Current Project Condition

Current Project Condition

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

The Unspoken Spoke Scam

While compiling a list for the next big purchase next week I was pricing wheels with Jireh Cycles. So far they have always been the cheapest and usually by a fair amount. However, I called to get a price on the 80 spoke 18x10.5 wheel and it is $330.00 but it is out of stock with no date for its return to stock. So I figured I could live with the 60 spoke wheel. The good news is that it is in stock. The bad news is it is $360.00.
Now someone explain to me how in the hell the same wheel from the same manufacturer that is the same size with 20 less spokes, which means less materials and labor, can be $30.00 more money? The only thing I can figure is that it is in stock so might as well jack up the price.

The good new is I found the same wheel with AmericanClassicMotors.net on Ebay for a by it now price of $319.00 with free shipping so it looks like they will get my business for the rear wheel.

New Found Magazine

There was a article in the local paper this week about a motorcycle mag called Go For A Ride. It's not your typical biker magazine. It is currently available free on line or you can get a subscription. It seems to be local to the Florida area but expanding. It's a small little start up, but worth a look if you have a minute. Click the pic below to go to the home page!


Monday, December 29, 2008

The Big Purchase!

That's right everyone we are a short 1o days from the 2nd largest purchase of bike parts in the project. I was originally going to get the front end in an attempt to make is look more like a motorcycle for moral support reasons, also because I am a little leery about setting up the rear end. But I have decided to go ahead and charge into the rear end. NO NOT THAT WAY! So instead of the front end its going to be belt drive, rear wheel, rear axle, transmission sprocket and clutch actuator rod for the transmission. If there happens to be any cash left over I will find a small doo dad that I will need at some point. Then the purchase after that will be the tire or the rear brake.

I Had A Dream!

I had a dream! That one day my four little children will one day.....disregard wrong dream. This afternoon while taking my before work nap I had a dream the bike was done. Those of you who don't know me won't know that almost a year ago now I quit smoking. Previous to that as an adult I never remembered ever having dreams. About 2 weeks after I quit I started having, or remembering more likely, these incredibly vivid dreams.
I mean vivid, waking up and still being able to smell the smells and hear the sounds in my head. Waking up in tears, ecstatically happy, or in a complete terror. That was worth quitting all by itself. Any way the bike was beautiful. It had that new leather, clean oil, fresh rubber smell only a new bike has. The pipes rumbled with that low demanding growl a well tuned scooter makes. It was odd but I recognized the road to be the main road going through Irish Hills, MI. Marie was on the back, I could feel her knees on my sides and smell her perfume when we stopped. It was that wonderful time of year in up in the Ohio, Michigan area, the late spring when its warm enough to ride w/just a jean jacket but you shiver when you drop into a valley or under the shade of road side trees. The air itself smells new and clean. The kind of day where you can warm you whole body just by turning your face up to the sun. I can't wait to actually be there. I have to go now before I tear up. KEEP THE FAITH!

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Charging System

System ordered payed for and en route. WooHoo! Of course I never told you guys that me and anything electric don't get along. I get electrocuted changing a light bulb, and I wish I was kidding. Buy a shirt now or make a donation to cover the inevitable hospital bills when I get to the wiring part of this project!

Achmed and Jingle Bombs

Friday, December 26, 2008

It's Over!

Only 364 more shopping days until Christmas!



Thursday, December 25, 2008

Christmas Cash Purchase!

My charging system will be ordered tomorrow morning. Jireh Cycles part number 53-605.



Thanks Dad!!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

A Dispatchers 12 Days Of Christmas

Once again, breaking from tradition, more work related nonsense,
  • Twelve domestics raging
  • Eleven firemen whining
  • Ten dealers dealing
  • Nine strippers tripping
  • Eight crackheads smoking
  • Seven bums a begging
  • Six batterers beating
  • Five reassigned ambulances
  • Four calling morons
  • Three baby daddies
  • Two monkey bars
  • And a tequila shooter for me!

Merry Christmas Eve everyone! Keep the Faith! And don't forget the cookies!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Mags or Spokes Results

The results of the mags or spokes poll are in and the results are obvious. It's obvious you all need to donate more! The mags won by a 3 to 1 margin but at $80 dollars more a wheel and they don't include wheel bearings and internal spacers like spokes do. So if you all want mags you need to ante up a lot more than you historically have:)
Thanks as always for participating. A new poll will be along shortly.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Have You Ever...

By now I bet some of you have or, like me, do regularly. This one is a little disturbing and I don't really know what to say. But you now what to do. Click Here! That'll do pig, that'll do. Buy a shirt now the Christmas Shirts will be going away soon. Or a nice Holiday donation would be a treat.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Christmas Nuts

Christmas around my house when I was a child was a time of special things. One of those things was the bowl of nuts. It was the only time of the year when the nut crackers and that little metal pick thingy ever saw the light of day. It was also the only time walnuts, pecans and all the other nuts made their appearance in Mom's big glass dish. Since we only saw them at Christmas time we called them Christmas Nuts.


Now for the 2008 version of Christmas Nuts!




And the psychotic nut...


Tuesday, December 16, 2008

A Real Live Blog!

I can't believe the progress we have made in the last month. I have 3 whole followers, polls, now embedded video, and paid ads. This is looking like a real live blog. I just wanted to throw that out there and let you all know how much I enjoy doing this.
The next few weeks are going to be exciting as well. Lots of progress is going to be made on the bike the first week in January. I am very anxious to bring you the new pictures of the project as it progresses.
Thanks again for reading and participating! Keep it up!

Joke of the Whenever...

Now let me start out by saying I don't involve my job in my blog, however, with the holidays upon us the stress level rachets up a notch. So, I thought I would search around for jokes pertaining to 911 operators. Unfortunately I couldn't find any, but I did run across this. It's labelled as the worst 911 operator ever; and I seriously doubt this is real. But if it is this lady is my new hero.

New Poll!

Ok here is the question...This Mag wheel


Or the 80 spoke wheel...


The mags are about $60 more but easier to clean. The 80 spoke has a classic look that appeals to me and are cheaper, but would be a pain to polish every Sunday. Vote in the poll to the right. Or better yet vote to the right and donate above! Or alternatively vote and buy a shirt here!

