New Custom Belt Buckles From Rusty Knuckles

Shovelhead belt buckle design from Rusty Knuckles

Creating new items is just something we wake up pondering over. It could be a new tshirt design, album cover, a belt buckle or maybe a new style of motorcycle bag. Whatever it may be, we labor for hours thinking everything through and thinking on what might be a great new product. 

Order one of our custom belt buckles from our Etsy store

Thank You Ohio For Good Friends And Motorcycles

Oh Panhead, let me rescue you back to North Carolina

Weekends come and go like the sun sets each day and brings about the change of light to dark. But every now and then you get to have a weekend where it seems to shine in perpetuity. While up in Columbus, Ohio last Friday through Sunday we worked on a quick little documentary about Fred Workman of the Big Bike Shop and talked on quite a few of his incredible builds. Hopefully we will be able to launch that video project in the coming weeks.

If there is one bike shop to obtain all the information you need to know about how to work on any Harley of any make or to find that rare Knucklehead gasket, the Big Bike Shop is the answer. Fred is as humble as they come and seeing him smile while talking on his projects is truly a rare find. I feel honored to have spent a few hours hanging out at the shop and getting a few of his stories on film. Also big thanks to the entire Ohio Posse for always making a good time even better. Muchos Gracias to Tyke, Brad and Sherwood for being hombres.

Can't wait to be back in a few months to run the Ohio Mile

Fred Workman talking to one of his customers at the Big Bike Shop in Columbus, OH

Me, Tyke and Fred Workman talking on a few builds

Getting my first taste of a Little King in Brad's 55 Chevy

Fred explaining his dirt drag build

Fred Workman and one of his over long front ends

Need a primary cover

Brad working on the front headlight of his FLH Shovelhead

Good time wtih the fellas in Ohio

Tyke and I out checking the local scenery

A bit of oil blow by on the ol' Panhead

Bin of old carbs

Gas Monkey Garage Has A Sweet Shovel For Sale

We have quite a few friends in Texas, so if any of yall are looking for a sweet Shovelhead that is ready to roll, this one might be for you. It was recently up for auction on ebay but failed to hit the reserve of $6k. Give those fellas over at Gas Monkey Garage a call and see if it's still available.

Check out Gas Monkey Garage

Link to original post on Ebay

Gas Monkey Garage has their 73' Shovelhead for sale

Open primary, floor boards and a strong shovel motor ready to roll. This bike is ready for some miles and smiles

Gas Monkey Garage 1973 has been rebuilt and ready to roll, give them a holler as it's for sale

Clean setup with the kickstart a stout motor to boot

Gas Monkey Garage shovelhead for sale, shot from the rear

Exclusively available to YOU today from Gas Monkey Garage in Dallas, TX, is this fantastically fine example of a 1973 Harley-Davidson FLH. To be featured in an upcoming episode of The Discovery Channel's "Fast 'n Loud", this bike was built by the men themselves HERE at GAS MONKEY! If you're looking for an utterly mean and low FLH, look no further because we've got it sitting here in our shop. All it needs is a new home with someone to cruise it, ride it, thrash it, and do some true Gas Monkey style doughnuts on it if you so desire (kids, don't try this at home).

Specifications:

-1200cc
-Lowered 2'
-74" Shovel Head
-S&S High Flow oil Pump
-S&S Super Carb
-Spike Alternator & Rectifier
-Polished Rocker Boxes
-Crane Hi 4 Ignition
-1.75" Drag Pipes and Carb is Jetted Correctly for Pipes
-16" Chrome Apes
-Polished Jay Brake Hand Controls
-Solo Lepera Saddle

-2" Primo Open Belt Drive
-4 Speed HD Cowpie Transmission
-Final gear 24-48 with Chrome Sprocket
-Kickstart Only (no starter)
-16" Chrome Spokes
-GMA Rear Caliper with 11.5" Rear Disc

-2" Under Fork Tubes
-Polished Lower Legs and Headlight Bezel
-11" Progressive Rear Shocks with Chrome Covers
-Chrome Swing Arm with Billet Adjusters

Looking For A Clean Panhead - Shovelhead?

Been eyeing up some ideas for a winter project but want to start with something that is already running? Starting a project without too much of a complete tear down is always a good thing. Sometimes finding a good starter kit can be a huge saver of time and then when you need to really dive in. Or maybe you want to buy a bike that is already built and ready to roll, well then, your chariot awaits.

