Immaculate...........
Its Fucking official my Jesus the man him self Francis Dunnery will be playing our living room on sunday September 7th. So stoked for many reasons one, most of my music idols have died, Francis being THE idol this is amazing. Much to do around the house before the big man gets here. I had a huge portrait done of him on some prime real-estate my entire forearm now I am going to have him sign it and have it tattooed. This week has been amazing the Hellbent is done and on the road. Riding it was an awesome feeling my sweat blood and many tears went in to it. Just in time for winter, well not quite but I will be tearing back in to it then for the final phase, Which will consist of the new Baker 6 speed with kicker and some touch ups maybe even a Suicide shift but will see. I also got a call from a huge company out of Virginia and they are flying up here to meet with me on Wednesday to work out the deal on what could be a huge contract for me in my flooring company. And if all thats not enough I may have a buyer on the Sick and Twisted bike which should start construction this winter. On top the world right now, but going to keep short tonight, heading out on the road to Michigan to take the boys home tomorrow. Much Love and Happiness to all of you, Be Good.
Posted By - chopzinicustoms on August 9, 2008
The Urban Amish Are Taking Over.........
Finally an entry, Life has been crazy as of late. I watch everything going on in this world and for the most part it saddens me. For one I hate politics so I could care less whom there going to choose to fuck this country up some more. Power will always equal greed sometimes I wish I had a time machine people think all this new high tech shit is bigger and better, it all comes back to bite you in the ass. Everyone wanted a bigger badder SUV not so cool now with gas the price it is. Cell phone smaller and smaller TV’s bigger and bigger just keep them working. I try to live in my own little world as of late I call it “The Urban Amish Community” or the UAC and for the record don’t go and try to steal my cool aid this community is plenty big enough for every one. Its so weird that as this country deteriorates more and more our kids of the next generation get worse and worse. It comes down to respect and very few kids have that these days. Its harder right off the bat cause most kids like mine are in a divorced situation. Its hard to raise kids when you only have them 25 percent of the time. Its never enough time and you always wonder if you have given them enough. Even our kids that live in the house full time, its hard enough instilling them with the right morals to carry with them so they make the right decisions in life. A lot has happened this summer with chopzini the rebuilds have went well they were a long road on all three bikes, My dads bike the shovel is complete and in delivered to Michigan. The Hellbent bike is just about done we have mill and fabed damm near every piece on that bike. Once we had it back together and ready to go we realized that the belt on the primary was too loose. Not an easy fix Doug had to take a pulley that was set up for a four inch drive and mill it to work on our Karata/Tech Cycle set up. Videos and pics to come soon. The Lucky shot went off with a bang a good looking bike and now resides in St. Louis with Luke. It was hard for me to let that bike go but it brought a new project to the shop. 1927 T Bucket tons to do on it. Its weird with choppers I can get the lines and direction of where I want the bike to go an ultimately end up. With Rods its a different world, But it will be bad ass once its done. Rods are a new area for me I built custom Jeeps fro a while which was a blast but like most things in my life it came with an expiration date. Theres only so much you can do with them till you just repeating. Choppers are like that to a point but they are smaller and easier to store. Work has been insane and for once it has not been bikes on the brain usually its like clock work. Got my boys out here for a few weeks kinda nice to be able to be settled in to one place for a bit and not be on the road then landing for a few days then off again. Took this week off to hang out with family and prepare for the crazy weeks to round out the summer. Well I am off to the bank and download the new Whitey Morgan and the 78’s cd on I tunes which I encourage you all to do as well. Peace and Happiness to all and be good.
Posted By - chopzinicustoms on August 5, 2008
Slow Train............