Color Poll Results

Well the poll is closed and by a 2 to 1 margin the metallic green was the big winner. Which I pretty much the way I thought it would go. It was also my unofficial choice. So that is looking like the final color, maybe a little tweaking here or there.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Da Wrecking Crue

The crew, minus Tommy. But we don't see him nearly as much as we would like; but that will be another issue for the prison psychologist. Sorry for the blurriness but it is a picture of the picture and it didn't come out to well.


Friday, December 12, 2008

Now That's Disturbing...

Since donations are down, actually they were never up, and tshirt sales are flagging, actually nonexistent is closer, I decided to put a ad sense account on the page. It is a add program that scans the content of the page and picks an add that fits the page content. What is my first add?
Body Armor. And I thought I came off rather friendly. Go figure.

The NonHappy Dance

Due to financial set backs beyond my control. This paycheck, the biggest of the year so far, will not be used to purchase any bike parts. I am confident this will be THE LAST such set back until the completion of the motorcycle. Until then...THE NONHAPPY DANCE.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Color Survey

Take a second to pick one of the color choices on the survey to the right. If your choice is other please leave a comment in this posts comment section with what your choice would be. Thanks! While you are being so cooperative throw a buck in the tip jar. Just click the donate button!


Example of Metallic Green...



Deep Blue/Light blue Combo...


Wood grain W/Purple Kandy only the wood grain would be light green....







Happy Dance!

Look! Look over there on the right! I have a follower. It has only taken 2 months but I have a follower! WooHoo! I have people! Someone else do it quick before that person dies of loneliness! Don't leave 'em hanging out there alone! Do it! Do it now!

Rules of a Gunfight

With the economy heading the way it is and the holidays quickly approaching it may be time to revisit this. For many of you this will be a first time read. By next year you should be able to give this back to me from memory. In my opinion number 23 should be number 1 but I don't write it; I just try to live it.

1. Bring a gun. Preferably, bring at least two guns. Bring all of your friends who have guns.
2. Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice. Ammo is cheap - life is expensive.
3. Only hits count. The only thing worse than a miss is a slow miss.
4. If your shooting stance is good, you're probably not moving fast enough or using cover correctly.
5. Proximity negates skill. Move away from your attacker. Distance is your friend. (Lateral and diagonal movement are preferred.)
6. If you can choose what to bring to a gunfight, bring a long gun and a friend with a long gun.
7. In ten years nobody will remember the details of caliber, stance, or tactics. They will only remember who lived.
8. If you are not shooting, you should be communicating, reloading, and running.
9. Accuracy is relative: most combat shooting standards will be more dependent on "pucker factor" than the inherent accuracy of the gun. Use a gun that works EVERY TIME. "All skill is in vain when an Angel blows the powder from the flintlock of your musket."
10. Someday someone may kill you with your own gun, but they should have to beat you to death with it because it is empty.
11. Always cheat, always win. The only unfair fight is the one you lose.
12. Have a plan.
13. Have a back-up plan, because the first one won't work.
14. Use cover or concealment as much as possible.
15. Flank your adversary when possible. Protect yours.
16. Don't drop your guard.
17. Always tactical load and then threat scan 360 degrees.
18. Watch their hands. Hands kill. (In God we trust. Everyone else, keep your hands where I can see them.)
19. Decide to be aggressive ENOUGH, quickly ENOUGH.
20. The faster you finish the fight, the less shot you will get.
21. Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet.
22. Be courteous to everyone, friendly to no one.
23. Your number one option for personal security is a lifelong commitment to avoidance, deterrence, and de-escalation.
24. Do not attend a gun fight with a handgun, the caliber of which does not start with anything smaller than "4".
25. Always carry the same gun in the same place.

Timer Removed Due to Lack of G.A.S.

That's correct, all the way back on November 24 th I changed the completion date to July 4 th. On that day I also changed the little timer widget on my sidebar. The other day I was contemplating how much time I had left and if it was actually possible; when I realized the timer said 5 months and however many days. Now I don't know about your calendar but on mine July is at least 7 months from December. Now I just write this crap, someone needs to make sure things are correct around here. Some of you are obviously not paying attention! I tried reinstalling it from the same place I originally got it and it was still wrong.
So if any has a working Java applet for a count down timer please feel free to let me know! Also for those of you actually paying attention G.A.S. stands for give a shit. Thanks for reading. Maybe will will try again after the new year.

Have You Ever...

Yes it's that time again....you know what to do! I don't know where this one came from or what it had to do with the search term but pretty cool none the less!
Make a donation or I will send this guy to your house!

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Pearl Harbor Day

What can be said? This is the second largest act of treachery ever put upon the USA. The first being that today, only 67 years later, this same little country that we nearly bombed back into the stone age; practically owns us. I am guilty of it as much as everyone else. I would buy American but you can't find a "American" tv or blender or automobile anymore; and if you could you couldn't afford it. Who was it that said "those that don't remember history are doomed to repeat it"? Because we are there brother. It may not be torpedo bombers and Pearl but it is every bit as life ending and freedom killing. At 4 mins and 15 seconds into the speech delivered by FDR to the joint session of Congress stated that Americans would forever remember the character of the attack; apparently he was sadly incorrect. The speech can be found on Wikipedia just search attack on pearl harbor.

You May Be a Biker If....

Going 4-wheeling means your old lady has her own bike.

Your gloves don't have any fingers.

You prefer to pee outside.

Rock-and-roll is the only kind of music.


You treat your leather better than your woman.

You ride instead of walk down the aisle.

You wash your bike more than you wash yourself.

You pass out with a beer in your hand without spilling a drop, and finish drinking it when you wake up in the morning.

Your beer preference is BEER.

You think Jack Daniels is your best friend.

The Tranny Is Here!

No I don't mean a man in woman clothes! Fedex dropped her off yesterday.

Right side drive pulley. Although it will probably have to be swapped out for a sprocket because the distance to the rear pulley will not be stock and I don't know where or if anyone makes custom belts. I would rather have a belt because it is quieter and cleaner but I may not have a choice.
Back view, never to be seen again once the rear wheel is on.

