All Maine Points Lead to Maine

Alright, another quickie. You know the drill, more visuals, less words, I'm on the road, gotta get it when I can.

Some things take priority, like my Sharpie making things more "PC"
on the Blue Line.

$200 fine for feeding rock doves small
pieces of toast.

    
Chicago ended up being a fucking great time. So many good people and so many things to go and do and see. It's definitely become a main choice in where a shop might be set up in the future and with everything but the cigarettes and toll roads being cheap, I might just be able to wing it. Some final visuals from the final days in the "Land of Lincoln". Also go to the Green Mill if you're ever in town.

The Land Of Lincoln

Some handy work I did on the old Lux Deville hand bag.

Chuck the Barber's "new" money box, two blues from me to him.

But what does it mean?!!!
Members Only
Work by Alexandra Wilkey, thanks Red.

A farewell piece I lined up for Speakeasy Tattoo.
Thanks again,
support your local Jury Members!

The drinks you get 96 stories up aren't any better than the drinks you get anywhere else, lets be honest here shall we? You go there for the pure novelty and the fact that shit looks better from way the fuck up high. The Hancock Tower is well worth a trip, especially at night.  

From left to right, Trump and Sears Towers in the distance.

 Off to Cleveland we went after a great few weeks in Chi-Town. A fond but temporary goodbye.

 It was good to see some old friends that I hadn't seen in a very long time upon arrival. It's also nice when they take you to the best punk rock dive(not forgetting the good old Double Down) to wet your whistle.

A new piece for an old friend.

When you find yourself in Cleveland find a seat at Melt. Best gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches you've never had. Their cheese cake ain't too bad either

PS-Go to Happy Dogs as well.

It was that good

From a great few days in Cleveland to New York State we went. Niagara Falls was next on the to do list... 

Horseshoe Falls, spilling 600,000 gallons per second.

American Falls with Horseshoe Falls in the background.
Combined they drop 750,000 gallons a second over the edge.

Take the boat ride, it's pretty damn epic.

Next after Niagara was Maine, vacationland USA, and yes the sign not pictured really said so.

                                       

For those of you who haven't been logging the trip as I have, here's a few fun filled factoids...

OVER 5,100 miles traveled since Los Angeles

OVER 100 hours behind the wheel 

OVER 2 months on the road

Another fact,

Google Maps only allows you to X point of travel...

They just think of all the little jokes don't they.

They didn't account for Y Z and further like the road we're on...

Oh well, ain't done yet! 

Up and across

Ready to drop back down

Hot off the Press

An informal update of Chicago in images and few words...

 Tyler the Barber's "new" work-horse I lined for him. Brown and olive green, Joes Barber Shop, Fullerton Ave. Chicago, Illinois. Trim, beer, and a shave. Thanks again!

 Long awaited arrival of the HRHR DVD over!!! Thanks to Anna Porter for the prompt send right after finishing up with the 8th Hayride! Was nice to see all my English family and laugh at the drunken interview of a certain someone! Check it out!

 Alexandra Wilkey's work on Scott Fricke over at Speakeasy Tattoo, das mad dog head!!!!!

Sharp as always.

 If you know Scott and know Chicago, then you know about the Jury. 

Here's the patch-in of another "Mistrial Member".

8/10 patch-ins, let the judging begin!

Thanks Scott for bringing us into the fold.

National & International

Support your local 8/10

De-laze & Ketchup

Alright alright alright, so I've slacked off a bit, probably a bit more than a bit. I blame the road. Too many good things to see and no internet in BFE!!! Here's a 6 month past due ketchup on "The Road".

PRE

So if you know me and have been following me by other means than my un-updated blog then you know that the plan of biking around 'Merica fell through. The market was bone dry of BSA's at the time I was searching and my patience wore thin. Long story short we hit the road in a '57 Ford p/u. I bought the F100 in about late March or so and built it up from the non-running, multi-colored seventies, semi straight, ex-6 cylinder junker it was and dialed it into the cleaned up stripped down hauler it now is. Yes I did the work, not just with my money but my hands to clarify. Bodywork, paint, minor fab and metalwork, tuning, blood, sweat and swearing. With the help and use of a friends shop, Logan Davis over at Vintage Performance Automotive, www.vintage-performance.com, "Patsy" got up and kicked to life, thanks again Logan! A mild cam, 4- barrel infused, fully rebuilt 302 Ford small block backed by a 5-speed manual trans helps this fun little long bed keep up and pass the confused faces of the BMW and Mercedes owners on the highway. Not the most traditional set up that I'd like to run, but come on, I'm driving the bad bitch across the great expanse of 'Merica & back...so get over it.