Journal entries, moments frozen, happiness captured and static and pinned to a piece of paper, memories strapped and caged in two dimensions. I look at them sometimes and remember. And then I put them back in whatever drawer they came from and I close the drawer. Because you can't live in them. They are one or two dimensions shy of actual life and we are all stuck living actual lives, whether we like it or not. Photographs and memories are all well and good but living in is not the same thing as actually living. And that's my problem. I've never been able to string the moments together to the point where they stop being a string of moments hung like xmas lights across my life and just start being a life. A life. Something you can live in. Sometimes I get called out for living in Dreams or a Bubble. Still, anyone who can Dream, can Dream again, I guess. It doesn't change the fact that there are always so many possibilities. There is always a tomorrow in which you are not doomed. I didn't understand that once. I saw my life unwoven and I began to simply drift away. I don't think I'll drift away anymore. I hope not anyway. I am in a good place in life and with my woman whom I cant get enough of. Things only end, after all, because they once began, so maybe all these endings are just the last things that happen before something else begins. Maybe you even come to an end so that you can simply step back and take a clearer look, then see a better way to begin again. There are things I wish I could begin again. But doesn’t everyone. I met Becky in a different way then I had met anyone in my life. I also at the time lived 400 miles from her gives you tons of time to think driving 7 hours each way weather it felt right or not. Bec took a totally different road then I did we both had kids but she chose to get an education and not be in a married relationship. She was smarter than me that way. She knew a bubble when she saw it. I always think they're real life. I always think it's really happening, but the world is a dream for me sometimes and however nice and bright and full of possibility it seems, I always seem to wake up under a dimmer sun. It's because, even though I always say the opposite, I really want to stay in the bubble, or at least I did (maybe not so much anymore), and, in the end, you always have to pop it. You have to pop it and walk outside and find your way through a real day. You have to live without perfection and love a flaw. I saw this bullshit artist on TV last week and he said some crap about god wanting us to forgive each other our imperfections. What a pile of crap. What arrogance to think that someone's imperfection is yours to forgive. Why not just see it for what it really is: a perfect expression of something unique and incalculably rare and irreplaceable, like a spray of freckles across the bridge of her nose or a hand that can reach across your whole life and lay a palm against your cheek and make a bed into which everything you are can fall and rest. We spend our lives strung so tight across wires that stiffen us into far more jagged versions of ourselves than we were ever meant to be. We are so much harder and so much more brittle than our mothers ever intended. All that love and then they let us go and we hang ourselves like scarecrows in solitary fields, hung up to keep ourselves from ourselves and far far away from everybody else, And then a hand touches your cheek and you still have to figure out how to live outside the bubble. Nothing changes that. I don't know how that works. I don't know how to do that. I DO know that the bubble is just a photograph. I know a bubble will eventually just be a memory and even the best memories are always gone. I know that's true so everything that comes after is so full of possibilities. I have reached a point in life where change is happening, some by choice some by force. This economy if thats what we are calling it anymore does not help the working man who tries to just make the ends meet and support there families. Its becoming a matter of setting yourself up for what is to come. Some will prevail and others will fold. What I know so far The “Lucky Shot” will be sold it is up for sale now we do have a few things left on the build but very little. The Shovel is also for sale. And the Hellbent bike could be as well I am having a hard time if I do let it go. If your interested drop me an email they will all be on the site in a while but I figured I d let you folks whom read this know first. If I let the Hellbent bike go I will be taking a list on it, I have some people in line that I promised first crack at it if I ever sold it. I will make a final discussion if it will be on the chopin block by July. Why? In order for mr to continue what I do it takes seed money and they way gas is and the economy, Keeping every bike you build is not in the cards. My family will always come first in everything I do. Enough on that its depressing. So I am off to spend some much long over do time with my wife, between her work schedule and my schedule we never see each other it seems. Be good!!!!!
Posted By - chopzinicustoms on June 7, 2008
The Lone Wolf...........................
Back home here for a few days getting in a long over due entry. Feel so disconnected with my life right now. Not sure the pin point reason, but I d be lying if if said it did not freak me out a bit. Might just be the day or maybe I have myself spread to thin. I used to worry about what is to come in life now I am just numb and take it as it comes. I had this dream last night and my family was just getting on this ride at a theme park when it crashed right in front of us. Then checking my email this morning I saw a ride in California really did crash. Then following that I called Bec this morning and dial one number wrong and the guys ringer rang “woke up this morning could not believe what I saw” And if all that was not enough went to fire up the Hellbent with the new pipes and a ball of fire shot out of the pipe caught me in the arm. Signs of something to come I guess. I think I have dealt with just about everything a person could deal with in life, but I could be wrong. I hate surprises they never seem to work out well for my team. I have learned a lot from my past, I thought enough. It is weird, they say history repeats it self. I mean look at our economy but thats a whole another entry. I watch people go through things in life and tell them it will all work out I have been there before, but I never meet people who have been through what I go through if that makes any sense. Funny how life's plan works. The pipes on the Hellbent bike are now done and I am going to paint em up tomorrow. Very cool short loud as fuck with rain flaps. Just about done with the builds this year waiting on the tanks to come back from Matt and that should about put us in the wind. Really excited to re-unveil the Hellbent a lot of heart and soul in it. I took a lot of risks with the bars and tank, built a look that felt good for me. The pipes are going to be a rucuss and may burn the bottom of my leg but they look cool and sound awesome. Besides if you ain’t got loud you got nothin. So I got a little time to get a few hours of work in on the bikes and hit the road again this week. As of late I dread the road it just seems longer and longer, but this time out I think will be good clear my head a bit give me time to figure out what lies ahead. Be good.........
