Triumph update

Since the original fuel tank was kind of integral to the frame, containing a brace internally, I spent today fabbing up a new bolt on top tube so i could mount an aftermarket tank:

Not posted a pic of the bike with the hardtail on, so here it is - bars aren't going to stay, also speedo is moving, but I think I'll keep the Lucas headlight

Triumph tank

Started off today wanting to fab a new top tube for my 5TA frame so I could fit an aftermarket tank - the existing top brace is integral to the tank in the earlier t100's
Anyway, I had numerous attempts at making something, all of which turned out pretty amateur, so I temporarily gave up on that idea and decided to strip the original tank to see what I had.
Initially it was pretty encouraging, nice clean metal:

Then I moved onto the other side and found some filler:

Bugger.

Long Beach swap meet

What can I say - A Harley nut from the UK would probably need to wear a nappy walking round this place, not as big as something like Newark, but, there was probably only 5% of the stalls selling crap, the rest was pure bike parts, nothing really rusty and shite either - fair enough the vast majority of it is evo / chopper type stuff, but there were Shovel engines, Pan cyl heads, various engine cases, probably about 30 sets of transmissions. