DAILY INSPIRATION: blitz kawa

I wish I could give you more info on the build of this Kawasaki W650 by the guys at Blitz Motorcycles, but unfortunately I can't read anything on their website.

What I can tell you is these guys are the epitome of the backyard, no frills builds. All of their bikes wear their patina like a badge of honor and that's something i can definitely get behind. It's making me second guess some decisions for my build, and whether they're too clean cut or not. It's about a core message, and I think I need to define that before moving forward.

Also, check the vid of the guys behind the brand in the last post.

SHORT FILM: riding september

Great cinematography of the guys behind Blitz Motorcycles cruising around the country side.

Some really cool looking trackers / scramblers as well.

MUSIC VIDEO RIDING SEPTEMBER from Hush on Vimeo.

ACQUIRED: exhaust wrap and monthly visual stimulation

There's been a steady flow of parts coming in now. New on the list - 2" x 50' tan exhaust wrap with ties. eBay special for $20.

BEWARE: I've found that handling this stuff with bare hands is a lot like juggling those furry cacti. Both result in lots of invisible pain.

What also came in (a month after I ordered) was the BikeEXIF Calendar. Some amazing shots, and it also comes with a PDF version equipped with super-hi-res images.

Late, but well worth the wait.

It's now on sale for $9.99 hardcopy + digital

or $2.99 digital

BikeEXIF

ACQUIRED: a book leads to vintage gum grips

I recently ordered Deus Ex Machina's book - The House Of Simple Pleasures and got in contact with Lincoln Caplice over at their shop. He was kind enough to hook me up with a discount code, so in the basket went some grips as well.

They're Vintage Gran Turismo style grips in Gum/Brown.

Made for 7/8" handlebars.

Specs - 22.2mm x 125mm
Right grip inside diameter: 24mm (to accommodate throttle tube)
Left grip inside diameter: 21mm 

Big thumbs up to the folks over at Deus once again.

GEAR: ruby helmets

Ok, you're right, this blog is all about the backyard builds, the something out of nothings, and the no frills - but holy shit, these helmets are beautiful.

There was an old Bell ad that used to read, "If you've got a $10 head, then buy a $10 helmet."

These helmets come with a $999.00 price tag attached.

I'd say I have about a $100 head.

Take your heavy pockets over to the Deus Ex Machina store to grab one or two...

DAILY INSPIRATION: dime city bobber

The finishes, the details, the minimalism, the photography - they all come together for me in this build by Dime City Cycles. The tank lines and texture treatments of this CB450, titled "Sixty Five," are what really make this an outstanding work of art.

"A throw back to the garage built bobbers of the sixties, The Dime City "Sixty Five" is our interpretation of what a factory rigid Honda 450 would look like if Soichiro Honda had a taste for the wilder side of life. Simple, clean lines and a well thought out minimalist approach create a unique bike with a level of quality and engineering equal to those rolling off the factory floor in the 60's. "

For more pictures and info on the build, visit Dime City Cycles.

I'll let the pictures do the talking, because I haven't had enough coffee yet to be interesting.

SHORT FILM: adam cramer, craftsman.

As a relative youth (25), I can understand Adam Cramer's opinion on the slow decline of the craftsman. It's easy to take that position when the image of technology-engulfed-youth's is so in your face these days.  However I don't feel it is as diminished as he portrays it. I believe the need to wrench is an inherent trait. Some people are genetically predisposed to getting that tingle up their spine when hearing an engine roar to life, and preferring the smell of Fluids and Fumes, to Fresh Linen and Lilacs.

You can develop a relationship with a vehicle. It's the imperfect characteristics - the choking idle, the burps of the exhaust, the limp of a blown shock, and the give out of a maxed tire that make it 9/10's human. To most people it's just an Erector Set of metal, rubber and glass - but to those that were born to see the soul in the machine, it's just not something you can ignore.

Handmade Portraits: Liberty Vintage Motorcycles from Etsy on Vimeo.

GIVE: moto for japan

I donated. Not only because it's a good thing to do, but also because I just bought a Honda and I feel I would upset her by not donating. 

Plus it's got Moto in the title. No brainer.

"This project is the shared idea of Greg Hatton and Jon Bekefy. As motorcyclists and employees in the industry, we're both incredibly aware of our debt to Japan. We love the sport of motorcycle racing, we've long earned a living in this industry, and we ride bikes built in Japan. The Japanese people have contributed to our passions and our livelihoods, and we believe, both as motorcyclists and regular humans, that we have an obligation to aid and assist them in this time of disaster and terrible loss.

Whether you're a rider, a racer, an industry employee, or a fan of any of the Big Four, this is your opportunity to give back to one of the most important nation-contributors of all things riding and racing.

Every dollar donated through MotoForJapan will go directly toward funding the Red Cross' relief efforts in that country. By giving, each contributor can be recognized as a motorcyclist who gave something back to the country that's given us so much.
Thanks for reading."

NO AFFILIATION TO MOTO-MUCCI

PROJECT CX: tire choices, rd.2

Unfortunately, I fell in love with the Maxxis DTR-1's too soon. Looks like I shouldn't have let my wall down so prematurely, because I found out they don't come in an 18". Le sigh.

Alas, it's the Dunlop K70's to the rescue. The images of Untitled Motorcycle's R80 up on Bike EXIF have sold me on them. Click the links to get the full story. I'll just provide you with some pin-ups. 

Hello rebound.

FEATURE: budget cb750

If there's one thing this blog is about, it's making the most out of what you've got. Anybody with a ton of cash can build, or commission, a top notch bike with all the most costly parts and procedures. What a ton of money can't buy you is an eye for aesthetics and that 'big picture' vision. 

Michiel, the wrencher behind this on point CB, and I share a common belief: Minimal funding breeds creativity.

Unlike my terrible spending habbits, Michiel has a legit reason behind this needing to be an "ultra low budget" build - he's currently a student in Holland.

"I have a BMW cafe racer that I built a couple of years ago, it's a pretty hardcore racer, so it's not very suitable for bad weather/long rides/moving stuff. I wanted a bike that I could use for anything, any day and that could carry a passenger as well"

What you're looking at ran him $650 USD, including purchase price.

“I made a rear fender out of an old gas tank, a taillight, and an exhaust from an old Virago muffler. I bought clipons, repaired and adapted the wiring loom, and used the foglight from a classic car as a headlight.” And a friend built him the seat in exchange for a fender. (I need more friends like that.)

The bike that emerged from the build is one of my personal favorite to date. It's got a real 'backyard build' quality to it but spares nothing in the aesthetics department. I'd say he spent the time and money in the right places.

Be sure to check out Michiel's other builds and daily updates @ http://bmwcafe.blogspot.com/