ACQUIRED: 1981 SR250

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I'm excited to announce that we made an addition to the garage this weekend. Friday evening we picked up what will be the new upcoming project: a 1981 Yamaha SR250. 

Over the past few months I have been heavily influencing (unless her parents ask) my girlfriend Kara to pick up a bike of her own. This way we'll be able to go on trips together without losing feeling in my wrists.



You'll notice there's a new tab at the top for this build. Click on that at any time to get caught up with Project SR and anything related that you might have missed.

Planning for the build has already started, and we're aiming to have her completed over the winter months. I not only have a day job, but will be taking fabrication classes this semester, so time will be crunched. Luckily I can now merge "GF hang out time" with "Garage time."

Two birds.

DAILY INSPIRATION: The "JDM" CB350

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Ask anyone who loves vintage Japanese "muscle" cars from the 70's what their favorite styling point is, and most would say "the fender mirrors." Probably one of the most iconic aesthetics to come out of 4-wheeled Japanese machinery in the past half century.

Until now, I had never imagined bringing that aesthetic over to motorcycles. Rex havoc of Garage Project Motorcycles had though.






DAILY INSPIRATION: Tha' Deus Deus

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Remember when Deus?

Part of me forgot why I fell in love with Deus ex Machina a few years ago. At the time, they were such a blast in the face of continuously invigorating, eclectic builds. I still follow a lot of what rolls out of their fairy-tale-esque headquarters, stationed around the globe, but the original flare has seemingly been lost. They have evolved over the past 3 years, from what used to be a one-off custom shop, to more of an SR500-for-surfers production facility. The most recent builds rolling out of the doors lack differentiation, and consequently, a soul. 

Naked SR500 with a tiny tank and balloon tires. Check.

Here's a reminder of what Deus used to be - a few of my personal favorites of Deus Past.

Grievous Angel







Sacred Cow









BobberSake







Special









DAILY INSPIRATION: Drake McElroy

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Drake McElroy
'06 CR250R.

Essentially built because he wanted to show up to Sturgis on a "silly 2-stoke." The donor bike was one he has raced/flogged in a slew of freestyle demos and contests. 

For the full story behind this bike, jump over to Hell for Leather.
The bike will eventually be on the auction block, and proceeds will be going towards the Japanese Tsunami Relief Fund.





EVENT: Steel Toe Press presents...

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The Mods vs. Rockers meet at Five Star Bar last night was a great turn out. Tons of top notch bikes came out. Unfortunately I wasn't able to lug a camera along with me. I saw a couple guys shooting the meet, so I'll try to locate some photos for you guys.

Here are a couple more meets in the Chicago area, put on by Steel Toe Press.
We'll be trying hard to attend as many as possible, now that the CX is back at 100% since the accident.

The meets at Ace Motorcycle are always a blast.


I wasn't even aware this had been going on all summer, but it sounds like a good time. Bikes. Movies about bikes. And girls in burlesque.

Check, check, and check.




FILM: Senna

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I was able to catch this film at an independent theater here in Chicago this weekend.
A film about the most fearless driver ever to race Formula 1, and the last to lose his life doing so.
I would say it's one of the best, most inspiring, documentaries I've ever seen.

"We are competing to win. And if you no longer go for a gap, you are no longer a racing driver."




Follow the jump for the trailer.