Hello, This custom motorcycle was as nice a build as possible. Using the chrome Harley motor for a base, the owner used what parts were available in a one stop shopping spree at a custom motorcycle parts supply warehouse. If one did not have the skills of cutting and changing a frame to meet the extended angle of the neck and front end, then, there were all sorts of “Harley” frames pre-built in the catalog for purchase or to get the whole ball rolling. (pun intended) Like a J.C. Whitney catalog for custom motorcycles. Once the frame was selected, then it was the styling cue that led to more purchases from the catalog. Pretty soon, the puzzle was starting to give some sense of a rolling motorcycle with the parts that were all at hand. If one lived near the So Cal warehouse, then it was a simple matter of drive and buy. If one was farther away, then the early delivery companies were put in place. Either way, the necessary parts were right there in the “custom motorcycle” section of the catalog(s). Jnaki The only drawback was that if and when parts were ordered and picked up, the customization was put in place during the assembly. But, 1000s of miles away, another enthusiast was possibly putting together the same parts that were popular at the time. A large “chance” zone was there, but it could be possible. Then, it came down to the gas tank design and custom seating arrangement. Colorful pinstriping and possible flames would add to the different possiblilties. Even a modified springer fork arrangement was available for a different motorcycle look in styling. All in a catalog for everyone… Then the speed parts like an S&S carburetor added to the power and custom look. Note: or… a full custom backyard/shop construction was made from an old frame and a welding torch, including a custom tank, accessories and such… one or another, it was a “custom motorcycle…” YRMV
View attachment 6033400 old post Hello, We met a lot of small motorcycle shop owners and riders that had a good thing going for the whole scene. Yes, they did their own custom work, building from scratch and sometimes taking longer due to the specifics of the custom work. Styles came from all over the USA. The trend was odd looking new customs as per area of the USA and then the high performance look as hinted by the low slung drag racing bikes. But, as the scene kept getting notoriety and a lot of people wanted to be in the “show,” those catalog places existed and helped a lot of folks get started in the industry. It wasn’t the West Coast Choppers show that started the custom bike movement. They did have skilled craftsmen working there, but it was one shop with a lot of publicity and “showmanship.” Now, it is a rescue mission… sort of a pun… there…ha! Jnaki Where would hot rodding be without catalogs and speed shops doing custom work and assembly projects? There are starting points for everyone, every pocketbook, and skill levels... YRMV
Oakland Roadster Show Hello, The famous Oakland Roadster Show when it was in the city of Oakland was interesting. The SF Bay Area was a hot bed of hot rods, but also of the custom motorcycle world. All makes and models were taken apart added to the long line of custom frames, front ends and powerful motors. The inclusion of the custom motorcycles were a part of the whole show. Stuffed along the lower areas away from the center displays of hot rods and custom cars. After all, it was a roadster show in name and advertising. But, undaunted, the custom motorcycle builders and shops kept at it until the displays were matching the roadsters and custom cars in quality. Only, they were not on the center stage. Jnaki In talking to several of the entrants at the roadster show in both the hot rod displays and the custom motorcycle areas, the motorcycle folks seemed to be more open in discussing the build, the painters and overall motorcycle scene. the hot rod folks were already in magazines and were gathering a following, so, they were not all up to talking about their famous hot rods or build techniques so openly. Not stuck up, but let’s say “aloof.” The underdog custom motorcycle folks knew the hard road ahead to get to the center displays along side of the roadsters and custom cars. So, they just developed thicker skins and plodded along with their custom displays and hard work finished motorcycles. Some were highly developed and as the styling changed from radical long front ends to shorter forks for the low drag bike look, it was a battle of sorts. One guy in particular was, “one for the books.” A Honda. A Honda? In this day and age of developing custom motorcycles, mainly Harley Davidson varieties, a custom Honda appeared one year. With it was a new front fork set up. No shocks or suspension other than a solid set of tubing or solid core variety. The wheel was far out in front and the length was just enough to allow some flex. But after the initial “horror,” people saw it as part of the custom motorcycle world. Something other than a Ford hot rod in the custom hot rod world did not kill the enthusiasm ... YRMV Note: Some of the photos are flash quality, but most were taken with high speed color slide film in natural light. The flash seemed to wash out a lot of natural details, even with filters and distance. So, the areas where most custom motorcycles were located necessitated some finagling to get the color shot just right.
