True East M/C

278.6 mph on board video

2010-11-30T09:38:00.001-05:00

Wild Bill's wild ride, world's fastest sit down motorcycle.

Holy City Swap

2010-11-08T11:06:00.001-05:00

http://holycityswap.blogspot.com/

Koi Fish Tank...

2010-11-06T15:17:00.000-04:00

Here is my latest, thanx for looking.

LSR time again.

2010-10-25T15:13:00.001-04:00

ECTA land speed race weekend coming up. Wish us luck.

Complete...well almost

2010-10-20T23:08:00.002-04:00

Still needs clear. I will post pics of it when they are cleared and when they are assembled on the bike as well. Thanx for looking.

In the works...

2010-10-14T15:58:00.003-04:00

Amazing what lighting can do and a crappy cell phone camera.

Complete...

2010-10-05T20:26:00.002-04:00

Here is the tank that matches the 2 fenders i posted a few weeks ago (scroll down)

Pinstriping & Kustom Graphics Magazine..

2010-09-29T00:38:00.001-04:00

Did a nice 1 page spread on some of my latest work. The current issue is out now, pick one up !!

Frame repair

2010-09-24T09:59:00.003-04:00

This poor Honda St90 will live to ride another day. Frame was broken in two pieces after the spot welds tore, after a little gluing back together this fucker will survive anything the owner can dish out.

Shawn's bike has gone missing

2010-09-24T09:00:00.001-04:00

If this bike could tell stories....

Don't let the stories die, some fuck head stole this sucker in Canada. If anyone has any info please shoot me an email so I can forward it to the proper "authorities".

beauty

2010-09-23T08:49:00.001-04:00

a bit of a freshen up for No.3

New Logo ???

2010-09-19T23:33:00.001-04:00

Getting ready to print up some new shirts and was thinking of having this on the front of the shirt. Waddya think ? will show rear of shirt when i get it done.

Richard Kirby deck...

2010-09-18T23:33:00.000-04:00

from Never Again. This one was a fun one !!

Some new paint....

2010-09-17T00:51:00.001-04:00

its been awhile so here goes...

The East Coast Bonneville

2010-07-20T09:53:00.002-04:00

Maine, here we come...
I can't wait to be away from the shop for a few days.

FOR SALE !!!!

2010-06-27T13:47:00.002-04:00

My 81 Kawaski LTD440
The rear part of the frame was fabricated by Mike47 and the swingarm is stock as is the wheelbase. Sportster tank, fender from Craig Tirey, stock modified handlebars, seat by Xianleather and paint, polishing and assembly by me. The stuff is pretty self explanatory, and had alot of stuff done to it to even list. But if you have any questions please feel free to emial me or call me. $4,500 or BO. The bike is titled, matching, yada, yada. It has been sitting in my shed for awhile and just needs a real good cleaning and it is ready to ride !!! Serious inquiries only. I am located in NJ. Nothing is wrong with the bike, selling because i have serious ADD and i am bored of it already and want to start a new project.
email :ryzart@yahoo.com
phone: 908-578-6212

A new lid and pic of a bike...

2010-06-25T22:53:00.003-04:00

I will get some better pics soon but for now...crappy cellphone pics. And a shot of some tins i sprayed mounted up on a bike.

Brutal

2010-06-21T12:08:00.002-04:00

I found this on my last trip to the midwest...Random middle of nowhere rest stop bathroom in Snow Shoe Ohio....WOW! (click it to read)

Headed West...and Kinda North

2010-06-17T18:17:00.004-04:00

Weather looks good and the FXR is ready to roll out...Paul should be here in a few minutes and we're out come first sun. See ya when I get back... Lowbrow GetDown

Ever have one of those days...

2010-06-15T15:08:00.002-04:00

I need to go nomad for awhile...

P.S. sorry for the non motorcycle content, but some times you just feel like chokin a bitch.

Finally !!!

2010-06-13T17:13:00.002-04:00

Hey all its Rich here better known as Ryzart. Marco invited me to contribute so here i am. Had a little trouble at first but now i think we have everything figured out. Thanx Marco ! I am a wanna be painter that does this part time but i love doing it so i will continue doing it and no one can stop me ! To start here are a few latest paintjobs i wrapped up ! Glad to be onboard.

But they look so Cool....