The big picture so far. Yes that's tinsel.Don't ask.

Next up is the belt drive. After that a front end. Then this projects pace will pick up dramatically. I need to have a complete rolling chassis by April 1st so it can be torn down painted, reassembled and be ride able by July 4. You can help make this possible! Click the donation button on the top of the page or buy a shirt today!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

New Tshirt Designs Are Here!

The new tshrit designs are in a ready to go. Since the sale of tshirts has been going on at such a hectic pace(not), these designs will remain up until the new year. Makes a great gift for me and someone you love! Check out both new designs they will rotate between the value tshirt and regular tshirts


Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Standing Orders For Christmas!

Military Christmas Orders



Subject Official Command Visit

This office has been informed of an official visit by Gen. Santa Claus to this base on 25 December. The following directives will govern activities of personnel during this visit.



1. No creatures will stir without official permission. This will include all native mice. Special stirring permits will be obtained through the orderly room.

2. Personnel will settle their brains for a long winter nap prior to 220 hours. Uniform for nap pajamas, cotton, light drowsing, with kerchief, general purpose.

3. Personnel will utilize standard ration sugarplums to dance through their heads. This item may be picked up in the orderly room.

4. Stockings, wool, cushion sole, will be hung by chimneys with care. Necessary safety precautions will be taken to avoid fires. Individual sections will submit stocking-hanging plans to Capt. Kringle by 0800 hours, 22 December.

5. At first sign of clatter from lawn, all personnel will spring from their beds to investigate and evaluate cause. Immediate action will be taken to tear open shutters and throw open window sashes.

6. Volunteers are needed to drive one sleigh, miniature, and eight (8) deer, rein, tiny, for use of Gen. Claus. Driver must have current rooftop license.

7. Gen. Claus will enter all sections through chimneys. Sections without chimneys will draw a Chimney Simulator from Link Services for use during ceremonies. Requests must be submitted in triplicate prior to 20 December.

8. All personnel will be rehearsed in shouting "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night." This shout will be given upon termination of Gen. Claus' visit. Uniformity of shouting is the responsibility of all section chiefs.



-- (signed) Ebenezer Scrooge, Colonel, USAF, Commander

Joke of the Whenever...

The Biker's Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the pad,
There was nada happenin', now that's pretty bad.
The wood stove was hung up in that stocking routine,
In hopes that the Fat Boy would soon make the scene.

With our stomachs packed with tacos and beer,
My girl and I crashed on the couch for some cheer.
When out in the yard there arose such a racket,
I ran for the door and pulled on my jacket.

I saw a large bro' on a '56 Pan
Wearin' black leathers, a cap, and boots (cool biker, man).
He hauled up the bars on that bikeful of sacks,
And that Pan hit the roof like it was running on tracks.

I couldn't help gawking, the old guy had class.
But I had to go in -- I was freezing my ass.
Down through the stovepipe he fell with a crash,
And out of the stove he came dragging his stash.

With a smile and some glee he passed out the loot,
A new jacket for her and some parts for my scoot.
He patted her fanny and shook my right hand,
Spun on his heel and up the stovepipe he ran.

From up on the roof came a great deal of thunder,
As that massive V-twin ripped the silence asunder.
With beard in the wind, he roared off in the night,
Shouting, "Have a cool Yule, and to all a good ride!"

Tranadrivebeltmission

Well I have changed my mind about this a dozen times. This morning I called Jireh Cycles to order my belt drive under the assumption that the transmissions weren't going to be in anytime soon. Just for giggles before ordering the belt drive I had the salesman check and low and behold the transmissions came in today. So I ordered it while I could get it so I didn't have to go through this again. Anyway it should be in my hot little hands in 5 to 7 business days. I can't wait!

And buy a shirt or make a donation today! This is getting expensive! Also, the new t shirt design will be up sometime tomorrow if ya want to wait. I have a Xmas special that will run until after Dec 25.

Happy Retirement Kim!!

A blogger I read religiously over the last year Kim du Toit retired on November 30. I particularly enjoyed his weekly post on Friday called the pre weekend blah where he would point out his favorite vehicle, weapon and female from a particular place or time. The best description I can come up for Mr. du Toit is worldly. He could post on almost any topic and speak intelligently. I will sincerely miss his blogging, however I will take solace in knowing his blog will remain on line for some time just not updated anymore. I have a lot left to read to have read it all. So, in your honor sir, my one and only pre weekend blah


Favorite weapon....

I know I know, unreliable inaccurate on a good day and kicks like a constipated mule. But it was widely used in ww2 and used by the treasury dept. during prohibition and consequently used by gangsters of the same era. Plus w/100 rounds of .45 on full auto this piece for me carries enough romance to overlook the flaws.



Favorite Vehicle...


The Dodge Power Wagon and I don't mean that junk that came out in the late 70's or early 80's I am talking about the 50's version the one widely used in Korea and Viet Nam. Not fast but house pulling torque and 5th grade simplicity made this a reliable go anywhere do anything vehicle. From ambulances to school buses everything has been built on this platform.

Favorite Starlet...

In honor of Kim du Toit, Rita Hayworth. I don't know much about starlets of this era and can't say I ever sat through a movie in which she acted but she, like my sweetheart, is a red head and that's all I need to know(wink wink, nudge nudge).

So if you get the chance check out his blog www.theothersideofkim.com and buy one of his Nation of Riflemen tshirts if the link is still up.




Monday, December 1, 2008

You May Be a Firefighter If....

(Some of these only volunteers will get)

You have ever juggled hot coals with your gloves.

If your house is on fire and you still respond to the station

You have ever slept in a hosebed.

You take pride in the fact that you haven't washed your gear in years.

Ifyou can hear that the siren will go off even before your dog notices it.

If you have ever been awakened with a CO2 extinguisher

You have ever spent 10 min trying to force open a door only to have someone come along and open it by turning the handle.

You've ever clung to the air horn chord for dear life because the driver is insane.

You have ever played jingle bells at Xmas time on the air horns to clear traffic.

You have ever said, "she's hot tonight" and not been talking about a girl.

You have ever stomped out a fire with your boots because you couldn't wait for water.

You are caught on the back of a truck with your girlfriend or wife in the middle of something and the page goes out for a call.

