Finding History

As a collector of all things cool.  I've dreamt of coming across that find that makes you feel like your head is going to explode. The feeling of levitating because you're so excited! In that moment you become a believer of love at first sight.  I had one of days this weekend...  I met Mike Andrews about six months ago.  A retired illustraor for Boeing and avid hot rodder and motorcycle enthusiast.  Mike frequented our shop and shared his experiences riding and racing motorcycles in the late 60's.  We quickly became friends.  On a regular visit from Mike he brought over a 70' Triumph Daytona that was in great shape and for sale.  He offered it to me at a great price but I wasn't in the market and tied up on projects.  A few months went by and I received a phone call from a good friend in search of a Triumph for sale.  I immediately thought of Mike.  I set up the meeting and off we went.  We arrived at Mike's house an hour late, having taken a long detour thanks to google maps.  Proper introductions where made, hands where shook, and out came the Triumph.  As Fernando looked over the Triumph I noticed another bike in the rear of the garage.  I knew Mike had a few motorcycles but he never mentioned this one.  I quickly started eliminating the possibilities of what it could be??? Racing front end, Victor tank, Bates seat and "P" pad.  "HOLY SHIT'!!!  "It's a BSA Flat Tracker", "A VERY PERIOD, MINT ONE"!!!  "Hey Mike, what's the story on this bike?" I asked.  Mike started to blow me away with what he had to say.  Mike purchased the bike from a friend that had raced it on the flat tracker circuit throughout the 80's and 90's in Ventura.  But the bike had seen and won races in Ascott from it's previous owner and builder in the late 60's and 70's!  "A BIKE WITH RACING HISTORY!"  I had to have it!  Mike continued to tell me that he had pictures of it racing and the original owners name!  At that moment I had the closest experience of what it would be like to have sex without taking off my clothes!  "Is it for sale"? I asked.  "Yes".  Mike replied.  A few seconds later it was mine!!!  I could go on and on and keep telling you how much more happened and what it took to get it home and how my palms are sweating as I write.  But I won't, I'll let you enjoy the pictures and fall in love......like i did!          

Mystery of the GOOD TIMES VAN

I've been a prisoner for the last five weeks.  Confined to my couch watching the complete series of "The Sopranos" and drinking so much coffee I've made the "favorite customer wall" at my local cafe.  A separated shoulder is the pits!  In week six I got the ok to remove the sling and start rehab.  As soon as I felt better I persuaded my buddy with a promise that he have a short stack after our trip through the wrecking yards.  In our last go around through what seemed like 100 degree weather and never ending astro vans  I spotted a emblem I've never seen before.  "Good Times Van, president".  I've  been racking my head, speed reading through my old Hot Rod mags, Van World and Vannin'.  Searching for any information, a little clue on where the "Good Times Van" emblems might have come from.  Were they a custom van shop in the 70's?  An accessory given directly to customers when purchasing a custom van from a dealership?  So I've decided "why not summons the power of GRAY SKULL?", in this case that would be the internet.  So I leave you with the mystery of the "GOOD TIMES VAN" emblem and what little research I've come across...

Born Free 3 revisited...

As the days count down and the hours get closer I reflect on a hazy campfire.  A cooler full of beer, tri-tip, smoked salmon and eggs for breakfast and freshly ground coffee brewed over kingsford charcoal.  Not really your conventional campsite menu but what's conventional about a three day long weekend filled with Kustom Vans and Choppers in the middle of the mountains?  Born Free 3 was awesome!  Friday consisted of checking in to our campsite and having a long discussion of whether or not we would run into a mountain lion and would we be sober enough to pull one another from it's grip?  I quickly said no!  That being said it notioned what kind of ride we were in for.  Saturday morning was simple; breakfast, coffee, beer, Andrew's stash of Van books, beer and weed.  Once we were pumped we made the haul to the show.  Being floored by the level of craftsmanship and the quality of the bikes, we decided it would be a good idea to get drunk.  So we did and when one a clock came along and the temperature rose into the 100's we collectively decided it had been a bad idea.  Hence the drive back to the campsite.  After for what seemed like a long detour back and the sun baking my brain through the windshield we pulled into the campsite.  Shortly after that,  what followed was one of the worst allergy attacks suffered by a human being (Jay Cruz).  Saturday night was a blur but somewhere in between being asleep and being in Bob Dylan's 115th dream I heard someone scrambling to get into their tent. I heard the words "shit, shit, I can't get into my tent!"  "shit, I'm getting scared!"  At that point I realized..."hahaha awesome weekend!"

Levon Helms

On April 19, 2012 American music lost one of it's greats.  Mark Lavon "Levon" Helms passed away from a long battle with cancer.  Lead singer and drummer for "The Band",  he was an influential musician as well as American Icon.  His southern drawl and the sound of his inviting voice gave you a feeling of a time and culture where you might find yourself riding trains and traveling through the bluegrass states.  His soulful vocals in "The Weight",  landed The Band a song that ranked #41 out of 500 greatest songs of all time.  According to Rolling Stone magazine.  Their debut album "Music From Big Pink" also ranked #34 of 500 greatest albums of all time.  Rightfully all members of The Band were accomplished musicians.  Backing others like rockabilly great Ronnie Hawkins and Bob Dylan.  Levon and The Band truly made an impact on american music and he will be deeply missed.

Holy Pilgrimage

Southern California's land scape's are like no other.  You can travel west and hit a beach. You're surrounded by a valley just north. You head east and you're in deep into what Andrew and I called "Tweeker Country".  Just Like the religious crusade of the Knights Templars or Moises descending from Mt Sinai we were in search for something god sent.  A snapped fan shoard bracket and the noise it makes wasn't about to stop us.  Even the shady characters we ran into and the drugs they were dealing weren't a problem.  We were on a "Mission From God".  A mission to find....                                                                                                

      "The Hippy Killer Hoedown".