Shovelhead progress!

So.. I got a bit of work done on the shovel at shopnight. I'm pretty sure I did more fucking off than actual work..not stoked on that. A nice change though, I suppose. George persuaded me to get off my ass and we ended up getting my rear caliper bracket welded into place while holding hands the entire time. (Hey George.) Also, I notched my battery tray so as to make room for my clutch cable. Oh, and I slapped on another set of early risers that I hand filed some grooves into for just a little extra flavor. Did I get a lot of work done? No. Did I fuck around a lot and have a good time? YES! Whatever.
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'75 XLCH!

So..this is my scooter. I rescued this motorcycle from the depths of the cursed, shithole town known as Empire, CA. A realm that the gods and the city sanitation dept. had clearly turned their backs on. A trailer park that smelled of cat piss and hot garbage (literally). This liberation took place 4 years ago, it was a craigslist find, and was listed for 1400 bucks. The bike had not run for almost a decade and needed some serious attention. After a bunch of, "what do you think?'s" to a couple of friends, I decided to go check it out and ended up buying this thing for 1200. I've put some pretty serious time into this bike and have gotten tons of help along the way from all of the homeboys at the shop. This is my 1975 1000cc ironhead xlch. Thanks: Pat, Jamey, Timmo, and all of the rad dudes at shopnight.
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Shovelhead progress!

Shopnight started well with George giving me a crash course on using the cutting torch properly. Utilizing my new found skills, I decided it was time to fashion a license plate mount. Once again, with the help of George Perry, this was a simple task. I did the cutting, George did the welding. Measuring/eyeballing was a shared venture. With that mission complete, I moved on, revisiting my oil bag. I cut a set of spacers from jamey's stash and slapped them on. Perfect fit. Still need to cut a notch in the battery tray for my clutch cable to fit, but that should be no problem. Next week..
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Mandella's commando!

In my day, I have been offered many a ride on the back of a man's bike. Up until a week ago I had respectfully declined all invitations. Was it fear that led me to say no? Maybe.. Was it a mistake to decline? Perhaps.. Well, last week Willie Mandella looked at me with those piercing beautiful eyes and said, "get on, baby". How could I say no? I couldn't.. going nuts to butts with Mr. Mandella may be the best decision I've ever made. Never will I turn down another opportunity. This is Willie Mandella's 1975 850 Norton commando.
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Shovelhead progress!

So, shopnight went well. With Jamey Thorpe on the mig, I managed to get some seat studs burned on, I installed my seat springs and mocked up my new oil bag/battery tray, thanks papa. George and I then proceeded to fuck about, trying to get my damn clutch arm to fit under the battery tray. I still need some spacers, but mission semi accomplished. Here's a few pics of the collection of scooters at shopnight and a couple pretty nice pans..
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George Perry's shovel!

As some of you may have heard, George Perry has recently been promoted to sergeant in my friendship army. He is quickly climbing the ranks due to his recent performance in the "helping me with my chopper" department. His promotion was also awarded by being an all around awesome dude and stupendous acetylene bomb maker. This is George's 1966 FL generator shovelhead. Read 'em and weep you goddamn chuds.
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Timmo's shovel!

This next scooter belongs to a dear friend and brother. A guy who will literally give you the shirt off of his back. (I've seen this happen.) Always down to help you out, and will drop some serious knowledge on that ass! This gentleman has shown me how to NOT fuck things up for years now. Or maybe fuck things up less.. This is Tim Maloney's 1971 74" shovelhead FLH. iBastardos por vida!
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Shovelhead progress!

Shopnight was good tonight. George and I managed to finish up my shifter/footpeg bracket, it turned out awesome.. It looks like its gonna be a kick shift bike, fuck yeah! I also was able to bend a tiny headlight bracket and finally install the badass headlight that was given to me by a very special friend. Thank you papa (Jamey Thorpe)!
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