2010-06-08T11:46:00.002-04:00

“Man! Those tires look sweet on that bike”…. We’ve all heard it before or have said it ourselves. Vintage Dunlops, Firestones, Avon Speed Masters etc.
I too am guilty of conforming to the need for style over function.
Its become all to popular to ride unsafe motorcycles, for the sake of being stylish, again I too am guilty as charged. I grew up racing, and can handle a bike pretty well, yet during my racing career I strived to scoop enough money to buy the best of everything. I used to pour over the bikes in the pits studying each and every component the factory guys were running, just to get that extra ¼ horsepower, or have my tires hook up just a bit more in that 3rd turn. Now my racing days behind me I bomb around crowded city streets, split lanes between big rigs, and dodge pot holes at 80mph. So its beyond fathomable why so many of us are choosing to run tires that have been sitting on a shelf for 20+ years. After finishing up my Sporty “Street Beast” I opted for a set of O.G. Raised White Letter Dunlop Qualifiers. They just seem to fit the bill all to well for the look I wanted.
However! After a late night run with Joe Scraper, I realized I was putting myself in harms way just to achieve cool. I knew as soon as I put the spoons to the rubber that the compound coupled with the age of these tires was just to hard to be draggin pegs through corners. But I let them rock and ran them anyway…they just looked to right to swap out.
I push my bikes to their limits, and it was obvious in the first corner chasing Joe that front wheel drift was not a good look to keep a bike from lowside disaster. I know, Im no Valentino Rossi, but there were more then a few instances where my learned reflexes were forced into action…and with that, knowing the sudden popularity in vintage chopper hoopla there are many, less skilled riders building bikes with one goal in mind…”vintage cool”. Most adorning their bikes with time hardened rubber, inferior or lack of brakes, and on top of all that…. held together with shitty welds. Ironically some of these “vintage” parts cost more then a brand new set, that will actually improve your ride.
Im no safety inspector and realize there is something exhilarating about riding a 2 wheeled death trap over miles of road and having a great story to tell your buddies. But I also know the feeling of scrubbing gravel out of an open wound, and having to call your Mom to wipe your ass at age 22 because both your hands are shredded to the bone. Maybe I’m just getting past that age of piss and vinegar, and at 32 years old the sense in my head is starting to take precedent, over my desire to impress. Nevertheless, I’ve just been seeing more and more of this, and have caught myself falling into bad habits, bad habits that will ensure me being sidelined later in life do to falling victim to style.
I love motorcycles to much to wear a label of “cool” and not “seasoned” as should you all. Now if my 2 cents doesn’t mean much to you, then Ill keep it and put it towards a fresh set of sticky Michelins
Think about it…

Greatest of all time...

2010-06-07T21:49:00.000-04:00

One of my fondest memories of childhood was, hangin with my cousin Tommy...My Uncle Matt was the care taker at Saint Mary's parish, So it was only fitting that Cuzin Tommy and I would raise hell in that neighborhood all summer long, relentlessly skating and damn near wearing out every heavy metal cassette tape we owned.
The North Shore of Long Island, just bordering Queens is geographically steeped in hills...all day Tommy and I would find new spots to skate, bomb down the hills, and sneak off to smoke Marlboro Reds and Lucky Strikes behind the Church. I could remember Tommy and I blasting Anthrax N.O.T over and over, till the priests in the rectory next door got migraines from screaming their Hail Marys and Our Fathers.
Uncle Matt was a real deal Hippie back in the day, rode a bike, smoked grass, made his way to Woodstock, and lived life fast.... he had the sweetest collection of old comic books, records, guitars, and whatever else a kid could lose his mind over. I never got tired of hangin around his place, there were always cool posters on the walls, Lenon in his NEW YORK CITY shirt, Black Light Posters, The Doors Black Sabbath, etc. A huge fish Tank in the living room and the most comfortable couch in the world next to it. Every morning, Tommy and I would grab the carton of Juicy Juice, a Box of Captain Crunch and sit in front of the TV, watchin "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" sometimes 2 or 3 times in a row.
Most people Ive talked to in my later years never even heard of this flick...I guess I can equate my exposure and introduction of such fine cinema to having an Uncle that lived and loved the summer of 69. I loved every minute of summers at their house, I think part of who I am came from sleeping in that basement and watching these old flicks over and over. But just as every year, September comes and Tommy would go back to Queens and I to the Valley, year after year till we grew up and our fondness of skateboards was replaced by fast girls and faster cars.... Tommy went into the military and I moved to California to race motorcycles. We lost touch and our families went through some real hard times, but man those were the days....If only life could be as simple as a B movie and a cold glass of Juicy juice.

How John at FTWCO gave me a reason to live!

2010-06-03T16:48:00.018-04:00

I revised my FTW tattoo

I used to wish I was back in the womb. It was a much simpler time then. I got to lounge around all day in a bubble of warm stomach sauce while meals were delivered, pre-chewed, straight into my tummy. The hardest thing I had to do was grow thumbs. Yeah, those sure were good times.

:::sigh:::

But now things suck ass. I have to work all day, my rent is too high and my favorite hobby is sleeping. Recently, I've started to lose my mind. I realized my only hope was to find some security, and I needed it fast.

Well, John over at FTWCO came like a white knight in my hour of need. He raced off to the nearest post office astride his motorized two-wheeled steed, his long brown hair flowing in the wind and smelling of rich sandalwood and aged leather. In John's sweat glistening arms he carefully caressed a large priority mail packing envelope. He insisted upon priority mail, so that all would know the importance he placed on his mission of mercy.

His care package arrived today revealing EXACTLY what I needed: an FTWCO Motorrad hoodie!!! Tears of relief streamed down my face ad I donned the sweatshirt. Instantly, I was comforted in 9.75oz enzyme-washed 80/20 Cotton Polyester blend. Black with "Motorrad Racing" in house golden yellow on front, with the same color and larger "Championship" art on back, the sweatshirt shields me from the hardships of life. It takes me back to that special place I long for which I was evicted from at birth. Suddenly, life is much brighter. Food seems to taste richer. The air - more crisp.

