Some basic info and troubleshooting tips for when your counterboring or countersinking.

Click the link to download the PDF: Counterboring.pdf

Check out this 70 page introduction to sheet metal work. Covers everything from forming, bending, rolling, using bending machines and wheels. Tons of info, especially useful to those just getting started out. Click the link below to download the PDF.

Click here to download: Sheet metal fabrication techniqes

I had previously posted some of the info in this chapter as seperate jpgs, but there was some much to dig into, I figured it made more sense to just load the whole chapter as a PDF file. Click the link below for some schooling on cutting, filing, drilling, punching and a whole lot more.

Fabrication Techniques: Fabrication and Metalworking techniques - material removal

Pffffft to you and your GS, try throwing down with a 50-60 year old motorcycles. Just bring lots of tools and spares.

Click here to download a PDF with tons of info on Threading with taps: ThreadingwithTaps.pdf

I did a shoot with Nardi’s Triton about 800 years ago and I’m just getting around to processing the photos. Most of them are being saved to be published in a printed mag, but here’s a little taste.

After a long hiatus, we’re back. Daily updates to resume. Vintage tech to come back. Lots of pics from the Gypsy and upcoming Brooklyn Invitational to post. Break is over kiddos, we’re back at it.

Saddle up suckers, it’s time to hit the road. Gypsy Run is here. No bitchin’ about rain, I already got soaked once today heading into work and will likely happen again when I head out this afternoon. Trust me when I say that it’s worth it. GR3 was a monsoon soaked weekend and one of the best and most memorable in my life. Then again, if you’re the type of guy who’d get scared away by a little rain, maybe you’re better off not coming.

I’m heading out in a few, meeting up with Harvard and Jason to ride out to Peekskill, NY. We’ll crash there tonight, meet up with Fritz in the morning then head to Mike 47’s shop to meet up with the rest of the crew.

Get all the latest news here: http://www.eastcoastgypsyrun.com/

See you guys on the road.
-Grail

Don’t sleep on this. Best run and party on the East Coast. Walter puts on a killer event and the riding is second to note. Peep all the info here: http://www.eastcoastgypsyrun.com/

Apologies for being away from the site for so long. I needed some time to recover from the Greasebag, spend time with the family and get back to some projects that had been on hold because everything going on with the GB. It will probably be a few more weeks before the site is back in full swing because the projects I mentioned need my full attention (and then some). But once those get out of the way, we’ll be back doing what we always do, and maybe even adding some new features.

I did want to say thank you again for all the support. Not only for the GB, but the site in general. It means a lot and definitely help keep me motivated.

It’s also worth mentioning that our friend Chris from BikeExif just wrote an article for Wired Magazine that includes a photo of the Art Deco Henderson we shot at Rhinebeck last year. If you’re coming to this site from that article, you can check out more pictures of that bike here and here. If you happen to poke around beyond those posts you’ll find that the 2-wheel gospel we preach is focused on spreading the do-it-yourself, built-not-bought mentality. This site is not brand, style or country of origin loyal - we’re open to all makes, models and styles although the slant is certainly gears towards heavily modified customs, choppers, café racers, street trackers and vintage bikes. Most posts on this site can be placed into 2 categories (1) do-it-yourself articles (2) visual inspiration. There is a ton of great useful information to help the the obsessive moto junkie posted under the how-to section - including hundreds of vintage tech articles & books about metalworking and moto mechanics. Dig deep, there is lots to love.

Don’t forget us on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KnucklebusterInc

We’ll be back in full swing soon. Get out of the garage and go ride, summer will be over before you know it.

As I mentioned a few days ago, the Greasebag was incredible. After six months of planning and running around to get everything organized I couldn’t have asked for or imagined a better result. Being surrounded by a multitude of smiling friends, both new and old, who are laughing, talking bikes, telling stories - that’s what it’s all about - that’s why it was so important to me to bring it back for another year. The bikes and the road are the things that initially bring us together, but it’s the people that keep us around.

I don’t think it’s necessary to do a blow-by-blow of every minute of the weekend. If you were there, you knew how it went down. You know it was the combination of the overall vibe and the people that really made the entire experience. If you weren’t there, well, you missed out. That said, there are a few moments that jump out as some of my favorites.

