SportyMontage

Black is Black, I want my baby back...

Ironhead Delight...

shoveldate

In which Mr Shovel meets his new partner

Checked fitment and alignment today and a few decisions are made on oil tank, oil filter, sissybar locations. By the way if this is not looking like a garage build, fuck it, someone with the skill has to fabricate the parts and weld the tabs.

STRESS STRESS STRESS, so just how high should the sissy bar be?

Twenty Four inches.

Definitely. Maybe.

After a sleepless night, I'm a wreck, I think its too tall! I put it on hold.

Twenty Four inches?

Ren has decided I was wrong, it should be bigger - women!!!

On Two Wheels...

Narrow Narrow Shiny Shiny

Well I'm kind of shellshocked, its all happening.

Good job I phoned Joe as he was busy building an oval oil tank for me, bit of mis-communication - and after all that chat the other friday. Anyway its just as well he reckoned it didn't look too good and wasn't happy with it.

Graceful.

Too many chunky bobbers around. I cropped the bars out as they really kill the look I wanted. Going up tomorrow with engine and to button down everything. Yet Another TANK of gas. I wonder whether the new ruling elite, LibCons or ConLibs can sought the bloody horrendous cost of fuel. Fatchance.

Riders on the Storm...

Early Biker Art?

Got my first job with this demonstration of early promise!

Well one of the 'commercial artists' as they were called back in the day thought I may be showing early signs of a disturbed psyche. Huh.

Goodtimes Survivor

33 year old Leather

Hey I can't even get my arm in this treasure.

How its survived the moves I honestly don't know.

Made to measure in Laurence Leathers?

of Great Portland Street £45? a lot of money then.

I worked very close to the shop in marylebone high street for

'Applied Creativity' Design Advertising

This jacket went everywhere.

Attacked moonbeams off the coast of venus,

-you get the picture.

The Holy One...

Bow down, Bow down...

We are not Worthy!

At last she's here. Joe emailed me last night, wow what a bloody lovely surprise.

He's done everything I asked,

'Gofaster' holes on the neck brace and the special head steady

No visual straight line on the backbone from neck to rear axle

( I didn't want the triangle look)

We raised the rear wheel by an inch for ground clearance

1 & 1/8" tube so not to look too beefy

And of course the Goose Neck

A combination that I hope gives her worship a graceful look and will turn a few heads -

When we HIT THE ROAD...

do the BLACKTOP BOOGIE...

and KISS THOSE FUCKING WHITE LINES

Faro Head...

What's that bloody sticker?

I found it on the wrapping, it made me laugh, thats about as close as I'm going to get to THE FARO RUN.

What would you look like after fifteen years stuck in a shed?

I guess I should be doing a little more than unwrapping her and taking pics as 'she' needs some TLC. The trouble is I don't have a workshop, GASP SHOCK HORROR, the big idea was to do the build in the kitchen diner, but after assembling the forks, which I did outside whilst the sun was shining, the smell of oil lubricant is not going down to well with the missus and made me realise I was being a little silly. Trouble is I don't want to have to build a shed as well or spend the denero on that as well. Catch 20/2. Fuck lets move again!

Maybe God may smile on us, lottolottolotto.

Yeah, I'm in a mood... fuck fuck fuck fuckinfuck. fuck

Anyway will be taking Miss Shovel up to 'Fenland' soon so Joe can build the 'zorst for me.

Funny, bumped into Will, a guy I haven't met for in a while, who saw this beauty in all her shiny glory on the day I brought her back from 'Matts' in Wales.

Complete Refurb, Polished, All Stainless fasteners.

She sat proudly on show in our lounge till I decided to extend the house and was the start of the end. See my first blog.

Somethings bothered me ever since I picked her up. I supplied Matt with a Cylinder Head bolt kit from Lightning Bolts at the time. The bolts had been fitted without washers so they'd fucked the powdercoat on the barrels. My fault for not supplying the washers! Not! Anyway a lot of water under the bridge since then and I guess I should check on the state of the liners, nice and rusty probably, so OFF WITH HER FUCKING HEAD(S). and fit washers as well.

With a purple umbrella and a fifty cent hat...

Born to boogie Texas style

Isn't life funny, here's me talking to Johnny me old mate about going to Austin, Texas - the real music capital and I discover this little Gem. My shovel was imported from the states, purchased from Bob Sharp's HD. Austin Texas. Mind you, I wouldn't buy anything from them. It must of 'slipped through the system', cos the guy I bought it off hadn't had it long, most bits were worn out - as I gradually realised to my cost.

