Legends of the Motorcycle
We loved Legend of the Motorcycle... What an amazing event for the motorcycle community, it is greatly missed.
Up There
A beautiful short, showing that hand-painted signage changes the horizon in richer ways than vinyl ever could. Another disappearing craft.
Found on Jason Fillipow's blog.
Beautiful Wire Motorcycle
Shi Jindian's 3D CJ750 Blueprint in steel wire at the White Rabbit Gallery
Accurate right down to the old fashioned side valves inside the engine, Shi Jindian's blue wire and fine filigree sculpture is a full scale, three dimensional blueprint – of a an astonishingly accurate rendition of a Chinese copy (Chiangjiang [Yangtze] 750) of a Russian copy (Dnepr) of a German copy (Zundapp) of a bike based on a pre-World War II BMW motorcycle with a side car. continue reading
Getting Hammered
The oldest thing in the shop has nothing to do with the closet full of vintage motorcycle skeletons. Lo and behold, it's the hammer. Based on discoveries in Kenya in 1969, the most accurate assumption we can make about the hammer is that it was invented by some nameless man (or chimpish man) about 2,600,000 years ago. In other words, it's old. Indeed, it is in our nature to hit things with other things, to forge some sort of terroritory for ourselves in the minor eternity of things that need to be hit... continue reading
The Fastest Creature On Earth
Falcons, the fastest creature on Earth: When stooping, the peregrine flies at speeds varying from 160-440 kmh (99-273 mph)...
The Gorton fisherman tries to break in...
The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings today for parts of Downtown Los Angeles, an unusual development for normally sunny Southern California that prompted orders for several motorcycle shops to keep employees and interns indoors until the threat passed... continue reading
The Henry O. Studly Tool Cabinet
Designed as a wall hanging unit, Henry Studley's tool cabinet is a magnificent thing to behold. Built within an oak shell, the chest is inlaid with walnut, ebony, mahogany, rosewood, and beset with mother of pearl inlays, the chest contained over 300 tools that were "generic" to a cabinet maker of the day ... but there were also countless tools that are still to this day unidentifiable and specific to a piano/organ maker, Studley's primary job... continue reading
Freedom. Are we all just dreaming?
Posted by: Mr. Wilcox
Given three wishes I’m sure we would all want an Aston Martin DB5, a house on Lake Como and World Peace. However, the freedom I would like to discuss today is of a nature much closer to home. It’s an issue that has had men in a bind since the not so swinging sixties... continue reading
The Moustache
Lest the moustachioed, sideburned, goateed, stubbled, and soul patched feel neglected by the discussion of facial hair thus far, this chapter is concerned with your iconoclastic history. In the evolution of mankind, certain brave souls decided that you could selectively trim and shape the tufts that grew on your face, eschewing, as it were, the full enchilada. continue reading
10,000 Gas Cans and a Chapel
Posted by: Nick Maggio
In Windsor, California (NorCal) is Stoke's Ranch. A Mecca for car enthusiasts and lovers of old Americana. I haven't been yet, and it saddens me to admit that, but when I do, I'll snap some good photos and shed a tear. Along with a General Store, Gas Station and Fully functional Ford Assembly line, there is a 10,000 piece Gas Can collection and a Chapel... continue reading
The Anti-Beard: A History of Shaving ~ Part 4
Naturally, a market split of the adult population between “wet” and “dry” continued to stimulate fierce competition and industrial innovation. Gillette marketed “long lasting” stainless steel blades in 1960. Though available as early as 1945, cartridge razors reappeared and were heavily marketed in 1965. Plastic disposable razors proliferated through the take-out, throwaway ’60s and ’70s. (No one worried about landfills back then.) ... continue reading
Mini Le Mans Pellet Racer
Posted by: Nick Maggio
Last week I was sitting around asking myself why nobody makes working, small-scale models that run on real fire generated steam. No, actually I wasn't, but part of me wishes I did, in fact sit and ponder such things, maybe with a wood pipe effortlessly dangling from my teeth. Mamod hand makes these amazing little guys right there in England (of course)... continue reading
The cause without a rebel
A dear friend, bowl filled and ready to go
Posted by: Mr. Wilcox
I understand that it’s not politically correct these days to praise the joys of tobacco, but as young men/women, I am sure that we have all acknowledged that puffing on a cigarette was cool.
Why wouldn’t we? Just about every icon we’ve ever associated with the word has been seen at sometime or other donning the final piece of the ‘illusive’ puzzle. continue reading
The Venice Biennale and Art Basel 2009
Posted by: Price Latimer Agah
From June 3 - 8, I attended The Venice Biennale – The 53rd International Art Exhibition titled Making Worlds. The Venice Biennale was born through a resolution by the City Council of Venice in 1893 to found a "biennial national artistic exhibition"; the first Biennale was actually held in 1895... continue reading