The motorcycle industry is fraught with “serious people“.  You know the type. Those that seem to find dread, despair, conspiracy, corruption and whatever else in almost any nook and cranny they look at.  Which is a good thing i guess cause it gives us balance. Balance because when we actually run across those people that see the exact opposite of those “serious types”, we readily embrace their work and them as people. Sort of a “Ying/Yang” thing i guess.  And who wants to spend their days with downers anyway?!  One guy we recently ran across that helps lighten the day and life in general of many, and especially in the biker community, is a guy named Rob Campbell, the mastermind creator of “Keeping Up with Jones” comic strips.  Rob is a mild-mannered teacher by day, however he turns into super hero cartoon artist/rider by night!  Rob’s work has found it’s way into various publications and most recently is featured in Biker101magazine as well on his own website HERE.   I can tell you from flipping through his archives he not only understands the biker mindset he also lives what he writes/draws about.  So yes, he’s coming from a point of “experience” when he draws.  Kudo’s Rob! Anyway, check out his work and even laugh at others, and even yourself if you so choose.  And remember to send Rob a “thumbs up” if you like his work or want to pick it up and use in magazine or something.  We’re out’a here!

Hey, thanks for coming back! Great to see there are a few of you out there that have taste and style! Seriously, thanks for visiting. If you know of stories you think people would be interested in, shoot us a line C'ya!

Here’s a compilation of what one company thinks are some of the greatest motorcycle movies ever made. They have also listed B-movies along side some cult favorites and more mainstream films too. Either way there are some awesome motorcycle movies here. If you think they missed some or don’t agree let us and/or them know.  So here’s a run-down of 26 of the greatest motorcycle movies ever made! At least as one person see’s it. So what’s your choice?  Take a look HERE.

How many of you have even heard of the show “Then Came Bronson”?  Yeah, that’s what i thought. Well anyway, at this time of our history the big screen hit, Easy Rider had hit the stage (1969) and show cased two young counter-culture cyclist looking for the “real” American. Perhaps Middle America was not quite ready for that story on the small screen, but Then Came Bronson expressed some of the themes of that movie in a way more palatable to the mass audience (NOTE: the pilot movie was completed before Easy Rider hit the screen. Also, the show only lasted 1 year and had 26 episodes).

The idea of getting back to basics was definitely “blowin’ in the wind” at that time. “Natural” food, ecology and hippie “love & peace” communes were other expressions of this philosophy. Bronson had all the necessities of life so he owned only his motorcycle, his bedroll and the clothes on his back. Those clothes usually consisted of corduroy pants, black tee shirt, leather jacket, and watch cap. Here is excerpts from the first episode:

Taking a trip?

“What’s that?” “Taking a trip?”

“Yeah.”

“Where to?”

“Oh, I don’t know…wherever I end up, I guess.”

“Pal, I wish I was you.”

“Really?…well, hang in there.”

The businessman smiles wistfully and nods. The light changes, and off goes the laconic motorcyclist, gunning it out of the city, toward open space and adventure. The cyclist is Jim Bronson. Although he’s not known for much conversation, he is a recent “ex-newspaperman”.  The reason for this cross country quest for Bronson? A friend, Nick, had recently committed suicide right before his eyes. Jim had been unable to stop him jumping from a bridge. Before Nick leapt, he asked Jim to buy back the motorcycle from his soon-to-be widow. Jim had originally owned and customized the bike, then sold it to Nick when he became a reporter. He began thinking about the meaning of his own life. He decided to quit the rat race, simplify, see the country, visit some old friends and discover what life would put in his path.

Isn’t that what we all aspire to do?  Find out the meaning of life?  On, and by whatever vehicle we see fit for our journey through this life? SO, what’s your journey look like these days?

No matter how the new magazines change their appearance, promotional materials, points of distribution, add features or profiles, include slick babes and bikes, there is absolutely nothing as cool and timeless as vintage motorcycle magazines!  A time when not only some sort of “innocence” in the industry still resided but also exploration and excitement still was the prevailing wind.  Granted today we have awesome builders, magazine editors and personalities with us, but no matter what they do they just don’t hold a candle to these. Take a look at these magazine covers from the 70′s and tell me we can do any better than these!

