Venice Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show

Well, being a motorcycle enthusiast, I felt obligated to attend the Venice Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show today. I love Venice Beach and all that it has to offer - artists, freaks, cheap goods, etc. - and I love motorcycles.

I have to mention that I love Los Angeles. I felt myself get all giddy as we were driving through the L.A. area, as I always tend to do.  I know many people snub their noses at L.A., but I love it.  I can do without the traffic (fortunately, there wasn't much today - Sunday), but overall, it's a fun place to visit.

The show was great - much better than anticipated.  There were Harleys, Indians, BSAs, Hondas, BMWs, and more.  Most were cafe racer styles and bobbers - I love both.

There was live music, a few vendors, and tons of bikes.  There were a few babes, but I can't mention that too much as the wife wouldn't be too enthusiastic about it.

Perhaps it's time to post some pictures.  Without further ado, as they say, here's some images.

Here's probably the coolest bike out there.  It's a custom triumph.

Here's a BMW with mounted sidecar.  I love these old BMWs.

Here's a Bultaco cafe racer.  What a great bike!

Here's another BMW - nice looking bike!

One of the many cool bobbers on display.  My eyes say that I need one of these but my back says no.

There were a few Enfields on display.  Here's one of them.

Here's a cool old Harley.  I was once told that if you didn't have an oil leak on one of these old beauties, you would take it in to see what was wrong with it.

Here's a cafe racer of the Honda variety.

Here's a Husqvarna.  Beautiful!

Here's a cool Japanese Bobber.  Look at those leg-warmers!

Here's a motorcycle powered car/trike. I'm not sure the manufacturer, but it is cool.  Just look at that historical license plate.

Here's one of a handful of motorized bicycles on display.  I like the color scheme.

Here's a Norton.

Here's an old Ducati.

Here's another old Hog and a blacked-out Victory in the background.

Here's a rustic old Indian. There were a couple of these on display.  I'm not sure if they ran or not.

Check out this Triumph.  This thing was nicely finished.

Here is a Parilla.  I'm not sure that I've ever seen one of these before.

This is a Redneck Rocket chopper (I'm not making this stuff up).  It was a cool bike.  I was fortunate enough to talk with the owner for a few minutes.  He was a very cool guy.

Every once in a while, I have to post a non-motorcycle image.  Here it is.  Obviously it's a slammed VW Bug.  If you can believe it, I had one that was a tad bit lower than this one.

Just to display the variation in bike manufacturers and designs, here's a Trail-Breaker.  I've actually witnessed a guy who lives in the same mountain community that I do ride something similar in the snow.

Earlier, I showed you an image of a motorcycle-powered car.  Now I'm going to show you a car-powered motorcycle - well, it's a trike.  This thing has a blown V8.

Here's a VRod with ape hangers and suicide shift.  The shift nob, kind of hard to see in the image, is shaped like a mace (a spiked ball on the end of a stick). If you're not sure what that is, just search for "mace medieval weapon."

One last bobber to finish it up.

As you can see by the images above, there were many motorcycles on display.  They represented many manufacturers and styles, each with their own cool story.  I managed to take over 200 pictures of them - my wife actually didn't complain much, surprisingly.

Following the show, the organizers had a ride planned, followed by an after party.  We didn't stay for the events.  Instead, the wife and I took this opportunity away from the kids to enjoy a nice stroll along the beach - it is Venice after all!

Well, I hope you enjoyed the photos and descriptions.  I look forward to going again next year.

Big Bear Solo Ride

Well, I didn't feel like riding out to Corona and participating in the Apprenticeship Summer Poker Run.  That ride would take me to Cook's corner again.  It wouldn't have been a bad ride, but Big Bear's in my backyard.

I left before 8:30 am and, oddly enough, ran into a bit of sprinkling along the way.  I know, crazy, huh?  It's summer already!

I took a nice little ride around the lake and stopped here and there for photo opportunities. I found a nice little cafe that was still serving breakfast after 11. I felt like biscuits and gravy, so I stopped.

There were a lot of motorcyclists out there today.  It was definitely the right weather for it.

After eating and completing my trip around the lake, I made my way to Arrowhead.  I wanted to check out the Summer Concert Series calendar.  I haven't seen anything posted online about it this year, and my family and I like to check out a band or two each year.  Last year we caught Dead Man's Party, an Oingo Boingo tribute band and they were great.  Went there for Octoberfest as well and caught a decent little concert.

Anyway, Dead Man's Party isn't playing up there this year - a real shame. There were a couple of others that I'd be interested in, but can't remember who at this time.

Well, here's a few pictures taken today while traveling the winding mountain roads.

I hope you enjoy.


-Ed

Upcoming Events and Rides

Well, there are a few events this weekend, but I may only have time enough to attend one.

