5th Wheeler

Oakland Cruise Night back in effect

After the winter break, the cruise is back. Come on over Friday at the 1/4 lb Giant Burger on Telegraph right by the art murmor. Chill people, good burgers, long wait. GOO TUNES by Dr Scott and Miss Cherry Bomb!

The Key

A few weeks ago I had to hot wire my XS650 to go ride with the boys. I searched for 2 hours for the key. I actually prefer the keyless ignition now. But look what I found in the front yard while weeding yesterday.

There's no pleasing everyone

I am a unique and special snowflake

The Big Show

Saturday night was the big event. I spent all Friday evening there setting up, and a good chunk of Saturday before the show getting everything ready. There was a torrential downpour all Saturday and I thought for sure it would damper the spitits of people to show up, but boy-howdy was I wrong. From 4PM on it was just a nonstop crowd of people coming to the show. We ran out of beer countless times and I lost my voice, but no other drama. Everyone had a great time. My broskis the Throwbacks came down to lend a hand of support and Lori mingled taking photos all night. Thanks again to everyone for all the help. Jason Anderson (Gallery Moto SF) and I had a fantastic night. Can't wait to do it again next year. Here are the results.

All pictures click here

Setting up









And here they come







Miss Cherry Bomb getting her spin on


Throwbacks


Francisco & Lori


Jason X 2


All pictures click here

My Personal Jesus

Today's man crush entry: Neil Fallon from Clutch

Porkin'

Anybody run into this guy in San Francisco yet? Motorbike cop on Van Ness...

T-minus 4 days

Just a few more days! I created a Facebook Event page for anyone interested.

Mittens' Ironhead Parts Drive

PLEASE REPOST THIS, contact Troop if you have anything to help.



Doug "Mittens" Taylor crashed his 1978 Harley Ironhead Sportster while attending Troop's birthday ride two weeks ago. While his bodily wounds are healing, his sporty is a little worse for the wear.

Throwbacks are accepting any parts donations to fill the following needs to get Mittens' sporty back on the road:

19" front wheel, complete (dual disc setup)
Front Forks, complete
Triple trees, upper and lower
Handlebar risers
Skilled labor to repair a broken exhaust spigot, front cylinder
Shift lever
Headlight

K0

Bud Kevin done gone and bought himself a Black Bomber ('66 K0). Guess his '66 Dream wasn't enough for him! He actually flew up to Portland last weekend to check it out. He's leaving this morning with his dog Gus and having road trip bro session. Here's his blog.
Gallery

Rim Job

1 CB450 drum brake donated by Karl.
1 19" Harley disc rim donated by Pops.
Custom SS spokes and lacing by Chris at Wheel Works in Hayward, CA.
This is going on the CB750.

Hitler was a pimp

Stop, what's that sound

This might explain the squeaky rear brakes on the KLR

Photos by Sarah Butcher

Reservoir Dogs style


Scotty




Robert and his John Player Norton

Dogs in the sun

Video of the ride

Troop's Birthday Ride

Saturday was a long day. Actually let me back up a day and start with Friday. I dusted off the XS650 to get ready for the ride. I needed to change the oil and do a quick check. I had conveniently forgotten that the headlight switch had exploded on the last ride (cheap chinese plastic!) and I never replaced it. So no headlight. And I had conveniently forgot my brake light was hosed (cheap chinese again!). And, for some reason, the key was gone. I spent an hour going through every hiding spot with no luck. I pretty much gave up the ghost. But the boys commanded me to come so I hot-wired the ignition. Still no brake light, but she ran. So, with the help from Mittens (I will explain that shortly) the headlight and ignition are now wired to a nice metal switch and I'm keyless.

I borrowed Francisco's truck and hauled up to Grass Valley early Saturday with Mittens following me on his '78 Ironhead. We met up at Paco's Tacos. Troop rallied 30+ riders!








Crossing the dam


Things were going great. I was in the front of the pack and hit a gas station. We heard that someone had went down so we blasted back 5 miles. It was Doug, I mean, Mittens. Riding for 25 years, hardcore commuter, and he had his first wreck. It just happens. It was a bad corner. The road went up, then suddenly dropped into a decreasing radius with no birm. And gravel all over the road. He drifted over the white line and couldn't get control back. He luckily did not hit that sign. This is a nortoious turn, with an accident every week.




Because it was so warm he decided not to wear his gloves. Luckily he had a full face on. Fashion or safety? It's your decision.


The front end took the brunt of it. The triple trees just snapped, but I think that saved the frame. The front cylinder is biffed as well, the exhaust broke the spigot off. ALL repairable. It could have been so much worse.


He got hauled away in the ambulance and we called Pops to bring Francisco's truck. A couple of us stuck around and lifted the wreck into the truck and took it back to Pops'. On the way my clutch cable snapped and I rode the last 5 miles in first gear.


4 hours later we picked Mittens up. This is why he has a new nickname.


We ended the day on a higher note at Troop's bbq birthday. We then packed my XS and my Triumph up, leaving the Ironhead at Pops'. A long, exhausting drive home.

Bikes are repairable. Mittens will heal.

Troop's Bday

Troop is having a birthday ride
THROWBACKS


Unfortunately I am that guy