Wauseon National; antique flat track races and swap meet
AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days
Run For Your Life (R4YL) IV
Tuesday
Bloggin'
I love this guy. This is Josh "Kid" Kurpius on his bike The Locust. An amazing photographer. If you're not familiar with his work, you should check it out. http://www.joshkurpius.com/ or check out the blog http://www.kemosabeandthelodge.blogspot.com/
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I'm a big fan of Holiday Customs. Not only is Jared Johnson a brilliant motorcycle builder, he's also an awesome, down to earth guy. If you haven't seen his bikes, check out his blog http://www.holidaycustoms.blogspot.com/
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I'm a big fan of Holiday Customs. Not only is Jared Johnson a brilliant motorcycle builder, he's also an awesome, down to earth guy. If you haven't seen his bikes, check out his blog http://www.holidaycustoms.blogspot.com/
Saturday
Dice Magazine / Church of Choppers 2011
The Dice Magazine/COC party was a blast. Of course Jeff Wright was there. Got to meet Chopper Dave. I was hoping to see Josh Kurpius and the Bravetown crew, but they didn't show up until late. It's great running into old friends and making many new ones. Hamm's beers and $1.50 tacos all day long!
Here are just a few pics.
Here are just a few pics.
XS400 Project Bike
For my next project I wanted a small displacement vertical twin that looked like it was from the 60's. I found a 1981 Yamaha XS400 Special II on CL that fit the bill perfectly.
First things first, I had to get it running. The PO said the bike had been sitting about 10 years. I tore down the carbs first and was surprised what good shape they were in. I cleaned them up and put them back on with some new carb boots. I put some fresh gas in the tank and she fired right up.
None of the lights were working and what should have been a fuse box had been hardwired. I started going through the rats nest of a harness and discovered someone had totally hacked it up. I ended up rewiring the entire bike. No turn signals, no horn, just the necessities.
I'm not a fan of the stock bars, so I swapped those out. I also replaced the headlight.
Next I went to the rear of the bike.
I replaced the single taillight with two side mount taillights.
I also replaced the stock shocks with a shorter and beefier set.
Then I cut out the rear fender mount so I could fab up and new seat pan.
I only had a couple layers of fiberglass layed on the pan. Dice Magazine was throwing their annual party with Church of Choppers at Kung Fu Tap and Taco. So, even though the bike wasn't done, I still rode it there with an unfinished seat pan.
First things first, I had to get it running. The PO said the bike had been sitting about 10 years. I tore down the carbs first and was surprised what good shape they were in. I cleaned them up and put them back on with some new carb boots. I put some fresh gas in the tank and she fired right up.
None of the lights were working and what should have been a fuse box had been hardwired. I started going through the rats nest of a harness and discovered someone had totally hacked it up. I ended up rewiring the entire bike. No turn signals, no horn, just the necessities.
I'm not a fan of the stock bars, so I swapped those out. I also replaced the headlight.
Next I went to the rear of the bike.
I also replaced the stock shocks with a shorter and beefier set.
Then I cut out the rear fender mount so I could fab up and new seat pan.
I only had a couple layers of fiberglass layed on the pan. Dice Magazine was throwing their annual party with Church of Choppers at Kung Fu Tap and Taco. So, even though the bike wasn't done, I still rode it there with an unfinished seat pan.
Wednesday
Genesis
My first taste of freedom came on two wheels. It was a feeling of liberation that I will never forget. It came in the form of a Honda Spree I bought when I was 13 years old. I rode that thing all the time and went everywhere. Even though it only went 25 mph, I would take it out of town on the road. Ride out to the lake and hit the beach or to the next town over. I even rode it in cold Iowa winters, as long as there wasn't snow and ice on the ground. It was on this little scooter that my eternal love for two wheels was born.
I got my first motorcycle, a Suzuki Katana 750, when I was 17. I loved riding it, but after after numerous near death experiences, I decided I wanted something more comfortable for cruising. I got rid of the Suzuki with the intentions of buying a cruiser. However, getting married and starting a family put the kibosh on my motorcycle plans and incited a 7 year hiatus from riding.
In 2007 my brother and I started detailing cars. One client asked us to detail her husband's Harley. After doing his bike I began getting more bikes and eventually the business turned into a motorcycle detailing shop. This is when my love for two wheels re-emerged. Motorcycles have been my burning passion ever since.
Although I was able to borrow bikes now and then, I was dying to get my own bike again. Being a father of three and a sole provider, money is always tight, so I had to find something super cheap. I came across and barn find Yamaha XS850 and purchased it for $200. I got it running, stripped it down and began rebuilding it the way I wanted it. Before I got it done someone offered to buy it from me, so I sold it and began looking for my next project.
I got my first motorcycle, a Suzuki Katana 750, when I was 17. I loved riding it, but after after numerous near death experiences, I decided I wanted something more comfortable for cruising. I got rid of the Suzuki with the intentions of buying a cruiser. However, getting married and starting a family put the kibosh on my motorcycle plans and incited a 7 year hiatus from riding.
In 2007 my brother and I started detailing cars. One client asked us to detail her husband's Harley. After doing his bike I began getting more bikes and eventually the business turned into a motorcycle detailing shop. This is when my love for two wheels re-emerged. Motorcycles have been my burning passion ever since.
Although I was able to borrow bikes now and then, I was dying to get my own bike again. Being a father of three and a sole provider, money is always tight, so I had to find something super cheap. I came across and barn find Yamaha XS850 and purchased it for $200. I got it running, stripped it down and began rebuilding it the way I wanted it. Before I got it done someone offered to buy it from me, so I sold it and began looking for my next project.
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