POST

Over 4,000 miles and a month and a half of traveling so far and we're in Chicago. We've surpassed the halfway point of one direction of the crossing thus far. Yosemite NP, Redwood NP, Yellowstone NP, SF CA, Portland OR, Northern ID, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and counting. One or two problems with old "Patsy the Pack Mule" so far, a fucked heater core, constant re-timing for elevational changes, a blown out clutch slave cylinder that got us stuck in Deadwood South Dakota for a few days, but other than that its been fairly un-problematic! Fingers are still crossed and wrenches remain at the ready for the next issue on the 55 year old Ford.

Chicago Chris, panel flake & lace @ VooDoo Larry Kustoms

Got into Chi Town early Saturday evening and the next day shot off to VooDoo Larry Kustoms for their annual open house. It's cool coming from the West Coast and seeing the style change in hot rod building. Little differences but the passion always remains the same. Did some paint work at the show, some clean and simple lines on a '26-'27 T Roadster. Hung around, had some beers, listened to some tunes and called it a day late in the afternoon. Good people, great conversation and good times. 

I have a love for Chicago already. The history of the town from Mickey Finn to the Valentines day Massacre. The tacky touristy shit to do like the 103 floor 60 second ride to the top of the Sears Tower, the unexpected generosity of the people, and their open-mindedness and community make it a far cry superior to the fake, two-faced attitude of Los Angeles. Too many people up their own ass! Plus you can't beat some real deep dish and bars that stay open till 4 and 5 in the morning!!!

View from the tallest building in 'Merica,
the Sears Tower

Thanks for the good times so far Chicago. The next two weeks are going to be one hell of a time..........Cleveland, see you soon!

  

"Red Letter Days"

 So the steps to getting on the road and taking a trip across the great expanse('Merica) have finally started coming together. The first of the steps included getting the bikes. While my search continues for another BSA we were able to wrangle up this beauty for my girlfriend during the scanning of Jockey Journal among other forums and swap meets.
 1971 Triumph Trophy T100C, 500cc parallel twin, hard tail. The bike gets up and goes for a 500, which is probably thanks to Wes over at Four Aces. A Joe Hunt Mag keeps the fire roaring after the gas is sucked in through a vintage Amal carb. A vintage Wassell tank and rear fender keep the bike looking sharp but still minimalist showing off the .10 over bored 500cc engine.  Outside of the lack of front brake, which is going to change (though it looks better without), mechanically the bike is sound. She rides well and feels healthy like any old shaky Brit should.
 The modifications on the to do list are few as the bike doesn't need much to complete a more "finished" look. Paint on the tank and fender to match is one of those to be checked off. Maroon, black and gold will be the order of the day. More classic than flash, no flake, just gloss. To redirect the look from chopper-ish and gear it more toward late fifties/early sixties bobber, the oil tank will be replaced with a round unit instead of the current hexagon bag that sits below the seat. Next will be the bars. The narrowed friscos will be swapped for something a bit flatter, probably some track style bars. The next obvious step will be the exhaust. Chrome running from the head, down and back, to the end of the frame, with a slight up turn following the frame lines. Dual instead of two into one ending with cocktail shakers perhaps...still thinking. The other mod will come in with the addition of the front brake. Sitting on the side of the house is a 21'' anodized gold rim, internal brake hub, with a fresh Speedmaster front rubber ready to be slid on. Add a vintage tail-light of some description and a chrome sissy bar and she'll be all class.
 Here's one hell of a foundation to turn a few heads as she takes shape and transforms from the "Golden Trophy" she once was to the "Red Letter Days" she'll become! To the pursuit of all things not bought out of a catalog.

The Rose Lace Case

So I didn't start this blog to showcase the things that I personally do, I started it more for showing the potential of artists, their trades/skills, and devoting it more toward the pieces and things THEY make when the skill is applied. Also I wanted to show the life of people that aren't content living the way society makes us all think we need to. Obviously something you can't just buy out of a catalog like the rest of mainstream society does, and carelessly and more importantly happily does. In saying that, I realized that what I had made for a loved one had stirred up a bit of interest, just as some of the other things I have mention in the past. So with out further ramblings I'll give you a gander of what I had just finished up not too long ago. The photos are shit, but never really do things like what I'm showing justice anyway...

