Monday! Well, start of a New week.

Oh yes, I have the same feeling when the alarm goes off on a Monday morning- it was really hard to get my legs out of the pit at 6:50 but once I was up, I was on a roll and off we go for another round of Motorcycle parts and design at the shop.

I live about 30 minutes away in the O.C. Area of La Mirada, its a wonderful place and some very cool architecture too, lots of classic car and Hot Rod activity, as well as a plethora of motorcycle interest to boot.

Yesterday, we jumped in the Mini Cooper of Jennifer’s and headed for Long beach for the antique swap meet/fair, big turn out and always fun seeing whats going on in the area.

Dakota spotted this awesome stadium nine long board and scored it for about $35, that’s a $150-$200 all day long, and he got it to give me a shot at riding it, looks like I may need some intensive care later as I go arse over tit when I have a go at riding the thing.

But there was some cool stuff out there and I need to always come up with a few idea’s for different products for the shop etc, and there is all sorts of cool stuff.

I wanted this TV so bad but how the hell would we fit it in the Mini, as we had the skate board, a Gas Station alarm bell, some old Gauges and Jennifer got some stuff too, but thought I would take a snap.

 

I love checking out markets and it was a great day there with tons of great looking bits and bobs and had a grand day walking about in the high 80’s on a Sunday.

So, back at the shop and have some friends coming in from Australia today, a great Hot Rodder that has had many machines in his shop over the years.

We have much to do at the shop and need to get cranking and make sure these projects are done and dusted, so we can go onto other builds and repairs.

I have just about finished the repair on the K4 a customer has had since brand new and it needed new tire and front brake repairing , as well as electrical doing as the rear end was all corroded etc, but that’s done and now to invoice the fella.

I have a busy week this week and wanted to at least drop a line on my blog, as people do email and ask what is going on at the shop and I do enjoy telling you lot what we get up to as of late.

There is many things we are planning on doing here at the shop and we will always keep you updated with what we have accomplished etc.

We have also been making some cool lamps etc for people, so if you want some cool stuff for your place or as a gift for people and they are into mechanical things, drop us a few lines, and, we are bringing a NEW website out really soon too, and will be showing some of those products on there and maybe a few videos. so you can see and hear what we are up to at C.C.R.

So, keep tuned to the blogs and of course the websites and the Facebook pages as well as twitter and instagram etc as we strive to do cool stuff and share with the globe.

Hope Monday is a good one for you and that the weekend was a blast like we had too.

 

My cousin sent me this today, sure wish I could of gone, just for the sound alone- what do you think?

 

ELVIS PUT THE CUE IN THE RACK 36 YEARS AGO TODAY !

 

 

The King of Rock n Roll put the Cue in the rack 36 years ago today, many of you will know where you were when the king passed away, some were not even born, but know this is the day that the poor bugger, carked it on the crapper.

 

The legend that he was, and his memory still lives on as strong as ever and will continue in the world of Rock n Roll.

I saw the newspaper later too and there it was in Black and White for all to see.

"If you can't find a partner, grab a wooden cross."  Jailhouse Rock's lyrics could easily be modified for Christian Rock.

I remember where i was, it was a mates country home in a place called Woolpit, in East Anglia, as a bunch of crazy kids, i was sat in my mates mum’s Kitchen, it was the School summer Holiday and we were mucking about as usual and thought it would be cool if we had a pierced ear as that was the cool thing to have done that year.

 

So, as my mate was trying to persuade a frigging knitting needle to go through my earlobe and the screaming i was doing, all of a sudden stopped when the transistor radio we were listening too ( new kids, look up on Wikipedia what that is) came to a silent moment and them said ” the King is dead!”

 

A sol-um moment in our time and we could not believe it, Elvis Presley ten toes up?  No way, this cannot be true! But indeed it was.

Found collapsed on the carzy  and had more narcotics in him than the local Chemist, it was a shock to us all.

 

I remember hearing the news every where, on TV and radio, in the papers on the radio and word of mouth spread like wildfire.

 

Even at Radio ONE, loads of teds stood in line by the station to show a wee bit of Rock n Roll solidarity at hearing the news of Elvis passing.

So now- 36 years later, he is still remembered as the king Of Rock n Roll, I loved his 50’s and 60’s era and many loved his 70’s and we shall all remember him on this day and I am sure always will, and wanted to just put a little blurb on here for you lot to see and maybe remember where you were on August the 16th 1977.

My old man will- its his Birthday.

 

NEW BIKE SHOW TO CHECK OUT Featuring Zach Ness

Got this via Cyril Huze posting and thought I would share too.

Let It Ride. Zach Ness Television Show Series On National Geographic Starts Wednesday At 9 p.m.

