How the hell did I end up with all these?

Not a collector they just seem to like to gather in my garage.

El Camino SWAP!

What a killer event. Jammed down Friday morning and got there in time to hit the line for nighttime set up. Scored a few killer items (pictures coming) and never did bother to set up. It's always fun to swoop Bates seats from the Japanese. I should have camped out I bet it would have been fun. Next year for sure. Great hanging around some motorcycle guys that have the deep knowledge. Saturday morning rolled up early and I forced myself and a very hung over host out of our beds and in to the truck to get down and do some more shopping. Finally got around to setting up and sold a decent amount. Way worth the trip even if I didn't make a dime!

blog neglect

It's been months of neglect but I'm back. The antique shows and motorcycle swaps have been good.

Ritchey Ultra

I bought this when I was in high school. Twenty years later I got it back. Beat all to hell with a few "upgrades" that have to be "downgraded" back to original. The paint is thrashed but I think I will leave it unrestored as it was a custom paint scheme that I special ordered. I do worry a little about the thinner MTB tubing being exposed and the potential rust issues. I still have the receipt for this thing someplace. Probably with my speedo!

Lost in the garage

Somehow I managed to lose this speedo. At least I have a picture to give to the search party.

bates

The Clubman swap was pretty generous in the seat department. After getting there at the crack of dawn and starting to give up hope of sneaking in. I got lucky. The key is to wait for the old guys watching the doors to either start bench racing or have the first cup of coffee blow the rear seal. Not sure which one it was that opened the gate for me but I was happy to get in. The early bird gets the worm and I scored the diamond pattern Bates. I grabbed a couple of other ratty ones as well. I passed on a two up desert racer seat and have been kicking myself. I hate being broke but it seems like thats the only time you find good stuff at a swap.

Good weekend

Full weekend of motorcycle swap, bicycle swap and Hank III tonight. I have a nice stack of Bates seats and a little money from the bicycle deal to show for my lack of sleep. Spent part of the day today tearing apart the Shovel. I haven't worked on a bike for a long long time. I even spent some time with the rug rats!

Cook out

The shed generously gave up this pile of hubs today. I bought a stack of these at a VeloSwap a number of years back. I've somehow built up a pretty decent stash of CBR stuff. Good thing the stuff is crazy pricey although I have noticed prices taking a bit of a dive lately.

Phil me in

Living in the land of Phil Wood Co. is a good thing. The early hubs went through a ton of minor changes. They could also be special ordered for custom applications. This pile has some weird ones. The coolest one is the early Phil track hub. They do not show up too often. Phil Wood, there is nothing cooler!

more of the real thing

Bicycle Motocross Action

Blue Highways

On the old highway maps of America, the main routes were red and the back roads blue. Now even the colors are changing. But in those brevities just before dawn and a little after dusk-times neither day nor night-the old roads return to the sky some of its color. Then, in truth, they carry a mysterious cast of blue, and it's that time when the pull of the blue highway is strongest, when the open road is beckoning, a strangeness, a place where a man can lose himself.

-William Least Heat Moon

Past glory

It's been quite a while since I came up with a great BMX score. I found some stuff to sell but the real thrill is finding stuff you actually want. Here's a pic from a couple years back of a particularly good haul.

Stranded

Saw a guy on the off ramp begging. Not unusual but he had a fully rigged touring bicycle and a sign that said "stranded". I checked for flats but they looked fully inflated. I was wondering how the hell you're stranded when you have a bicycle. I didn't bother to ask so maybe I'll never know. I have no problem with begging but I do have a problem with a lack of creativity. Utah Phillips told a story one time about being on the bum and needing some food. He found a pot and told people "I've got this pot but nothing to cook in it. Can you help out?". Hell at least he was making an effort.  He wasn't being a liar either. 

Old skateboards are cool when well used

I got the Seaflex at the Long Beach swap the day after the Born Free show.  Pretty interesting paint job on this thing. It looks like the graphic was masked off and then the airbrushing was done.  I've never seen one like it. I had a Bob Denike model and have been wanting another Seaflex since trading that one to a close friend.  The Ken Park was picked up cheap and is a dead ringer for one I had as a kid. I know the skateboard collectors want new unused decks but I love them with some use. Stickers and funky grip tape even some good scratches and worn tales are cool. Otherwise it's just a piece of wood. 

The Shed or Somebody call hoarders quick

I built a shed to have more room in the garage. It didn't really work out that way.  I think I'll transform some of these bikes in to some motorized toys this spring. 

the real deal

This is my friends dad back in the old days. I'll be hitting him up for the details soon. 

test

Lame first test post to see how this thing works. Bikers and BMX to follow.