The hoodie gives me the confidence and security I need as an avid flat track racer. With my FTWCO hoodie I feel safe enough to take on any challenge. Bring on the mile!

Thank you John! FTWCO forever!!!!

Killer snake in the Lower East Side!

2010-06-02T12:03:00.004-04:00

I was walking Hank this morning along 7th street between Ave. C & D when a maintenance worker for one of the buildings started yelling "SNAKE!!! Stay back!!!" There were four men with brooms running around a parked car making a huge scene. Granted, snake sightings are unusual in NYC, there are several large community gardens in my neighborhood which make ideal habitats. However judging by the way the four were acting you would have thought there was a monster-sized Anaconda lurking about.

NYC's Lower East Side is crazy, yo!

I walked over and handed Hank's leash to the first worker and instructed him to hold the dog. I should note that while four grown men were shitting their pants, Hank was totally calm and disinterested. I'm actually surprised at how he didn't even bark when I handed him off to go play Steve Irwin.

Crikey! (not even close, pal)

What I actually found was a small Common Garter Snake. I grabbed an empty soda bottle from the nearest recycling bin, carefully scooped up the snake and coerced it into the bottle by sticking him in head first.

Definitely NOT a killer Anaconda.

Safe from broom wielding maintenance workers, Hank and I took the snake home. Once the dog was fed, I grabbed my camera and brought the snake over to the East River Park, which runs down Manhattan's east side along the river. I released the snake in an area of the park that is heavily wooded, free from lawn mowers, pets or brooms.

"The scene in that film when my cousin ate Ice Cube was AWESOME!"

The diet of the common garter snake consists mainly of amphibians and earthworms, but also fish, small birds, toads and rodents. (Not former rappers or maintenance workers)

Freedom!!!!

From rattlesnakes in Arizona, black snakes and copperheads on my cousin's property in Virginia to my college roommate's pet boa constrictor, I have been around snakes my entire life. It is necessary to mention I also know how to identify the differences between poisonous an non-poisonous snakes and the correct way to approach and pick them up. I believe we all should have healthy respect for snakes and the importance they play in our environment.

No Bikes Just Bass! A 40Lb Striper will kick your ass!

2010-05-31T22:53:00.001-04:00

R.I.P. Chris "Poke" Hendricks

2010-05-28T15:49:00.003-04:00

You will forever be missed love you my brother....DMS-BS FOREVER
RIP CHRIS POKE

Randoms

2010-05-26T22:34:00.004-04:00

Leo Payne's Turnip Eater

2010-05-24T10:47:00.001-04:00

I heart this bike...Ironhead Drag bike

Chopper say brush ya teeth!

2010-05-22T19:07:00.000-04:00

VINTAGE 80'S PSA COMMERCIAL "EXERCISE YOUR CHOPPERS"

Some of the best....

2010-05-22T18:57:00.001-04:00

Bobby Womack serenades some of the illest 70's choppers ever compiled in one reel.

EVERYBODY GET DOWN!!!!!!!

2010-05-22T13:45:00.004-04:00

Tyler and Kyle throw a mean party...See ya there

Death to Smoochie

2010-05-22T13:42:00.002-04:00

Its Friday...Fuck You, Pay Me!

2010-05-21T08:34:00.000-04:00

Fuck BP Gas Corp!!!

2010-05-18T22:34:00.004-04:00

Yeah, we ride 2 wheeled death traps with reckless abandon....But some of us depart from our land loving hobbies and also surf, fish or just enjoy the beautiful ocean that god granted us.
Im not a tree hugger by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, I hate trees. I hate raking leaves in the fall and pollen fucks my head up all spring. Not to mention bird shit on a freshly painted tank.

Where was I going with all this? Oh yeah Fuck BP...Skip BP stations on your next 2 wheeled adventure. They didn't give a shit about a faulty check valve and now we have billions of gallons of oil killing one of the last natural reefs in the world. Countless sea life is being pushed to extinction. Oil changes are for Panheads not Hammerheads!

BOYCOTT BP GAS!!!!

My new BFF's

2010-05-17T23:53:00.004-04:00

Finally got to kick it with these fellas HOTW & FOTS Really cool down to earth crew with some real neat bikes and a kick ass attitude. Im usually not real jazzed about new people, but sometimes people step in and make me realize what an asshole I am for not wanting to make new friends.... Clarke (Freak out the Squares) is by far one of the coolest cats I've met in a long time, and keeps just as good company with the rest of his crew...all stand up dudes.

Brian (Hated of the World) , just a solid dude with great ideas, and really gets the whole picture. With all the hoopla in the bike scene, humble guys like this are a real pleasure to have kicked it with... Till next time fellas....Ride to the Kills!!!!!