If the smell of a fire excites you more than sex does.

You really think that rusty old hydrant looks good in the garden.

You can blame the 10 lbs that you've gained on the food cooked at the station.

If you play with the fire toys more than your child does.

You've ever felt like a ghost-buster while operating a water-vac

You get excited over the color red and the smell of diesel

You can tell what type of fire it is by the smell of smoke 10 miles away.

You have ever been airborne without an aircraft and water was your thrust.

You double your weight every time you go on a job

You have ever called a person found after a fire a "crispy critter"

You have ever walked 3 miles into the woods in 100 degree heat in full turnout gear and a 5 gal or more water can strapped on your back just to put out a fire.

You carry enough in your car to extinguish a minor blaze.

When you go to rent a movie, and they insist on getting Backdraft EVERY TIME!

If a great stop has nothing do with a moving vehicle.

The microwave goes off and you run out of the house thinking it was your pager.

You walk into the station with you belt on and someone yells here comes batman

If nine out of the ten toys your child receives for Christmas are fire trucks

If you wash your Fire Truck more than your personal vehicle.

You call your friend in Maryland, you live in Nevada, and get jealous and turned on at the same time when he gets toned out

Your idea of a good time involves soaking the new probies.

You lay out your clothes from that day so if there is a call at night you can find them quickly.

You ever cursed out someone for armor-alling the seats to make them look nice.

You roll around in anything that just burned to make your new gear look old.

If assembling a mile and a half of hose to catch fire running up hill is a good day.

All your friends give you t-shirts from their departments for your birthday, Christmas, anniversary, etc.

If your wife voluntarily chooses the lumpy side of the bed to avoid being trampled in route to a call!

Your wife/girlfriend has learned to duck and cover when she hears the pager go off for fear of being run down

If you had to extricate someone by cutting the car doors off on one side and realized there was nothing wrong with the doors on the other side

If you have more toy fire trucks than your kids do.

You take your other half out on a date to the fire house/hall.

If you want to keep the fire truck at your house just so that you can be the one to drive it!

When you wish some Fragrance manufacturer would bottle the burnt smell after a fire and used as a men's spray cologne.

Your idea of ventilation is done with a chainsaw and not a bag-valve-mask.

You have a wreck with the fire chief on the way to the fire trying to beat him there

You've been called a nozzle hog.

You respond to the fire station during a thunder storm - in case there's a fire started by lightening.

You stay in town during the 4th of July - in case there's a fire started by fireworks.

You refer to a room at 1300 F as "Toasty".

You respond to sound better than Pavlov's Dog.

The term "Hard Suction" doesn't make you chuckle

If your idea of a water fight includes a 100ft. tower with dual monitors, and several shots of 2.5 inch lines

If "humping hose" doesn't excite you.

You've ever stood on a street corner holding a bunker boot asking for donations

You monitor other city's fire dispatch and miss a call for your own.

If someone starts reciting movie lines from "Backdraft" at a fire.

You have ever had a heated debate over the color of firetrucks.

You take great joy in smashing the windows of a car parked in a fire zone or in front of a hydrant.
You always wear red suspenders.

You carry enough in your pockets to give the Swiss army knives competition.

Your Own vehicle has more lights than a Christmas tree

You find yourself living at the fire department 365 days a year!

If you have more pagers than than money in your wallet.

If you have ever woken up thinking your pager went off and as you look at it, it goes off

If you have ever dried your gloves on the trucks exhaust

When you take all of your important stuff (like wallets and pagers) out of your pockets before going to a training involving a portable tank.

You eat till you're asleep, then sleep till you eat.

You spend more time on a holiday with you're fellow firefighter than you do with you're family.

You refer to yourself as Satan and the fire as your house

You run towards a dangerous situation instead of away

If you ever said that real fire trucks/engines are RED DAMMIT!!!!

If you are running in the opposite direction of everyone else

When you are the mother of the bride and you tell everyone in the wedding party, nobody moves when the pagers go off during the ceremony.

You have ever taken 10 or more showers in 1 day.

"Climbing the corporate ladder" has nothing to do with career advancement.

Your work gear makes you sound like Darth Vader

All the shirts you own say you are a firefighter

You talk about alcohol foams and you are not referring to the head of your beer.

You have ever dressed from head to foot in rubber and it was not a sexual experience.

All of your calenders have every third day circled.

If you collect fire helmets and hang them on your bedroom wall and so far have one of each color.

You always wear red suspenders

You ever tried to patent a 911 blocker with the phone company

If you have ever tested your gloves by putting a fuzzie out on your hand.

As usual if there are any I missed feel free to leave a comment. Or if there is one you don't understand I will get an explanation!

Transmission Becomes Belt Drive

Well I have come to the conclusion that Jireh Cycles will not get the transmissions back in stock before the new year. With this in mind, I will be ordering a Ultima street style belt drive tomorrow at first light. It would have been my next purchase anyway so it makes no real difference . It's is something I have to have to complete my drive line and the price is the same.

mmm....chrome.

And I Thought It Was Just Me!

Man says God ordered him to ram vehicle at 100 mph

SAN ANTONIO -A man who rammed his truck into a woman's vehicle on a highway early Friday told authorities he crashed into her while going more than 100 mph because God told him "she needed to be taken off the road."
The truck rear-ended the car on U.S. Highway 281, both vehicles spun across a median then came to a stop along a barrier in the opposite lanes. Both drivers suffered only minor injuries.
"He just said God said she wasn't driving right, and she needed to be taken off the road," Bexar County Sheriff's Office spokesman Kyle Coleman said in the online edition of the San Antonio Express-News. "God must have been with them, 'cause any other time, the severity of this crash, it would have been a fatal."
The pickup driver did not tell police how the woman was driving. Police could not find alcohol or drugs in either driver.
A psychiatric evaluation has been ordered for a man.

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Some Assembly Required

At least he has all his parts!!!!

Friday, November 28, 2008

Go Elf Yourself!!!!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Have You Ever...

That's right, time again for my favorite time killer. Two in a row...how Freudian.

