going through some things

in the infamous words of Master P himself.....I'm Going Through Some Things....

we got to work on the new Sportster project last night for a while.  The fun part.  Figured that I might as well tackle the wiring mess before doing anything else aesthetic.  Aes-backwards.  woah, I like that.

these bikes are the funnest

tank off, stock harness exposed and look at those handlebar switches!

Down to what is necessary:
Headlight Power, Ground, Coil wires.  4 wires from the battery up the backbone.

Garbage so far.

Result.

Bars will be narrowed about an inch on each side and the levers and master cylinder will probably be replaced during the winter.  For now though, they will get the old cut down, smooth out, thinning process.  Look at the first pic and the last one, its amazing how much better the bars look without all the stock switches on there.

Going to go with an automotive style key switch so there will be no separate momentary button.  Just key and headlight on/off.  Baby steps.

Chop Cult Feature on the Shovelhead

Head over to Chop Cult to check out a great feature they posted about the shovel.  Thank you to everyone whose hands, minds, and conversations have touched this bike. (and will continue to!)

Great pictures taken by Bill Bryant while we were on the Gypsy Run 6(66).

When I started the whole build, I wasn't sure what direction to go in.  It began by going in a very tight, narrow, low with high pegs sort of feel.  Honestly similar in feel to a combination of my old sportster, Chris's panhead, Kim's Panhead and his sportster.  (if that makes sense).  Let's be honest, I never planned to have FORWARD CONTROLS, yikes!  Then Chris found these tins at the swap and I had to have them.  From there, it was honestly wanting to build a bike that looked like a David Mann painting from the 80's issues of Easyriders magazines.  It was not to be period correct or be super hip...I mean come on, its a cone shovel, its a late 70's motor that came in a swing arm frame, with the shittiest version of Harley's 4 speed trannies, but I wanted to have a bike that reflected what people did with these bikes throughout the 80's.   It wasn't supposed to be a 60's period bike.  I'm pretty happy with what wound up "building itself".  I just need a mullet now.

Yarmulke

time has flown.

Miles.  Little Dude.  Sweet hat.  Almost 11 months.

although he is still young, seems like he may have my nose starting to show...

Helmet and Toolbox For Sale

First up is a barely used Old Gold Garage Daytona Helmet.  Size XXL, but is closer to most US XL sized helmets.  Black color has been slightly distressed but the inside is in pristine condition.  Word on the street is that this was used in the filming of a new movie starring Clive Owen.....true story.

Made in collaboration and by TT&Co in Japan so this is sure to be a great helmet.  Nice little finishing details like the brass strap rings and side rivet covers as well as interior.   It does have styrofoam under the padded interior like a DOT helmet rather than just the padding of most novelty helmets.  It is not DOT approved though.   I bought 2 to see which one would fit better and the other one is the winner, so this one goes to YOU.....$80

NEXT UP.  Early Harley Right Side Toolbox.  Chrome is in perfect condition on the entire outside of this piece.  Inside shows a little bit of wear but nothing bad.  No markings on the inside, but the key does have the R.B.E. (RBE) stamp of the original (old) repops, unlike the newer made ones. Hinge works perfectly and everything feels nice.
For you, $70.  Want the helmet and the toolbox? let me know.  we make deal.  you help feed family, I help you.  (insert russian accent)

email me mattlandman@gmail.com

great timing...

...to get sick.  Started feeling it on Sunday.  Felt it more Monday night.  Woke up yesterday and couldn't swallow, breathe or think.

Went to the doctor yesterday afternoon and he granted me with a cocktail of Azithromycin, Fluticasone Propionate, and Azelastine HCL.  I'll also supplement with some Zinc Acetate to get everything out of my system ASAP.  

I guess yesterday is better than me feeling this way friday.

busy (fun) week

Need to switch out the throw out bearing and oil slinger on the shovel tranny as it had an epic fail upon returning to BK after the Gypsy Run, we have Andy staying with us for the weekend, Kim coming into town Thursday as well, 6 Over NYC premier friday night, then the DicE party, then Brooklyn Invitational saturday.

And I want to get this sporty respectable by then as well.

yeah, waking up in a tent on a river in upstate NY sounds pretty good...

another sporty !

here we go again.

First night with 5 minutes.  Removed some stuff.  Threw on some old bars that will be coming off next week when I get some actual contenders into the mix that are proper height, more like 4-5 inches rather than the 8+ of these.  I just set it up how it is to get it looking different than it sat stock.  I have some good feelings about this one.

I'll keep progress pics posted here and maybe a build thread at chopcult if I get to it.

yep, 3 bikes jammed into the spots for 2.  Storage comes at a premium in this city.