Slayer Goes To Church

2010-05-17T23:46:00.000-04:00

Ride 2 Skate FDR park Philly

2010-05-17T11:11:00.009-04:00

Trip was a blast... Did some serious hammering around Philly, almost got completely wrecked by a mini van, drank some beers, got tons of free shit, made some new friends, saw some old ones...
Clarke from Freak out The Squares is a seriously cool dude, a million thanks owed for all his hard work, Joe Zito did a bang-up job organizing the event, cant believe this little gathering turned into such a monster of a party in a few short years.
Enjoy the random point and shoots...More pictures coming soon...

Click The Here for Brads Slide Show:

When is my bike going to be ready?

2010-05-15T11:34:00.003-04:00

Fuck'd if I know

Zeke - Flat Track

2010-05-14T21:35:00.000-04:00

Do not miss this!

2010-05-09T13:12:00.003-04:00

If anyone is riding out from the NYC area...Feel free to hit me up and roll out...Its gonna be an epic journey.

Hot Rod Riot 5 - Sat. July, 10 - Ellington, CT

2010-05-08T11:07:00.003-04:00

the folks at Murdercycles have announced the date of the HRR5. Saturday, July 10. different location this year at the their new compound in Ellington. always a quality event. here's the flyer and pics of previous Riots.

Street Beast update

2010-05-06T19:33:00.003-04:00

Just incase anyone is actually following this build...Shes done.
Hats off to CullyBilt and Ryzart...Much respect for all your help!

Street Beast is done!

2010-05-03T21:39:00.008-04:00

Took the ride out to Ryzart's on Sunday morning...and although Im always shocked with the shear handsomeness of this fine young talented painter from the Polish slums of New Jersey...When he swung back the door to his private shop nestled neatly on a dimly lit counter, beside a Suicidal Tendencies CD and 40,ooo Dollars in un registered Swiss Deutch Marks, was the most amazing thing I have ever laid eyes on....No it wasnt Allysa Milano in crotchless panties hiding 2 fingers in her No-No spot...It was a pristine and glassy 70's Paugcho tank, layered with striping and flames that look as if they jumped from the devils tongue. Ryzart is just one of those painters that knocks it out of the box everytime...because he doesnt paint inside the box....Flaked Panels, and all the overly exhausted 70's theme boat hoopla...No not this man. Sure he can stencil some bubbles and fish scales should you ask him to do so but really there are plenty of other painters that would love to take your money and give you back the same old BS line em up and knock em down paint job....and those other guys will be eating Top Ramen out of an empty Folgers can in a few months once the fad wears off and Flake is the new 300 rear tire joke.
Hats off to you Ryzart...Keep doin what ya doin, cause it works! Dirty Jeerz keeps it gully!

Been quietly diggin...for a Digger

2010-05-01T14:09:00.005-04:00

Ive been M.I.A the last few weeks...just slammed with work and BS. But I finally found a suitable Digger candidate...74 XLCH
Stay Tuned.

This is how the REAL NYC crew rolls!

2010-04-28T15:13:00.003-04:00

Sixth St. Racing tearing up Oakland Valley Speedway, NY

All photos by the amazing Becky Kosch

Art show

2010-04-22T10:49:00.001-04:00

Another art showcase from Sic Chix,
Come party and buy one of my photos damn it!
FYI, Adams will be there and one of the other headliners MAY make an appearance.

2010-04-16T14:38:00.001-04:00

BSA, world's best motorbike.

LSR report.

2010-04-13T15:34:00.001-04:00

Just got back from the races early Monday morning, lots of good stuff happened over the weekend for Land speed racing, none for us though. More info and pics later but for now I'll leave you guys with a "just off the starting line" photo.

Another perfect weekend for racing!

2010-04-12T10:55:00.004-04:00

The yellow box on the fork is a transponder for recording lap times

The Spritz by Fritz paintjob didn't stay clean for long

Showing a little love to my friends

Fumi calmly swapping sprockets on his Sonicweld 500

Rigid Sonicweld frame. Note: NYS Inspection sticker on the fork

I'll post race photos soon.

Yah Sonnnn!!!!!

2010-04-12T10:13:00.004-04:00

Kicking butt and taking names.
ECTA Award banquet was a good time, racing this weekend didn't go as well as we had hoped but we can say we where there when our good friend, "Wild Bill", went 272mph to become the world's fastest motorcycle.

Home of the "Rod Snappers"

2010-04-11T15:37:00.002-04:00

Some pretty serious muscle was coming out of Long Island in the 70's...Shame they closed up The Freeport drags, South Hampton isnt what it used to be, and Islip is Long Gone too...

a good good friday friday

2010-04-11T07:09:00.004-04:00

rolled the I95 corridor this past good friday to meet up with Smilin' Jack and enjoy a little Springtime in the City. first stop, Sixth Street Specials to pick up the freshly tuned '67 650. next stop, the clubby, old style charm of the Velvet Cigar Lounge - smoking not prohibited. wrapped the afternoon with the pizza in the City, Arturo's Coal Oven Pizza. good times.

Sixth Street Specials, 6th Street at Avenue C

Velvet Cigar Lounge, 7th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenue

Arturo's Pizza, West Houston Street at Thompson Street

A warning about putting stickers on my race bike...

