B's to the grave no matter how their season was. Get things done guys, we could be facing Montreal (those pricks).

Pic is of Lex showing how HUGE our Senior C league playoff trophy is (please read with sarcastic tone). Yeah, I said "C" league, I don't want to kill myself trying to keep up with hockey heros in their mid 20's.

Swap meet bucket find

Herb dug this out and handed it to me, thanks for not scooping it buddy. Someone spent a lot of time on this, so I'm going to keep it's life going with some more work.

Split and narrow

Woods find

Found this Fullmer in the woods in a pile of trash while I was walking the dog. Shell could be saved but everything else looks junked.