While we don’t spend a lot of time thinking about our suspension while riding, it happens to be the one element that can and does have the most profound affect on our comfort and satisfaction as a rider.  (Granted if your a Horsepower fan you’ll say “power” but hey this is our forum and we’ll write what we believe!) Anyway, standard front forks are rather simple objects to work with and/or even understand. They are just like emulsion shock absorbers with straight wound springs, except the springs are on the inside instead of the outside. Since the forks get shorter when you hit a bump, all forks are effectively air-assisted. (Because of this, it is important to get the oil level set correctly when you change your fork oil, or the spring rate will be wrong).
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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!

While most people are familiar with this form of fork, (not to be confused with the one you eat with) many have no idea what is actually going on internally with this component.  Here’s the scoop. A tube fork incorporates an internal shock and spring in one sealed cylinder unit. The smaller tube slides in and out of the slightly larger tube that is sealed around it. Sound pretty simple, right?  The more detailed mechanics of it are that the internal springs and hydraulic fluid serve to dampen the movements of the tube forks to smooth out the ride, (providing the active suspension for the front wheel). Read the rest of this entry »

This is the 2nd part of our series “Girders, Springers and Leaf Springs”.

If you have followed us on various builds you’ll recognize this front end as it was on the famous “Errant” which is in the 2010 Easy Riders Calendar and was featured in a number of magazines over the past 3 years. Have to admit, Errant was one of the best riding, fun and easiest handling bikes we’ve built and/or owned and we think that was due to the Durfee Girder front end we used.  So, if you’ve not riden on a bike with a girder, you need to.  It’s an experience you won’t forget and you’ll possibly become a champion for them.   Read the rest of this entry »

Since bikes have various purposes as well as each rider has various views of what their bike should look and handle like, there are a number of styles of front ends for biker to choose from.  So, we thought we’d weigh in on various types of front ends we’ve used on builds.  Which covers, Girders, Springers, Leaf Spring and Inverted Tube Forks. The primary function of forks, regardless of their look is to attach the front wheel to the motorcycle. That’s pretty simple. Motorcycle forks also provide the suspension and framework for mounting some brake components, lights and fenders if needed or wanted. Understanding the characteristic differences between various front ends though, will help you in making your choice of the right forks when creating your own custom bike. With this post, we’ll cover the Springer.  Later post will cover, girders and leaf springs and inverted tubes. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’ve followed any of the builds we have done at Guilty, you realize one thing.  We don’t like complicated!  Zip. Nada.  We just don’t like things that will strain the brain too much…plus there is only so much you can squeeze into a peanut shell besides rock-a-billy music, brands of beer to buy, our wives grocery list and how to work the remote for the tv.  Thus,  you’ll ONLY find “constant velocity carbs (or CV’s) on our bikes.  Here is our simple explanation of how the “The Carburetor” works. (Que the cool theme music please!) Read the rest of this entry »

A frequent question posed by motorcyclist is whether or not they should carry a firearm with them for personal protection. This is a question that has a lot of answers and yet not one fits every situation.  Just too many variables to consider on this issue as “one shoes doesn’t fit everyone“.  So remember that as we proceed thought this issue.  First, let me state that I am trained and carry a 9mm with me almost everywhere i go and am proficient in it’s use as well as a number of one-on-one confrontation scenarios (i.e. martial arts). Granted i’m not a competitive fighter, but i can hold-my-own when it was needed. And have had to “hold my own” over the years (although i was a lot younger and foolish too) when the need arose. Read the rest of this entry »

While the exact history of “head lamps” (or “head lights” for some) and their evolution is an elusive one, one thing can be said for them.  They are a hardy bunch and they help you see!  Pretty simple. Something not to be taken lightly when riding at night, in the fog or during dust storms or rainy seasons on two wheels. Granted lights have had a somewhat sorted, unreliable (sometimes) and mystique past. Sort of like Lindsay Lohan. Unfortunately these guys just don’t carry the “BAM” that say breathers, carbs or front ends carry. Again sort of like Lindsay Lohan!  These guys just cut on, cut off and are supposed to work when told.  (hmmm, another reference to Lindsay Lohan). Nothing complicated. From what we’ve seen the whole “light scene” starting with lamps that actually burned oil and have progressively refined and transformed themselves over the years.  (Something we’d hope Lindsay would do) Now they have evolved to “sealed gas” chambered illuminates that light up the road ways like a 747 landing (which Ms. Lohan could do if she wanted to).  Ok, ok, so, enough references to poor “i-am-going-to-jail-for-90-days-Lohan”.  You get the idea behind the lights. Now go find your own!

“What the world needs now is more Americans.  The U.S. is the first nation on earth deliberately dedicated to letting people choose what they want and giving them a chance to get it.  For all its terrible faults, in one sense America is still the last, best hope of mankind, because it spells out so vividly the kind of happiness which most people actually want, regardless of what they are told they ought to want.  We criticize, copy, patronize, idolize insult but we never doubt that the U.S. has a unique position in the history of human hopes.  For it is the only nation founded solely on a moral dream.  A part of our own future is tied up in it and the greatest of all the gifts the Americans have given us is hope.” President Reagan quoting column by Ferdinand Mount.   Pretty much says it all in a nut shell.