2010-04-10T16:27:00.007-04:00

I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy. I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.

- Patrick Bateman, American Psycho

Peter thought it would be hilarious if he decorated my new Trackmaster 750 with some stickers. I hope he likes how I'm keeping the dust off his new KTM and helmet. Five boxes of cling wrap and I feel a whole lot better.

See, I'm learning to channel my rage effectively and keep an even keel.

Off to the races, part 2, LSR stylez

2010-04-08T22:44:00.004-04:00

Wish us luck...

Fritz Schenck paints my Champion Triumph 500 Flat Tracker (Part 3)

2010-04-08T20:39:00.004-04:00

My face is permanently frozen like this.

Today was truly like Christmas at Sixth St Specials. UPS delivered the boxes from Fritz and needless to say I was foaming at the mouth to put the bike back together.

Words fail me so I'll let Fritz's magic speak for itself.

Were Back....

2010-04-08T19:21:00.003-04:00

After a 2 year hiatus...The OddVarks are back. Get ya Street Trackers, Flat Trackers, and Bobbed out Street machines of doom ready... Its gonna be a Helluva Summer!

True East Motor Culture...

2010-04-08T08:46:00.003-04:00

...be a part of it, philly style.

The hardest part is saying goodbye...

2010-04-07T08:04:00.005-04:00

Done and gone

2010-04-05T14:07:00.002-04:00

Another finished motorcycle and happy customer.
Please excuse the crappy cell phone photo.
Bike built by us at, JDS Cycle
Paint by, Ryzart

Sporty Breather...Keep it Classy

2010-04-04T13:19:00.004-04:00

I picked up one of those Drag Spec. Sporty breather kits, it leaves a little to be desired but, for as cheap as it is, the horseshoe top cross over and banjo bolts were worth it.
Im going to swap out the kits provided black hose for some braided...
But I stepped to the lathe and turned down and tapped some aluminum for a little breather collector (the kit does not come with one) for the bottom of the hose...Just some regular foam to fill it in, polish it up....and Wahla! off to the races.
Im going to run it up under the seat, once I get the braided hose to dress it up a bit...but you get the point...Right?

I got in I got over I got gone

2010-04-04T09:26:00.002-04:00

All I need is 45 and I can get on. I can get over. Give me 2 wheels. split lanes. Knees in the breeze. Ride the coast. Dodge the storms. Chase the sun. Lose this job. Shed this skin. I got in. I got over and I got gone...

Off to the races...

2010-04-04T08:21:00.003-04:00

It's time to go fast and turn left! Flat Track season has officially begun.

(A HUGE thank you to Vander for letting me steal his truck for the day!)

Happy Easter from the finks at True East HQ

2010-04-03T09:00:00.000-04:00

LSR Time

2010-04-02T09:52:00.005-04:00

Next weekend is our first race of the season, the bikes are all fine tuned and ready to rock and roll. How's 92.6 wheel HP out of a slightly under-bored and stock stroke 60's A65 BSA sound to you guys?

Fritz Schenck paints my Champion Triumph 500 Flat Tracker (Part 2)

2010-03-31T13:43:00.002-04:00

My mind....it is a-blown!!!!

You can check out some of Fritz's work here

Lucky Brand spring fashion: Black eyes are the new black

2010-03-30T16:04:00.007-04:00

This "Ace Maker" t-shirt features an artistic skull and cards graphic and contrast stitching in bright blue on the shoulders and around the back neckline.

The shirt is also great for absorbing blood as it hemorrhages out of the wearer's body. Makes a perfect gift for troublesome neighbors, pesky enemies or the smug living off their parent's trust fund.

I wonder what the hell the "designers" over at Lucky Brand were thinking when they introduced this not so hot new t-shirt design. I can only imagine they were hoping to thin out the herds of clueless hipsters.

Head in hands....

Lunch date with Chico

2010-03-25T13:32:00.005-04:00

Chipotle...

Like Chico D, just another sad attempt by white people to act Mexican.

Pray for all who wrench and ride...

2010-03-24T10:29:00.001-04:00

Fresh ink by Jo Trembley at Lark Tattoo in Westbury

Motorcycle parts for my birthday?! You shouldn't have!

2010-03-23T15:40:00.012-04:00

Francis: Today's my birthday and my father says I can have anything I want.
Pee-wee: Good for you and your father.
Francis: So guess what I want.
Pee-wee: A new brain?
Francis: No. Your bike!

I turned 36 today (YIKES!) and I'm truly fortunate to be surrounded by people who care about me. Clearly, they also know I have a one track mind.

Smiths Chronometric Tach

My girlfriend, with the help of the Scottish master of subterfuge Hugh, located and picked up this rarest of the rare Tachometer for my pre-unit Triumph project. There's a great little page of info on The Velobanjogent

Morgo Gear Drive Oil Pump

If the tach wasn't enough she also dropped this Morgo gear drive oil pump in my lap. I'm pretty sure she's gunning for a ring. Either way, its working. I've been dying to get one of these bad boys for the pre-unit as I've bumped the motor up to a short rod 750 and it will be needing all the oil it can get.