Choppertime...

Fenland Chopper Engineering

Got a call from Joe on Thursday, he wants to start the build, fuckinyes!

Went up the next day, with my wheels and forks, got there at 10.45 left at 1.45.

Another chinwag marathon with Joe.

From my revised list heres where we're at:

1. Its now a 'Goose Neck' hard tail frame, 38˚rake for 8" over forks, and set 1" higher for ground clearance, 2" stretch at back for elec start battery

2. Drilled headsteady ('Gofaster' speed holes)

3. Oval Oil Tank with 'Gofaster Speed hole' straps

(Just like Malcoms bike in Ogri, he drilled too many and guess what happened...)

4. Remote Oil filter mount

5. 'Gofaster' style fork brace (I'm calling the forks FLEXYS - cos they'll flex!)

6. Axle plates (paint protectors)

7. Battery holder, drilled!

7. Sissy Bar made of twisted bar 70's style and memory of my sporty. Joe thinks it s wrong to put a wrought iron gate on a chop! Anyway fuckyou 'zero' bunnies.

Its been really good to talk through the project with someone who understands where you're at and can then fabricate it.

And that I'm on severe budget.

But some things have to be done!

Got to take the engine up next for the zorst, but haven't decided on the style yet, I like high level shot gun style but then you burn your leg... decisions, decisions.

But I have decided to dry build and ride this season and paint next winter cos of time and deneroes!

I CAN'T FFFFFFFFFUCKING WAIT....

More work for HD Copyright Lawyers...

Jake Logo circa 78'

Bit of a character Jake, one of the first to import Drag Specialities Custom Parts

I knocked this up for some adverts I did for him in Superbike Magazine

The bugger then used it on his shop sign -

Motique Claycorner Chertsey Surrey.

Where of course I bought my Sporty, little did I know I'd be living in Chertsey 20 years later.

I gave him the original artwork when he shut up shop in the late 90's and moved to turkish cyprus. This print I found still has my rapidograph pen ink marks on it.

In the days before the machines...

Paris 79'

Sunday by the Seine

We left blighty early saturday and stayed with Terry's old girlfriend in Neuilly and back on Sunday. Terry was my boss and art director in the studio where we both worked in London.

A very naughty boy. Met some guys from the states touring europe on the way back on the ferry and bought a leather tool bag and saddlebags off them. Gave them jakes number in chertsey who later bought a bike off them.

Rollin Rollin Rollin

This weeks project is to get the wheels dressed. A new rear chain sprocket 48 teeth. A trans sprocket 25 teeth, together that should raise the gearing so its a bit more comfortable cruising in top at 80. I have a stainless disc for the front, bought at Warr's jumble in the 90's for £25. It did have dual discs but money is tight and a new disc is about £80. So I'll run just a single, stripped chopper stylie! When I redid the wheels for the second time I had the hubs powdercoated a nice (MG) silver grey and plus some stainless bolts should set them off nicely and we are done.

The horrorrrrrr....

I choose life ...

Sanfran from the Golden Gate 78'

Three thousand miles in three weeks, flew into LA with my mate Blackie, stayed on the strip hired a car the next day and drove up highway one to San Fran, onto Yosemite, then Vegas, Pheonix, San Diego, Mexico (in and out in a day), Cardiff by the Sea, had to stay there! then finishing in LA at the Wednesday night cruise on Van Nuys Boulevard. Back to the strip for final night and we met the original owner of the 'Whisky a gogo' .

California a fucking Paradise in 1978.

Fuck the World...

Cardiff by the Sea, California 78'

Hey, colt 45's (cos the standard beer's shit), a little of the smoke o'naturale' and life is good man!

8 inch Extension...

Narrow Narrow Narrow

Guess who managed to scratch his new fork legs. What a tosser. Greased the trees but didn't open them up enough. Fuck.

Just when you think life's starting to smoothout...

Cos my wife Ren got the all clear on the big C yesterday!

I've managed to hit my target for this week - get the fucking forks built!

A new friend turns out to be a jewelery designer and has a workshop. 'Why don't I come round and use her polishing wheel'. You fucking bet! Got the top tree and lower legs polished up again after their sojourn in the shed, fuck, I'm covered head to toe in rouge bar used for polishing mop.

Ordered some stainless nuts and bolts to finish the forks and risers off. Got to watch that, before you know it you gone from a 0.93p nut to £30 with vat and postage.