There's a poker run out of Corona, Ca this Saturday, Fullerton Harley is having a family event there on Sunday and I hear that their shop is very nice, and there is a classic motorcycle show in Venice on Sunday.

I like poker runs as much or more than the next guy, but I don't think I'll be able to make it this weekend.  I plan on attending the classic bike show on Sunday in Venice and hope to take the family unit along.  If possible, I'd like to swing by the Fullerton Harley dealership on the way home - a bit out of the way, but if time allows, I'll go.

I hope everyone else is going to enjoy some riding this weekend - or at least get outdoors.

4th of July Weekend Ahead

I'm not sure if I'll be riding in any events this weekend.

My wife and I plan on staying close to home, taking part in the festival that happens down the street from us in the San Bernardino mountains.  We have a parade that stages literally in front of our house.  We will be unable to leave our home by car or bike until the parade is underway.  Usually, we park the vehicles to the side and set up some chairs in the drive and relax and watch the parade go by.

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe 4th!

-Ed

Million Mile Monday

Well, yesterday was Million Mile Monday for the National Harley Owner's Group. The goal was to log 5,000,000 miles world-wide for all Harley Owner's Group members.

The wife and I rode out to Kern River in smoldering hot So. Cal. We logged a scorching 398 miles.

Here's a few images from the trip.

Choir Boys Christmas In June Ride 2010

I had the pleasure of riding in the poker run presented by the Choir Boys, which started at Pomona Valley Harley Davidson and ended at Bass Pro Shops in Rancho Cucamonga.

As usual, I didn't fare well in the poker run. It started out great, I had possibly the worst hand in the making - an 8, 5, and a 2 of various suits. If I keep this up, I would be able to claim the prize for worst hand - not a bad payout.

I proceeded to the fourth stop, hoping for another lousy card and continue my streak. This stop was a cool little bar that I hadn't known to exist, although I've lived in the same city for over 10 years. I approached the couple of bikers tending the bar and not the table of cards in the next room (poor bastards were hopelessly drawn to the attractive beauties pouring the drinks). I drew my card. Damn! Another five.

Looking at a pair of fives, I now hope for a third or at least 2 pair.

The final stop, Bass Pro Shops, allowed me to draw my final card. Hope still lingering near the surface of my brain, I hastily reached for a card. I turned it over to see a face card of some sort. Knowing that I had failed to win a prize, I didn't really pay much attention to what the card was.

I proceeded to Bass Pro Shops from the parking lot. Big mistake. I now long for a boat and I know that this isn't going to be good news for the wife.

I had my provided lunch, chatted with a few of the Choir Boys, and enjoyed the rest of my time there. Vendors were available, with makeshift booths and tables of various garments and wares for the purchasing. All-in-all, it was a nice experience and I really enjoyed it.

Thanks, Choir Boys!

Big Bear Choppers Ride 2010

Here's some images from the Big Bear Choppers Ride June 2010 in beautiful So. Cal.

San Bernardino County Sheriff's Ride

The wife and I signed up to do the San Bernardino County Sheriff's ride.  The proceeds from the ride benefit the families of downed officers. I was honored to take part in the ride.

The ride was deputy escorted, alleviating the need to stop at those pesky signals and intersections.  Said deputies on escort duty were insane, speeding their way to the front when necessary in order to prevent vehicles from entering our lanes.

The only complaint that I had was the fact that the covering of hand signals and riding etiquette.  There were a few yahoos in the group that had no sense when it came to riding in a group through the winding roads of the San Bernardino mountains. The guy beside me on the Honda, for instance, road dangerously close to the person in front of him and maintained a position next to me on the curves - this should have been a single-file zone.

Other than that, the weather was great, the ride through the mountains was awesome, and there were many cool bikes on display.

Here's some photos of the event:

The parking lot prior to leaving.

Heading out on 3rd street.

The old bridge.

Trekking the mountain.

The obligatory potty break.

The skyline.

My friend Kris on his Iron 883.

Renegade Classic Bike Night in Riverside, Ca June 2010

Here's a cool bike that was at the Renegade Leather Bike Night in Riverside.  Appropriate that it had Lakers-colored flames.

West Coast Thunder 2010

My wife and I were fortunate to participate in West Coast Thunder this year.  It's a ride that is a tribute to our awesome military veterans and occurs during Memorial Day weekend.

There were approximately 7500 bikes riding in the event.

This was our first year and I have to say, I was a bit choked up.  There were many people out on the streets, waving their American flags, holding signs, and just showing their patriotism and support of our Armed Forces.

A Huey flew overhead.  A smaller helicopter accompanied the impressive military chopper. Also in attendance was what appeared to be a C130, known as Hercules or Herky Bird to some.

Here are a few pics from the event.