Hittin' Switches on 96 XL 1200

Did a little composition.  Doing shit by hand takes time, that's for sure.

Gonna use a little 1/4" Aluminum scrap to fabricate the mount.

Popsicle Mirrors, Ha! I finally found a use for them.  I think I'll keep them though, may hang one off the side of my helmet or something like the real bikers do.  Just kidding.  They are MoCo mirrors though which is cool.

Tools and required accessories for late night customization.  

And well maybe this is somewhere along the lines of what might happen.  At first it started as an idea of making an aluminum bracket to mount a hi-lo beam switch somewhere easy to reach and slip under the chrome cover for the top trees.  Then I thought maybe I just may look for a smaller marine grade momentary key switch than what is shown and put them both up there.  This would just leave fabricating the coil mount left to do for now and cleaning the wiring up with solder and heat shrink.  

Any ideas or feedback on this little idea is welcome.  I'll keep 'ya posted.   

New Whip - Happy Birthday To Me!

Here's a lil' sneaky peaky at the new whip I rewarded myself with for being born. 

1996 1200 XL less than 10k on the clock.  Super clean, got it for a song.

 Rode it home, got there about 9, went and blasted around until 2 a.m. Yes sir! 

For LT and his love of Quad Cam Freedom Machines

Here ya' go buddy.  Stolen off the interwebz for our personal enjoyment. 

For everyone else, comment and let me know if you wanna see some stuff.  Only a few ever do, but this could get a whole lot more interesting with some feedback.  The blog is really just so I can put some thoughts down every once in a while, document some travels and moments with people in my life, but please feel free to click "Follow" and come along for the ride if you want.  I mean for Fuck's sake it's on the internet, it ain't no secret and if you want me to put some stuff up or want to let me know I'm slacking, well do it.  Motivation is good in various forms. 

Again, if these are your bikes, I think they are fine examples of custom QC's, but if for whatever reason you want 'em removed, the images aren't mine so drop a line and it's done.  Much respect goes out to the machines above.  

A Quiet Relationship - Man and Machine

Sometimes I do this.  I just walk out to the shop, have a seat, a frosty beverage, a smoke and contemplate.  The solitude and introsprective thoughts of just me and my personal freedom machine.  The relationship is like that of a best friend in which words don't have to be spoken and you already know what the other is thinking.  Yeah, maybe you haven't seen them in a while and when you first come in contact, of course the obligatory howdy doo's are in order, but after that, it's back to comfortable silence and all it takes is a glance to know what's about to happen or how the other is feeling.  

Sometimes you sense the pride the other is permeating through their attitude and immediately think, "hey let's get out and celebrate old friend", and you take the curvy Autumn leaf covered asphalt cruise at a pace that makes you both happy and not uncomfortable.  Other times, without a word you sense the anxiety and acknowledge that although you're feeling great, maybe your companion needs rest and to be massaged; refreshed with some 40 weight, greased in the places that need it, and wiped from the others where it don't belong.  Lessons like these are an evolution of the conscious in which you consider more than just yourself, because if you don't...you will get hurt.  Don't ever go down because of self-righteousness, go down because you really wanted that little extra bit of adrenaline and wanted to live life to the fullest.  You know just like our friend Hunter said, "Shot out of a cannon, not squeezed out of a tube."

It's time for a new 'machine friend' to be welcomed into the family.  I have anticipations of another long nurturing friendship with mutual respect just as my faithful and always transitioning 650 has given me.  I look forward to making the new machine an ultra reliable "All Business" machine simulation of the thoughts that consume this two-wheeled addictive mental state of mine.  So here I go into the adaptive high level stimulation of goal setting, cost obstacle customization of an American V-Twin.  

Stay Tuned!         

These photos above are me working on the 650 that has given me more enjoyment than I care to take the time to write about right now, but this is what I'm talking about.  Take the time to care for you machines and they will treat you with respect as well.  The diagnostic for interpersonal relationships have such similar characteristics that it is almost surreal.  A relationship with a machine, who would of thought it. It's like telling a person you're not going to be able to see them as much for whatever the reason may be. Weird!

The New Harley Buzz...

The new additions have been all the buzz today.  Here's my thoughts if anyone gives a shit......

My opinion is the new 72 is just another over priced Sportster.  For the most part, I actually like the design of the new Sportsters. They run phenomenal, handle great, and are a super enjoyable ride, but who in the hell can justify going and throwing down $11,000 for a new Sporty.  Conclusion: Bike - thumbs up; Price - another big FU HD Thumbs Fucking Down.   

So, onto the Slim.  I mean c'mon, really, WTF is up with the oxymoronic name? I just don't get it.  This is a Beast.  I guess it's like calling the fattest motherfucker that lives in every small town in the south, "Tiny."  We do it because it's funny.  I digress, the bike has some decent styling cues as it flows nicely from the handlebars down into the saddle and over the clean lines of the rear fender.  Throw the front fender in the garbage or use it as a rear fender on a real chopper.  The handlebars are cool, but again it's just another overpriced HD selling for a cool $16,000.  Conclusion : Bike - Half a thumbs up; Price - well another big FU HD two fucking thumbs down.