Carnage Day +1

Whew! Thank God That's Over!
Huh? Pie? Who said Pie?! ...........mmmm pie.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Parts Update

Still no word on the rear fender which is fine because I still don't need it yet so I still don't care.
The other guy I was going to get my tranny from for 30 dollars more than Jireh Cycles upped his price by 30 bucks making it 60 more than Jireh so I found another guy who has one for $550 and if he has it in stock tomorrow I will order it in between my cooking duties. The only thing that doesn't thrill me is it is the natural cast finish which doesn't match the rest of the engine. but I can paint it wrinkle black without much trouble and the price is right. As long as he has it in stock. I am sick of waiting for parts that don't ever arrive.
Don't forget to buy a shirt this designs days are numbered by the weekend it will be gone!

My Story

On a cold Thursday morning in November, the 28th to be exact, William and Patricia received a call they had been waiting for for several weeks. It was the adoption agency informing them that a baby has become available and they could pick him up today. What made this day special, besides the obvious new addition to the family, was that it was Thanksgiving Day.
As was the tradition in my family at that time, and for at least the next 18 years, we gathered at my Aunt Janes house in Sylvania, Ohio for Thanksgiving dinner. So William and Patricia drove their 66 mustang convertible to the agency and picked up their new son Thomas and took him right over to Aunt Janes. Patricia was concerned about the baby being to cold with the car being a convertible and the weather in northern Ohio in November. So before they left the adoption agency Aunt Jane was called and kept a lookout at the door to open the garage door so William could drive right inside to keep the baby out of the cold.
So at 15 days old baby Thomas spent his first day with his whole family on Thanksgiving, Thursday November 28, 1968.
A year never passed, even when we were a thousand miles apart, that I didn't get a call from my mother and hear that story. For most of my life I was blessed enough and at times embarrassed to hear it being told around my aunts big dinner table in front of my entire family. It always reminded me that I had more to be thankful for than most. I had two loving people that opened their hearts, lives, and home to a stranger.
Since my mothers passing a few years ago this will be the first Thanksgiving I am celebrating. This hasn't been an intentional thing it's just I worked the last few and my son spends time at his mothers family because they still do the big get together and my father dodged us on the first one after her passing. But tomorrow although a day early I will remember for the first time in 3 years all that I have to be thankful for and hope you all do the same. Listen to the ridiculous stories, especially the ones that surface at the holidays, because when the teller is gone the silence can be deafening.
On a side note it has never occurred to me until this writing to wonder if the reason I am named Tom is because I was brought home on Turkey Day? I will have to grill the old man about that at dinner tomorrow. There are no other Toms in my family....hmmmm.
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!!!

Where I Go When I'm Not Here

First off of course is ebay. The primary source for cheap bike parts. Also, as some of you may or may not know I airbrush also as a hobby. The best place to learn and get good information is at the Learns site. That's Mike and Diana Learn at www.learnairbrush.com. Great place for supplies and all things air brush related is Bear Air at www.bearair.com he also owns and runs probably the largest airbrush forum on the net www.airbrush.com. Any of these places are good places to kill sometime and look at some great artwork even if airbrushing isn't your thing.
As far as blogs go I frequent www.cyrilhuzeblog.com the blog of a custom bike builder and www.theothersideofkim.com a very interesting blog mostly about gun ownership and politics. Unfortunately he will be retiring from blogging on November 30th and I will have a large hole in my surfing time. Then of course there is www.bustedwrench.blogspot.com which is where I spend most of my time wondering why more people don't.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Really Looking Ahead

Now barring the fact that this project ends in some type of horrible murder suicide type of situation. Or that is goes so terribly that I never want to do anything like this again the next project will be a softail that can be dropped to the frame and a insanely overly uselessly fat rear end...like this

Ride able? Who knows, can't be any worse than my current project. Practical? No more so than any custom bike. SUWEEET? yep.

Gauntlet Tosser

In an attempt to move this project along and refocus my efforts I am throwing down the gauntlet. I am changing the countdown timer to July 4 2009. The only caveat I am attaching to this is that the bike will be ride able and complete it just might not be registered w/the great state of Florida.
Even though not much has gone right so far I feel the tide turning, a change in the weather, a new era of productivity! And any other saying you can think of that fits this new found attitude of hope. With this new change I will post another completed bike picture built on the same platform as mine except for the narrower tire and its a sportster power plant.

Is The Lowest Price Still Lowest If It's Never There?

Well that's where I am at right now. The project has completely stalled while I wait for this transmission to come back into stock at Jireh Cycles. And, as most things do, it got me to thinking. Is the having the lowest price but never having the item still the lowest price? How would a custom builder on a time frame feel about this situation or do they even worry about parts cost when the end product has a 60k to 100k price tag? Morale wise this is killing me. I walk by this project a 100 times a day and it hasn't changed in a month. I know a place that has the transmission I want, in stock ready to ship, for $32 dollars more. Which is what I am going to do. The way I look at it is, come labor day is the bike going to be done? Or is it going to be sitting around waiting on a part that never comes in stock?
Also if anyone is interested I have 1oz 24k gold coins for sale for $550 but am currently out of stock, but hope to have them back in stock sometime in the next decade or 2. Just hit the donate button above and choose the amount $550 and I will give you a call if they ever become available. (there are no gold coins...I am putting this disclaimer in because I know you people. If you donate that amount I WILL KEEP YOUR MONEY!)
Furthermore while we are thinking what's up with kulats, clam diggers, pedal pushers, and capris? Are these or are they not the same thing? Leave a comment and let me know. And while you're at it if you are silly enough to buy pants w/only 3/4 of the legs you can buy a shirt!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Joke of the Whenever...

With Thanksgiving fast approaching and the build at a dead standstill...
The Top 10 Things That Sound Dirty At Thanksgiving But Aren't....
10. "Just reach in and grab the giblets."
9. "Whew...that's one terrific spread!"
8. "I am in the mood for a little dark meat!"
7. "Tying the legs together will keep the inside moist."
6. "Talk about a HUGE breast!"
5. "And he forces his way into the end zone!"
4. "She's 5000 pounds fully inflated and it takes 15 men to hold her down."
3. "It's cool whip time!"
2. "If I don't unbutton my pants, I am going to burst!"
. . . and the number one thing that sounds dirty at Thanksgiving but isn't . .
1. "It must be broken 'cause when I push on the tip, nothing squirts out."