I like to think that as a biker we can stop pretty much anyplace, anytime and with just about anyone and have a good time. So if your traveling though Arizona on your way to no-where, make a point of heading to Quartzsite Arizona.  Quartzsite is in the middle of “no-where“, and is a huge and nearly non-stop flea market and gem show town. With a permanant population of about 1,600 the towns population swells to as many as 2,500,000 during the winter months.  The local “naked celebrity” is Paul Winer who owns and operates an open-air book store called “Readers Oasis” with a diverse mix of books, magazines, music, videos, and memorabilia. Winer also keeps a sizable section of free merchandise, ready for the taking, quite a novelty in today’s environment.

As you can tell, Paul is a naturalist, wearing nothing more than a banana hammock held up by wire. Once you get over the initial “banana hammock” shock, you can enjoy all of the wonderful books, periodicals, music, and audiobooks. Paul has an eclectic mix of pretty much everything that you can think of….except clothing.

Yep it was about time we heard from those Van Skyndel brothers (Arie and Mark) as we were getting a bit bored with the existing video’s out in the market (ok there are very few quality videos out to be honest), so we were stoked to see what Mark and Arie were coming out with.  And in this case we’re not disappointed with their latest effort appropriately called  ”Two Wheel Terrors Vol. #2“.

Incorporating quality video production, editing, cinematography and kicking bikes (you’ll see plenty of pans, open primaries, hand shifters, springers and rigids), the brothers hold true to their vision of providing an insiders view of the custom motorcycle scene, with pounding in-your-face music and honest raw video of riders enjoying themselves.

While a lot of people may not understand the passion people have for their bikes and the freedom it represents, those that do, will quickly grasp the content and intent of the Van Skyndel’s efforts in this video. So, what are you waiting for!!! click HERE to view the teaser.  You won’t be dissappointed. This video features Foundry Moto, Jason Pullen, Slims Fabrication with riding scenes in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Arizona, and San Diego. Video sales for $24.95 at Choppertown.

Everyone knows that “milk does a body good“. That tag line has been used for years on commercials from the milk industry.  HOWEVER a Russian photographer named Andrey Razumovsky has taken this phrase to a whole other level, with these creative and tastefully done portraits of women in “milk dresses”. Ok we’re still trying to figure out how he did it (other than image manipulation of course).  But his approach definitely has inspired this ole guy to start drinking more milk.  Or at least asking the miss to indulge me with a glass.  Of course this whole project forces me to ask the question, “how do you hang that dress in the closet?” You can check out more of his work HERE

Ok, we’re suckers for cool things whether they are 2-4-6-8 wheels or no wheels at all. So, when we saw these pic’s from a friend, we just had to stop and look and eventually try to purchase one for ourselves.  Granted, as a builder we’re easily distracted by things that go “bump, bump” but not literally as these are used bumper cars from Long Beach Pike Amusement Park which were saved from the scrap yard by Tom Wright (a teckie builder in San Diego, CA), and turned into what you see here. Street legal whoopee machines!

Yep, that’s right; these little babies are street legal. Tim uses either  Kawasaki or Honda (no V-Twins as they rattle too much) motorcycle engines for power. These were transformed into the most awesome form of mini-car we’ve ever seen.

Here are a few of these little monsters “bumpin” around  California. A couple have been measured’ [not run] theoretically capable of 160 MPH which is terrifyingly fast in ANY machine.  Much less one with such a short wheelbase.  We’ve put our order in for one and can’t wait to start rocking Orange with it!  What do you think?

The senseless loss of life! The unexplained carnage experienced by shop owners can only be described and understood by those walking beside them down this path of life. Granted everyone has had a loss in their life.  Whether it be a family member, a dog/cat/horse, friend, co-worker or acquaintance.  However the loss of a key player at a shop is not only a tragedy, but a stake to the heart of anyone that has picked up a welder, cut flatstock, hammered a sheet of metal or owned a small shop. Thus with a heavy heart we share this video with those we know will support us during this time of sorrow.

It is so graphic and traumatizing that we’re not even posting it visually here but rather asking that you click HERE for the full story! Oh, the carnage! Please be advised this video is not suitable for all audiences and thus parental discretion is advised strongly. Tissues are optional.

Knowing that most of our readers will appreciate things that are “cool”, as well as can be personalized, here is our latest installment.  A firm in Germany called “Style Your Garage” has created posters for garage doors that make it look as if your garage is “where all the action is“.

Made for the up-and-over garage doors common in Europe, these posters mount with velcro and can be adapted to fit sectional garage doors also. If you have a two-car garage, no worries as they can make posters that will span both doors.  Prices range from 199.00 to 399.00 for double doors. The company can also turn a photo of yours into a garage poster, but you have to be careful with this as not EVERY picture can be blow up to be 6 1/2 feet or bigger without looking distorted. Your garage billboard comes complete with a separate, self-adhesive Velcro fastener and can be attached immediately! The billboard is fitted in the same sort of way as a fly screen at the window. And it doesn’t matter what material (metal, wood, plastic, etc.) the up-and-over garage door is made from.