Custom ARD Magneto Cover

Peter whipped up this cnc machined cover for the ARD magneto on my race bike. I needed to take photos of it before the bike went around the track a few times.

Exhaust Brackets

Fumi welded up these super strong exhaust brackets for my champion Triumph 500 flat tracker. The original brackets were total crap and I've broken a few pairs. Notice the tags are in Japanese. Left in Japanese is "Hi da ri" and right is "Mi gi".

Even the president approved of my birthday!

King Dead Beat lays it on the line...Dig!

2010-03-22T18:58:00.005-04:00

The link below waslifted right from KingDeadBeats blog and this man just layed the smack down on the whole scene and the scenesters that go with it. Why do I dig this so much you may ask? Well because this motorcycle/chopper/bobber/period correct/cafe hoopla bro down has gotten way out of control...Just like in the late 90's when all the out of state hipsters started invading Brooklyn with their trust fund money, and forcing the "culture" out of the neighborhoods...Thus resulting in a Nike Dunk fashion show up and down the avenue. "Yeah man come to my loft party"..."Your cool...no your cool....no your the coolest"... "wear one of my hand made vintage tshirts, lets be friends"
No mother fucker! 5 years ago you woulda got tsuck for ya Nike Dunks and Duct Taped naked to an El Poll on Broadway and Myrtle ave... Shit aint sweet and one day it'll all come back full circle and all the dress the part wanna be club members are gonna get stripped of there 300.oo ebay found Swazi sissy bar badge, and get sent home walkin...if their legs dont get broke first.
Read it here on King DeadBeats blog

Get em while there hot!

2010-03-22T16:35:00.003-04:00

Still got a few FTF shirts available in L-XXL. Get one while they last.
Buy one now at: http://lanesplittersinc.bigcartel.com/

Hammer Time with Cully and Marco

2010-03-21T23:15:00.005-04:00

In this Great, Big, Crazy, Pseudo Celebrity infested world of choppers....Sometimes you meet people that even if they had never seen a motorcycle, you'd still want to call them a friend.
Just so in the case of my friendship with Cully.
With a deep bloodline of legendary HotRod, Welding, Fabrication History, Its no wonder he's so humble...A far cry from most people you'll find with self touting internet fame these days...Can you imagine he doesnt even have a blog?!
But I digress... Cully has always been more then inviting whenever I needed help, and sometimes just when I think Im out staying my welcome, he's just starting to have fun.

Well so it goes, I missed calculated the fender clearance on my "Derringer" project and without hesitation Cully offered up his shop and skill to bail me out. Now we could have just gone the route of lets just make a bracket and raise the fender, but "wheres the fun in that"...."Lets make an entire tail section from scratch"....And so on one rain saturated weekend in Huntington NY...a man of Metal Greatness gave 2 days, to a wet behind the ears fabricator and showed him how to use a ruler, and a wooden hammer....Thanks Cully. Heres to You.

Racing season is here

2010-03-20T10:34:00.002-04:00

April is the first LSR meet of the year, dyno tuning starts on Monday.

MAW

2010-03-19T08:09:00.000-04:00

Sorry guys, spring has sprung and its a bit difficult to blog when you have 70+ customers/RUBS asking when their motorcycles will be ready. This is around the time when I start to hate motorcycles for a little while.

New York State of Mind

2010-03-19T08:07:00.002-04:00

The perks of being my manager

2010-03-18T11:00:00.006-04:00

Riding in style on the '68 T120

It's getting up to 70 degrees today and we're hittin' the road! My manager Janni and I both refuse to take the train all the way out to Bumblefuck, NJ for our quarterly meetings.

Rare parts Monday

2010-03-15T14:28:00.002-04:00

I scored this suh-weeet cover for my pre-unit project. Who says Mondays suck? (and after the news I received on Friday I needed something good)

Shop Time with Cully....

2010-03-14T19:45:00.003-04:00

Spent the last 2 days over Cully's shoulder while hammer forming a new seat and tail for the Secret Sporty Project named "Derringer"....Stay tuned for the good stuff, but for now enjoy a few artsy pics of the Cully at work.

Dont lose a finger

2010-03-14T19:32:00.002-04:00

Coulda lost a finger today...but just missing a button

Scott "Scooter" Larm 3.8.70 - 3.8.10

2010-03-12T23:20:00.020-05:00

Scooter and me after an exhausting two days of racing

Scooter with Hugh Mackie

Photo Credit

There were few things I was looking forward to while attending American Supercamp's advanced racer course at the end of April as much as getting to hang out with instructor, Scott Larm. It's an understatement to say the news of his death is truly devastating.

Whether tearing it up on the track or in NYC dive bars, Scooter always made it an event. He was a fierce racer and instructor who always had a positive attitude, incredible sense of humor and magnetic personality. I can't remember a moment when he wasn't surrounded by the junior racers who looked up to him so much.

Scooter had a huge impact on my racing and my life. Without a doubt, the world has lost one of it's greatest. I'm so honored to be able to call him my friend. My thoughts and prayers are with Scott's family.