Then I went in search of some round bar to make two 8" slugs to pack out the internals.

Went to the man who makes metal gates and such locally and came away with some bar we found under his bench. Paid him a fiver - didn't fucking fit, my fault, didn't measure them. Went to a tool and part maker he'd mentioned the next day and they cut them to size and gave them to me! -result.

For Fucks Sake... Brake!

Old School Banana Rear Caliper

Got this off Joe100@Fenland Choppers after a bit of a dance over the price and cos I wanted to call him Joe90!

Its in reasonable nick with new pads, new disc and he threw in a stainless adjustable anchor rod. I flipped the pic to show how its going to look when fitted upside down. A high tech setup would have been preferred but beggars can't be choosers. And its one more item off the 'to do' list.

This weeks target is to complete my forks.

New seals and dust covers 16.99

Dress up with Stainless fittings £5-£10

from Dave Middleton (who's still going after all this time!)

8" Slugs made from Round Bar for my extended tubes

And some bolts for the wheel discs and sprocket.

Drop Dead Gorgeous

My 77' Sporty - Rest in Peace

Heres she is, in all her glory.

Dressed to thrill seventies stylie.

Check out the drilled chainguard, twisted sissy bar, black Alf Hagon rear shocks, black wheel spokes, black air cleaner with moulded eagle, black fork legs, tiny speedo, tiny oil cooler and of course, those fucking gorgeous drag pipes. Photographed by my mate Pete in 78' and purchased on Christmas Eve 1977, see my earlier blog.

Beakies Jumble @ Dorking

Sunday Morning, lots of punters and lots of stalls.

The mission - get some forward controls.

First time I had enough cash on me

I saw one set, the trouble was some one had just fucking bought them!

The consolation was that they were bloody billet ally (loads a money). Can't have that on a budget low down an dirty mongrel!

Bumped into my new compadres from 'Flywheel' - Robb, Johno and Troy

Arranged to meet my very old friend Laurence, who congratulated me on putting on 4 stone!

Johno's hardcore generator shovel

Spotted a very nice Trumpet

Whooahh, makes your eyes water just looking at 'em!

Hey 8" Extension anyone? Well just another boring pic to some. But if you're the kind of chap (or chappess) that's building a 'mongrel' like me - You're going to get a fucking charge!

It's an 'Easyrider' moment, ...Fonda's watch has just been laid on the desert floor, ...the fucking highway awaits.

See... Get it... Yes?

Went to jolly old Eastbourne on the coast to pick these up from a guy called Ray - a 57 year old 'masonic' biker.

Had a chat and a cup of tea, turns out he's a pro airbrush artist, does tanks and fenders (sorry mudguards!) and such.

Need to get polishing machine and Kit. The old forks need a bit of TLC after 15 years storage and new seals.

WHOOPS, nearly forgot, I have to get 8" slugs made up to support the standard length springs.

OK, two more essential items required for the frame build so we can incorporate tabs.

1. Rear Brake Caliper

2. Forward controls

My old rear caliper is shit, the bracket heavy and bent, so something different and exciting calls. I like the upside down look, so lets see.

Its Beakies Car Boot this weekend (11th) and I may get lucky. Hope to meet up with Johno and Mr Fen Chop (Joe).

NB. The mongrel is a chopper/bobber style

or a Fucking ChopBob!

Abingdon Swap Meet Purchase

Not this 'Back in the Day Chop' - yours for only £3250.00!

My New Tank featuring 'Rocky' the Raccoon

Went to a chopper swap meet at Abingdon Town Football Club in Oxfordshire last Sunday and got this 3 gall Sporty tank for £70.

I decided not to piss about any longer.

I like the later curved shape and holds enough gas and its not too big. And I could see it in the flesh, everything else is in a catalogue, made in china of thin metal or loads of money. I didn't want some over designed big bucks look. Plus it came with a filler cap and petcock, doesn't need pressure testing or sealing.

I'm going to grind off the brackets at front and the welds at the back, get joe to make up new mounts underneath. The filler cap I'll modify and weld something to it to funk it up.

And finally take off the badges and ebay them, a mate of the guy on the stand I bought it off says he made £54 on ebay on similar badges.

All the work on it will push up the price but I will have made it my own!

Speaking of Evil bay, when I got back the auction had finished for the fork tubes. Guess fucking what, I got them for £50. Fucking Reezultttt...