Posted By - chopzinicustoms on May 18, 2008
Cheating at Solitaire
Got a little Catfish Blues on right now the man Buddy Guy singing them blues. Its been a month of sundays since I got a Journal up. Shits been mad crazy round here. My flooring company’s been getting busy which is always a good thing. The biggest news is The fucking monster Panhead in the Hellbent bike finally started, I have been wanting to run a Magneto on it and I may regret it when out in the middle of the country and it fails me, but thats what is awesome about bikers there's always a shop somewhere with open arms ready to lend a hand or wrench. I changed so much on the Hellbent bike, but its always a crap shoot till you get on the stead and ride it down the road. The way it used to be set up the center of gravity was ok but not great. If I road Bec on the fender it was alright unless she was in heals lol. She may be a bit top heavy now the new tank is over double the amount gallons and I lowered the bars about six inches. The Lucky Shot was done just waiting on the tank and we found out from the painter the tank could not be fixed. I changed up the tank and the bars on it, went for a little tribute to Johnny Chop with some T bars pushed way down for a uncomfortable ride from hell. Tomorrow starts crunch time on the Shovel, got about a months worth of work to cram into two days did some motor work which is new to me. I don't usually tear in to the motor but we'll see, I love a challenge and learning new things. So the plan is to get these bikes wrapped up this month, get em to a photo shoot and then ride the shit out of em. The bars that we made for the Hellbent bike which I am calling “Nasty Swingers” will be for sale through the website here in the parts section coming soon. I am going to take this year and design some trick ass parts, everybody has a site on where they think the chopper craze is headed. I think it needs to take a few steps back just like the rest of the world but thats just my opinion. I am so ready for a vacation just wanna leave the cell phones home hop a big jet liner and end up on a beach full of sun and Corona. Or maybe Vegas I am always ready to head back there. I been fortunate I have seen all but I think nine states and I will see them before I check out. I love seeing new place and meeting new people. So I threw a few short videos up on You Tube of the firing of the Pan in the Hellbent and the new motor firing in the Lucky Shot. If you wanna check em out jump on you tube and do a search for Chopzini and they pop up. I am gonna hit, till next time be good.
Posted By - chopzinicustoms on May 1, 2008
Looking so good in your Starbucks cup...
Woke Up pretty early this morning kinda in a bad way, but then I remembered that Counting Crows cd is released today. Very cool that it comes out on my Birthday. Same thing happened to me yesterday 6:15 rolled around and I jumped outta bed hit the shower and headed to the truck to listen to Wasteland by Augustana. I love music just depends on my mood and what’s floating around in my head. So I am 31 today and to that I say wow, I don’t feel 31 feel about 16 I have people from jobs and shows say you don’t look old enough to be married and have kids. I guess thats a good thing that and I still have all my hair few grays but Holly takes care of that with my highlights cause some of my hairs are more important then others. Not much new going on right now still working the Hellbent bike its about done just waiting on a few parts and she will be ready to ride. I have opinions on everything in life I d like to say that I keep my mouth shut and thoughts to myself, not so true my lovely wife unfortunately gets most of my ranting, only cause I love her and I am around her most of the time. I just get fed up most of the time its about stuff that there is no fix for. Like the people who run this country and war and fucking gas prices. Gas is outta fucking control, we did a show last week and to drive the truck and trailer it was a hundred dollar bill each day. I am going to let it go or the rest of this entry will be a bitch fest. 31, life is good love my wife so much who is in the kitchen baking me a cake, my right hand pup Gus man, He has the best personality I swear he’s part human. I started dreaming in elementary my dear Watson and I am still dreaming my life away as some call it. Its all good, finally balance in my love life and work life. I have posted an album on my Myspace in my picture gallery called Hellbent rebuild pics I have been tossing pics in there from the build once done they will be put on the site, so if you wanna get a sneak peek. Going to keep it kinda short this morning house is waking up that and I am out of coffee. Till next time.
Posted By - chopzinicustoms on March 25, 2008
Do You Lika My Bike........
Please allow me to adjust my pants so I may dance the good dance and leave all the innocent by standers in a trance. With that lets just jump right in insomnia in full effect tonight. 2 am and wide eyed, Watching Free Radio shit cracks me up. So the Hellbent tank is painted and ready to head out to Matt. The frame is in the booth right now and will get the metal flake shot on the dice and trucker girl tomorrow. Things are coming together on her been a long rebuild and were not done yet. I want to say before the bike comes out and I get shit from stupid people. First of if you are reading this thats not you and I thank you and love you for supporting me and being interested in what I am up to. When the Hellbent rolls out I am going to get the “its a Billy Lane spin off” and thats good cause thats what I was going for. Fact: every bike you see is a spin or rip off of something someone has already done. My deal if you give praise where its due to the originator and throw your twist on it most of the time that person will be honored you look up to them for what they have done. I feel Billy is the man of the hour in this industry in his short time he has cover a lot and its awesome. To have one of my bikes compared to his priceless. The look of the Hellbent was designed to go his retro style. I fucking hate people who are like that bike has to new of lines to warrant a Panhead. Guess thats why its my bike fucko. It comes down to an Indian Larry quote that I modified “Build what you love and the money will follow” Money has never followed me anywhere but out the door. Its not why I started Chopzini “to make money” I started it cause its what I love, building bikes. My quote “Build what you love and ride the shit out it with the biggest grin that know body understands but you”. Know body owns the chopper industry and its outta hand how many people think they do cause they have been here since the first Harley was made. Thing about that if its true then wheres your name at in the history books. No where which pretty much puts you in the band wagon with the rest of everybody just there a bit longer. You get my point if your smart, you know there is no way to get rich quick. Building bikes is not going to make you rich, building bad ass parts maybe. Anyway it was never about that before and it should not be about that now. The folks that are here for the quick buck will lose more then they make and fall off now that biker build off is not running and the ones who just love to ride and show off there ride will keep doing what they have been doing before it all began. Just my thoughts not yours so don’t be offended. Got a big show coming up this weekend in Green Bay, excited about it I love to bring in my work and see what people think it gives me huge inspiration. Till next time be good and be sure to have your pet spayed or nurtured poor Gus, I love ya buddy.
