Monday, June 29, 2009

Monologue

Some people are in it for the money. We do it because there's a difference in riding on something that came out of the work of your own hands, not in riding something that someone made for you.

There's a difference in riding because people are watching, - and in finding peace in the solitude of a lonely stretch of road - where all you can hear around you is the whisper of the wind in your ears, and the rumble of the beast beneath you.

There's a difference in paying others to do the job for you, - and in getting your hands and knees dirty yourself.

There's a difference in being a keyboard warrior, equivalent to being an ass on the forums, slinging mud with other self proclaimed bikers, - and slipping into the garage to turn your parked bike on just so you can hear it rumble for a brief moment. Their mindset is in keeping their horse in top running shape, not caring so much as to how much chrome they have slapped on.

There's a difference in taking money and going to another builder to make a part, - and in making that part on your own. There is never a reward with the former. Anyone else can do that. This is how the men are separated from the boys - and the real ones separated from the posers.

They ride because they live to ride, and not because they belong to a motorcycle group. They go out riding alone one clear night while all the other groups are all bunched up in their cozy little living rooms playing video games. You can spot these renegades on some nights while you're sipping a Grande with your metrosexual friends inside a hip coffee joint, - they pass by you even before you can look. They are alone, and it is their zen.

They make up excuses - just so they can steal even a little reason to ride out however short, be it a trip to the barber or a voluntary trip to the store, while the others make up excuses to miss a ride, such as watching a sucky ball game or having their dog washed.

These people ride, and not wait around for one.

They take something and make it their own, always with their own personal flavor - while the rest buy boring stuff to slap on, only to see another biker having the same accessory on the next bike night.

These people never found the need to advertise themselves, and yet they are asked about, known by those who keep the same creed as they do. They do not ask for respect, and yet they get it. They need not promote, yet their names are carried on and on by eager mouths.

They speak and others listen. They pass by and people stop in awe. They rumble on the highways and cars give way. They look to the road, while people in cages take pictures along side them.

The action is in the backyards and garages, where the sickest bikes and coolest contraptions are born, and kids become men. Their bikes command attention without any promotional bull, and those who know will flock to ask about "how the heck did you pull that off?". This is how you will know them: The real ones leave a story, the posers are ridiculed behind their backs.

They leave their marks in each person behind the wake of their rumble. Their boasting is in the cloak of their silence, and their legacy in the beast that outlive them.

- Lifted from somewhere..

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Shad's Drake

My old buddy Shad is in a two month limbo from the joy of riding due to troublesome issues with his sick bike, sick as in figuratively and literally. I had to snatch John for a break from the usual routine to head on over to Sucat where Drake was hibernating - missing out on all that sunshine this past rainy week.

Drake is a stock 400cc Yamaha Virago that underwent surgery in the hands of Manila custom renegade Alex of Scorpion Choppers. It's a rigid - with nothing but just the springs under the seat to make you go boing boing. It sure is a mean beast and these photos don't do it justice. A busted fuse box was the verdict. No problem. Plenty of them lying around. We'll be back to fix 'er up brudah, and that concept you're cooking is very interesting. I think we're gonna have fun with it. See you soon.


Friday, June 26, 2009

Cocoy Pays A Visit

Cocoy is my long-time mechanic since Day1 of my riding streak. About two days ago he came over after I placed a call for 3 bikes to be checked in one go. Cox assembles Harleys from the ground up by hand. Yep. Including that red BBC 300-tire Sled I see lurking down south, and those Big Dogs that are on display at Von Dutch (yes, the ones at MCP that are up for 1.3M too). Almost all Harleys that came in through South side has his fingerprints all over them.

He always makes time for my calls, bless him. I'd like to think he's the man who gets to ride the best bikes anytime without having to own one. Ah, the perks of being a top mechanic.



Pure beasty.


These babies are up for P4K and still negotiable.


More Skinnies

Lifted off ChurchOfChoppers and D-T-F-P.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

New Skinz


The Beginning Of A New Breed

Home made mini Zee's and soon to be high mid pegs for Brutus' Frisco haircut. He's never looked so evil before. The photos don't do justice. R@t$k! I'll make you a better one. I just had to try this. The stretch feels very comfortable, and you feel like you're already taunting the speed limit.
I still had to slap on the old throttle, hydraulic rig and the spaghetti cable, which is now a foot too long from that old curtain hanger I called apes. Switching to quick throttles instead. It's also about time I quit yakkin' and started doin' them Gaboon sissies.


Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Thursday, June 11, 2009

The Shrapnel Channel :: Episode 2

Strip show starts at 12 noon. Grab early lunch.