Pipes

Flew back to NYC

I'm back now. that's all I need to say.

Made it, still can't believe it

This was an amazing ride. Casualties from the trip were a flat tire (due to the pin in the schrader valve coming undone, easy fix), the rear exhaust mount bolt stripping out and flying down the highway, a bolt for my PM rear brake doing the same, and some oil leaking. Other than that, not a bad 150 mile shakedown.

SoCal Week - Born Free - let's do this

The biggest, most amazing, happiest, incredible Thank You to Chris Collins for making this happen. I'm still in disbelief that yesterday I kicked this bike to life and we rode up and down the coast. Today, we head to Oak Canyon Ranch.

While Chris may claim that this bike built itself, he made it happen, against what some would have seen as possible in a months time.

side note...

I know all these motorcycle posts must be getting boring. So here's a pic from inside of a hardware store.

SoCal Week - Day 5 - really, day 5 already?

it was an interesting day...I did get to have lunch with Dustin over here at my guest domicile which was great. Always check out what he has going on over here.

I also was able to get Rico's for dinner (for the second night in a row!). While last night I did opt for the Justin Burrito, tonight I kept it simple with the Carnitas. Never fails......always so good.

With the bike, decided to make a last minute bar change. Kim was able to work some magic and whip up these square window bars and I'm diggin' them. I also got a few other new goodies for the bike, finished the wiring completely and it will be dropped off tomorrow morning for its tune up. Born Free? Yes, indeed.

and I definitely know that the master cylinder on the handlebars has got to go. Fully agreed, its what we have for now, so it will work. Don't worry, there will be a much nicer/sleeker unit there eventually.

SoCal Week - Day 4 - Kick and Fire

please excuse my use of (parentheses). I can't help it, I just keep using them.

This morning was spent driving around getting random bits and bops, mostly from Marshall's. No, not THAT marshalls.....although I could use some Calvin Klein underwear, some Polo Socks and a random non-fitted yankees world series hat....(yes they will always have that shit there).

The rest of the day was spent in the garage, walking in circles, thinking about what is next. I did stop to grab some lunch with Mike, and then it was back to the garage until just now. Here's what we are working with just after midnight:


Not fully running yet, and yes I look like I haven't slept in a few days (true), and sound a bit like Sloth from Goonies (a great movie that I haven't seen in a while) but a 32 year old machine re-built by hand that actually starts??? It's a happy moment.



It doesn't really matter if you're into motorcycles or not. The truth is, making something, or working hard on something is SO rewarding when it works/starts/comes together. I don't care if its assembling the best fantasy baseball team, getting that job you wanted, or even the joy of finally buying the TV you've been researching, it just feels good when your shit works out....especially when you know what went into it.

SoCal - Day 3 - Encinitas / Cardiff / Solana Beach / North Park

Breakfast at Pannikin in Encintas, followed by running parts all around and picking up little bits all over the Solana Beach and Encinitas coastal establishments.

here's a shot of the blue water coming down Birmingham from this morning. not too shabby

went down to North Park to have dinner with John and Triona. These two are just so cute.


Rode this death machine around today.

and finished up the night with the shovel looking a bit more done, but still a long ways away.

SoCal Week - Day 1 - Venice Beach

I flew directly into LAX and Chris picked me up at the airport. We headed over to Tony's house in Venice Beach for Annie's surprise birthday party. Annie was fresh off of a casting call from the day before and seemed to be having a great time at the party. I like to believe that me being the guest of honor helped out, but we'll see if she admits that.

Chris and JD discussing the merits of nipple high sissy bars and their ping pong games...

JD's custom sportster that was part of the Harley bike tour from last year.

I took a few other pictures, but they were all just mostly of really tall people surrounded by palm trees, blue skies, and mexican beers.....nothing too fancy. It was nice to walk around the streets of Venice Beach since I hadn't been there in a while.

SoCal Week - Day 2 - Encinitas/Cardiff

Woke up at 6am and headed directly to Swami's for some surfing. It was great to get back in the glassy calm waters and slide a few waves.

got to hang out with Bentley, Rex and Ruby, which was fun. Chris and Duke moved into their new mid century modern home and the first round of renos went really well. This house is pretty much all windows facing the ocean. great stuff!

But more importantly, look at how cute that Bentley dog is....come on.....

got my first California Burrito of the trip from Juanitas.

fabricated and mounted the shift arm for the shovel.

connected all the oil lines.

welded the mounts for the sissy bar

Also met up with Kim and we did it up like the old times......driving around North County searching for things that we just can't find.....

all in all, a good day. more running around, making things, surfing and burritos tomorrow.

Good night / good morning

back in black

still warm from the oven. 1 day powder coating turnaround? yep. rebuilding starting tonight? yep. bike will be running by middle of next week? I won't rest until it is.


thanks Chris!

a lil heat, a lil bend

Wanted: straight kicker arm

For my 78 4-speed tranny. Hit me up if you've got one you're ready to part with. Mattlandman@gmail.com

Definitely doesn't need to be all minty.

Rob is a good man.....

not unlike other random saturdays, I stopped by Rob Goodman's apartment in Brooklyn to catch up, grab a beer and a Vietnamese sandwich and talk art/music/books/movies a few weeks ago and caught him deep in thought working on a project for ADA, Alternative Distribution Alliance.

When Rob isn't talking about digital media and how it will save the publishing world, he is cranking away on his art projects for corporate clients such as Warner Bros, Sony, Columbia Records, or bands like Ben Folds, Guster, Modest Mouse or Ray LaMontagne just to name a few.

go to his website and check out his portfolios and feel free to reach out to him for the next time you need something artsy. and yes, he even makes nice little illustrations for backyard bbq's.

here is the final print:

Lighting the way....

....and tucked in tight.

Solo Gato

Ellie loves the lounge chair. She has good taste.

Haircut Sunday

Keep it tight.

Eames X NYC dept of finance collab

I had to spend a few hours at the court house in Brooklyn to handle some parking tickets. Pretty interesting system there. All I can say is if you think you can beat the ticket, it's worth a shot. I beat 2 tickets and I'm getting reimbursed for the towing fees I had to pay as well.

Plus there are some great Eames fiberglass side chairs with red leatherette upholstery. Herman Miller must have had a great contract with this city.

more progress on the '78

Chris sent me this picture yesterday. Sissy bar goes 24" above the rear fender. Tall enough for a bedroll, sleeping bag, MacBook Pro, you know, the essentials. Look how that narrowed rear fender hugs the tire!

Easyrider?

Check out this shot from an old late 70's/early 80's magazine....