It never made it here!
He kindly sent a second.
Someone in Brazil is sporting a nice Joe King Helmet with the HIPPODROME logo & now I am too!
This beauty reminds me of the helmet my dad wore when he bracket raced at the Antique Nationals.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
KFN, X, Billy & I
Keith just sent me this pic.
Some time ago we went on a short ride around LA right after a fire.
The crazy bike in the foreground reminds of missed friends.
Haven't seen the guys from BC in a while and Billy is just a few years into a several years debt to society.
Friday, May 13, 2011
FRIDAY the 13th
No number 13 button to push in the elevator.
13 is an unlucky number.
Bike riders use it it represent the letter M.
Shallow t-shirt companies call it LUCKY.
On friday, May 13th 1307, Pope Clement V ordered the Knights Templar be burned at the stake.
Their power and influence in this world is still present, from the way we bank to the way we keep a secret. Even as a basic advertising design, this shape still has a allure.
As a boy I remember the racing cams that sponsored local drag strips, then the skate trucks & finally the logo Rob helped Jesse put together for his bike shop.
The cross is far more familiar to us, than the history of the crusaders of Solomon's temple.
Secret societies today still claim, albeit broken, link this fascinating order.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
MOON CAFE
My brother Alberto is opening the MOON CAFE in Jesolo Beach, Italy.
When in Yokohama we have Shige's joint, now another reason to visit Venice, to dine at the Moon too/two/2. Italy & Japan are the two destinations where the people have out shined the inherent beauty of the places themselves. From the day Cole introduced me to Alberto, he became a beloved brother, & I was honored to be in his wedding party & again honored to see him continue to succeed in business. For anybody into good people, food, bikes & cars, this is a place that will turn into a Motorhead Mecca before you know it. I love you Alberto & wish you all the luck you deserve in your new venture!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Lady & the Tramp
European Concours' de Elegance have long recognized the value in leaving a vehicle in the state it was found.
Events in the states have caught on, but many California over restorers have had their way with machines that were more valuable pre-restoration.
High profile events tend to be deceiving, because what wins the highest accolades, is a vehicle that often began as only fraction of what you see. A restored machine, by definition, means an existing machine is brought back to its former glory. What really takes place is the replacing, remanufacturing, & recreating of a machine that now is brought to modern day specs, of paint, polish & detail, that far surpasses the level of quality that existed in the state the machine began.
Unmolested machines, virgins, original paint, as raced, & a clear provenance, backed with a paper trail of photos, timing certs, & news clippings, are held in higher esteem to my point of view.
What is even more precious than the vehicle that just rolled off the show room floor, is that rare bird, that just rolled of the track.
I know toy collectors that use the phase, "the right red" & JJ's new toy is just right!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Local board track Indian
I would ask about it often, & no one ever return my calls.
Then they remodeled the place and almost ruined this bike.
It is completely original, but they had an insensitive amateur put some kind of clear coat on it, really bad bicycle tires and the wrong seat post, that came straight out of the frame, unlike the original that angled at more than 90 degrees to bring the seat low & back. The seat should sit flush with the frame, & there is even residue from the original friction tape that was rapped around the nose of the seat & thru the top frame tube. The seat used to sit a good 6" a top the post & they did lower it, perhaps the only concession they made to my whining. Worst of all it was put behind glass.
This was a local guy that was ranked nationally, and raced & beat the best in the pre teens era. His leather helmet, trophies, photos, gloves, extra carb & a brief write up of the his history all complement the provenance of this well prserved race machine. His name was Theodore M. Samuelson & he was monikered "The Mormon Daredevil" & the "Pride of Provo". In about 1996, when I was sculpting & doing heavy research on this subject, I wanted to used this bike as a model, & quite frankly wanted to own it really bad. I was never called back or given the time of day, & when it was "cleaned up" I was really upset, for I would have conserved it, much better, just for the right to study it up close. I go back from time to time, but it really bothers me to see this beast in a cage. It is like the old lion I remember at the L.A. Zoo that just sat there waiting to die.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
smoke & mirrors
A place where anonymous cowards make claims & no one calls them on it.
Cole & I have been at this game pretty long & we've gotten more than our fair share of press.
We have been asked to star in Easy Rider 2, & a dozen other hair-brained schemes that haven't & will not come to pass.
When Billy Gibbins gave us his business card, it read;
BILLY GIBBONS
friend of ERIC CLAPTON
We loved that, stole it & made cards that read;
CF
friend of JD
JD
friend of CF
We have been all over this planet together, some how people believe, we have arrived.
That couldn't be further from the truth.
Maybe people know what Cole got for the Metalicoupe, or what I got for the HD monument, but that was a lot of work that amortized over years, really years.
We aren't retired, or ever received a check that allowed us to buy a second home & a Ferrari.
We are kooks like you... in our mid 40's! Listen man, the orthodontist in your neighbor makes more than us!
We do the things we do, because we are both hopeless romantics, father worshipers, doing the only thing we know how to do.
Don't envy us or pity us, the life we lead, is way less glamourous than people think!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
The Angel of Death
I have seen this sculpture three times in the past, and knew it was something special.
The problem, being that in St. Peter's Basilica, it is roped off, I could never get closer than 40 feet.
This time I was escorted by my dear friend Alfonso & his brother, who is one of the Swiss Guard. They allowed me to go beyond the fences...
This sculpture is the crown to a doorway, the winged skeleton holding an hour glass is titled, the Angel of Death. This gold guided bronze sculpture is the keeper of time. The wall is of a black marble, rust colored marbled carved exquisitely in the form of a veil, is being lifted.
Beyond the door, is for only those invited. I passed thru and will respect that which is not public.
After an illuminating day behind closed doors at the Vatican, my friends from the Rome chapter of the Hells Angels picked me up for dinner, to round out my theological sojourn.
Monday, March 7, 2011
DAN WINTER'S STUDIO
DEAD PROPHETS
My focus has always been on by-gone clubs & telling an untold story.
Because many different clubs shared the same names, on occasion I have come in contact with pieces that tie to currently existing clubs, & have tried to do the right thing by those clubs.
The sad truth is that after amassing as any cuts as I have many wholes are left.
Huge gaps in time lines & history exist regards early 1%er MCs.
I have decided the most truthful story can only be told from the folk that exists in the cuts themselves.
History is written by the historian, liar or victor, does anyone out there know anything about the DEAD PROPHETS?
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