Knowing the type crowd that reads this blog we’re confident there will be some that will actually purchase a set of these. If for no other reason that to have something to talk about with friends or some warped surprise for your mate. Guess if it’s not a hit you can always give it to the dogs to chew on after dinner.  Doubtful vegetarians will be swarming to get a pair of these. Priced at $139.00, these underpants are “made to order for each specific customer from the highest quality of dried preserved meats we can find at the closest convenience store”. Warning: the untreated jerky is not for human consumption, but the maker does have a warning of sorts: “Rumor has it that wearing our brief jerky undergarments will release their natural pheremones once your body heat and moisture kicks in!” Hmm. Yeah.  Ok ladies, weigh in on this saucy item.

 

So, what do Jesse James of “West Coast Choppers”, Kat Von D of “LA Ink” and the Los Angeles County Coroners Office have in common?  Yep, a “Coffin Couch”. This SoCal company, called “Coffin Couches”  believes in “Recycling”. Literally. Their niche: 18 gauge steel coffins collected from local funeral homes since health and safety laws forbid funeral homes from reselling used coffins to the general public. Rest assured though that the coffins are not used for burial due to slight cosmetic inconsistencies.

Coffin Couch reconfigures and modifies the coffins for a  ”unique one of a kind coffin couch”.  As as an added bonus, you get your own biohazard insignia too!  Right there on the six cast iron legs are embossed the universal biohazard insignia. The reason?  We’ll let them tell you. Quoted from their website: “If you are not aware, once a human body is placed in a coffin it is considered biohazard tissue. The legs have the embossed insignia for precautionary reasons in the event body fluids are exchanged on these coffins. Perhaps you would feel safe knowing that you are in designated biohazard scene!“.  Funny.  

So what type of uses would you have for such as fun piece of furniture.  Hmm, as they suggest on the website: Retirement Parties, Game Rooms, Custom Company Logos, Small intimate hook-ups, Team Sports. Just to name a few.  The price: $3500.00.  “Dude, slide over will ya?! I need to rest a bit…got a slight headache and ringing in my ears.”

We love rat rod’s. You know those cars or trucks that look as if their owner hasn’t actually finished the build. But rather slapped, welded, chicken wired together the raw steel or aluminum body in a rush. Using minimal comfort interiors combined with slammed or cut off roof lines and old wheels and cool pin stripping (if even that). Well the Guilty Gang is on a hunt of sorts to find a donor car/truck/vw etc, we can get our grimy mitts on in order to make a “corporate sponsored” rat rod. We’ll be approaching various corporate sponsors (tire, wheel, body shops, engine, etc) for this build that will travel with us to events around the country in the Limpnickie Lot. So, if you’ve got some piece of crap hanging around your yard, garage or know of someone that does, give us a shout. We will post every entry and then let the readers choose which one we go with. Then this build will be documented on the site and who knows, maybe even some cool carma will come your way!

The book “The Old Man & The Harley“ written by John Newkirk, captures the imagination and spirit of this great country and the people that make it up, by retracing the cross country motorcycle trip his father took as a 19 year old. In the summer of 1939, an ambitious teenager sets off across America on a rickety Harley VL Big Twin with $45 in his pocket and the audacious intent of seeing both the New York and San Francisco Worlds Fair. Both the boy and his country were on the brink of an irrevocable transformation. For both boy and country it was the autumn of their youth and both would emerge forever changed. Nearly 7 decades later John retraces this epic odyssey with his aging father and along the way, discovers the healing power of the road, the faith of the American people, and the inspiration to face some of today’s most pressing challenges. This is a “two-thumbs up” must read. You can purchase it a Amazon.

Here is a thought….introduce a new word into the biker vocabulary that gets away from the over used term “rat bike”. The term “Gutter Bike” tips it’s hat to those bikes our forefathers (grandparents or parents, etc) rode that were actually daily rides, that they had personally modified. We thing there are plenty of bikes that represent this style but get lumped into “Rat Bikes” simply because they don’t fit a certain look or style. Gutter Bikes ain’t pretty, they use common everyday parts (and even uncommon parts), show their blemishes and definitely don’t have billet. So, how’d this all come about. Too many late nights crammed back to back where sleep depravation kicks in and your brain goes wild on you…regardless of what your body is saying.