It ain't exactly Oceans 11...

...but it worked. A motorcyclist robbed the Bellagio of $1.5M worth of chips.

Read the article here: NY Daily News

Ever Wondered...

...how you would fit on your bike if you installed those apes you were thinking about?

Well wonder no more, http://cycle-ergo.com has you covered. Yeah, they are pretty limited on their offerings, but it's still kind of fun to play with. Thanks to BigJ for the tip!

NZ Day 1

Cedar Rapids airport, getting ready to depart. You'll notice that's all the luggage I brought for the 10 day trip. I got a lot of funny looks from the folks at the flight check in booths when they asked if I wanted to check any luggage. I explained to them that you didn't have to be clean to ride a motorcycle. Megan and Dave have a washer and dryer, so I did have clean clothes the whole time.

Fast forward 24 hours and a lot of airport stress later, here's the Kingpin Tour I had for the trip. It's going to be a beautiful day!

Here's a picture I took while just out and about

Lake Taupo. Ice blue water, green everywhere, a nice change from the snow and ice I've been looking at for the last few months.

Just 50 or so miles down Hwy 1, I found myself in the middle of a desert. That's when I started figuring out how fast the scenery changes in New Zealand.

So after being awake for nearly 40 hours (with the exception of 5-6 hours of airplane sleep) 24 hours of which was spent flying or running through airports, and about 11 hours of riding, I finally arrived in Paraparamu. I was cranky, stinky, sleepy, hungry, and really craving a beer. I didn't really care too much about that stuff when I saw the beach across the street from the hostel.

So I took a shower and went looking for a place to eat. I ended up choosing the "Lakota Resturant and Bar". Mainly because they had beer and food, but also because I thought it was strange to come all the way from South Dakota (where most of the Lakota people lived) and see a resturant in NZ with it as a name.

The food was great, the beer was so good I had two, and by the time I was ready to leave, I was so close to falling asleep that I could barely communicate with the waitress (I did explain that I was tired, not drunk, I hope).

So I made my way back to the hostel. You'll notice the SUV parked on the lawn there. I paid an extra $10 to reserve a "sea side view" room, only to open the window to an SUV view. Great... well it didn't matter because I was asleep 10 mintues later and left before the sun came up the next morning.

Stay tuned for the next installment...

Henderson Streamliner

Rolling art deco...



Read more here:
http://www.gatsbyonline.eu/main.aspx?page=text&id=94&cat=moto

Mission 200

Roland Sands is at it again, and this time he's dropping the hammer in a big way. How does 214 Hp and 243 ft-lbs of torque strike your fancy? It strikes my fancy just fine...

Learn more by checking out the RSD builders blog for the bike known as "Mission 200":

http://rolandsandsdesign.com/wp/2010/11/06/mission-200/

Chopped, to say the least...

Read about Jim Lytle's Big Al series of drag cars, including Big Al I which was powered by a 2000Hp, 1720 cu. in. V12 Allison here:

http://www.dragracingonline.com/nowthen/viii_9-1.html

That powerplant literally blew the doors off the car.

Jiminy Cricket, Punkeselskinder is back?

Yeah, so the computer took a dump, sorry for the lack of updates. We'll get this thing rolling again now that I have my technical difficulties sorted out.

New Zealand

You may be wondering why there has been so little action on the blog lately, it's becasue I've been putting together the details for my motorcycle tour of New Zealand. I leave on Wednesday, and won't be back until the 15th. I don't expect to have very many updates during the trip, but I will be posting photos as soon as I can when I return - stay tuned!

Witchcraft

These Swedes definately have some heavy Sabbath influences, but they don't seem to mind playing with other styles and sounds. Like any band trying to hit their groove, some of the songs suck, some are ok, and a few are f-ing awesome. I think its just a matter of time before they find their sound and they'll be all over the radio...

Here's a Sabbath sounding song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD-3VpJmaco

Here's a song that sounds a little like Tool at times:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLUxpFjZU2I

Find them at MySpace:

http://www.myspace.com/witchcraftswe

Made a new friend...

Got a new pup, named him Norman. Half Newfoundland, half Lab, which means he's going to be a big boy. Time to finally get that sidecar project going so he can roll with me.

Friday Fail

Another XS650... Nice sissy bar - compensating for something?

Suz1100's 883 Chop

This nice chop started life as a 1987 883. Add a Kansas Kustoms weld on hardtail, a wide glide front end, some beefy looking solid wheels, a classy paint job on the tank, and you got yourself a clean and mean Sporty chop.

