Friends Helping Friends

I met Ben at last month's Dixie Roundup 2.  He's from Lake Charles, LA and made the trip up to Birmingham for the event.  A few weeks after we met he got in touch with me about making a dash panel for his project.

He saw my "Long Haul Shovel" build thread on ChopCult and asked if I had decided on a taillight.  Ben makes a cool little version of a "titmouse" taillight.  We decided to trade...

Ride, Wrench, Repeat....get it!

 Here's the taillight.  Can't wait to figure out a mount/license plate bracket.

 The "Chopper Scene" is full of people that are quick to talk about "brotherhood".  I've found that most of these people that scream "brotherhood" are the one's that are quick to screw anyone that gets in their way.

Thanks to Ben for reminding me that there are still good people out there willing to lend a hand.

Latest Knife Sheath

Here's the latest knife sheath I finished up over the weekend.  The owner wanted to be able to strap it to his motorcycle or attach it to his belt.

Email me, ridemore16@yahoo.com, if you have a leather project in mind!

Forgotten Pics

I was searching through my SD card and found some cool pictures from late last year.  Good times!

Trying to be artsy

Spenser launching on the quarter while Laura looks on

My boys...Custom Cousins!

Roadside's Wallet

Here's the wallet I made for Brother Roadside.  I had a great time with this one!

Care Package

Loaf sent Larry and I some parts for our projects, a headlight for Larry's Born Free Bike and a jockey shift knob for my shovel!!

It always means a lot to me to run parts that were gifts from friends.

Thanks again Loaf. Can't wait to share some miles with you once I get the Shovel on the road!

Progress feels good!

I'm super pumped on the progress I made on the "Long Haul Shovel" this weekend!  Had a fun day Saturday with my buddies...

Thanks for the neck cups Kustom Jeff!

Roadside Marty and Loaf made a special guest appearance to our Saturday shop group!

Marty made himself useful and held my gigantic headlight in place so I could snap a picture!

"Thick as Thieves"

Here's how she's sitting now.  Roadside schooled me on a few things so I will be hunting some more parts.  Overall though, I'm pumped on her stance!

Beefy front end!!!

Stewie's Shovel is 4sale!

Spenser has made a very controversial decision to sell his Shovel chopper. Here is the most recent pic on the interwebs. Email him directly for the details of this fine machine. spensert5@gmail.com

I can personally attest that this bike runs like a bat outta hell!

Practice Panels

I spent a good portion of the weekend practicing some new tooling designs. Email me, ridemore16@yahoo.com if you have a leather project that needs to become reality!

Call yo Momma

Happy Mother's Day and Roll Tide Roll!!!

My Machine

The weather was perfect this afternoon...low humidity, cooler temps and plenty of sunshine.  I had to take a ride and enjoy it.  I've been consumed lately with my Shovel project and riding today reminded me how lucky I am to have this bike running.

 

We've definitely had our moments (pushing it off I-75 North on Lookout Mtn, charging issues, exploding advance units on my Birthday) but I'm thankful that I didn't give up.  Things will constantly happen with vintage motorcycles, Bill reminded me the other night that it's part of the fun.  Leaving on a 300+ mile trip and wondering if your machine will make it is a lot different than turning a key, priming the fuel pump, and arriving as comfortably as if you'd driven your SUV.

 

Riding my Ironhead today reminded me why I love vintage motorcycles.  Getting there, whether a 3-state weekend run, or just a few miles to grab a bite to eat, is an accomplishment and source of pride.

Getting there

Progress on my "Long Haul Shovel" is starting to pick up.  Like they say, "money and time" is all I need.  Money is the operative word!  My strategy is to pick up a few parts on a regular basis as funds allow.  I'm kind of putting my head down and plowing ahead.  I got a primary last week.  Still need a Super E carb and a clutch.  Hopefully I can get this thing in a roller soon and start making these parts look like a motorcycle!

Leather workings

Jesse wanted a knife sheath made so he could attach it to the frame on his Sportster.  I really had a good time with this project...

Email me at ridemore16@yahoo.com if you have a leather project in mind.

  

  

Post Roundup Fun

Some of Larry and Ashley's out of town guests stayed a few days post Roundup.  On Sunday a few of us hung around the shop to enjoy the beautiful weather and reflect on the weekend.

The guns came out and Kendall, Bill, McGoo and Dean squeezed off a few rounds!

McGoo looks a bit nervous before Dean fires a gun for the first time!  (Don't worry Dean, I hadn't shot one either until a few months back!!!)

Not the most confident look...

Hold my beer and watch this!  I think Dean enjoyed a few days in Birmingham!

Dixie Roundup 2

I did a terrible job taking pictures at The Dixie Roundup 2.   Here are a few that I got on Friday/Saturday morning before the show ramped up.  Bill and I handled bike registration for the show and it kept us busy most of Saturday afternoon.

Be sure to check out the blog links on the right (What I See, Moto Panic, JBMFT) for more Dixie Roundup coverage.  Also be on the lookout for a write-up on Chop Cult.  I'm sure Billdozer and McGoo will have plenty of pics to make up for my effort.

Roadside Marty's Knuckle is AMAZING.  He made it from Pensacola and back with no issues running 70-80 mph the whole way!

Department of Good Times is an appropriate slogan...

Tyler Malinky from Lowbrow Customs rode his Panhead with dual Amal Carbs all the way from Ohio.  This was also one of my favorite bikes of the weekend!