Helmet Famoso....

Here's a helmet that I just finished. I did all of the stripes and lettering in gold leaf, with an engine turn. Now it's off to be buried in clear. Another Famoso Speed Shop job. Will be on display next weekend at the Hot Rod Reunion, with the cars that match.

Lifted from the Pushin' blog....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAsUOZpPN9w&feature=player_embedded
I saw this last night, it pissed me off so bad that I had to lift it from the Pushin' blog.
I am a grown man, with very little time to skateboard anymore, however, in my not so distant past, it filled my days and thoughts. During that time, more often than not, while skating ether a curb or parking block, or the local ditches, the police would show up, and threaten us. The threats were always that they would impound our boards, or ticket us for trespassing. Usually followed up with " if I see you again, there will be hell to pay"! Our thoughts then, as now were... DON'T YOU HAVE ANYTHING BETTER TO DO? like perhaps addressing real crime?
My father was in law enforcement, a captain with the California Fish and Game, he was, and is still, a straight shooter, what's right is right with him. He drove his patrol car around with a skateboarding is not a crime sticker on the bumper. He would always back me if push came to shove, and I was in the right. After seeing this video on the Keep On Pushin' blog last night, all of the feelings, that I had in those days, came rushing back. This Cop, as so many others, is an Ass! I'm sure, as a younger guy, he was picked on. Now he has the power, all the way down to the haircut. He is going to push it always, when the guys that he addresses are smaller than him and at a dis-advantage without a badge. I applaud Zach for using his right as an American, and letting the Officer know what he thinks. Although it may not be the smart thing to do, it is the right thing to do. He works for us, we pay his wages.
I will contact the City of S.F. and let them know what I think about this Officers actions, as I think everyone should. Perhaps nothing will come of it, but he will be watched closer.
As a college age kid, I also had a situation with a Police Officer, where he was pushing my buddies and I around, for nothing more than riding our vintage cruiser bicycles around without reflectors after dark. I told him that "I thought he had nothing better to do, and that he should go watch for drunks, leaving the bar up the road". He was pissed, in my face, and trying to get me to hit him. This went on for some time, and with nothing to pinch us on, he let us go. The next day, we went down to the Police station, and all filed a report against the Officer. He was demoted and put on the overnight crap shift (apparently it was not his first complaints). We have some power, and we should use it.

SFPD complant email:Email: occ.311@sfgov.orgOCC complaint procedures

Candy boX...

Gold Leaf lettered candy box, that's as "hands on" as I got this time... But the salon advanced to the semi finals, so there is always next time.

More pics from Mike Ross...

Here are some more pics of the BFCS sent to me by Mike. Enjoy...

"Born Free" bike show.....

Made the trip down to the 'Born Free" chopper show today in Orange. And what a great day it was !!! Although it was hotter than hell, there was a strong turn-out, with just shy of 200 bikes. The show was totally free, with food, beer, sodas, and a raffle drawing (free tickets) that went on for hours (lots of good items). Great sponsors, great people and truly great bikes.

Nice to meet some of the guys building and riding these quality bikes. Mike D. (Born Loser), Grant (Choppedout), and Harpoon were gracious hosts, and everyone had a pleasant day. Hats off to all of the guys responsible for putting this show together.....

THIS JUST IN ! ! ! !

The Boy's motivation came today, and resulted in this strong gangster lean on my Suburban...

Chicken Ramp Wayne Childs stepped off of his Scrambler just long enough to drink some beers and eat a chicken fried steak, on his trip from Montana, to Seattle, to L.A. to the Creatins M.C. party.

The Thinker...

So I roll into "The Boy's" house on Friday night around 3am. Ken and Wayne are still up, I talk with Wayne for about 30 mins. and then go set up my pull out bed in the back room. Just before going to sleep, I go in to use the restroom and @!x&**!!

When your tired from driving all night, and not expecting to find a passed out, snoring "Boy" on the pisser, it's a real shock.

He came to about 30 mins later, so all is well...