 

 

Zach-Ness-1Tonight, Wednesday August 14 at 9 p.m. on National Geographic, the 1st episode featuring Zach Ness in the new TV series “Let It Ride.” In the show, wild inspiration drives Zach and his crew to build the very best custom motorcycles, whether by resurrecting dead bikes or through premium commissions from clients seeking a one-of-a-kind dream machine. Zach Ness, son of Cory Ness and grandson of customizing legend Arlen Ness, strives to set out his own path, but custom bikes never come easy…

This evening episode. When a stunt rider from the YouTube sensation “”Harley Wheelies”” group commissions Zach to build a bike, the challenging, big-ticket job comes down to the wire, — pushing Zach and his crew to their limits. This monster of a motorcycle needs to be finished in two weeks for the next ““Harley Wheelies”” video shoot. The problem? The bike Zach buys is just a pile of old parts. Tensions rise as the deadline looms and the “Franken-bike” refuses to come together…

Before you watch this first episode, I asked Zach Ness to answer a few questions.

Zach-Ness-2Cyril. You wear a famous name in the custom motorcycle industry. But people know very little about you. Let’s begin by the beginning. Age? Matrimonial status? Education?

Zach. 25 years old, Not Married but have a girlfriend, Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from San Diego State University

Cyril. Tell me about the oldest memory you have associated with motorcycles.

Zach. The oldest memory I can think of is being in my Grandpa’s garage when he was working on one of his Tail Dragger style customs. My parents were gone, so I was at Grandpa’s for the weekend, I remember just sitting down on the garage steps in front of the door leading to the house and just watching and analyzing each process of the build. After several hours I remember asking him countless questions, I think after the 50th question he told me that I talked too much. He told me to watch, learn, and then do. Ever since, I like to keep the talking to a minimum and focus on learning my craft and getting the work done

Cyril. When you were a kid, you wanted to become a?

Zach. I never was set on being anything specific when I was a kid. I was always just interested in learning and experiencing new things/subjects.

Cyril. Do you remember your first accompanied trip with your parents or grandparents to a major rally event? Which one? What was your first impression?

Zach. The first rally I ever went to was Laconia with my dad Cory. I was 15 years old. It was right after I finished building my first motorcycle. My dad was on the Hard Rock Roadhouse tour, which was held in one of the largest bars at the rally. I was allowed into the bar so I thought it was the most insane thing I’ve ever seen. At the time I was new to riding and had my motorcycle driving license, so I loved riding around the event and seeing so many custom bikes in one place. The highlight had to be judging the Hawaiian Tropic Bikini contest. A few months later we had a family party for my birthday and the TV happened to be on the Entertainment channel (E). I popped up on the screen judging the contest with the girls persuading me to give me their vote… I had a big smile on my face and felt pretty cool…. Grandma and Mom didn’t think I was so cool.

Cyril. Many children don’t want to embrace the same career as their parents. Was it the case, at least at a certain period of your life?

Zach. My grandpa and dad have always been my heroes, and fortunately we have always gotten along very well. So I can’t say I’ve ever not wanted to embrace my current path. But at the same time I didn’t want to only follow but to make my own path by diving into all types of motorcycles, design, and possibly other subjects. My core will always be motorcycle, but I also don’t want to limit myself

Zach-Ness-3Cyril. When did you know for sure that you wanted to join the Ness enterprise. How old were you?

Zach. After finishing building my first bike at 15 was when I really knew for sure I wanted to join the Ness enterprise. I was always very interested in bikes and in our business. But it wasn’t until I finished turning that last bolt, fired the engine for the first time, and actually rode my machine down the road that I was positive in my direction. It was a feeling of personal satisfaction that I hadn’t received anywhere else yet and it was the first time I was allowed to ride on the actual street. It was over after that

Cyril. Growing up, was there a special motorcycle, a certain custom builder you admired?

Zach. The builder was Grandpa and the motorcycle was his “SmoothNess.” Till this day I think it the most beautiful motorcycle ever built

Cyril. Your first own motorcycle was?

Zach. The first motorcycle was the full custom I built when I was 15. It was a chopper with a Ness Y2K frame, custom tanks and fenders, and all polished & chrome accessories. The paint was a black base with American flag flames. Someday I would love to get it back. I sold it to purchase my first truck

Cyril. Which year did you officially join the Ness business appearing on the payroll? What is your current official title and responsibilities?

Zach. I started working at the shop at 13 sanding frames, sweeping the floors, and working in packaging putting together bolt kits for products. I worked every summer until 15 when I was officially and legally allowed to be on payroll. Since I was 15 I worked every weekend and every summer until I went off to college. Through college I worked each summer and during my winter & spring breaks. I flew home to work as well. My last two years of college I started getting very involved with our core business and with Victory. I graduated in 2010 and started working full time the day after I moved back. My current responsibilities in our business include: – Design: My dad and I share the responsibility of designing all our products including parts and apparel. As well as our company and personal motorcycle builds. – Catalog and marketing: which include our parts catalog, ads, and our product wirte-ups and information regarding products. Continue reading ‘Exclusive. Interview Of Zach Ness About His New TV Series “Let It Ride” On National Geographic. Tonight at 9 P.M.’