Hello, When we were out in the Mojave Desert area racing in those long distance 40-50 mile Hare and Hound races, there were some parts of the course that came close to the pits. But, still away from the main gathering place, as it was an interesting place to watch the racers and the styles going up a narrow trail on the marked course. One part was a steep hill climb. The promoters had marked the trails with white chalk dust. One stripe showed the way. Two made course changes and three marked a “no area to ride” for some reason. (delicate desert plants or historic sites, etc.) We were chugging along on a flat sand wash and everyone was coming up to a very steep wall. It was steeper than anything we had come across so far. Now, three guys were all trying to race each other to get into the lead. Mainly, so everyone had to follow the narrow marked course down the wash and up the hill climb route. The trail uphill was clearly marked and could be seen from 20 yards away. Others were going up the narrow trail and we were catching up to that group. Now, the three of us were going up the trail wide enough for two bikes and that was it. On both sides were drop offs, back down hill and into some bushes, small trees and scrub brush groupings. It was a marked course and we were supposed to follow it around the whole course. Jnaki As I started going up the steep hill, my tire fell deeper into the soft dirt. But, more power allowed me to continue climbing uphill. The closest racer was almost next to me and the trail was full. We were both on 250 cc desert bikes. Then all of a sudden, a third racer came blasting up the hill and he had a big 650 cc Triumph with more power and experience. So, he tried to blast by the two of us battling for the lane. In an instant, the Triumph pushed the guy next to me over and now he was pushing me farther off of the trail. Finally, the Triumph had more power and totally took over the narrow trail. Now, my bike was sliding off of the marked trail and as I got momentum, kept going to my left. The motion was not good and the momentum kept me going to where the very soft dirt was in place. Now, I was being pushed over by the other 250cc bike rider and he actually used his hand to shove my handlebars over. He was still on the edge of the trail and I was now slipping off of the marked course. I could feel my bike and me sliding down. No amount of throttle was going to help. Gravity was now in session... Note: I was officially out of the race, due to being stuck in a Manzanita Bush location near the bottom of the steep hill. My bike had fallen off of the marked trail and now in soft dirt, fell over with me on it. My final resting place was on top of a huge section of Manzanita Bushes and their thorny branches. As I got up struggling, I felt a sharp pain in my neck. Under my Bell Helmet was a short branch sticking out and under the lower edge of the white helmet. It was painful and I decided not to pull it out. So, I turned my bike around and rode it back down the steep incline to the nearby pits area. My friend had finished the race and his wife almost fainted when she saw this stick or branch sticking out of my neck. We got all packed up and headed for the desert hospital. There, I got the standard funny jokes about being attacked by the roaming band of Manzanita bandits or “so much for helmet safety, etc…” The doctor carefully pulled out the branch and sewed up the opening after a soaking of antibiotics and alcohol. No, not the drinking kind… the last Greeves Challenger… That was the worst accident during my desert motorcycle racing days and for a long time, a slight lump was felt every time I rubbed my neck. Over time, it just disappeared, although my desert racing days were coming to a halt. The last two races were held in Baja Mexico along the sandy shoreline and beach side cliffs for an unusual race course. Salt spray as one part of the level sandy course, near the ocean, led to a short clifftop part of the course. And memories of “a stick in my neck” was always prevalent… when blasting up the narrow trail to the top of the cliff. YIKES!!!
Hello, That is my old friend, George. He was a great builder/owner of a cool motorcycle shop with his partner, Bob Hall. They both had a series of custom motorcycles through out the popular times of street customs. From full custom motorcycles with the low stance, long girder fronts ends to the lowered drag bike styles before the drag bike, custom motorcycles became popular all over the Westcoast. They were regulars in the local greater Los Angeles/Long Beach car shows that allowed custom motorcycles in, as part of the whole scene. Jnaki Here is the complete card front and back. Those were novelty items and were a funny addition to the popular car show/motorcycle show scene. Collecting cards was like the old bubble gum cards, but without the added tasty chew.
My Buddy had a 48 . We stopped at a train crossing . Next thing I know he is chugging down beside the train in the gravels and lays it down . I go running down to see WTH happened . He says the damn spring on the clutch pedal is worn out . Pedal vibrated up and away I went , had to turn and not into the side of the train ! Damn thing was laying on its side running and tire spinning away . Old dudes went tough as a nail .
The Jalopy Journal