Posted By - chopzinicustoms on March 10, 2008
What a Day for a Daydream...............
Hi O, Gather in Gather round cause in to my mind is where we are bound. Kicking back here at home with my version of a Rattlesnake Margarita smooth not frozen of course, just the right blend of Razzmatazz and Patron and listening to Winter by Sister Hazel. Got it made in the shade as my Gram’s tells me. Makes me laugh I saw my grandma over the holidays and she was like you got beautiful wife, tattoos, english bulldog and the choppers what else could you want. Makes me laugh shes right, what else could I want. I would be lost without my Becky and Gus is my best friend best dog in the world. Things are getting back to normal here got a few boxes in the mail from the boys over at Tech Cycle nice stuff man as Larry would say Monster Coach. The fab on the new gas tank for the Hellbent is done and it went out for paint to Jeff should be leaving with me Wednesday and handed off to Matt for his touch on it. Thats the first time I have done that type of fab work and I am so happy and proud the way that tank came out I have to credit that one to may woman. I was unsure of cutting in to it and she was like just shut up and commit to it already. I was not sure of it for a while but it will make its way on to the bike foe sure. Made these bad ass bars, Doug is going to reinforce them with his cnc machine for more strength. I am pretty happy in life right now and not looking to check out any time soon. If its not done the hard way in my book then its not worth it. I have the hellbent bike 90 percent done and I am going to stripe her all the way back to just the frame just so I can send it over to Jeff’s shop to get the dice and trucker girl done in a Big Ass seventies metal flake. Way more work then what its worth but thats how we roll fast and outta control. Just gotta make a trick set of pipes and get that big ass motor to purr and she’ll be in the wind. So idols back on if that David kid wins I am gonna be pissed. Bec and I are wanting Jason Castro, He's the real deal man not some teen bopper bullshit. Good old Bret’s back with his rock of whores dude every girl on there sucks his crop last season was way better should have stayed with Jes dumb ass. Big Gus just tried rippin my arm off he hates my laptop for some reason wants to eat it if I am on it. They say English Bully’s should be about 50 to 55 pounds for a male he is just shy of 70 and all muscle. It cracks me up cause he is quick and agile as hell, but he will put a hurtin on ya if not careful. He’s from the big D what do ya expect. Jeff just stopped by and picked up the Hellbent paint color code, He says the tanks looking good. I feel kinda scared as life rolls on I watch things happen to friends around me and how much pain it cause’s. Every time I see something life this happen I thank my lucky stars for sending me on the path that led me to my girl. I read a friends blog today and was saddened by the pain her and her husband are going through. In this case it seems like he is a great guy and great guys and girls are hard to come up these days. The cliches get kicked around like we will be together through thick and thin, but will you? All I can say is look at your girl or man for that matter maybe while they sleep and if a tear rolls down your face when you think how it would be if they were never next to ever again. You hold on to that person for the rest of your life. People go through life asking you to commit to god, take some of that effort and commit to the one you love be faithful and honest. Leave every door open between the two of you, and if you do when the worst things happen they will be right there for what ever you need no matter how bad. It took me along time to relize the best investment I could make was in the right woman. She is my forever daydream. I am off to take a walk with Gus be good and pray for this winter to end.
Posted By - chopzinicustoms on February 23, 2008
Let Freedom Ring..............
So five o’clock yesterday I was a free man again after a 8300 dollar bail. What a cluster fuck wanted posters issued in two states, but in the end I live to fight another day with a good women at my side and I can’t complain about that. Stay tuned to the site there is some talk maybe of some limited edition T-shirts that may be printed from the wanted poster issued by police. In life no matter how bad things get or will get I will always find a bright side to things or find some way to laugh about them. Back to normal or as normal as gets in my life. Parts in the past week have been coming in to finish up the rebuild on the Hellbent bike. Just waiting on the contour plate to finish being milled by Tech Cycles and be shipped here. The bikes getting close to being able to start. Working on a new tank and paint job for the tank, not sure if we will run the new tank guess it comes down to if it fits the final look. Lots of odds ends going on the bike that I did not have time to fabricate when we did the initial build. We have been getting pounded by fucking snow and more on the way Sunday. I say let it come its almost riding season and if its going to be cold let it snow. Since when did we start naming our snow storms for fuck sake. The more I look at the rebuild we did on the Lucky Shot I love it more and more. Its a good fit and I can not wait to ride it. 20 below is just to fucking cold for a ride. The chopper industry is in a weird state right now. There is a chopper shop on every corner and thats cool but it causes issues with different groups on who been there longer and bla bla bla. In my opinion it comes done to this there is room for everyone and if it seems like we are not cranking out bikes left and right your right were not. I build bikes that I love that I ride and that have a soul. I build every bike with the intent of it being mine. Some I sell some I keep, thats just how it is and goes. I loved the Hellbent bike as it was, but choppers are never done there is always something new to do. With that I am going to watch some boob tube with my hottie. Be good and don’t drink all the 98 preserve.