Tell me something I didn't already know.... Try finding 44 mag

America armed, but guns not necessarily loaded


By MARY FOSTER, Associated Press Writer Mary Foster, Associated Press Writer – Wed Sep 23, 2:51 pm ET
NEW ORLEANS – Bullet-makers are working around the clock, seven days a week, and still can't keep up with the nation's demand for ammunition.
Shooting ranges, gun dealers and bullet manufacturers say they have never seen such shortages. Bullets, especially for handguns, have been scarce for months because gun enthusiasts are stocking up on ammo, in part because they fear President Barack Obama and the Democratic-controlled Congress will pass antigun legislation — even though nothing specific has been proposed and the president last month signed a law allowing people to carry loaded guns in national parks.
Gun sales spiked when it became clear Obama would be elected a year ago and purchases continued to rise in his first few months of office. The FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System reported that 6.1 million background checks for gun sales were issued from January to May, an increase of 25.6 percent from the same period the year before.
"That is going to cause an upswing in ammunition sales," said Larry Keane, senior vice president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, a trade association representing about 5,000 members. "Without bullets a gun is just a paper weight."
The shortage for sportsmen is different than the scarcity of ammo for some police forces earlier this year, a dearth fueled by an increase in ammo use by the military in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"We are working overtime and still can't keep up with the demand," said Al Russo, spokesman for North Carolina-based Remington Arms Company, which makes bullets for rifles, handguns and shotguns. "We've had to add a fourth shift and go 24-7. It's a phenomenon that I have not seen before in my 30 years in the business."
Americans usually buy about 7 billion rounds of ammunition a year, according to the National Rifle Association. In the past year, that figure has jumped to about 9 billion rounds, said NRA spokeswoman Vickie Cieplak.
Jason Gregory, who manages Gretna Gun Works just outside of New Orleans, has been building his personal supply of ammunition for months. His goal is to have at least 1,000 rounds for each of his 25 weapons.
"I call it the Obama effect," said Gregory, 37, of Terrytown, La. "It always happens when the Democrats get in office. It happened with Clinton and Obama is even stronger for gun control. Ammunition will be the first step, so I'm stocking up while I can."
So far, the new administration nor Congress has not been markedly antigun. Obama has said he respects Second Amendment rights, but favors "common sense" on gun laws. Still, worries about what could happen persist.
Demand has been so heavy at some Walmarts, a limit was imposed on the amount of ammo customers can buy. The cutoff varies according to caliber and store location, but sometimes as little as one box — or 50 bullets — is allowed.
At Barnwood Arms in Ripon, Calif., sales manager Dallas Jett said some of the shortages have leveled off, but 45-caliber rounds are still hard to find.
"We've been in business for 32 years and I've been here for 10 and we've never seen anything like it," Jett said. "Coming out of Christmas everything started to dry up and it was that way all through the spring and summer.
Nationwide, distributors are scrambling to fill orders from retailers.
"We used to be able to order 50 or 60 cases and get them in three or four days easy, it was never an issue," said Vic Grechniw of Florida Ammo Traders, a distributor in Tampa, Fla. "Now you are really lucky if you can get one case a month. It just isn't there because the demand is way up."
A case contains 500 or 1,000 bullets.
At Jefferson Gun Outlet and Range in Metairie just west of New Orleans, owner Mike Mayer is worried individuals are going to start buying by the case.
"If someone wants to shoot on the weekend you have to worry about having the ammunition for them. And I know some people aren't buying to use it at the range, they're taking it home and hoarding it."
With demand, prices have also risen.
"Used to be gold, but now lead is the most expensive metal," said Donald Richards, 37, who was stocking up at the Jefferson store. "And worth every penny."

Suburban weekend insperation....

If your looking to be inspired on your Chevrolet project, this was the place to be.

The Oldies C.C. from the east bay held it's annual traditional lowrider show in Pleasanton this past Sunday. From what I understand it will be the last, I guess the club is breaking apart or something.

Anyhow, these Bombs are the Holy Grail of Chevy accessories and style. Alot to strive for...

Suburban Weekend.....

Finally got some time to work on the truck this last weekend. This truck had some drivers side front end damage, so we change out the entire front clip for other straighter GM parts. Fenders, inner fenders, splash pans, etc. Found a grill to fill the hole. Added new bumper brackets. All of these parts were gathered up and installed with alot of help from my friends. The gas tank has been boiled out and re-installed. New brakes were hooked up but not quite finished... there is always next week. This Suburban is close to going down the road, and I can't wait to be driving it.

Ken's new 58' Tiger Cub...

My buddy Ken saw this little Triumph on Craigslist, made a call, left a message, and didn't hear a thing for several days. When he did get a call back, an older lady told him that the Tiger Cub had been her fathers and that he had passed away many years ago. This bike was his pride and joy since he bought it in 1958. She than told him that many people called her on the add. She didn't know how to handle the large number of calls, so she thought it would be a good idea, to get everyone who was interested in the bike to her house at the same time to look it over. She than interviewed my friend over the phone in depth, to see if he was qualified. My buddy was bummed and thought for sure the bike was out of his reach. Well last Saturday was the day, Ken almost didn't go, all of the signs pointed to this sucking. Ken went, only Ken showed (I guess the lady scared everyone else away) she liked Ken, and he got the bike. The lady said that both her and her late father were very happy that it went to Ken. You never know???

My Friday....

Paso Robles hosted the "Battle of the Salons" this last Friday night. I was a really big production and a great time. The salon where my wife works competed, and had a need for some body painting. I was asked to do this job, and being the true professional that I am.... I spent the day painting away.

Bi-Cycles

I have been seeing a few of these vintage bicycles with new Chinese motors. Cool idea, if I ever get the time, I want to build one... One of these days

This is a must see...

Hope to get down to this one, it's lookin like it will be great...

Angenehm Andrea....

Went to Avila Beach today with the family. Saw this very cool Pan chopper, took some photos and met the owner. It turns out that this is a recent build by Love Cycles. I had thought that this was a very well kept old build. They nailed this build, very traditional "Frisco Style" chopper, with a 19" rear wheel.
The owner is a guy from Luxemburg Germany and his name is Andrea. He and his wife picked up the bike at Love Cycles, rode to Albuquerque NM for the Ground Zero throwdown, and are now riding back, up highway 1 to San Francisco to ship the bike to Europe. Very nice people, super cool bike. Just stoked to run into it and them, and see it for myself. Great day at the beach....