Wednesday, June 30, 2010

JBS

I guess it's fun watching the current hard working good guy out there winning week after week, but It's just not near as good as it was watching James Bubba Stewart change the way every professional racer rides a modern motocross bike.
Who would've thought the controlled crash of a peg dragging two wheel slide off the face of a jump would become standard practice?
****

Monday, June 28, 2010

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Dolphin Shorts or Life Like Hair?

Big Jim was always a bit creepy to me in that kind of 70's swinger with a lot of homo tendencies kind of way.
But BJ always lured me in with that Elsinore CR250 and Iron Head. Hell he had that badass camper truck "The Beast" and that "Jungle Truck" Bronco too.
After war lost it's allure and Gi Joe assembled the "Adventure Team" all he had was the Attex 6 wheeler which was my favorite anyway.
Then in the early 80's repop years I saw that Joe got himself some vintage iron in the form of a war era flathead. As a kid I would've thought that was a dumb bike and would've went looking for Big Jims dirt moto.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

A Couple Of Days Off.

My Dad hooked up a free flight from the Keystone state to San Diego on a charter jet so I took a couple of days off from everything so I could hang out with him for the first time in a long time.
I did manage to get some more done on the split tanks & finally got around to wiping that sportster down and put back on the lift.
Back at it full speed tomorrow.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Split Alien

With the pan head done, the bike lifts tied up with other bikes and the new "no more polishing" rule in effect, I found myself with nothing to to do.
Ever since Speacial79 Jay was here a few weeks back I've been wanting to mess around with some tank work. A while back Bob cut the tunnel out of this alien tank and for the most part it has been left for dead. So I decided to make a go at flat side split tanks and see if he likes them better than the 23 gallon fat bob's he's running now.
I need the four weld in hose fittings, Anyone?

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Philly Franks!

I introduced Matt and Chris to Philly Franks today & I think it went over really well.
Philly Franks is my little slice of Pennsylvania nestled away in a San Marcos, Ca strip mall. Whenever I need a fix I go and it's near my weld supply shop so I've been there a bunch lately.
Philly Franks is run by a transplanted Philadelphia family and in east coast style they all work there making it all the more traditional.
If your in the area go enjoy "The Works"!

Sunday, June 13, 2010

The Born Free2 Experience

I'm sure it's already all been said on a hundred different sites & blogs but Mike D, Grant, Harpoon and their staff did a bang up job putting this event together on every level, thank you.
We threw together a booth, sold some parts had a great time with a ton of old & new friends.
Having my bike out in the public eye was interesting. I built this bike for me, the way I saw it in my head & obviously not following any of the current trends so I really didn't know what to expect and didn't much care. What really mattered to me was that it was done and now I could ride it all summer.
Well, the response was pretty overwhelming. One of the first people to compliment was Ian Barry from Falcon Motorcycles and in my opinion their stuff is on a whole different level, that was the first time of many that I almost fell over in shock.
In a sea of amazing work the bike ended up winning "Best In Competition" chosen by Jeff Wright of Church of Choppers fame. Almost fell over again.
After the making the anxiety ridden stage walk to get my goodies I'm standing in the booth in a daze of beer fueled excitement when Sugar Bear Walks up to me and asks "did you build that Swing Arm Bike? I replied yes, he extends his hand and says amazing job! With a tear in my eye I shake his hand and tell him that means A Lot coming from him.
I'm not sure how I managed to stay upright on that one?
Good Times, Life is good!

Finger Tight

First off I need to apologize for all those e mails, blog comments, phone calls & texts that have gone unanswered over the past 6 or 8 weeks. In my defense I've spent every long waking hour on either Bench*Mark or this bike. This bike has been an on & off build for exactly 2.5 years and not only did I want to ride it but I thought the Born Free show would be the kick in the ass I needed to get it done. Over the past few weeks I think I threw in the towel twice, threw a part across the parking lot once, got home before 11pm 3 times, Blah, Blah, Blah.
Well we made it and this morning after we got the Bolts Action crew on the road to Baja I rolled it out & shot a few quick photos.
**
SO Many People had a hand in on this bike, I am truly grateful to everyone who helped!
First and foremost my partner in Bench*Mark, Great Friend and all around good person, Patrick McCormack, Thank You Pat!
My Core day to day support
Chris Collins
Rob Warren
Paul Wisniewski
Matt Landman
Nancy McCormack
And all those that that had a hand in either with parts, advise or both.
Trent, Atomic cutoms
Brandon, Mullins Chain Drive
Scott "T-Bone" Jones
Christain, Xian Leather
Jayme, Blue Moon Kustoms
Eric, Choppin Steel
Craig Tirey, Scrapmetalart
Bill & McGoo, Biltwell/Chop Cult
Fab Kevin
Bob & Jeff, Temecula Motorcycle service
Rick, Intense Cycles
Ken, Morelands Choppers
Caleb & JD, Cro Customs
Mike, FlatIronMike CustomWorks
Kutty, Hippy Killer Garage
I'm sure I forgot someone?
And most of all my girl Frances who tolerated a zillion long hours with understanding, zero complaints and a ton of support.
Thanks Ya'll
It's time to ride the shine off this thing!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

The Storm Before The Calm

This has been one of my top 5 most hectic weeks ever. I'm very much looking forward to Saturday where I'll be parking my ass in a lawn chair fondling cold sweaty beers all day.
Come by the Bench*Mark booth & say Hi.
..

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Daily Dirt

Our friend Marcus finished up his sport tracker and hence the name it will be his daily.
Check out more of Marcus:

Friday, June 4, 2010

Pipe Dreams?

Chris has been putting this sportster together for his sister and yesterday was pipe day so Matt decided to tag along.
Chris brings Annie's bike in his truck, just in case.
Of course Matt rides in and needs to ride out.
Chris can weld, Matt doesn't.
Chris has built many set of pipes, Matt is a first timer.
After doing all the welding on both sets of pipes.
Annie's bike done, 8:30PM
Matt's not quite finished but rideable & being sent home, 11:15 PM
Not bad at all first timer.
Good Times.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Blog Bog

Sorry for the blog slack lately.
We've been busy as hell, Bench*Mark is going crazy and you all know I'm trying to get this Pan Head finally finished. If all goes well the bike should be off the lift by the end of the weekend , all the current B*M orders shipped & we'll be back to normal for the rest of summer.
**
The 4th Annual Hell On Wheels this weekend!
The first new Amal 930 air cleaner.
**

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

02 Monster For Sale.

I put this thing together a few years back. It's a super fun bike & there's ton of amazing parts of this thing.
For all the info Email Paul directly:
Paul@Greenissue.com