For the birthday of a loved one, who happens to be a tattooist getting ready to embark on a road trip on a motorcycle, I figured I'd make 'em a small case to fit their tattoo machines, power supply, foot switch, etc. into and be able to strap to their bike and keep every thing safe. Now what I'd typically do, if I were back home and had the capabilities like I did to completely make something from scratch as I like to do, this case would have been made in a far more superior fashion. Not being able to do so had forced me to purchase a shit little box and concentrate more so on the upgrading and customizing of case itself and making it worthy of giving as a gift.

The box was a shit fire engine red, so the first thing to go was the outer paint scheme. I did a black undercoat, nothing too flash, with an ivory and gold rose lace overlay on the back, and a black and ivory rose lace on the top. Anyone who knows me knows I love doing a bit of lace paneling paint jobs, but this time it worked out exceptionally well as the case was for someone who has a bit of a weakness for roses. After laying some playing cards on the back and lacquering over the whole thing I moved onto the interior of the case.

The interior obviously needed to be as stout as the steel box but soft as well to keep everything in the best state. I went with a thick upholsterers type of packing instead of foam. Thick but a bit spongier than foam so the compression of the case being closed would keep things in place but allow a bit more absorption of shock. Then I wrapped the padding with a nice crushed red velvet and for the finishing touch I stitched in an engraved good luck charm for the best wishes of safe travels and prosperous work while on the road.

After the interior was all tidied up, the case was closed and the finishing touches were then added to the exterior. This included a symmetrical maroon and gold pinstripe design on the top (front) of the case and a black, gold and maroon a-symmetrical pinstripe design on the bottom (back) of the case. The final piece was a real thing of beauty to see in person, especially in the sunlight! Needless to say it was accepted well.

Front (Top)

Back (Bottom)

So sticking to the dedication of all things not bought out of a catalog, here's a look at another little something that just so happens to fit that bill. If you just so happen to be interested in having a little line-age applied to something of yours contact me at, www.Vonleadfoot.com

Nasty Crafted Pocket Hide

Sometimes you just need a new wallet, especially when the one you have is some Chinese "leather" $10 job. I know, I know, you get what you pay for, you don't need to tell me. Here's the problem though, as I'm sure all you out there already know, you can't find a unique, quality wallet! You can look high and low but unless your willing to spend around £50-80/$70-100 you ain't goin' to find shit! Good, high quality, hand made products are worth their weight in gold and I have no problem paying for such top shelf goods, but my now old, shit, Chinese wallet and I can't afford to cough up the scratch that needs to be spent to pay for what my tastes desire...

My past follies of shit purchases aside, the decision was made to have a new wallet hand crafted. Upon spotting quite a unique, one off design, being carried by a friend, I decided what I wanted my wallet to roughly look like. Having a design in my head (and pictures on my phone) for a new pocket hide, and a shit wallet ready to be thrown the fuck out is great. But unless you have the tools and skill to make it all happen, you'll find yourself shit out of luck!! Obviously.

Well this is where it comes in handy to have a friend who just so happens to have the skills and the tools create things out of leather, when you don't possess them yourself. Here's the story, in pictures of the finished product, of my new hand made pocket hide. Thanks to my friend Dave over at Nasty Crafts, with the skills to shatter your existence! Here's to the imagination as well as to the pursuit of all things NOT bought out of a catalog.

If you want to enlist Dave of Nasty Crafts, nasty skills, here's a link for you to follow up with...

www.Nastycrafts.co.uk

Holes in the Soles

A day spent fuckin around at the park...catalog free, the way to be, as always.

                          As the clouds rolled in, so did the boys.

The N16 session begins.

The weather continued to hold as the everyone continued to shred.

Punk rock blaring out of a battery charger powered Marshall amp and plenty of beer drinking accompanied.

Just another day, another session in another pool.

No bullshit, just beers, boards, and bombing on a Saturday afternoon.

It all finished up later at a bar up the road where the booze was far more plentiful

and the tunes were blasting as loud as ever.

Thanks to James for letting me use his Nikon D3.