– See more at: http://cyrilhuzeblog.com/#sthash.IF5AJBVO.dpuf

 

CM450 CAFE RACER AT THE SHOP

 

 

We get bikes in to work on quite a lot and we have a Cm450 that I have worked on before, but this time he wanted a new battery and some electrical done.

This bike was built by a good friend of mine that recently passed away, so it was kind of a happy and sad time all at once.

The bike is a little 1984 CM450 and is a great little Cafe Racer machine, the small gas tank look really cool, but you pay the price for coolness, as there is not much gas inside to go too far, but in contradiction, the chap has just ridden back from Baja on it.

This really is a fun and compact machine that will give you hours of fun that’s for sure.

Steel gas tank and a steel seat pan with nicely made side covers, give this machine a sleeker look and even though its small in stature- it has heaps of power for the little 450 frame.

Yeah- It still needs work, but that is the fun about building your own machine and if you don’t have the time, or the budget, this progressive build is a fun time all the way along the build, as sometimes this may be your only mode of transportation and cannot have the bike down for long.

 

 Another Customer and happy on on his way for some fun in the Sun!


Burgler gets a good beating when he breaks into 72 year olds house back home !

 

Well, Saturday Morning, My Birthday today and loved reading about some wanker trying to burgle a an fella’s house and ends up getting a right good belting from an EX Boxer, made my day.

 

 

A burglar in England who broke into a house and threatened a 72 year old man with a knife got more than he bargained for when the victim turned out to be a retired boxer who left him bruised and bleeding.

Frank Corti, 72, who served with the Royal Engineers in North Africa from 1956-58, dodged the knife and punched Gregory McCalium, 23, twice in the face, giving him a black eye and a swollen lip. He then restrained the attacker until police arrived.

 

 

McCalium, a barman, was given a four-and-a-half year prison sentence at Oxford Crown Court on Monday for aggravated burglary and was told by the judge he had “got what he deserved”.

 

The court heard Mr Corti was at home in Botley, Oxford, with his wife Margaret, 72, when McCalium, a neighbour, forced his way in at 8am on Aug 19 last year. McCalium was drunk.

 

Speaking after the case, Mr Corti said: “I was scared when he first drew the knife, but my old training must have kicked in because I just punched him as hard as I could and he went down like a sack of spuds. If you can’t defend what’s yours, where are we at?”

 

McCalium had denied the charge and claimed he could not remember what happened.

IRWINDALE DRAGS LAST NIGHT

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Thursday run what ya brung was a fun evening to be had that’s for certain, I was amazed at how many people turned up for the event, we drove in at about 7pm and there were cars all over the place getting into the staging lanes.

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Once we parked, it is an easy walk to the track and to be honest- for spectators, this is a great vantage point to see racing from the whole length of the 1/8th mile.

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 There was so may entrants is was great to see so many different rides out there and the temperature was near on perfect for Racing.
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We walked the staging lanes and it was more packed than Superman in a kids costume.

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It was funny to hear people brown nosing their competitors, or hearing another bloke telling everyone how great his ride was and what it can do etc.

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I personally love the 50’s and 60’s era of the drags the Gasser wars are the best as these are just Bricks in shape but haul so much arse!!!

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The track was actually prepped for a change and only one issue all night , that’s quite rare.

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As they track now has advertising banners, the roar of the motors sound even louder as the sounds bounce off the walls.

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Plenty to see at the race and am glad that we went as it was fast and quite furious at times.

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This 55 was tough and is a regular at the track and is a dialed in machine. Reminds me of my old one I had back in the UK in 1996.

 

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Many different models are in the staging lanes and it was great to be able to stroll up and have a look at what they were running etc.

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This ride blew everyone’s mind, it is a 4 second 1/8th miler so he had to Slow down to 5’s here as the track runs out real quick, but boy was it FAST !!!

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Constant 6 seconds this machine and the old fella that drove it was grinning all the way.

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This was a tight ride and the thing just dug in and rode hard all the way down the track.

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Yep- running the devils time up here is a wee bit daunting for me.

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This fella ran his quad, high 8’s and low 9’s but he was having fun that’s for sure.

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Everyone’s delight was watching the local ice cream van roar up the strip, whilst playing his music and the crowd hollered hard, he took the race easily too.

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And the winner gets an Ice Cream !!!!

