Happy New Year

Be careful today too. Hung over drivers are almost as bad as drunks.

Holiday Wishes

May all your dressers be lit like a Christmas tree.

Merry Solstice

Believe what you wish, but there's no denying that this time of year has always been linked to many traditions, ceremonies, and celebrations which were connected to the sun's rebirth. Decorated evergreen trees and the 12 festival days of Yule are just a couple examples of those old celebrations.

This art shows why we have seasons. The globe to the right is where we are now.

Christians did not always celebrate the birth of Jesus as the original focus had been on his resurrection. It's interesting how the birth of the "Son of God" is celebrated at the time of year that many ancient (and not so ancient), cultures celebrated the return or rebirth of the "Sun" which they worshiped as God.


Talk about alignment. It was rained out here on the west coast (bummed I couldn't see it), but a rare lunar eclipse that coincided with this year's solstice happened early this morning. It's been centuries since and will not happen again until 2094. Most people alive today won't see it. Makes you stop and think... and wonder what the world will be like then?

I have to admit, I like the ancients, have always been a bit relieved and happy when the days get longer each day.

Pete Millar's High Flying Santa

Pete Millar's cover art for the Jan. 1963 CAR toons. Millar did CAR toons for Peterson Publications before he started his own comic Drag cartoons.

It's not motorcycle related, but Pete is an Art Hero. Taken at an exhibition of his art the summer of 2008.

This Month's Header

I admit it, I cheat. It's very time consuming to start from scratch, so I recycle images whenever I can.

This art was originally done in 1990 for an Art department Christmas display when I worked at Hughes Aircraft Company Space and Communications Group.


Ink up a chopper riding Santa and a few bikes, then work some Photoshop magic.

P.S. Sorry for the lack of post. I've been out of town for two weeks and it takes me awhile to get back in the blog groove.

Captain Knucklehead

While looking for something completely unrelated, I stumbled upon this photo today. Seemed appropriate. Have a Good Holiday!

This Month's Header

Freedom
Whenever the question comes up, why ride a motorcycle?, many answer, Freedom. Now, that can be debated, but within some fairly practical limitations you are free to ride the bike of your choice. As a matter of fact, in today's world of mass management, I'm almost surprised a motorcycle is a legal choice of transportation at all. It's even more surprising that it's still legal to build a wild contraption yourself.

The bikes above are from the 4 categories you'll most likely see on this blog. Antiques, Dressers, Bob Jobs, and Choppers. It's all about Choice... your perfectly Free to chose other styles or makes.

Happy Birthday Nation!

A Few From Pops Day

You can' tell from this photo, but there seemed to be more people than usual.


This KR was one of the highlights of the event to me.



Original Bikes Rock. In this case, a 1969 XLCH


There's no white wall on choppers!


I believe I overhead the kid with the family that owns this trike say it was a '38. I didn't see anything '38 about it. The tanks are '47- 50, and the engine was stamped '59. The rear box may have been the smaller early one.


It's nice to see old relics (27 Henderson 4), being ridden, but watching him almost lose it getting into traffic was scary. He popped the clutch, got squirrely, and ended up on the wrong side of the road. He recovered quickly and was really lucky that nobody was in the lane at that moment.


Garage Co. bikes. Nice stance. This shovels swinging fender, frame and springer combo reminds me of Roth's Oink.

Leave it to me to only photograph American bikes at a British shop. The truth is, I was disappointed at the turn out of Brit bikes this year. Maybe it was my timing.

Fathers Day Party

Sorry for the late notice... I almost forgot.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of them doing this. It's basically an informal ride in event and free. I've gone a few times over the years and plan on being there. I've heard, that in the past, Jay Leno has come by early in the day.

Happy Mama's Day

Mamas, treat 'em right, or else!

Happy Re-Birthday Jesus

Redeem Yourself, Build a Chopper!

From July 71 Custom Chopper magazine.


Cool tank and art if your into this stuff.


I saw this bike at night back in '71, when a group of us went to a coffee house in Santa Monica to hear some beat poets rap. If my memory is correct the music and words spoken had a Christian slant. I got to say, seeing a chopper with that taillight was quite a sight, but I was already converted ....to choppers that is.

This Month's Header

Every year I try to come up with a card for my better half. This is probably the first that featured a MotorCycle theme.

From 1985. "Tanks for Being My Valentine", (5"x6"). It was done very quickly and meant to be a characture. At the time, I thought it needed the crash bars to give it balance and more weight at the bottom. When your working under the gun and directly to final art, there's no time for second thoughts


If I was going to use it for the blog, I just had to go back and retouch it some. One of these days, I'll do it larger and better.

Are You Having a Great Taint?

Taint, It taint Christmas and it taint New Years.
It's that magical and wonderful period between them. A time for mischief and merry making.

Old Saint Taint, The patron saint of the Holiday.

I'm officially starting this New Holiday Tradition. The Five days of Taint start on the 26th and run through the 30th. The 28th will be the most important and celebrated date, as it's smack dab in the middle. The holiday's colors will be orange and blue.

From now on, be sure to wish all your friends and loved ones a Terrific Taint!

Bam!, Xmas is Here

Time's Up

Only 366 days till next year.

This is How it Starts

Happy Thanksgiving

Taking off for the Holiday so I won't be posting for awhile. Keep leaving comments and I'll post them when I can. Later!

Apollo 11

A topic of great pride and shame.

It should be a National Holiday! Here's to the smart and brave souls who once dreamed and made it possible.


Not only as Americans but, as humans, we should all be proud of this achievement of will and scientific curiosity.

On the other hand, we should be ashamed that 40 years has past and we no longer care about these types of positive scientific goals. Not to mention, the dumbing down of a society that pollutes the internet with stupid Moon landing hoax conspiracy theories.

A good site for debunking the Hoax Believers: http://www.badastronomy.com/bad/tv/foxapollo.html

One of the only uplifting things on TV is NOVA Science Now, Tuesday nights on PBS. Check it out, it might give you hope.

Happy Birthday Uncle Sam

Century Motorcycles Father's Day 2009

Century Motorcycles in San Pedro has been having Fathers day parties for along time. They invite all riders for lunch and to enjoy live music. I go to see the bikes.

A perfect day for a ride and this kind of event. Note the beautiful San Pedro skyline.


One of Cindy's father's (Bill Cotton) Vincents had a place of honor inside the shop.


One of two Knucks that showed up. Note the shifter set up.


This belongs to the shop. Don't know it's history. Looks to be a very early H-D Servi-Car rear axle.


When they are in this condition, there's something about the timeless style of these classic twins that almost tricks you into thinking it's a new bike .


A '54 Cub. You don't see many of these.


It's kind of sad state of affairs that somebody had to ask the owner if it's real or a replica? Kind of takes the fun out of owning the real deal.


The Vincent singles just aren't as exciting. Maybe black would help.


Antique bike with antique alarm system.


This pooch was actually a Ham. At one point, when surrounded by Paparazzi, she just soaked it all up. Seemed to enjoy being the center of attention.


"Okay, I've seen enough, I'm ready to roll now".


It seems you can count on seeing some different bikes at Century. I'm not sure about this one but, there was a company in Scotland(?) that made a Four similar to this.


White walls with black rims just don't do it for me.


Another seemingly new Triumph.


Old meets new.


These Square Fours have a unique sound.


This looks like a fun ride.


The Paparazzi came out again when this chop showed up.


Paint by Jim but, art is by Yvonne Mecialis.

Oh yeah, a belated Happy Father's Day, mother fathers!