Posted By - chopzinicustoms on February 15, 2008
Drop the Gavel or Else...........
Chitty-chitty bang-bang, and I hit the floor. Two little piggies bust down my door. The first little piggy went down. The second little piggy started poppin off rounds. I make a break for the parking lot. I heard some people talking that somebody got shot. They’re never gonna see it my way. So I break for the truck and head out on the highway. I must have got it up to 108. Before three little piggies headed me off the interstate. Got a little off track there a dirty judge will do that to you. For the most part in life I have learned to be positive and deal each day with what is dealt to me. I feel I have done the best in every situation that has been thrown upon my road to where ever the hell I am going. Kinda reached a point in life where I am just ready to give up and let go. Having control of a situation is one thing, having no control over a situation and getting fucked is another. My life consist of balance everyday, time is always my enemy whether its having to be on the road at a certain time or not enough time for things and people in my life. I chose a tough road and I am fine with that. I try to do things by the book and do what I am supposed to do. However it white knuckles me when the people of the law think they are above the law and think they can throw weight around cause they wear a uniform or robe. Fuck em I know I can’t beat em and I am for sure not going to concede in the situation. Thats not to be mistaken for those who put there uniform on and go to work and deal with assholes everyday to make this fuck up place we live better. It saddens me and pisses me off that our judicial system is judgmental on the way we look and our government is blind. If I did not have long hair and was not covered in tattoos and was a clean cut guy, I would not have to hire a fucking high dollar attorney to be heard and not look like a criminal in their eyes. Why is it that my attorney can be heard saying the same words I do but when I say them they go unheard. For the most part I am a pretty laid back guy, I had a time in life where I was short fused. I am 30 now in fact not far from 31 and I am not about to go on a war path and act like a kid. Instead I feel like just walking way for once in my life quit, but its not in me I will never quit or give up no matter what the situation or the odds. The law will always win but karma and friends in low places is a bitch. They will get theirs but I will get mine. “Carpe diem” seize the day right or in my case “Carpe Annus” and no thats not seize the anus its “seize the year”. Which is what I am after this year. So I guess we will toss the deck of cards up in the air and let them fall where they fall. Switching gears here, a major rebuild of the Hellbent bike and Lucky Shot is under way. The Hellbent bike is back down to the just the frame, its been a challenge to make the motor and transmission work together, but where there is a will there is a way. I am now coming back to this entry I started earlier this week. I fired the Lucky Shot up yesterday and its about 95 percent complete few odds and ends. It came out awesome and ill get new pics up soon. I hoping to fire the Hellbent bike up this weekend or beginning of the week. Just waiting on a part for the belt drive and hopefully we can draw it all together. Once I hit that point still will be a ways out on it lots of handmade parts to be added. So with the passing of Heath Ledger I will leave you with this. “If you are just safe about the choices you make, you don't grow.” Heath Ledger
Posted By - chopzinicustoms on January 25, 2008
Jesus Christ Himself...
Dim the lights I am going to set the stage here. A big jet liner will be leaving Milwaukee airport on the evening of 11th day of January headed to Philadelphia. One day following my Jesus Mr. Francis Dunnery himself will take the stage at Media Theater. Who’s sitting front row me and my honey. Along with him Jeffery Gaines what a line up. Could not come at a better time two weeks ago the great Hockaday tattooed Francis from the “fearless” album on my fore arm. To make it complete I want to have Francis sign it and then have the signature tattooed. What an AWESOME way to kick off 2008. Anyone who does not know Francis Dunnery is my Zen or Jesus, his lyrics have gotten me through a lot of good times and bad times. For me he is more then just a folk singer, which is why I did this tribute piece of him. There is a cool pic of Matt’s work on my MySpace page in “my photos” gallery if you wanna take a peek. Got a chance to surprise my son for his Birthday last weekend and take him to the monster trucks at the Palace. It was awesome, he thought I was taken him to work to move some stuff and was bummed he had to leave his Play Station. It took him till we got to our seats to figure out we were there for his Birthday. Won’t be able to pull that stuff much longer they just keep growing like weeds. Last time I had been to a truck show I was like ten 20 years ago, man I am getting old. The show was awesome, but what made the show was we got to ride in one of monster trucks on the track. What a gift man he was in awe. Been getting a bit of time here and there to spend some time with my girl. Love her so much hate being away from her. We just live in our own world and its a good one. No worries of war or bills or things that slow us down. Just a nice easy pace our pace. Its a great felling and one I could not live without. Its crazy to me that we are at war right now. It does not feel at all like we are, God bless those that fight and risk there lives for us. I am not for the war but I do support those who risk there lives for us. Kinda bummed out that Matt Serra is hurt and can not fight Matt Hughes this month. But all in all its been a good month for fights. Every guy on my card always loses I am like the black widow. Huge props to Clay Guida he fought his ass off and should have one but everyone gets caught. Not a huge fan of Mac Danzig but, I do respect him and he deserved to win. He is one hell of an oiled machine. When I built the Hellbent bike I spent a bundle and still settled for some things. This weekend started the disassembling of the Hellbent bike. Project “Shop Mayhem” as I am calling it. She will be back and ready for the spring. I am dropping in a Panhead and new trans with a kicker and some new hand made parts to round it out. Along wit a customs made set of pipes. The Lucky Shot is going to under go a bit of cosmetics as well. Its going to be a good winter, like I said before the winter always brings projects to shop and I am a bit nervous about my decisions on the Hellbent bike. But I think my vision will do it justice. Getting ready for Christmas all the presents and decorations and the snow, no shortage of that here this year. Seems every week more and more falls from the sky’s. As we round out the year here be safe and take the time to enjoy family and friends.
