Bama Swap and Drag - Part 1

Bill, Ross, Larry and I made it out to the Bama Swap and Drag today, hosted by Rick's Cycle Parts and Violent Choppers. This is the second event and it has grown tremendously since it's inception last fall. More vendors this go around and definitely more people shopping and swapping!

The main goal of our trip was to pick up Bill's 1964 XLCH motor and my 1978 FLH motor that were being rebuilt by Rick's Cycle Parts.

Of course we had to nose around the swap meet looking for chopper gold. Roadside Marty came up from Florida to deliver his FXR to Timebomb from the BDAC crew. It was a blast hanging out with Roadside and we ate some good BBQ on the way out of Ft. Payne.

I'm going to do a few posts about the event because I got some good pictures. First up are the Hot Rods and Custom Cars...

This car OWNED me big time. It was also cool to see it take a pass down the drag strip. It had an awesome sound and was well done inside and out!

I love this era Mustang.

Awesome Mustang Mach 1

"The Teacher's Pet" was the only full on "drag" car at the show. Ross pointed out the finer points of this "gasser"to me. It made 1 pass down the strip and couldn't really open up. Apparently it was too much car for the Sand Mountain Dragway!

All in all it was a great Saturday trip. I will post some of the bikes that caught my eye later and also make a post of our rebuilt motors!!!

Long Haul Shovel - Update

Got the new wheel in today. I'm going to run the repop Firestone tires front and rear. I might be able to pick up my rebuilt motor from Ricky Lewis this weekend at the Swap and Drag.

I need to make a list of all the parts I still need...going to be a long list! At least it's starting to look like a motorcycle!

Custom Cousins Shindig

Here's a few shots I got from Saturday's camping session at the New Garage Company Customs Headquarters. We had a great time as always and the shop is starting to come together.

Bill helped me wire my new taillight. I had been riding "dirty" for several weeks after my taillight/license plate bracket broke.

We shot some skeet on Saturday afternoon. It was my first time and I enjoyed it. Check out the awesome engraving on this shotgun.

Ashley, Larry, Bill, Chopper Ed and I took a nice ride late in the afternoon. The weather was absolutely perfect.

Here's a shot of the new shop. Saturday was the first day Larry started working on projects.

Later in the evening Whitey and Ross put the finishing touches on Whitey's belt buckle. This is the point where drinks started to flow and the pictures stopped.

All in all it was a great weekend. Great weather for riding and spending time with good friends! This riding season is going to be great!

Upcoming Events

Spring is here in the Deep South and we have two cool in-state events coming up. First up is the Bama Swap and Drag at the Sand Mountain Dragway. Help support local grassroots events like this. You know you will come home with something you need for that project.

We're also about 5 weeks away from Dixie Roundup 2. The buzz is building and this party will be EPIC! Booze, bikes, camping, tattooing, music and GREAT roads to ride. April 28th should already be marked on your calendars. If it's not, do it NOW!!!

Brawny Built/Speed Merchant Sporty

The Brawny Built - Speed Merchant Sportster - by Chopperdave from Chopperdaves on Vimeo.

I lifted this video from Chopper Dave's blog. Bike looks like a blast to ride!

Camping with the Custom Cousins

It's officially Spring and the first "Custom Cousins Camping Extravaganza" is this weekend! Looking forward to kicking it with my brothers in the woods!

Here are a few pics from trips past...

Weather forecast looks good!!!

Keeping the vision...

I've been trying to get some progress done on the "Long Haul Shovel" lately. I hope to have the motor back from Rick's Cycle Parts at the end of the month.

One of the first visions I had for the bike was the front end. I wanted to run a FLH style wide glide, with the big headlight nacelle. I just bought this 16" spool hub front wheel. Some big rubber will complete the look.

Progress is a good thing!

Ross comes through AGAIN!!!

My bro Ross HOOKED US UP! Beautiful stainless steel belt buckles with brass inlay. I'm working on tooling belts for the group to go with these buckles.

We have some other goodies in the works but we're still in a media blackout! This summer is going to RULE!

David Mann

I scored a few vintage Easyriders magazines from the 70's and 80's. I love David Mann's paintings and can see myself collecting his work.

Closing out Garco

A bunch of us helped Larry move to his new shop last weekend. Today a few of us helped Larry get the final stuff out. I took advantage of the opportunity to lay down the last burnout at the old Garage Co. Customs location!

I'm looking forward to fun times at the new shop!

Photo: BamaBilly

Gracias!

Last fall, Shane B. painted this vintage full face helmet for me. He blew my mind with the details. About that same time my good friend Bill started to try his hand at re-lining helmets. He's got mad skillz! I got the lid back Saturday and was BLOWN away! Check it out...

It's super comfortable. I rode in it all weekend and it's my new favorite lid! I plan on holding on to this thing forever.

Thanks again Bill!!!

Less than 2 months away from the Dixie Roundup 2!

Dixie Roundup 2 is fast approaching! Get your scoots buttoned up and be sure to bring your drinking shoes!

This will be an EPIC party for sure...don't even think of missing it!

The Man!

Kenny effin Powers. Nuff said!

Randoms from the Speed Shop

I've always been fascinated by people's work spaces. Whether it's a full blown "shop" or like in my case a simple garage. I think these spaces say a lot about people's personality.

I'm fortunate to have a little more room than I ever have before.

This is my current project, a 1978 shovel motor (currently being rebuilt by Rickey Lewis at Rick's Cycle Parts) is the heart of this beast. I'm keeping the stock swing-arm frame and the goal is to have a great bike for trips!

These shelves are a catch all for random trinkets.