Check out this thread on the XL Forum for more details: http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?threadid=705527

First Miles of 2010

Decided to scratch the itchy wrist today. Took the ole girl out for a 50 mile spin. We had a good time...

Friday Fail

This XS650, or 'custom chopper' to use the description from the dealer website, is going for the low, low, low price of $1995! Can you believe it? I can't...

I like how just a few random things are modifed on this bike. The frame is bone stock, but the fork tubes are 6" over. And if you're going to put a 2-1 header on there, at least spring for the $16 pod filters at MikesXS. Don't get me started on the tank...

Burlap Wolf King

I admit, the name is a little odd, but the music more than makes up for it. Plus, Thomas is a nice guy to boot - check out his MySpace to hear some songs: http://www.myspace.com/burlapwolfking

Zack Taylor's Nightster

Three resasons why I like this bike:
1) Sticks to the 'less is more' rule.
2) Modified without spending a pile of cash.
3) It's a Nightster with a shiny red tank - when is the last time you saw that?

Visit Zack on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/loveandink

You can see this bike, and a bunch of other sweet Sportsters at http://xlforum.net/index.html

"Build" your own bike...

...and also register to win a chopper. Thanks to John over at the XL Forum for the heads up.

http://allstategarage.com/

Big Dixie Hooters

Check them out: http://www.myspace.com/bigdixiehooters

When you can't ride a motorcycle...

...ride a snowmobile! We have a couple feet of powder in a lot or places here in SESD, which makes for some great sledding. Probably the best conditions we've had in a long time, or so I'm told by the veteran sledders. Either way, I had a good time and got to scratch the itchy two wheel wrist a little.

Merry Christmas!

I want one...

Friday's Fail

Selling on EBay right now for $12k... Reserve has not been met.

Kirk the Jerk's Iron

One of my favorite bikes on the XL Forum.

http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/member.php?u=38071

Detriot Diesel Hot Rod

I usually rip on SEMA concept vehicles because half of them are worthless wastes of time and resources. This, however, is very cool...

http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/f2/sema-2009-trucks-sema-show-241990/

RC Honda

I spotted this nice Honda on the South Dakota School of Mines campus a few months back. Other than the rear fender, the rest of this bike is pretty much perfect. Just another example simple improvements making a big difference...

True that...

...for sure! Representing. Keeping it realistic. Darn, it feels good to be a gangster.

Friday's Fail

Friday Fail: Bringing you examples of all that is wrong with the custom motorcycle industry.

Bob Labrie's V3 Shovel

I've heard there were always arguments about whether or not it actually ran on all three cylinders or not. The argument against the idea that it ran on all three is that people who have seen it say it sounds like any other Shovel when running. The arguement for the fact that it runs is how the cams were cut and the firing order of the cylinders made it sound like any other Shovel. I don't think anyone would go through that much trouble to make it non-functional.

Those Damn '55 Mercurys...

Someday, someday...

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=405519&highlight=mercury

Thank You

To all the veterans and active military personnel - thank you for fighting to keep this country safe. To my cousins Luke and Matt - I think about you guys every day, and am thankful for your doing what many would not, by stepping onto the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Sugar Bear Choppers

Damn, long chops are sweet. And Sugar Bear has been doing it for almost 40 years now. I need a long bike...

http://www.sugarbearchoppers.com/index.htm

Friday's Fail

Umm, yeah. Lots of things wrong with this one...

South Park Rules

Watch this episode: http://www.southparkstudios.com/guide/1312

If you laugh, good for you! If you are offended, you suck at life.

My Bike, Again...

Thanks Vanessa for the photo skills...

Making Intruders Cool? Conte Kustoms

I never thought Suzuki Intruders were cool, until I stumbled on this guy over at The Chopper Underground forums. Now, I've been looking to buy one. Check him out here: http://www.myspace.com/contekustoms

Gassers Rule!

Radio Moscow

Badass guitar rock, often referenced as a blend of Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn. I agree, and you will too.

More information here:
http://www.alive-totalenergy.com/x/?page_id=161

Free Download of "Broke Down" single (and a bunch of other great songs by other bands):
http://www.alive-totalenergy.com/x/?page_id=37

Patchwork

Selby, SD

Really?

Ole Faithful...

Had a few 'issues' with the cooling system on the '57 Saturday. Most of us stayed in good spirits about it...

Old School Punkeselskinder