Bid on this 1949 Pan Shovel before its gone

"Bike started as a basket of parts purchased off craiglist. Two years of work this is the finished product. I have about 5,000 miles on the bike, but now its time for her to go. Motor and tranny were built by "painter Joe" in Palmdale. All original H-D parts through out. Andrews gears in tranny and mild street cam in motor. Bike is a strong runner and fires on the first or second kick. H-D front end, gas tank, oil tank & rear wheel and brake. Bike is 100% legit as shown and advertised!"

1949 Harley Davidson Panhead Shovelhead, ready to roll

1949 Harley Davidson Panhead Shovelhead

The Horse Smokeout 2012

Another Smokeout has come to pass and more good times and memories were made. One aspect of the show that we always enjoy the most is running into a plethora of friends from around the country. The show is always full of amazing bike builds and the party goes on for multiple days.

We have a few gripes though and they are easy fixes. With the amount of money and mass of folks that show up, why can they not get better bands as they have in the past. The last few years have been a joke for music. Why have an AC/DC cover band on a Saturday night, when they could easily afford many other bands playing original music that would go over huge and actually pull more folks in for the event. If they want to grow the event, they need to really think over what bands they are hiring for the main stage.

Another issue that didn't sit too well with us is if you see someone shooting photos of a bike that has setup a shot, don't try to side bust the photo and claim that since you work for a magazine that you can just get by with it. Be cool and ask the individual who owns the bike, if you can get some shots as well. Have some damn manners and artistic integrity with your work, will take ya much further for the long haul.

See all the photos on our Flickr page

Flounder's Honda 750 Chopper

America As Fuck sticker on a Panhead

Eric and Randy's swingarm Shovelheads

Rob and Wes loungin' at the Justified Defiance booth

Killer FXR that was way too trick to capture in just one photo

1966 Harley Shovelhead Wants A New Home

Buy this bike now on ebay

"This bike is featured in this months (April) issue of CYCLE SOURCE Magazine.This is a fresh build. New tires front is old school ribbed type, rear is a Shinko re pop of the old Goodyear. New chain,It has a brand new Cycle Electric generator with built in regulator. The engine was completly rebuilt by Slims garage in Atlanta. Its an 80 inch with std cases, Harley heads etc. S&S carb. It has mallory electronic distributor.new aluminum oil pump. New plugs wires, breaker, battery. Brand new pipes. Brand new BDL 1 1/2 primary. five finger clutch.The transmission is a ratchet top 4 speed. Its jockey shift now it has a custom made brass shift knob, if you cant ride it that way its easy to change back. The frame is a Paugcho wishbone, brand new. No rake or stretch. The rear has new Harley disc brakes with new lines. No front brake but the mounts are on the forks if you want it.The bars are some I had for a while,not sure who made them,they have a good bit of pullback to them,I would say from the 70's.The front end is a brand new DNA stock length.The gas tank is a real Wassell that has been friscoed the right way, The tunnel was redone, not just some mounts welded on. It has a polished brass petcock. The rear fender is an old spare tire cover. The oil tank is a horseshoe type that has been narrowed to tuck in the frame.The paint is House of Kolor, its a custom mix of rootbeers and golds over a flake base with old school lace work.the side mount has the old style tailight, and a remote filter. The seat is custom stitched, not just store bought. This is a really clean, really tight shovel.There is a lot of stainless and chrome hardware, clamps etc. Some of the chrome on the bike is old and shows wear and scratches. This bike has less than 100 miles on it. This bike has a clear title, not titled as a Harley. It is titled as a jailhouse chopper, they are a licensed manufacturer, this is not some home built backyard title, or assembled, or BS crap. I have the reserve set lower than the sum of the parts if you ordered all this and it was just laying in the floor in boxes. Please be serious about bidding. I will ship wherever you like as long as you chose a company you like. I prefer cash in person,or a certified check. I do not do paypal. Thanks for looking and good luck. I am also listing another bike and parts soon. Also the bike is for sell locally. and I may end the auction early."

