This Month's Header-Under The Influence

I did this drawing sometime in 1973 and you can clearly see the influence of the two bikes below.

Much of the general design was inspired from Joe Hurst's White Bear, but I used a Cone Motor instead of a Generator Shovel.

The bike from the center spread of Big Bike Magazine Sept. 1972 was the other source of influence. Borrowed from it were the rear fender, polished mags, rectangular headlight, pullbacks, and much of the style of the paint. It was also a South Bay bike but had more of a AEE Choppers look rather than the Dick Allen/Fats South Bay Style. The photo looks to be taken at the break water in King Harbor Redondo Beach, CA. with the Palos Verdes Peninsula in the background.

L.L.Long Bike Art

Here's a drawing I did either late in 72, or early 73. Long bikes were still in but getting lower. No high seats and pipes. The performance trend was gaining strength. Big carbs, magnetos and custom oil tanks were the hot set up... as were "Hot Pants" (short shorts on da'ladies).

CK's Chopper Sculpture

First, I posted Greg Parigian's sculpture and then Bruce Parrish's, so here's mine. It was done in the fall session of my senior year in 1972. It was part of an assignment in a art class where we were suppose to learn the craft of lost wax casting a plaster figure. Of course I made a biker figure for the bike using a wire armature covered with and sculpted in wax. I never did the casting part nor remember any classmates doing it for that matter. I think we all ran out of time.

It's a time consuming yet primitive technique since it takes no welding or soldering skills...
...just needle-nose pliers and wire.

Check out the amazing detail!... ...I kid.

I wish this old photo was better. The figure was actually fairly detailed and pretty cool. I kept it in a box with other stuff for a long time but finally grew tired of the wax sticking to things so tossed it. I now regret that.

Born Free 3 on Saturday

Just in case someone still doesn't know, the big show is Saturday. Click on this: Born Free for all the show info.

This brown version is one of about 24 I did working with Mike and Grant. Grant probably did another 6-12. I want to make a collaged image of all of them.

This Month's Header

June means it's time to get ready for Born-Free 3. Seems like it's been along time coming, but not for long.

I Photoshoped the girls onto the Born-Free knuckle after the first Garage Co. party, so I couldn't resist going all the way. I'm hoping this is how the day will end.

TMH Part 2 The Stripped Dresser Part 1

Here's my painting that I modified for This Month's Header.

The Harley art (below), for the 1958 model brochure served as inspiration. At the time I only had a postage stamp sized image for reference and thought it was cool so, wanted to do something like it only with more of a 60's look. The bike was made a 1960 model by changing the gas tank paint, emblem, and a headlight nacelle. I used the rocket graphic from that eras saddlebags along with some stars for the background which sort of gives it a Jetsons feel.

I call this style of Harley a "stripped dresser" since from about the 60's onward, FL's were pretty much sold with windshields, saddlebags, luggage racks, spot lamps, parking lights/turn signals, etc.

Rigid frame bikes definitely make the best choppers and bob jobs but, in my opinion, the Duo-Glides look even better when it comes to this stripped down elemental form.

This Month's Header-Merry F'ing Christmas

Can you believe it's already December?

Sorry about the lack of post but, being busy and leaving town for the Thanksgiving holiday, not much could be done about it. It's so bad that I'm posting this month's header back to back with last month's somewhat late explanation.

This art (re-worked for the season), is based on a piece I did several years ago. Why do I bother since, for the most part, I dread Christmas?

Later in the month, I'll reveal the art it is based on plus some ramblings on a related topic. I'll try to make up for the recent lack of post.

All Hallow's Eve

Have a "Safe Insane" one.

This Month's Header, A Little Knucklehead

This months header's art is from a small painting I did of a friends bike back in 1995. If my memory is correct, it was a rare 1942 model. I used a H-D factory photo from a 1939 model for reference and then made changes to match his bike. He ran a 18" wheel in front and a 16" in the back. One mistake, I retained the smaller size of the earlier model's air cleaner.

Knuckleheads Rule. Ruler and penny for scale.

Getting old sucks. It even surprises me the level of detail I use to paint without the use of reading glasses.