Posted By - admin on December 16, 2007
The Continuation...
I patiently wait till I can access my website again its been under construction for fucking ever. So I figure mean while I would take this route. Cold weather is here and I am not hating it yet kinda ready for it this year. Winter always brings projects to the shop and I am ready for that. Gearing up to head to Michigan tomorrow for a bit of turkey with the fam. So much always going on, I love my life now its the perfect calm for me. My beautiful wife keeps me on my toes and balanced. Went to the doctor last week and got a thumbs up of good health. Which is good, I am 30 now and feel 60. On a serous workout program this winter looking to add about 30 pounds I got 10 so far and feel good. Got a chance the other night to catch UFC 78 Validation. My boy Michael "the count" Bisping lost but I what an awesome fighter man. Only two of my guys one on the card but its all good. Wed, should rock on the Ultimate Fighter, poor Richie Hightower got a shitty hand though old George is gonna have a field day. Anyway got a ton of plans this winter, doing more rehab on the bikes then new builds but when the Hellbent rolls out of the shop this spring its gonna blow your mind. Few upgrades in store for it and the Lucky Shot. Master Craig is going to jump in with me and make it all happen. Not sure when the site will be updated but I am going to get some of the new merch pics up on my MySpace so drop me a line on there if your interested and I will get it out to ya. I am going to end tonight on a sad note but hopefully it will bring some awareness to four little letters L-O-V-E and how much they are worth. I called a friend of mine whom I had not spoke with in a while about rebuilding my Shovel-head motor this winter and found out his wife had passed away. Saying that life is short is an understatement. You never know what's around the bend. It makes me love my wife and family more and more and want to pull them as close as I can. You never can tell when something may happen. Love your kin and don't waste life on petty arguments and let time become your worst enemy. I hope everyone gets there fill of turkey and pumpkin pie. Maybe take a minute this year and look around the table and just take in a few extra memory's. Be good.
Posted By - admin on November 19, 2007
Pack up...
Its been a while since we have taken a journey through the dark wallows of my mind. Its been crazy busy here, Just got back from Chicago last week and Michigan the week before. Gets old living out of a suit case in a hotel. But life is taking shape the new shop we have acquired is four times the size of our other shop man the space and the possibilities. Every calculated step is one more bring us closer to the big picture. Which is pure happiness the equal balance of companies. As one rises it allows me to bring more of my dreams in to reality. Fact is it takes money to live, and these days extras and risk are designed for the rich man. I feel it is finally becoming a benefit to be self employed. Yeah you got be good and hustle up work to keep you making money, But no one is going to walk in and give you a pink slip or cap your salary while you make them rich. This world is insane its always been a dog eats dog world but its becoming everyone for yourself. I am huge UFC fan love it love it love it. My poor wife not so much but, she puts up with it, like watching five hours straight with me the other night. That's love, I couldn't stand more then five minutes of the Hills. That's why I love her. I am packing up again tomorrow and head back to Chicago for another week. Things keep up like they are now seems that may become my second home. Been talking a bit with Sean's dad every now and then about the new frame and he is thinking it will get under way this winter here. I can not wait, I have a whole vault of ideas for that build. Sean's family is awesome just great people much how I remember Sean. I always get a good feeling after I get an email or speak with one of them. So the site should be updated soon mostly the gallery page bunch of new pics headed up in there. The Merch page should have our new clothes up soon as well, modeled by the lovely Lynn. Just in time for those holiday stocking stuffers. Been a lot of long days here but I am going to get back on track journaling on a regular basis. I have been listening to a ton a music while traveling so I am going to leave you with a few disc to pick up or download Sixx Am (Nikki Sixx's project the Heroin dairies), Kid Rock (Rock and Roll Jesus), Shooter Jennings (live at Irving plaza), and Dropkick Murphy's (warriors code) Be good and nice to each other Santa's making his list.
Posted By - admin on October 29, 2007
The Change of Season....................
It's almost fall, and for me that always means change. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse, but i' am feeling the glass half-full these days, so i think everything will
work out the way it's supposed to. When you're young, you tell yourself things like "Well, if it didn't work out, it wasn't meant to be" as if that actually meant something just because it sounds like it does. I think you can say something like that so blithely because you expect to stumble onto something else just as wonderful just around the next bend in the road. But people are rare perfect unique things and just because everyone really does live a life full of farewells doesn't mean you shouldn't at least realize what it really means to say goodbye to something that meant everything. Just because you will survive and get over it doesn't mean you should let it go. All this "new" somehow made the "old" make sense again But maybe that's a good thing. Maybe just knowing there were places you could have changed is enough, at least for today. Because loss doesn't kill you the way despair does. If you know you could have done something better or something different, maybe you will do something different next time. Maybe that's enough, since you still come home to a blue sky and a fall full of possibilities Thats is what my journals are, I write in this one as well as my written ones. Hand writing stuff out is part of the emptying the soul process. I am off key if I am not writing in them. Your past becomes memory’s and someday my wife or kids will pick them up and read what was in my head as I walked my journey through this life. It's still a lovely day and the sky is still a bright shade of blue. September is newborn so I guess summer is over and autumn is here. I tend to like the fall, especially here at home in Wisconsin, which is much like Michigan. My summer was a kid's dream. I am in love with my beautiful wife and falling more and more in love as the days pass by, the sky changed colors every day, we had a great time seeing Sean’s family which meant so much to me. The Smoke went great Bec got on TV lol, and, for the first time in a long time, it all seemed to come together. I'm sorry I didn't write more this summer. Aside from all the other stuff, it seems like the road becomes harder and harder. I just got home last night and scheduled to head back out to Chicago on Monday. It takes its toll mentally and psychically. My body at 30 fells like I am 60. I put it through hell all the time so I guess I should not be surprised. I have put off going to the Dr. for a while now but that time has come. So I am going to end this Journal a bit different tonight so bare with me. Bec you have backed me in every step I take in my life and you believe in me where I heading. Never would I have thought I could balance my life with the bikes, floors and being on the road all the time and having you to come home to. You make my dreams possible and I thank you honey. I just wanted to take a minute babe and tell you how much you mean to me and how much I love you. I love babe <3
Posted By - chopzinicustoms on September 7, 2007
U don't know me, u don't wear my Chains
Alright gather round there’s a few spots up front here to file into. Got a morning Mountain Dew and just lit a smoke so got a bit of Social D going so let the ceativity flow. This is a warning on this entry, this going be one that might not make any sense to you. So when you have had enough please watch your step on the way out. I have done the Artist way o about 3 times now and in that you start with a bit called morning pages. Pretty much that is where this is going a long ramble headed god knows where, however it will do what Journaling is all about clearing the soul. One of the most amazing things to me are dreams yes the ones you have at night as well but for me more the day dreams. To see something you want that you have to work so hard for and maybe it never comes or maybe you will follow through and the taste of sucsess will touch your lips. As a kid I grew up on the out skirts of Detroit, not on 8 mile, but 8 feet of my backyard was in Detroit. So 4 house down my folks were had some friends if you are one of the people who knew me back then Patty and Rich is whom I am speaking of. Yes there is a point an effect or influence, Patty had a brother Ray who was a biker type guy that rolled in and out of town and off their couch. Growing up he was like bigger then Seasme Street to me. He had tattoos and a Harley when he would ride in or out it would make the hair on arms stand up. Yesterday this pack of six bikes passed be on the freeway and that same feeling rings through today. I see we started to lose a few take care and drive safe. Point being its in the blood a passion, and if you ride you know what I am talking about. Thru people we lose in life and the scares of the road the passion is always there. Like life we gain scares of lost ones and wrecks or even almost wrecks but the passion thrives on. I am in the middle of my dreams right now the good the bad it all plays part. I would rather die then quite. Every now and then that feeling comes where like its all to much and I have bit off more then I can chew and I am spinning out of control. This "chopper thing", it's just dreams, you know. It's mostly nothing BUT dreams, which is not to say that makes it, or them, any less potent or real. Sometimes dreams are more real THAN "the real". It's the dreams that drive you and propel you forward through your life to where you wanna be. Without the dreams, you might slow down and stop and then what. I guess you have to make hard choices all the time. Sometimes these dreams you hold on to are just fool's errands you're using to avoid making the hard decisions about other areas of your life. And sometimes the compromises you make are just ways of giving up on your dreams. I used to think I was holding on to building bikes because I couldn't face dealing with what my life would be like without it. Now it seems like I was just being brave and sticking it out (and I emphasize the word "seems"), but maybe that's just an accident of fate. If I hadn't tasted success in being self employed since 18 doing hardwood floors, maybe I'd just "seem" like one more deadbeat long haired tattoo guy, someone you're mother wouldn't want you to bring home. As opposed, I suppose, to the long haired, tattooed guy who the corporate world frowns on I am now, who by the way, your mom still don't want you bringing into her house. Its fucked up in this world that we get judged by the way we look, and I still don’t understand why long hair means you are a stoner and in to drugs and tattoos equal boozes, and black toe nails means you gay or a fruit. I am just me a personal who likes to express myself why is that so hard to take in. By the why not that I feel I have to explain anything I have done or not done in my life, but I have never done a drug in my life not even pot. Guess its just how I was raised, its just was not my thing and never was. I prefer natural highs. The longer your life goes on, the harder the decisions become. Inevitably at some point you're asked to give up something you love for something or someone you love. So, sure, you hope you make the right choice, but there's nothing wrong with giving up something you love for something or someone you love. I mean if you're not willing to sacrifice for the things you love, what kind of person are you? I got way off an a target there. I do that a lot. Talking in circles its been called. I'm saying, feel free to judge away to your heart's content. I'm just telling you the truth. I care about that, for some reason. My life is going really well, by the way. I love it. I don't know what is coming next yet but you can't really know that. You pour yourself into it and you focus everything you have on it and it comes out how it comes out. The only thing you, as an artist painting your way through, can every really do is make sure it's everything and exactly what you want it to be. Which is the same thing as it being perfect. You just have to feel something and express it the way you want to express it. If you do that, it's uncompromised and pure and perfect. And that makes me happy. The rest is up to all of you to judge.