Rest in peace #387

Scott's obituary

Scooter and the American Supercamp crew - April 2009:

FIM adhesives now available

2010-03-12T11:35:00.003-05:00

clear-backed FIM stickies in black and grey will instantly make anything you attach 'em to worth waaay more than it should. well, how do I get some? glad you asked. send an email for details: flatironmike@gmail.com

Tron - 28 years later

2010-03-10T18:01:00.008-05:00

"Tron" (1982) was one of the first films from a major studio to use computer graphics extensively and spawned an entire franchise of video games, action figures and comics. When I was 8 years old I really couldn't comprehend just how revolutionary the film was but, like most kids my age, but watching the light cycle scene served as one of those pinnacle moments in my life that led to a life long obsession with motorcycles.

Disney finally released the official trailer for the long rumored "Tron Legacy," which has a release date of December 2010. With a Ducati SportClassic racing around the real world and new and improved light cycles in the virtual world, I can't help but wonder how many 8 year old kids sitting in the audience will be infected with the same passion for bikes as I was 28 years ago.

Official site here

Gift from a friend...

2010-03-10T11:53:00.003-05:00

As it turns out the receptionist, at work is an OG Queens biker chic that kicks ass and takes names, with a shit load of "HD Collectibles" ...Shes been offing her collection and dropping it in my much apprecitive good hands.
Today I got this and an OG Fulmer lid...Score! Thanks Liz

Fritz Schenck paints my Champion Triumph 500 Flat Tracker (Part 1)

2010-03-10T11:46:00.009-05:00

After a season of racing my Champion framed Triumph 500 flat tracker with a rattle can paint job, my friend Fritz Schenck took my tank & tail (almost by force) to give it a proper paint job. To be honest, the bike didn't quite look right next to the metal flake cobalt and silver of my Trackmaster framed Triumph 750.

Fritz is most famous for his restorations of several of Ed Roth's cars such as the Megacycle, The Druid Princess as well as clones of the Mysterion and The Outlaw. If that wasn't impressive enough, Fritz has reiceved high acclaim for his own creation, The Roswell Rod, and served as the go to guy for incredible paint jobs for some of Indian Larry's most famous bikes as well as the Indian Larry Legacy Biker Build-Off Bikes.

Fritz's Roswell Rod

Don't look...she's naked!

I told Fritz he was crazy to want to paint a race bike, considering how much abuse they take. I should note calling Fritz crazy is pretty much stating the obvious. Fritz's response was "So? I'll just repaint it! Besides, there's going to be a million coats of clear on it."

Custom paint stand

I told Fritz I wanted to keep the look of the bike somewhat traditional to how Champion framers looked back in the 70's.

Ridden by Dave Hansen, this Les Edwards prepared Champion frame Triumph won the 1974 Houston Astrodome TT race.

I knew Fritz would add his own style to the paint job but I was amazed when I saw the following photos. A heavily flaked crimson paint that fades from dark on the bottom to brighter red on top. If that wasn't enough it's covered in tons of variegated gold leaf!

He still needs to do the pinstriping and even more clear, but I'm already blown away.

You can check out some of Fritz's work here but stay tuned...I'm building him a new website. (I figure if he can make my work look incredible, I can do the same for him)

Big pimpin

2010-03-10T11:18:00.000-05:00

Stolen from DeadBeat

bars - Tuesdays @ the 'Shoe

2010-03-10T09:29:00.004-05:00

it's time to check out the local ride-in spots around Southwestern CT. Located in the center of this sleepy bedroom town and across from the train station, the Horseshoe Cafe in Southport has been serving thirsty NYC commuters for decades. a cozy bar with a gaggle of tvs showing sports, a couple of dart boards and a pool table, the 'Shoe also boasts a decent menu of pub food. On Tuesday nights, the 'Shoe hosts a relatively mild ride-in. on a typical Tuesday night, you'll see between 10-25 bikes or more - mostly late-model, shiny, Japanese, Italian, German and British marques with an occasional vintage or antique group in attendance. an 'older' demographic as well. For this past Spring-like Tuesday night, I was the only two-wheeler. good, more room at the bar.

and no, i didn't stick around for the Karaoke competition.

the Horseshoe Cafe is located at 355 Pequot Avenue in Southport, CT

Johnny Cash doesn't take your shit.

2010-03-07T12:00:00.007-05:00

The man in black in his acting debut, the 1961 film noir Five Minutes To Live.

In the film, Johnny plays a cold hearted, guitar playing killer tasked with holding a bank manager's wife hostage while his partner holds up the bank. The plan, of course, runs into a few hiccups. One of which being the bank manager's affair with another woman. This makes it pretty hard to get the manager to comply as allowing his wife's death gives him an obvious out in his marriage so he can be with his mistress.

Johnny Cash is surprisingly good in the role. However, it should be noted that the role he is playing is pretty much Johnny Cash with a mean streak and a gun. His character is sadistic and disgusted with suburbia and his sole redeeming quality is his care for children. But this is more so brought on buy guilt for causing the death of another child than actual love.

Look for a very young Ron Howard as Robbie, the bank manager's son.