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Bikes ran too and at night I would find it a little bit unnerving but I love Motorcycles so much the fear for them goes away, this takes a lot of heart and determination for motorcycles as there is a bad bump on the right side of the track and if you get that lane, you will be sure to bang your chin on the tank Hard when you hit that point.

My little camera is not good at night but I thought I would add some videos for you to watch that I took.

It is always good to come and attend a local track as they need your support to keep people drag racing off the street.

We had a super night and am glad that I took my camera with me to try and share some of the nights events.

If you are ever in Southern California, try and check out Irwindale as it has a Dragstrip and Speedway circuit.

Have a Great weekend everyone.

TRIBAR HEADLIGHT WITH TURN SIGNALS

Here we are with a new item, this is a 7″ TRI-BAR headlight with an in built set of LED turn signals that have a great look.  Only $49.99

The turns signals consist of 34 L.E.D.’s and are brighter than a Harvard graduate.

This 7 inch headlight assembly fits into your original headlight bucket and all you have to do is remove your old light assembly, and attach the chrome trim from your old light onto this set up, then simply connect the wires to your harness and you are all set, you just plug your original three prong connector to the center of the light and that’s it.

I have Just got this in and will fit it to a bike this week so you can see how she looks. but this is a great set up and people will notice that you are turning with this headlight assembly.

I know you will like this set up and boy is it easy to fit.

The Cyclone CAFE RACER

 

Here is a cool ride that I created from a old 1969 bike and now is living in Long Horn country and enjoying some Texas tea I am sure.

 I spent many hours taking this bike down to a skeleton and then smoothing all the welds in the chassis and finally high fill primer, block sanding and then House of kolor flake and then clear, to make sure this thing sparkled in the sun. The motor was banged out to 836cc using Wiseco pistons and Genuine Honda gaskets etc as well as many many hours of cleaning and polishing the aluminum to look like chrome.

I hand hammered the gas tank and pounded the knee inserts in as I do on many of the mach9nes I have put together, this was going to get all the best treatment I could muster and boy did she turn out a belter of a machine, and I am so happy that the owner digs this Cafe Racer.

 

 I fitted Stainless steel Allen head socket bolts through out this motorcycle and the bolts are over a buck fifty a piece, this stuff soon adds up.

It was time to add my special 4 into 1 exhaust system that is so similar to my Original Yoshi system I have had for Donkeys years, and I ceramic coated it and then added the badge.  I also fitted some Tarozzi rear sets to give it a little more aggressiveness.

This bike is an early KO model and I bought it from a local guy who had it many many moons and it was time to let it go to a new home, so I bought it and then took it down to the frame and began to build this for a customer who wanted something tough but also have a bit of Zazzle to it.

 

 

 

 I hand drilled the front Brake rotor and there are 140 holes in that puppy but I enjoy doing this on the drill press in the shop, I also completly stripped the front brake assembly and honed the carcass out, made a New stainless steel piston and fitted New O ring and brake pads, I also polished the caliper to a chrome finish as in a stick guise they are an anodized Black color.

 

 New rebuilt forks with brand new tubes and seals and of course, polished lowers with a $360 New front fender, sets this off, but I had to paint the fender and make sure no scratches got in as this is a 4 stage set up to get the custom lines in etc. I then fitted the good old Bridgestone tires that I really like the feel of on the road.

 

 

 I always name the bikes I build as I can then remember them, so this one I aptly names the Cyclone as they get many in Texas and this bike will indeed go like the proverbail wind.

Check out the custom Oil filter I had machined for this set up,

 

 

I tore down the old ripped seat base and powder coated that Gloss black and made the Guilerri style seat for the bike as I liked these back in the 70’s.

Polished triple and new bars with brand new switches that I polished and a New harness, made sure this thing is a keeper, new chrome turn signals add to the classic lines and then I made some cool Gauge faces to embellish this KO motorcycle.

Gloss black, with Silver Flake and Grey pin lines make the fender flow and I hope I really blew the guys mind when this came out of the trailer and into the Texas Sun when he received it.

Hand drilled the rear brake hub and fitted my Custom swing arm to really make this bike stand out from the crowd, with brand new shocks with adjustable alloy lowers and a wider Bridgestone tire just adds more neck breaking looks.

I searched for some time and found Original metal flake material from the late 1960’s, so bought the entire roll and upholstered it in the traditional style called Tuck n Roll.

Master cylinder I polished to like a chrome finish with new cables and new levers, just to make sure this looked like a brand new bike was inportant to me.  I also hunted down a 1973 Oil Pressure gauge assembly that was off a Drag bike and thought that this would make all the theme flow. I machined the oil tank cap and the finned them does go through out the bike.

 

All the brakes are brand new, the actuator, the brake rod and spring, all new and this is a tight looking machine.

Plenty of silver metal flake to catch your attention, as well as new chrome everywhere too.