all about motorcycle: May 2009

Meyers Lynx, McQueen's Mini Bike

The mini bike shown in the last post is a Meyers Lynx. Here's a page from the Meyers Lynx brochure. If they look like Taco Mini Bikes it's because they were actually made by John Steen.

The Lynx logo is actually the cooler of the two.

Just in case you forgot who Bruce Meyer was, here's an ad from 1969. He was the originator of the fiberglass dune buggy body kits for VW's. He still sells kits today. You might also remember seeing McQueen driving a Manx in the Thomas Crown Affair.

What Sort of Man Reads MCart?

A man of action. A man who lives in the fast lane. The kind of guy who knows where to find MotorCycle entertainment that keeps pace with his lifestyle.

LBSM 5/24/09

Usually the meet is smaller when it's on Memorial Day weekend. As a matter of fact, I thought about not going because of it. Well, not this year. Is it the economy? Were more folks staying in town looking for some cheap entertainment?

This simple form of a chop has made a big come back

My brother's favorite of the day

At LB you can count on seeing a few older bikes

This '29 J model was ridden in too.

This character insisted on posing with this tight shovel, not his. By the looks of the fender, those shocks can't have any travel.

Movie Land Wax museum Dragon Bike replica

While not a perfect replica, it's still very nice.

Nice set up but, I'm getting real tired of bare/unfinished looking bikes. To be fair, maybe it's not done. Primer's OK. You don't need perfect paint or chrome, just no bare metal.

This 47 knuckle's been showing up off and on for probably the last 10 years.

Like it or not, there's always something different rolling in.

A blending of new and old. Evo's are still new to me.

Color coordinated

Here's an interesting bike.

I'll bet it fools a lot of people. The little peeps standing on the backseat didn't like their picture taken.

I don't usually shoot the newer machines but, this one caught my lens. Interesting color.

While not my style, it's fun to look at

Narrow bars and

... knotty pipes

Fixing a cracked pipe mount with tie-wraps.

Lately, I've been just shooting bikes of interest. Maybe next time I'll shoot a few of the seller's spaces plus some that relay the feel and scope of this event.

Memorial Day 2009

Remembering

It's okay to have a good time (that's what they fought for too), Just don't forget what today is about.

Had to throw a bike in. You sure don't see many WLA's with a buddy seat and foot board extensions. Don't know what that stuff is (behind the blackout light), on the top front fender. Also, note the high mounted head light and the early tail light set up.

For comparison, here's a typical WLA sans gun scab bard, ammo box, and bags . Note headlight and horn position and side by side rear tail lights. It also has later style oil bath air cleaner and rear ultility rack.

1915 5 Ball FR Update

Yesterday I took some art over to Keith Ball's and checked on the progress of his 1915 5 Ball Factory Racer.

My original concept drawing as based on our conversations. Keith has made some changes from his initial ideas as he goes. The bars were originally going to be mounted upside down. The square oil tank and front fender probably won't be run.

The pipes position has changed too. Keith plans to ride this contraption to Sturgis with a group of antique bike riders. Is that cheating?

The frame and tank came from the US Choppers prototype and I had reservations about it's height and length. Keith's use of 23" wheels helps balance out the scale. The overall size shouldn't bother Keith. Standings at 6' 5", he needs a big bike to feel comfortable.

Raising the pipes meant putting the tool box on the left side. I'd like the bike to stay black( it probably won't). I'd also paint the primary black.

Keith's usage of vintage items such as the foot controls, boards, and tool box add to the old time flavor. I like what he's doing better than the antique/board track style bikes that some of the pro builders have built. They seem to loose sight of the old look and use too much billet on their bikes. Some of Keith's other vintage style touches include the mounting of the speedo and the electric box on the top of the tanks.

A narrow Paughco springer adds to the 1915 look. That's an auxiliary fuel tank up on the bars.

Keith's added a antique oiling device mounted to the top of the chain guard. In theory, it would drip oil on the chain.