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Tempest Cycles Conquest

This is way over the top for me, but if I had the cash I would definitely have one! Check out more at Tempest Cycles!
Engine mounted like a radial. One off everything! Hub less rear wheel. Me likey! Check out the exhaust from most angles it appears to be a closes loop but it's not. One off rear suspension and drive line. Santa if you're out there.....hint hint. It can't be much more that 75 grand or so!

New Tshirt designs are in!

Its going to be tough to beat the sales record of the last tshirt design but I like this one a lot. Get it before it is gone!!!!



Don't forget the much underused donate button at the top of the page. One size fits all and no shipping charges!!!

Have You Ever...

Yes siree Bob, its the next installment of have you ever typed random words into google and see what pictures you end up with. This one is very touching its about ones hopes and dreams. Check it out! The look on his face brings a tear to my eye. Buy a shirt you slackers!

Monday, November 17, 2008

Parts Update

Well, no news on the fender, so I assume it's still on back order. Or it could show up at anytime I guess. I called Jireh Cycles to see if they had an expected date for when the tranny I need will be back in stock and was advised they hoped to have them in sometime in the next two weeks or so. So I guess they are on the way back order. Get it? Not just back order but way back order? I'm killing me. So I will give them until Friday then I am going to just go to the other guy and pay the extra $30. I would rather not do that but sooner or later I am going to have a whole motorcycle bought and paid for on back order :)
Also the next paycheck will wrap up the Christmas Shopping so the check after that is all bike parts. The plans include the belt drive, the charging system and the rear wheel and tire if all goes well. And as we know from past experience the chance of all going well is about as good as the life expectancy of a fart in a whirlwind but we shall see. And the one after that will be the front end and front tire and wheel.

Make a donation and you can have a part in the next part being on backorder. Or buy a shirt this design is on its last days!

The Rant of the Week

Yes my little kiddies it's that time again. Time to make you aware of one of the retarded things that has somehow unjustly found its way into my life making it the living hell it tends to be.
The Florida Turnpike, hence forth to be referred to as "retard road". "What could the road have done to you?" you ask? Let me tell you, I was heading out to a airbrush get together this Sunday. The get together was held in St. Cloud in the middles of the state. This required me to drive down the retard road for a distance of 9 miles. I get on retard road at mile marker 249 looking for exit 240. At exit 244 there is a sign that reads "next exit 56 miles" this concerns me greatly because, as I previously mentioned, I was looking for exit 240 which in the normal world would be 4 miles up the road. "Tom" I say to myself "It must be a new exit keep going" so I did.
Sure enough shortly up the road is a sign that advises exit 240 is 1 mile up the road and is the last exit for 53 miles. The next exit being YeeHaw Junction."Self" I said to myself "it's your lucky day exit 240 exists". As 3/4 of the next mile passes and I approach the exit with very little time to make a choice I view a sign, much to my dismay, that informs the unlucky travellers of retard road that exit 240 is a Sun Pass only exit. For the woefully uninformed among you a SunPass is a little device you buy and stick on your windshield that racks up your tolls then you pay the bill at the end of the month. Usually used by travelling business people or locals who spend a lot of time of Floridas toll roads. Now, I have seen exits on toll roads in Florida, and only in Florida, that were unmanned and required exact change so I was prepared on my journey with a pocket full of quarters. But what in Gods good name do you do when you need a Sun Pass to get off retard road in the middle of nowhere?
  • As a side bar I would like to remind you that the next exit is 53 miles up the road and is at a place named YeeHaw Junction. Being a anal virgin, and with the hopes of remaining one for the rest of my life, I will not willingly drive to anyplace that has a name that sounds like something out of the movie Deliverance. I could here the banjo music all the way up at exit 240.

So with precious little time to make a decision on whether to drive 106 miles out of my way and just go back home. Or go the next 53 miles and try to find my way back to where I wanted to be with no map and no cell phone. Or do the only really logical choice and take the exit. So that's what I did, even though the signs advise of a $100 dollar fine for not paying a toll that they don't let you pay. Not to mention that after having a wonderful time at the airbrush get away I had to take the same on ramp back onto retard road to get home because as it turns out there is now other way with out adding hours of time onto the drive taking the backwoods way home.

So, if anyone has wandered into this blog that is in any way associated in a official capacity with retard road take note. Keep your tickets to yourself. I truly feel sorry for the first dipshit that is going to have the displeasure of dealing with me if I get a ticket in the mail. I will get back on retard road and take it all the way to Tallahassee and club someone like a baby seal if you so much as dare to even consider sending me a ticket. It's bad enough that every election that comes down the pipe makes us the laughing stock of the nation, but you start putting unmanned toll booths in the middle of no where on a road primarily driven by tourist, requiring them to have a special device they have no business having they will end up vacationing in some other place with a smarter government. Panama and Haiti come to mind.

I did see a sign while on retard road advising of a web site you could go to with questions or comments about retard road but I am afraid anything I could write at this time would possibly be taken as a terrorist threat.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Slow Day at the Office

Not much happening today. I am feeling a little under the weather. Possible from a sandwich I bought at the grocery store. It may have been passed its prime. I am off to a airbrush get together over in St. Cloud area on Sunday, So I will have some pics to share on that Sunday. That's it for now excuse me while I go yack.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

The big 4 0 Revisited

In an attempt to make it make sense I did a little Googleing. Apparently I share my birthday w/some pretty hip people....

The living...

86 Madeleine Sherwood Actress
74 Peter Arnett Journalist
74 Garry Marshall Producer, director
62 Ray Wylie Hubbard Country singer, songwriter
61 Joe Mantegna Actor
60 Sheila Frazier Actress
55 Frances Conroy Actress ("Six Feet Under")
55 Andrew Ranken Rock musician ("The Pogues")
55 Tracy Scoggins Actress
54 Chris Noth Actor ("Law and Order," "Sex and the City")
52 Rex Linn Actor ("CSI: Miami")
49 Caroline Goodall Actress
48 Neil Flynn Actor ("Scrubs")
45 Vinny Testaverde Football player
44 Walter Kibby Rock musician (Fishbone)
41 Jimmy Kimmel Comedian, talk show host ("Jimmy Kimmel Live")
41 Steve Zahn Actor
30 Nikolai Fraiture Rock musician (The Strokes)
28 Monique Coleman Actress ("High School Musical")

And the dead....