1966 Harley Shovelhead Chopper

Custom paint with lace inset and orange in deep metal flake with hints of root beer colors

Rear view of ultra clean Shovelhead chopper

Right side view of Shovelehad chopper

Right side of 1966  Harley Shovelhead chop in workspace

Detail on brass plumbing fittings from gas tank top of rocker boxes

Replica Knuckle And Pan Motors From Germany

Been digging around to find more info about these dudes over in Germany making replica Pan and Knuckle motors but can't find too much more about them. Anyone got more info detailing their pricing or if their motors are any good? Looks like they have the casting and machining dialed in, but that is just one piece to the puzzle.

Motortechnic Mfg of Germany

Motortechnic Mfg of Germany with a Flathead and Knucklehead reproduction motors assembled

Bottom end cases ready for assembly

Inside view of the cases

Flywheel assembled

Cam gears

Cast casing ready for assembly

Wrench Works 1977 Shovelhead

Josh over at Wrench Works recently completed his killer 1977 Shovelhead project. After a crazy roll out to the midwest in a massive snowstorm last winter he picked up his donor project and made it back in one piece and slowly started to dismantle and revamp the bike you see here. His goal was to have a reliable daily rider and one that could still turn heads as a shop bike. We think he did it up just right as she fires up on one kick. Also, this build shows what should matter most of all, reliability, ride comfort and not a trailer queen. The way he tears around on this sweet shovel, we sure as hell know it exemplifies these notions.

All images © Rusty Knuckles, view more over on Rusty Knuckles Flickr page

Josh of Wrench Works

Ocho Loco Press and Rusty Knuckles Team Up

Life is amazing when things come together easily. Every year during SXSW we go down to the poster show and see what new poster works are out, but primarily we go to see one of our biker brethren over at Ocho Loco Press. John is there every year and without fail, his work stands out amongst all the other printers and designers. 


We could go on and on about why we dig the work of Ocho Loco Press but what we enjoy most is the simplicity in the designs and that they are all done by hand. Yes, you heard it right, they are all done by hand. John hand cuts the rubylith and creates the positive images for printing then prints the images on wood. It is this steadfast craftsmanship and focus on quality design that we are damn proud to be working with him on several new projects. 


For this fall will have a few new products available through us exclusively from Ocho Loco Press, so have a look at the first image being worked up. This will be printed on wood as a poster and calendar while also being available on garments as well. Stay tuned for more updates on this killer new project and a few other shirt designs coming from Ocho Loco Press.

Venice Vintage Motorcycle Rally

The fine folks over in Venice, CA are having a killer rally and party on October 22nd, damn why couldn't it have been the weekend of Oct. 9th as we will be in town. Here is some quick info on what they consider "Vintage"

Q:  What do you consider “Vintage?”
A:  So technically speaking, it’s 20 yrs. or older.  However we consider vintage to be anything pre ’78.  It was around this time that bikes of most brands started to take on a more modern look.  As well, it was the last year Honda released a bike with a kick-start.  Having said that, we’re not snobs so don’t worry about it...unless it’s Wednesday.
   
Q:  Do I have to be a member to join the rides?
A:  Nope.  Hop on your vintage bike and come ride with us!

Q:  How do I join?
A:   The VVMC is a not an organization, it’s a club.  Even more, a small, tight group of like minded (and a bit crazy) friends.   Therefore, there are no dues or membership fees.  If you’re serious about joining the clan, here’s the simple law:

1. You MUST ride a vintage (pre ’78) bike.

2. Plan on riding with us and being active in the group for at least a year.  

Showing up on occasion doesn’t cut it.
1. You can’t be a major tool.


....it’s just that simple.


2011 Venice Vintage Motorcycle Rally - October 22nd

Morning Ride - 10 AM

AHRMA Vintage Racing Exhibit

Builders Garage

Vintage Judging

Raffle

Live Music

Beer + Rum Garden

Pinup Girl Contest - 5PM

Food * Drinks

Motorcycle Art

After Party - 6PM

Wrench Works - Sturigs Run Part 1

We got a huge batch of photos from Josh over at Wrench Works from his Sturgis trip this year, back in August. Will be posting them in several batches are there are way too many for just one sitting. After seeing these roads its quite easy to understand why the multitudes descend on South Dakota for our version of Mecca. Beer, bikes and debauchery are just a side note when it comes to the grandeur that is this region of the country. Get out there and ride the great highways and backroads. To hell with excuses, take the time, tune the bikes and report back on your findings. This blog is just one of many that can be a forum to any and all that want to contribute.  Send us an email and we would be glad to post your runs, bikes and travels.