Keith's thinking of changing his original color choice. He was going to paint the frame and tanks orange with black panels. Now he's thinking about using a dirty white instead of orange. If it was mine, I'd keep it all black with orange stripes/accents. I might even consider giving the whole bike an old worn patina treatment.

You can follow Keith's latest progress on Bikernet.com
To find the earlier articles you'll have to hunt in his Tech and Bike Builds dept.

4 for 5

This falls under the heading, WHY?

Why do people build shit like this? image from Knucklebuster1939 blog

1970 Harley NOK (New Old Kustom)

I saw this bike when it was originally for sale (just before Big Scott bought it), at the Long Beach Swap. It especially caught my eye because I own a restored '70. It was on a trailer as found, covered with the dust and patina of time and for the most part, looked little used. It was very puzzling until I checked the speedometer.

That's one wild dresser! It's amazing how chrome and paint can transform a stock configured bike.

I talked to the seller about it. He told me about it's history and how it was built for a show (something like Autorama, or World of Wheels? my memory), in San Diego in late 69? For such a nice relic, it was being offered at a bargain price. Later I saw a photo of it on a blog somewhere.

Scott cleaned it up and changed the seat. It had a funky but similar brown seat when unearthed.

Then Big Scott of Cycle Zombies emailed me.

Howdy Chris,
After seeing Stretch's blog (nostalgia on wheels), and seeing the pics of all the dressers, I read your comment that you just posted a bunch. Well I just sold a 1970 FLH custom that was built by the owner of El Cajon Harley, Chuck Holinda. Anyway, he took a brand new bike in late 1969 (first year alternator motor), tore it down completely and chromed it all! Then he molded the tank, frame etc. with raised molded flames! Really cool! By the way only has 3 miles on it! Here is a few pics that you might want to add to your blog. Thanks, Big Scott czombieblog.com

The shocking truth! This explained the bike's unused appearance.

Everything mechanical was given a dip of the bright stuff!

Since my memory was foggy I emailed Scott for the show infomation.

Scott replied, "I don't have a lot of info on the shows it was in. There was one show in '71 where it took 3rd place. Randy Smith and Bob Clark of Street Chopper were both judges but, thats all I know".

Molded flames to raise the judges eyes.

Scott added, "The bike cleaned up amazing, a little bit of chrome flaking off the aluminum heads and covers. Anyway, post what you want"

Later, I ran into Scott at the Long Beach swap and he told me how after flushing the tanks and some proper prep it fired right up and ran like new. It was then traded for a nice original '58. It's current owner has stripped and is storing the bags, changed the seat, put apes on it, and now rides the hell out it!

Photos: Big Scott. Re-imaged/Photoshoped: CK.

Gasoline Gallery's CA Screaming 4 or...

... one big post.

Every May, for the last four years, Gasoline Gallery in El Segundo Ca. holds it's annual Art and Hot Rod show. The block in front of the gallery is closed off to traffic for a informal drive (or ride), in show. I was on my shovel so it was easy to get past the road barriers and was lucky to find a spot in the middle of the block just across from from the gallery.

The street scene I encountered once parked.

Not a Harley! First order of business was to check out this Rikuo. Coming soon, a post solely dedicated to this bike.

Next stop, the gallery. My mission, get in , shoot some art, and get out alive. Here's what I was up against.

Hey buddy, your blocking the art! It appeared they had more art packed in than ever.

I myself have toyed with the notion of doing some art in the style of '60's biker film posters. Art by James Owens.

This one quickly caught my eye, and for a minute, wouldn't let go. Art by Jet Wrench.

Something for everybody?...

... or one to match the sofa?

This incredible stipple art (tiny ink dots), was a bargin. Is this why he's called Krazy Dottie?

Another by Krazy Dottie. How he can let these go at this price? It's not surprising someone fetched it right up.

I really dig Makoto's graphic style

This guy's getting fame.

Interesting style/technique.

There's always a Weesner or two on hand.

I really liked this concept of doing stripes as sculpture. I apologize for the blurred photo and lack of credit. It's tough shooting in a crowded gallery.