Robert Louis Stevenson 11/13/1850 - 12/3/1894Scottish writer
75....Wrote Treasure Island
Saint Augustine 11/13/354 - 8/28/430Roman bishop and theologian
64... who gave us these quotes
  • "Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are anger and courage; anger at the way things are, and courage to see that they do not remain the way they are."
  • "Love the sinner and hate the sin"

Edward III11/13/1312 - 6/21/1377English king (1327-77)

Also on this day in history.....

On Nov. 13, 1956, the Supreme Court struck down laws calling for racial segregation on public buses.

1775
U.S. forces captured Montreal during the American Revolution.

1789
Benjamin Franklin wrote in a letter to a friend, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes

1927
The Holland Tunnel linking New York City and New Jersey beneath the Hudson River opened to the public.

1942
The minimum draft age was lowered from 21 to 18.

1982
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C.

Holy Crap! I'm Forty!

More on this disturbing development later! Buy a shirt before I drop dead!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

A Quick Funny

I know anyone who lives down here like I do can relate. And to you northerners yeah stuff like this does happen in God's Waiting Room..
Dont forget to buy a shirt!!!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Another Style Idea

Now I like this look a lot, however the V.P. of design and style isn't to keen on the idea. I would like wood grain panels like the one below only done in white then covered w/green kandy in a similar shade to the bike posted earlier and the rest of the bike in a nice purple kandy over gold base. It is tough to get the idea across. The wood grain would have no brown in it what so ever.
Leave a suggestion or a comment if you can follow the way I have drifted. Thanks!

Belated Happy Birthday!

Also, being so close to Veterans Day, I usually take a moment to remember Uncle Sam's Misguided Children. I missed it this year and I apologize. The United States Marine Corps came into being on November 10, 1775 so happy 233 birthday! Semper Fi!

The Continental Congress appointed Robert Mullan to raise two companies of Marines. Mullan also was the proprietor of the Tunn Tavern in Philadelphia. The tavern is where most of these first two companies were recruited at. Hence the reference in the earlier posted joke. Tunn Tavern is the birthplace of the Marines.

Joke of the Whenever...

Looking back my previous Veterans Day post was a little more depressing than I intended. So , while I stand behind it 100%, lets lighten the mood a bit....

  • The Navy Invented Sex....
    A Marine and a sailor were sitting in a bar one day arguing over which was the superior service.
    After a swig of beer the Marine says, 'Well, we had Iwo Jima.'
    Arching his eyebrows, the sailor replies, 'We had the Battle of Midway.
    'Not entirely true', responded the Marine. 'Some of those pilots were Marines, in fact, Henderson Field on Guadalcanal was named after a Marine pilot killed at the Battle of Midway.'
    The sailor responds, 'Point taken.'
    The Marine then says, 'We Marines were born at Tunn Tavern!'
    The sailor, nodding agreement, says, 'But we had John Paul Jones.'
    The argument continued until the sailor comes up with what he thinks will end the discussion. With a flourish of finality he says...... 'The Navy invented sex!'
    The Marine replies, 'That is true, but it was the Marines who introduced it to women.'

Now have a happy Veterans Day!

Happy Veterans Day

Thank You to all those that have served this country and protected my freedom. I wish we as Americans thanked you more often then we do. And in a far better fashion than we do.


"We can be worthy of the values and ideals for which our sons sacrificed—worthy of their courage in the face of a fear that few of us will ever experience—by honoring their commitment and devotion to duty and country."



"Soldiers never die until they are forgotten, Tomb Guards never forget."

The above words are obviously not mine but they convey perfectly how I feel. The only way we can attempt to prove ourselves worthy of the sacrifices of these men and women is to honor them for what they do and did for us. And we can keep their contribution to our freedom alive by remembering what so many sacrificed for us.

Today isn't, or shouldn't be, about a day off from work or a time and a half day. If you know a Veteran thank them or do something nice for them. If you don't head out to the local Veterans Cemetery and take a walk around and read some of the stones. Remember the people that allow us to walk around in the self absorbed haze that has become today's society. Don't forget as you are reading this, that somewhere on every continent in the world right now an American soldier is risking his life to protect our right to live in a ignorant bliss that very few of us deserve.

I also highly recommend going to www.adoptasoldiernow.org . There you can adopt a deployed soldier and promise to once a month send a basic care package and letters of support.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Have You Ever...

Once again it is time for another installment of "have you ever typed random words into google to see what comes up". Normally I don't reveal the words I type in to get these gems but these were so pointless I am still trying to figure out the correlation. The search words were flippity floppity floop (no shit) and THIS is what I got. And I go through life thinking I got problems. Go figure.
Don't forget to buy a shirt very few days left for this design!

The Good the Bad and the Not Ugly

The good news is I finally have a picture of a completed bike built on the same frame I have, with the exception that it is for a sportster power plant and mine is a big twin also mine has a 300 rear tire where this one appears to be about a 200 or 250. The rake and basic design are the same. I may have had a bad experience with this guy but, in my opinion, he builds a wicked looking unit.


A 360 degree view can be found on this you tube video.

The bad is the transmission I was, note the word was, going to order this morning is now out of stock. The upside is I was going to order it through Jireh cycles, and they won't take your money on a out of stock item so my money isn't sitting around tied up for who knows how long waiting for the item to come in. And when it does come in they call you and see if you are still interested. The only downside is I can't find the tranny at their price with anyone else. The closest I can come is 32 dollars more.

The not ugly is this picture....

This is the part where you get involved. The V.P. of design and style likes this color very much. I like it also but it needs some added touches, some airbrushing or a stripe or something. But as of now this is the front runner in color choice.It is House of Kolor Planet Green Metallic under Pagan Gold Kandy. Leave a comment and tell me what you think, or your ideas for punching up the design a bit. Myabe some real gold leafing, a tribal deisgn? Thanks!!