• McGoo breaking his 7-month alcohol abstinence and subsequently crashing a birthday party and bachelorette party on the upper floors of the Baseball Tavern.
• The pre-pre-party at Remy’s
• The grin on Matt Davis’ face after riding my FXR all weekend.
• The killer turn out at the Dice party, even in the face of pouring rain.
• Canadian Rob’s absolute dedication to getting down to the show, even in the face of mechanical issues. Where most people would have given up, he pushed on and I’m glad he did. Not only is his Pan Chop one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen, but I’m stoked to call him a friend.
• The Saturday ride - from beginning to end. Way bigger turn out than I expected (70-80 bikes), but even better was that the almost entire group stayed together for the whole ride. That many bikes rolling through small New England towns felt like a force of nature. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end when I looked in my rearview mirror and saw an endless row of motorcycles. Absolutely awesome and inspiring. Kudos to everyone who not only rode well, but kept their shit together. I only know of a couple minor break downs that happened, and those guys got right back on the road with some quick repairs.
• Keith Stone - nuff said.
• Boston-talk at the picnic table. I think the hardest laughs of the weekend happened here. Beer through the nose laughter.
• The Providence/South of Boston crew knowing how to bring the party - circle of headlights stage and all. I haven’t heard anyone testing positive for STDs yet, but I’m not putting it out of the realm of reality.
• The entire crew at White Birch Campground who welcomed us with open arms and were amazing the entire time we were there. The campground rules, but the folks that run it are even better. Hell, they even invited us back!
• Gourmet S’mores around the camp fire. Seriously, shit was delicious. Full plank or half plank?
• Henry raging at his first ever outlaw biker camp out. Little dude hasn’t even turned 2 yet and he has more street cred than you. Conceived on the Gypsy, baptized at the Greasebag. Hallelujah.
• So many new friends.
• Walter losing it when McGoo went into club-talk mode at the 2nd gas stop.
• Canadian Justin’s unexpected jubilation at winning a bike show award. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a guy more stoked than he was at that exact moment. Dude threw down hard all weekend and was just a great guy to be around (funny accent an all).
• Spiced Rum? WTF?
• Karen scheming’ and Paul’s surprise
• SMCD on a mission to fill parking spots in front of the Baseball Tavern with bikes and scooters. Mission accomplished.
• Masshole Mike being Masshole Mike.
• 15 giant pizzas being devoured in less than 5 minutes.
• Did I mention Keith Stone? It was a smooth weekend.
• The bikes - so many local killer bikes I had never laid eyes on.
• The people - from the out-of-towners to all the locals that showed up in force. That’s what events like this are all about.

I’m sure I’m forgetting a lot, the whole weekend was a blast and a blur all at once. Thank you to everyone who showed up and made it a killer time.

As much as the Greasebag is a bit of a one man show, I also get a lot of help from others folks, so some thank you’s are in order:

To all the sponsors who stepped up and made it possible, thank you. I know I’ve said it plenty of times before, but without our sponsors we wouldn’t be able to do this. Their donations allow us to put on the event and keep it free. Extra thanks to Chop Shop Cycles, Biltwell, Kickstart Cycle Supply and Chop Cult for providing the food and beer. Support all these businesses because they’re the ones that are giving back to the community and that support keeps it going.

My brother Gino was my right hand man all weekend, from the Dice party to the final unloading of gear on Sunday. He did everything from hauling beer to taking pictures to selling raffle tickets, and a million other things in-between. I couldn’t have done it without him and I couldn’t have asked for a better wingman. You rocked it G, thank you for all your help.

The Dice party on Friday night wouldn’t have gone down the way it did without the help of Steve and Fordy. Thank you guys for making all the arrangements and putting everything in place for such a killer time.

It’s worth mentioning the crew at White Birch Campground again; they’re really that awesome. Thanks for letting us rage on your property and have a killer time. We’ll be back.

I’m lucky to have a great group of friends and family who’ve been supporting me since day one. Whether it was by spreading the word, being a sounding board, lugging gear or helping to run the show, they’re all invaluable to me. So thank you to: my brother Raff, Harvard, Ace, SMCD, Nardi, Dave K, Bill B., Walter, McGoo, Bryan, and Matt D.

Wayne, Jay and everyone at Acme Choppers. Not only for letting us take over your parking lot but for all the help leading up to and on the day of the event. Not only that, but when someone needed help getting their bike back on the road, they were right there, wrench in hand. I can’t say enough good things about these guys, they build killer bikes, make unbelievably high quality parts and have a motorcycle mecca of a workshop, but above it all, they’re just top notch guys.

Thank you to everyone who helped with the event in some shape or form. Whether it was by handing out flyers, spreading the word on the interwebs, unloading the van or directing traffic. There are too many people to list here, but a sincere thank you to all of you.

Last, but not least, my wife, who put up with 6 months of my insanity and neurotic behavior while I strung the show together. She was my rock and my biggest cheerleader the entire time, willing to give up weekends away or any semblance of a social life just so I could work on my little motorcycle weekend. She had my back the entire time, even when things got chaotic, and I am continually humbled by her support and dedication.

That’s a wrap folks. 2011 is in the books. We’ll be back in 2012; in what shape or form I’m not sure yet, but as soon as I figure it out, I’ll let you know. All I can think about now is riding my bike and seeing my friends again at the Gypsy Run in September .

Photos by Gino Mortillaro