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!