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Parts Update

The fender is on back order, no biggie, I can't really do a lot with it until the wheel and tire are on so it is not a critical piece at this point. The funds from my last donation cleared the bank today and I will be ordering the transmission first thing in the morning. I don't think the belt drive is going to pan out this payday or the next, but I have decided to mold the frame to a certain extent so I will have plenty of busy work to do during the holiday slow down. At the very least I still have all the shipping stickers to peel off and a lot of sanding to do. That's it for now!

New T shirt Design!

The new tshirt design is done. I am currently only offering it in the vaule tshirt to keep thinks cheap. Get them while they last! The pace of design changes is going to pick up rapidly in the near future. So once a design is changed it is gone!

Friday, November 7, 2008

It's Late

It's late, I am tired.................Buy a shirt.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Another Election Day Truism

Now that the polls are almost closed, and you can all breathe a sigh of relief after months of agonizing over the misconception that your vote will steer the path of the nation, here is the true definition of the office of President from one of the greatest in the nations history.....

“All the President is, is a glorified public relations man who spends his time flattering, kissing and kicking people to get them to do what they are supposed to do anyway.”
...Harry S. Truman

I am so glad you all stood in line to make that hugely important decision!

Thoughts for Election Day

First a good quote by Thomas Jefferson. Possibly now made popular to late.

  • "If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issuance of their currency, first by inflation and then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around them will deprive the people of all their property until their children will wake up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered." ~ Thomas Jefferson

And now a small creed that we as Americans should be able to comprehend and try to live by. Give me the president that will support this and maybe I would vote!

  • My Creed~I Do Not Choose To Be A Common Man,It Is My Right To Be Uncommon If I Can,I Seek Opportunity-not Security.I Do Not Wish To Be A Kept Citizen,Humbled And Dulled By Having The State Look After Me.I Want To Take The Calculated Risk,To Dream And Build-to Fail And Succeed.I Refuse To Barter Incentive For A Dole,I Prefer The Challenge Of Life To The Guaranteed Existence-The Thrill Of Fulfillment To The Calm State Of Utopia.I Will Not Trade Freedom For Beneficence,Nor My Dignity For A Handout.I Will Never Cower Before Any Master,Nor Bend To Any Threat.It Is My Heritage To Stand Erect,Proud And Unafraid-To Think And Act For Myself-Enjoy The Benefits Of My Creations.To Face The World Boldly,And Say This I Have Done.

God Bless America...now more than ever!

Monday, November 3, 2008

On a More Upbeat Note

As some of you may remember from Friday or you may be hearing it for the first time here. I went out to a local Harley dealer this weekend to look at a 1996 Heritage Softail Classic with very low miles and a price almost 4k below blue book. I figured if it was a good deal I would buy it and either sell it for a profit or ride it until the project was almost done then sell it off cheap to let someone else catch a break. Well the bike had sold 3 days before I got there so it was probably gone the first night I saw it online." How can this be more upbeat Tom?" you ask. "This is almost as depressing as no one entering your contest" you say. I couldn't agree with you more. However, someone close to the whole deal decided to donate a part to the project. This great man and wonderful human being decided to donate a Ultima black and chrome right side drive transmission. Per this persons nature his name will not be disclosed as he would embarrass to easily. But a super HUGE THANKS A MILLION goes out to this person.



If I can manage to pull off a belt drive for a birthday present to myself, I will have a complete drive line and will push the completion date up to July 4th! If you would like to assist me in this project the way underused, and feeling lonely, DONATE NOW button is still at the top of the page! Or there are always the tshirts . Thanks again for your continued support and the opportunity to entertain and inform you as we go through this project together.

Contest Results Are In!!!

Well the results are in! I know it was a long bloody battle, but the winner of the Spread the Word Contest has been decided. I know I am calling the results about an hour early, but we have come to a point where I don't think anyone else could possibly top the current winner. So without further delay, the winner is........Me, no one else entered, so Tom you are the big winner of a bustedwrench shirt. Thanks everyone, really looking forward to the next contest!...NOT

Joke of the Whenever.....

Sad but since it is a scientific study it must be true...not to mention my own observations.
After a 2 year study, the National Science Foundation announced the following results on the American Male's recreational preferences:
  • 1. The sport of choice for unemployed or incarcerated people is: basketball
  • 2. The sport of choice for maintenance level employees is: bowling.
  • 3. The sport of choice for blue-collar workers is: football.
  • 4. The sport of choice for supervisors is: baseball.
  • 5. The sport of choice for middle management is: tennis.
  • 6. The sport of choice for corporate officers is: golf.

Conclusion: The higher you rise in the workplace, the smaller your balls become.

Don't forget to buy a tshirt before the designs change to something you like less than what there is now!!

Friday, October 31, 2008

Happy Halloween!!!

Happy Halloween!


"When things go bump in the night, we bump back"


Thursday, October 30, 2008

Happy Days

Today I ordered my first part that was partially funded by tshirt sales and donations. It is the rear fender that looks like this one only the cut out for the right side drive is already cut out.

And here is a example of it on a completed bike. I am going to try and roll it back a bit further if I can. And I promise, although no choice has been made, it will not be black. Nothing against black mind you but the vice president of design and style(see previous posts) demands brightness possibly a lime green candy over gold. But that's neither here nor there at this point!

A HUGE thank you to everyone that has supported this effort so far. Your generosity is really helping this project to move forward at a faster pace. Now that the frame is finally home, and I know what I am shopping for, I hope to accelerate the pace a bit more still. Thanks again!

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

One For King Richard

Here's one for my friend Richard. Happy Halloween!!

Contest Update!

While doing a little research of my own and trying on my own behalf to spread the word about my blog I found out that free email services like hotmail and such limit the number of recipients you can send to in one 24 hr period in an attempt to stop spamming. So anyone interested in entering the contest should probably use a account they pay for through their ISP. Just a little info now get out there and have at it :)If it turns out that all email accounts limit the number of recipients someone let me know and I will come up with something different!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Finally I Get It...I Think

Here is a link to the blog of Cyril Huze a very well known custom bike builder. It is a interesting article on how the U.S. tax system works. Presented in a way us blue collar types can understand. Just click on the picture, but don't forget to come back here!