Parts review: Trumpnut's performance clutch pushrod kit

2010-03-06T18:36:00.013-05:00

The stock clutch pushrod found in most 650/750 Triumphs is made out of 1010 case hardened mild steel. Case hardening is only a few thousandths thick and can easily wear away. The result is a pushrod with a mushroomed out end which throws alignment off as well as deflecting and causing drag in the main shaft.

Nick over at Trumpnut Cycle Parts solved this by manufacturing a clutch pushrod out of much harder tool steel which he then ground and polished. He added a ball bearing which runs inline to prevent mushrooming of the rod against the adjuster which he also improved by replacing the slotted adjuster with an allen.

A comparison of the two clutch pushrods. The top is stock while the bottom is Nick's new and improved setup.

The business end of Nick's Pushrod. Shown here are the ball bearing as well as the new adjuster. The ball bearing is inline rather than at the end to prevent it from falling out when the clutch is disengaged.

The complete kit.

I felt my pre-spring tune up would be the perfect opportunity to try out Nick's clutch pushrod. The conversion is extremely simple and took only a few minutes followed by a clutch adjustment.

First I disconnected the clutch cable from the clutch lever on the handlebar. You can just slacken the cable up rather than disconnect it but I like to run some 3-in-ONE oil down the cable to lubricate it. I then loosened up the cable at the gearbox by loosening the 9/16" Nut and 3/8" adjuster. After removing the inspection plug on the primary cover, I backed off the lock nut with a 9/16" socket and then removed the stock adjuster. You might need to use a magnet to pull out the stock clutch pushrod.

The pushrod was then replaced with the new one included in the kit followed by the ball bearing and adjuster. I should note that on early pressure plates you will have to tap the adjuster hole to 3/8"-24 from the 3/8"-26 that they used from the factor in the early years. Use a liberal amount of grease on the parts before putting them into the bike. This will not only keep things well lubricated in the gearbox, but also help keep the ball bearing on the adjuster during assembly. Using an allen wrench, the adjuster is tightened up until tension is felt, then backed off half a turn. The lock nut is then shocked back on (exactly as you would adjust using the stock parts). With the inspection plugs replaced, the clutch cable is then hooked up to the clutch lever and adjusted.

The end result was immediately noticeable. The clutch felt much smoother and easier to pull. I've put over a hundred miles on the bike since installation and so far I couldn't be happier.

The kit is produced by Nick over at Trumpnut Cycle Parts and also available at Lowbrow Customs.

smilin' jack is back - soooooon

2010-03-06T10:54:00.004-05:00

Matt and his '67 650. off to Hugh at 6th Street Cycles for a 'rebirth'. see you soon, Pal. lotsa rides 'on tap' for this month.

Superior - Huntington, New York

2010-03-06T10:00:00.003-05:00

classy tee, indeed

Stay classy

2010-03-06T09:17:00.000-05:00

Have at you!

2010-03-04T15:06:00.001-05:00

Race this...

2010-03-03T23:10:00.003-05:00

...and all you'll see is its Lucas taillight.

The consummate perfectionist

2010-03-03T11:19:00.004-05:00

Speaking of NYC Subways

2010-03-03T08:15:00.004-05:00

they're like a box of chocolates...

spied on a 6 train and an R train. good tunes.

Seth Enslow shattters longest Harley jump record (and is possibly sterile)

2010-03-02T17:21:00.007-05:00

"My balls hit right about here, see the crack in the paint?" Seth Enslow told reporters.

US motorcyclist Seth Enslow has broken the world record for the longest distance jump on a Harley Davidson. The new record stands at 183.7 feet. It should be noted that the outright distance record for a motorcycle jump, held by Robbie Maddison, is 346 feet. Maddison set his record on a Honda CR500, a bike that weighs 313lbs less than the XR1200 Enslow used in his jump.

F' this.

2010-03-02T15:08:00.001-05:00

It's that time again...

2010-03-02T11:54:00.004-05:00

listen up riders in the 4-season regions who are diggin' out your rides from the back of the shed / garage / kitchen. Spring's about to be sprung and you'll need to get your ride(s) in shape. here's a friendly reminder to wrench BEFORE you ride. yeah, this means you. jot down this simple checklist and avoid around 90% of problems that'll put you on the side of the road faster than ..... [insert smarmy line here]

now, get to wrenchin':

change oil / filter

check / replace sparkplugs

add fresh gas and check / clean / replace fuel / air filter element

check chain alignment / tension

check motor and trans mount nuts / bolts

check exhaust bolts / flanges

lubricate zerk grease fittings

check tires / tire pressure - a sitting bike in cold temps can bleed air pressure

check wheels / spokes

check electric / ignition connections / battery - wipe down battery between posts to avoid current leaching and slowly draining the charge

grease / lubricate cables

check brakes / brake hoses / fluid levels

check bulbs, especially brake lights

and, finally - fix that pesky, loose, broken whatever that you've been putting off since last season!

see you on the road

Dedication Through Frost Bite....

2010-03-01T23:25:00.002-05:00

Nothing stands in the way of progress....Except for loss of circualtion