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
Construction!
Please excuse the lack in blog postings ... we are undergoing MAJOR construction.. and will be back soon with much better blog postings than the quickies that we were posting for a while, trying to keep it up. Look forward to getting back to it ... Ian & Amaryllis 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?
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
Mods vs. Rockers- LA Cretins Style
Are you a Mod or a Rocker? Whether you're a sweater-toting scooter-boy, or a leather-clad moto-rebel, The Los Angeles Cretins welcomed all to both their clubhouse and annual campout this past weekend. It kicked off with a meet and greet party at the Cretin's top-secret lair on Friday night. We met up with the group at La Cita, a mariachi bar turned band venue/dance club, and then headed out to the clubhouse. The contrast of the old bikes with squeaky springs, rat-ta-tat-tatting their way through the urban LA streets was a real switch... continue reading
10,000 Gas Cans and a Chapel
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
Mini Le Mans Pellet Racer
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
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
Birthdays with Robo
by Bryan Ray Turcotte
OK so my Dad sent me an email note for my birthday. Since when does an email count for anything other than asking a simple question or doing some business or giving some sort of status report? Birthday emails are bullshit. I am really trying to be the best person that I can… continue reading
My Birthdays Usually Suck
By Bryan Ray Turcotte
My birthday is coming up in a couple days…such a weird day…birthday days. They usually just remind me... continue reading
Old Bags Made New Again
Brooks Leather Tool Roll
We would like to direct your Special Attention to the new Brooks Cycle Bags & Accoutrements and to the remaking of the original Tool Bags & Holdalls, inspired by J.B. Brooks’s original designs of the 1890’s and early 1900’s...
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There Will Be Wine
From the producers of The Heart Is A Drum Machine and Moog, Blood Into Wine: The Arizona Stronghold follows winemaking partners Maynard James Keenan (Tool, Pucifier, A Perfect Circle) and Eric Glomski in their efforts to produce wine in the desert... continue reading
Sharp Attack!
It's usually a good sign when there are a bunch of Sharpies lying around, as it means things are in full blown fabrication mode and ideas for bike builds are flowing, that is, unless the ink isn't flowing as freely as the ideas because the cap's been left off the last damn Sharpie. Again. ... continue reading
The Past and The Present Collide: Part 2
Ok, so it’s been a few weeks since I saw him…I have thought about him a lot since my visit but have only brought myself to call him a few times (one being earlier today) to check on his status. He is in his third of five sessions and his diagnosis has gone up from 40% to 80%. So that’s good, I guess... continue reading
GENTLEMAN RIDER REDUX
Back when tracks were "board" and men were "gentle", the attire lent itself more to social acceptance than safety. And damn well it should have. Men didn't care about spilling at 100 mph on a rough cut board tracks wearing nothing more than a wool sweater and leather cap. NO, they cared about winning, and looking damn good doing it. After all, nothing is worth doing if it can't be done in style. Who said that? Churchill? Well, never the less, he should have... continue reading