One more time

I tried the handlebar builders kit once before with my friend Walter of Kickstart Cycle Supply, but only made a prototype kit.  I have an idea for making a builders kit that would include bits to either make a set of t-bars or a set of riser extensions w/ drag bars to be used with Biltwell risers.  The material will be 304 stainless, so no need to chrome, just polish them up.  Kit and pricing should be available in a couple weeks once all the machining is taken care of.  Stay tuned. 

Troy Fab rules

Steve @ Troy Fabrication sent me out a Triumph motor stand, knowing I'd be needing it very soon.  Thanks Steve, I'll return it after I screw up my motor.

Thunder road

Got some road time on the Thunderbolt, man this thing is fun.

Today's purchase

Found a '94 sportster frame with clean paper for a good price.  When I showed up to the seller's house, he had an ironhead lump on the floor and a frame in the midst of modification.  I love finding people who share the same bike passions.  Good luck with the ironhead Jim!

Cool headlamp

Found this neat shaped headlight/spotlight.  It's got a mirror on the back side so you can stare into it and hypnotize yourself.

Riser extension

Sorry to the people at ChopCult who have already seen this.

I'm not the first to ever think this up, and would never claim to be.  I just wanted taller Biltwell risers.

Wrenching

Wanted to play around with this un-finished wrench-knife after doing some welding today.  I did all the hot forging a while ago, I just had to stone sharpen and temper it.  The blade sharpness makes it a little tricky to use the wrench though.

Thanks Bawb

Made some bars for my friend Bob today.  This is what I got in exchange.  I like when Bob comes to the shop to hang out!

Sitting on chrome

This frame is owned by my friend.  Buy it and achieve instant chopper cool guy status.  $1600 and it can be yours.

Auction link

new to the stable

Picked this up today pretty cheap.  Clean paper, runs great.   I'll ride it thru the rest of the fall, and then study up on the QCB site to see my options.

Antics

Got some mail for an alias I was running during my trip to the PNW last winter.  It took my wife a minute to realize it was her husband's 8th grade humor and not a mis-delivered letter.  I still giggled.

Sun afternoon in the Fall

Man, this is my favorite time of the year.  Crisp, clean, and beautiful riding through the falling leaves.  The only bummer on todays ride was our friend Tim breaking down on the way out to meet us, glad he made it back home though.  

Oh, I ran out of gas again.  My thirsty shovel with a small tank ran out in front of a fellow rider's house.  The fine gentleman had fuel and good vibes.

Tanks are all done for now.

The time has come.  I really enjoy modifying and building tanks, but when it comes right down to it they don't make money.  In this economy, with the garage builders (that I really respect), I just can't charge for the actual time and materials that I have into each tank project without people thinking I'm crazy.  

I will pick certain projects and bike builds that I'd like to be involved with when people contact me, but the prices will be going up.  It bums me out to be doing this, but it's time to try and run a business that actually turns a profit, or at least come close.  I will be finishing the tanks I have  on my plate right now, and then I'll be concentrating on the complete bike builds I have going on.

Thank you to all the people who have liked my work enough to have me build a tank for you, it means a lot.

Stainless T-bars for sale

I rode these for a while and love them, but I think I have a handlebar fettish.  I can't stop myself from changing bars.  Made of .120 wall 304 stainless tubing, 3 1/2" mount spacing  $130 shipped to your door, if your door happens to be in the lower 48.

Frisco shovel for sale

My personal love, up for sale.  $10,000 or stock/running/project shovel trade plus appropriate cash difference.  Interested parties should e-mail me for specs and build list.  

Check out the auction here, start bidding and get this bike for less than my asking price.

Daniel's bars

People have been really patient with me and how slow I have been lately, Daniel is one of them. Here's the bars I made for him, I think they'll compliment the tank nicely.   Oh, by the way, they are supposed to taper in a bit by design. 

I promise, I'm speeding up my fabrication!

Just some boring pics

Just a couple of pics while welds cool.  I'm on handlebar duty this week, a lot of people have been waiting patiently.  Thanks for the patience people!

Jake's donation... really this time.

Jake Cutler is the person I purchased the Triumph from.  Not only does Jake share my affinity for motorcycles and fabrication, he's also the owner/operator of Barnstorm Cycles here in Worcester, MA.  I think Jake would rather spend his days fabricating parts and bikes, but the tire changing and bolting on of bits and pieces is what pays the bills.  Barnstorm Cycles is a local, full service shop that's been open for 5+ years and is the type of place that won't laugh at a goon like me when I walk through the door.  On a side note, his tig welding and machining skills make me envious, as well as his knuckle daily driver.

Jake donated this super cool narrow springer that we're going to shorten and machine new front/rear leg lower spuds and rockers.  This thing will fit the Triumph like a glove when we're done with it.  Thanks Jake!

De-funking

Here's a pic of all the cobbed-up shit taken off the Triumph. This build will be documented in multiple Iron Horse magazine articles, so any more progress pics will have to wait until the articles are published. Many thanks to Todd @ Iron Horse, Tyler @ Lowbrow Customs, Dan @ 7 Metal West, and Bill and the boys @ Biltwell. This build couldn't happen without you guys. Others to be thanked in the future, once they're onboard:)

Uh oh.

Just picked this up. More to come in the near future.

Narrower?

Made these a while ago and didn't like the top width. Heat + a little muscle narrowed them up a bit.

Super E knurled idle speed

One way includes a knurled lamp knob, an 8-32 machine screw, some drilling/tapping, green locktite, and you've got one.

The other is simpler. Lamp part already with 8-32 thread, 2" pan headed machine screw, two 8-32 nuts, and green locktite.

Montauk Run=End Run

Took a cool little bike ride with New Englanders, New Yorkers, Long Islanders, Jersey-ites, and Connecticut folk. Montauk, NY is a great fall ride with tons of great back roads and views. This kind of signifies the end of the season run for many of us, although we'll be on the bikes as long as weather permits. Thanks to Marco for being the local host and sharing his knowledge of the area with all of us.