Happy New Years...

*2013*

Another one bites the dust...

 The last day of 2012, is also the last day of business for Grisanti Hardware after 66 years of serving Atascadero California. This store has been the place to find any and every odd piece that you have needed for years, and the staff still knows hardware and can always answer all of your questions. The shelves are being stripped bare and all of the fixtures (except for the one's that I wanted, signs, display clocks, etc.) are being sold, at half of the marked price (and some prices were put on in the 50's). It's a real shame! The owner Rick Grisanti, who's father started the company said that he just couldn't keep up with the big box stores. So once again thanks "progress", and the next time your in Home Depot or Lowe's, and you can't find anyone that knows what they are talking about, remember these local mom and pop hardware stores, because memories will soon be all that is left.

Sign School 1906...

Back when craft was taught in this country... It's few and far between these days.

1959 Triumph Pre-Unit...

 Bryan Thompson's Pre Unit, photo shoot yesterday. A beautiful bike, a beautiful old building, and a truly beautiful Central Coast winters day...

Olsen-Stelzer

12-12-12

Last time for 1000 years...

Cooler...

Another hand lettered vintage cooler from yesterday...

Some shots from today...

 David Mann Chopper Fest in Ventura today. Great turn-out, killer weather & lots of friends. A good day!

Merle Haggard - If We Make It Through December

I've been playing this song in my shop all month, just in case the Mayan's are correct...

1903 Reading Standard Board Track Racer...

 The 1903 Reading Standard Board Track Racer is finished, at least my part of it is. Hand Lettered and pinstriped. Tomorrow the bike will go to get clear coated, and then final assembly. I can't wait to see it all together. I will post pictures, once I have them...

1903 Reading Standard progress...

Okay, you know that feeling that you have after a long night of drinking, just as the bed starts to spin? Well that's about the same feeling that you get striping every panel on an early motorbike...

And how...

Great old advertising illustration, Interesting aproach, not sure of the maulstick application...

Courtney's House...

 Finished and hung... Hand lettered two sided signage for Courtney's House, Templeton California...

Lucky B Design...

Yokohama 21...

http://yokohamahotrodcustomshow.com/

Artwork...

I have been asked to participate in a local Holiday art show in down town Paso. In between "real work", I have been getting some stuff together...

Let er' Buck...

Here's a couple of cowboy paintings that I did today...

13th Annual Show & Shine November 17, 2012

Where: Indian Motorcycle Fresno
5615 E. Westover Ave.
Fresno, Ca 93727When: Saturday, November 17 - 9am-3pm

Central Calif. Classic Cycle Club is throwing there 13th Annual Show & Shine @ Indian Motorcycle Fresno November 17th from 9am-3pm. Bring your vintage or modern classic motorcycles to our show and shine. All years, all makes and models. "Bikes for Sale" corral too Free admission. Free coffee and dougnuts for the early birds. Bring your chair and spend some time admiring some of Fresno's moldy oldies!! If you have any questions contact TJ Gilchrist @ (559) 259-7496 or Al Madril @ (559) 292-2269.

The Gila Monster...

 The Gila Monster, Mike Davis' super cool pre unit build. I was lucky enough to see this bike in person before it was loaded up and shipped to Yokohama. The bike in person just blows you away, every little bit of this bike has been touched, tweaked, re-thought and re-built. Mike asked me to make up a show sign for the bike, and it was my honor. Here is what we came up with, hand lettered on maple.

Cooler now that it's lettered...

 Neat old cooler that I hand lettered today...

T & A's

 Over the years of rooting through old farms and ranches, I have stumbled across many Ford based tractor conversions from the 1930's-40's.  Just about anything that could be fashioned from these cars, was. I've seen everything from tractors to saw mills, even line driven machine shops. It is amazing just how influential the T's and A's were in just about every aspect of life, and the blocks that modern living, is based on. And even with function, there was still room for competition...