Note: Growing up in the military (and having a brother and other family members deployed and currently serving) i am a strong supporter of our soldiers and empathetic with their families as well as understand our need as a nation to support them whenever and however we can!  This was contributed by James Schenck, an Army veteran and the president of the PenFed Foundation, a military support organization.

This Fourth of July, can you to join me in saluting the sacrifices of all veterans who served to defend our nation and remembering their contributions. While the nation reflects on sacrifices of veterans this Independence Day who did not return back from war, I also would like to salute members of the military who sacrificed in other ways.  From the Marine whose family is struggling financially due to multiple deployments, to the sailor who couldn’t buy her first house because she was overseas, to the soldier who is now relearning how to walk with his wife by his side and needs daycare for his young children: members of our military make sacrifices everyday that go unseen. Read the rest of this entry »

You’ve got to love AMERICA!  We get a day to say “Thanks” to our veterans but also party to show our support of them!  The best of both worlds wouldn’t you say!?  So, while you’re enjoying the weekend and hoisting a brews (or twelve) in honor of the men and women in uniform, don’t fret about all the absurd politics and maneuvering we’re seeing, but rather just know that our protectors (soldiers) serve this great country of ours and they do it with distinction. Read the rest of this entry »

Early on Monday June 28th at 4:20am local time, two riders (Frank Kelly from South Carolina and Will Barclay from Highland Beach, Florida) crossed the finish line (together) for the Hoka Hey Challenge in Homer Alaska.  It’s reported that these guys didn’t know each other until meeting at the last checkpoint on Sunday. So as not to be disqualified (speeding tickets) or have an accident, they opted to ride together across the finish line at the same time.  Hmmm, now is that even possible?  The next batch of riders scheduled to cross the finish line are at least one day behind these two finalist.  Both riders will need to still pass a drug test, a motorcycle inspection, polygraph and verification of gas receipts and road logs to be declared the winners of the $500k bounty. Read the rest of this entry »

Granted i’m more of a “traditionalist”  when it comes to my rides so it’s not a mystery that when i see news about manufactures having a waiting list or releasing a new model i’m either excited or dreading the news (based on the companies ability to really improve upon their model or meet demands).

Seems Royal Enfield has hit upon a thread of sentimentality amoung riders with their Bullet Classic C5. Seems the C5 is maxing out the companies ability to meet demand.  Normal production was 4500 units per month, however demand is standing at 6500.  Not bad!  So guess you could say….”get in line guys!” if your interested in one of these.

If you were not able to participate and enjoy the Born Free event, well you can catch up on what all the excitement and chatter was about.  The video is HERE.

In the book “The Devil Can Ride,” which is edited by Lee Klancher, the reader finds an anthology of “the world’s best motorcycle writing,” (ok i stole that from its sub-title) and inferred by other references we’ve found. Seems the author has selected other authors, such as Mark Singer, Hunter Thompson, T.E. Lawrence, Robert Pirsig, Peter Egan, Kevin Cameron, Joe Scalzo, and approximately 20 more to highlight in his unique and witty book.  There’s even a previously unpublished story by Darwin Holmstrom which covers the sexuality of motorcycles in which he explains how the Victory Vegas got him laid (by his wife).  The story is funny as is the book informative in it’s eclectic collection of writers and styles   In addition to the writings, there are black and white photos, often taken by the authors.  The book comes in hard cover and is available from Motorbooks for $26.00 in the US, $32.50 in Canada. To access the publisher on line, click here, as well as Amazon.

When traveling across the country as we have, we come across a lot of hot rod and motorcycle art and artist, which i make a point of collecting the business cards, visiting their website or Facebook pages and then proceed to thrash myself for not continuing my artist adventures as a young man! When I saw the artwork of Nick Sinclair from Sinclair Hot Rods I got motivated to pound my skull even twice as hard for not continuing my artistic studies. My passion had always been in the field of tire smoking cars (67 Chevy’s)  and long strung out choppers (remember Easy Riders was just out during that time) so our pics were of big muscled bikers on cool bikes…every young adolescent’s dream!  Fortunately Nick stuck to his earlier passions of drawing as they show in every drawing we’ve seen appear from his sketch pad.   My fav is Super Nugget, a street scraping Rat Rod with plenty of bad attitude and cool flames. The print is a limited edition fine art print and measures 19 inches by 13 inches. Only 50 produced. Each one is signed and numbered by Nick.  Yeah, ok, i want one! Nick apparently digs the deeds of Ed Roth, Coop,Williams, Hess, and Kozik, and his work spans the typical Lowbrow, High Octane hot rod portfolio of gassers, street rods, rat rods, pin-ups, and of course, monsters. If you want to find out more about Nick go to his website HERE. You’ll find some cool limited edition prints, t-shirts and much much more.