This Month's Header

I really liked the art I came up with for last July's header and wanted to do something similar. My wife said, "why don't you do fireworks coming out of exhaust pipes?...
...and choppers and bobbers only"!

Tattoo Progress

Ryan sent a progress report on his new tattoo.

The Knuckle Reaper was originally from my October 2010 Halloween header art. It got more reaction than any other art on the blog. Should I do a T-Shirt of it?

Old Chopper Drawings

When Greg Parigian sent his sculpture photos, I asked if he could send some of my old drawings that I haven't seen for years.

I haven't seen the top one since about 1969. He sent a copy of the bottom one a few years ago and it's been posted before.


The chopper out front is a trike featuring a surrey type top and wooden pickup box in the back. Until now, I completely forgot this drawing. It's funny how the memories come back.


I'm 99% sure this of an actual trike. There's are just too many details that I know I didn't make up. There was a Asian biker who went by the nickname "Chink" that had a trike like this. He and some other bikers lived in an old two story house across from the Jack in Box on the corner of Flower st. and Century Blvd in Inglewood, CA. Greg and I once rode our chopped Sting-Rays over to check out their bikes. The bikers got a real kick out of our bicycles and took turns trying to ride them. If only we took a camera. I Google mapped it, and it appears the house and a remodeled Jack in the Box are still there.

Rumors of My Demise

....have been greatly exaggerated

In case you wondered.
I've been out of town with no web connection.

Time to get it in gear.

This Month's Header

I admit it, I cheat. It's very time consuming to start from scratch, so I recycle images whenever I can.

This art was originally done in 1990 for an Art department Christmas display when I worked at Hughes Aircraft Company Space and Communications Group.


Ink up a chopper riding Santa and a few bikes, then work some Photoshop magic.

P.S. Sorry for the lack of post. I've been out of town for two weeks and it takes me awhile to get back in the blog groove.

Born-Free 3 Art

It's Official

Today, Mike and Grant announced the use of my art for the Born-Free 3 show flyers and ad promotions.

I submitted a few versions as the contest went on. After they picked it, I worked with them on recoloring it. I then re-worked it in higher resolution for printing etc.

It's an honor and I am more than happy to lend a hand to their amazing effort to put on what is becoming the best chopper show in the USA.

For more show info and updates, click this: Born-Free 3

I'm thinking about doing a post on the complete process. From the roughest sketch, to the color choices, influences, and final completion.

This Month's Header, Freaky Forks

I try to relate each header's image with something to do with the month. This time it's the cover from Roth's Choppers Magazine Nov. '69 and the drawing I did of it sometime in 1972.


For all you Choppers Magazine fans, here's the actual cover. I recently posted a few Goose-Necks, so why not a Freaky Fork?


Regardless what you think of the strange fork, it's a cool image, and it inspired me. India ink and a black color pencil on illustration board. 1972.


Here's a better look of the featured bike.


Too bad the forks got cropped in the magazine's gutter. I'm not sure his chic was dressed for a putt.

Then as now, guys have always been look'in to be different but, there's a point when it gets ridiculous. Thankfully freaky forks never really caught on.

I'm Back

and ready to roll.

I should be posting again on a regular basis.

I really need to make a new header for October!

Two Today

That's not a peace sign... the blog is 2 years old today.

This Month's Header

This month marks a couple of anniversaries.

Thirty five years ago, I bought my first motorcycle, a 1971 XLCH Sportster.


September 19, 1975. Downey, Ca. This photo wouldn't exist if it wasn't for my friend Zach Ananias. I was taking pictures the day I bought it when he happened to be driving by. Also, In the background is my first car, a '71 VW Super Beetle. In many ways, the Seventies, for better or worse was my era.

I therefore dedicate this month to First Rides and that great feeling you got when you took your first ride or finally got a bike of your own.

...and oh yeah... it's 2 years for the blog on the 8th.

Lack of Posts

For the about the last week I've had a stiff neck and a shoulder ache that's made it very uncomfortable to sit in front of the computer for any length of time. I have no idea what brought it on. Bad posture at the computer or during sleep? I'm much better now and will be posting again. Getting old sucks!

These old drawings somehow seemed appropriate.

Who the hell knows what's going on inside? circa 1974.