My friend John

I have known John Eminhizer for over 20 years. He was in a photo and one of my earilier posts. We have built some incredible custom homes and countless commercial projects from LA to Monterey in California. We have traveled countless miles together and have had some of the best conversations and heated discussions I have ever been a part of.

John is like my older brother.

He has been in the hospital for over a month, I have been told we should be able to have some more conversations and discussions soon, and things are going fine.

I hope that it will be next week, and as soon as I know, I am going to New Jersey to spend some time with him. I hope we can hit the open road before summer. Nobody loves a road trip like John and there is no one better to travel with, he has been just about everywhere in the US.

Today I needed to go for a ride.......

I actually don't ride very much, although I really enjoy riding. I am usually busy with work, and family events. I don't have time for long rides, but it's not the amount of miles that really matter to me. I think it is just nice to be able to ride and forget about everything else. I like taking out something that hasn't ran for years, and after some time at the shop it is ready to go again.

Today I would have went for a ride, unfortunately it is 24 degrees Fahrenheit and the snow is piling up.

Tami at the shop!!!!

Cafe Racer Wheels



Stock wheel and Hub powdercoated, and relaced with new spokes.




Stock Honda hub with and old Harley wheel and new spokes!!!

 After pulling the new control wires through the clubman bars, I picked up the powdercoated wheels and relaced them.  I am thinking about applying a red pinstripe to match the tank and body panel colors, on the edge of the wheels.  New tires and a final detailing and they will be ready to mount.

Noahs' Latest Project

Noah finished up one of his projects after school today. He built himself a skateboard to cruise around the shop and other places when spring arrives. He used a piece of cabinet grade plywood, some paint that was on the shelf and some really cool trucks and wheels that match. Not bad !!!!!!!

Montesa Cappra MX

I actually went to the shop a couple of times this past weekend, and worked on some projects. I am working on the seat design for the two up cafe racer, and have nearly worked it out. I wanted to be able to take Tami or one of the kids for a ride also, but convert it back to a solo easily. I think a simple seat cowl and a custom seat, built on the stock pan, will be the most practical way to go.

Mark stopped by Sunday to polish some of the aluminum from his XS400 bobber he is building for his son. After he finished, we dragged the Montesa out of the corner and put it on a lift. That makes it official, the Montesa will be the next project to be completed after the cafe racer.

I now have the front wheel assembly, the right side cover and a few small items I needed. I still need to locate the correct rear shocks, new foot pegs, a kickstarter, and some cables and most importantly a correct air box assembly.

2011 should be a busy year!!!!

New Years Eve with family.

I spent time at home celebrating my daughters birthday with the family.
My Dad and I spent some time looking at 80 cubic inch Harley flatheads, and 1934 Ford pickups, and some of the stuff I have been working on.   Thats my idea of a great end to the year.

One like Dad used to ride!!!!!!!

こんにちは, あなたのバイクは最適です。

Hello Japan, 3 blog views today. Thanks for looking.


I hope my Japanese is correct. I meant to say Hello, your motorcycles are great.....

Shiny!!!!



 

 I spent some time this afternoon prepping parts.
 It always amazes me, how old parts can look so good with some work.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!!!!!

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Christmas...

Before and After



Fork assembly and brakes before.

 Every part is cleaned, inspected and rebuilt if needed. This bike showed only 15,000 miles on the odometer, but after 36 years it needs some attention.

This is the most time consuming process of a build. When I am finished with my builds they  look and run better than new.


After a good cleaning and polish. New gaitors and seals waiting to be installed.



Busy Shop



Final Inspection before delivery.



Assembly Beginning!!!!

Suzuki S32 Progress

Noah has been busy with a big project at school for the past few weeks,so his work on the Suzuki took a back seat, but tomorrow is presentation  day. He is ready to get back to his Suzuki and have it ready for spring. I think Noah has decided to go with red , instead of the black, and he saw a white seat with some red piping that he thought was cool.

The Honda CB400 Supersport tank and sidecovers went to paint today, oem red, a new gas cap and new decals should have them looking better than new. I think this will probably be Noahs first serious bike someday. He will probably be too big to ride the Suzuki for any length of time.

Ola Brasil

Sixteen page views yesterday from Brazil.

Another Cafe Racer Sold

I decided to list my 1974 Cafe Racer on Ebay today, and it sold in 3 hours 8 minutes and 2 seconds. That is  a personal best for selling something. I am always excited to sell a bike, but then again I wish I could keep them all. I guess I had better get busy and finish the one I am working on.

Important Parts Arrived

I have been waiting on some important parts and they arrived Friday.
New wiring harness, new gaitors for the forks, new spokes and plenty of other important stuff.
I am looking forward to starting final assembly of the latest build, as soon as some parts arrive from powder coating.