Posted By - chopzinicustoms on July 21, 2007
Shut up or Knuckle up............
Got that intro from a cool t shirt company in Tucson. Hang on cause were off on another twister winding through my mind. So its been a while since my last entry. So much has been going on with prep for the Smoke Out. I got lucky, the wreck on the Hellbent bike was not worse we got her back together just in time to hit the road. The wreck impacted me a bit, some have a hard time getting back in the saddle, for me I did not have a choice with heading out on the road right away. We stopped over in Indiana for a night on the way to North Carolina to see Sean’s family. I am a very spiritual person and being there for me was the best part of my trip. I knew Sean for a short time but being around his family I felt like I knew him forever. Some say when somebody passes that you have to find closer, I don’t think that will ever be for me in Sean’s case. I will celebrate his life in every build and ride I do. Its not how long you know someone its how you spend the time you have and how they effect you. There is a bit of talk about Sean’s dad bring a frame to life that I had shown Sean two weeks before he passed. I had called the frame “Sick and Twisted” and after being on the road and thinking about it, I am stoked. If we do it will be a tribute to Sean and how he looked at things. Huge thanks to Sean’s family for putting us up and letting us come down and bring the Hellbent out. So it was the last year in Salisbury for the smoke-out. I love seeing the mountains and getting out the grind. As always it was a blast, seeing what everyone is building and riding. This year all stops where pulled out, there was even a bike with a bail of hay for a side car, and yes he rode it everywhere as a matter of fact. The Hellbent ran good and kept its temper down a bit so we could enjoy some good riding. The partying at the Holiday Inn was insane as always burn outs at all hours in front of our room and just getting through the parking lot was crazy buts that living the life. The Lucky Shot showed real well, Matt’s paint turned heads and I think the pin up girl has flash burn. Hung out a bit with Mike from Street Smart and Tim from Sicko Choppers. Both from New York, Long Island to be exact, Mike’s Trailer full of Knuckle’s was amazing, what a cool blend of copper. Things have been crazy since we got back. The site should be updated soon with new pics of the bikes and trip. Also stay tuned to the events section to see where we will be, looking in to adding a few local shows. So with that I am going to end with this, life is what we make out of it, and yes we all have to make a living and pay the bills. However if you apply yourself there is no end to what you can do. Now I know that sounds like a inspiration card and with that I will share a sticker I saw at a gas station this week “Stare fear in the eye Live your Dreams” Its true living your dreams is full of fear but its nice knowing the only one who can beat you is yourself. Be good and enjoy this awesome weather, ride safe.
Posted By - chopzinicustoms on June 27, 2007
Calling All Angels....................
When you ride em you wreck em. That was the case for me yesterday. You never know when it’s coming or, if it will happen. Fortunately I made it out alive with some bruises, burns and a bit concuss. Unfortunately my boys and mom witnessed the crash. It’s hard when you do what you love and it hurts the ones you love. I remember growing up with my dad and he would be up on a forty foot ladder as I held the bottom and he made a living to feed our family. It always scared the shit out of me and I could not wait till he got down. Thing is my dad loved what he did and was good at it. My son took the crash harder then I did. Reminded me of me growing up. I am not ready to check out just yet life’s to good right now and my dreams are slowly coming true one by one. Just in time for me to fill my head with more. The Hell-bent and I have been butting heads since day one and it seems next week I will be putting old humpty dumpty back together again. On a lighter note the Lucky Shot ran like a champ. It will be hard for me to part with that bike I love it the style the look and the ride. We will be at the Smoke Out this year and so will the bikes. It comes down to this if your not doing what you love, then your not living and if your not with the one you love then your not in love. I build bikes and wrench on them because it’s my passion, riding them is a meditation of sort to be in the wind clear of thought it’s more then just loud pipes and looking cool. I have been on the road now for the past nine days. I have been on the road a lot this year, but it is what it is. It is what I signed on for and I have no regrets so far. I am ready for a break, But it will be short lived a few more small trips and then the Smoke Out knocking on the door. We shot again with photographer Anne Sesko did some cant wait to see the new film here this week. Been getting my crew together for the Smoke Out as well as our merchandise which is looking bad ass. I have been living off of the Full Throttle Energy drink the Blue Demon is like my fuel to keep me running on all cylinders. Well I am off to load up the bikes and get ready to hit the road in the morning. Take care you crazy people and keep the rubber side down.
Posted By - chopzinicustoms on May 28, 2007 |
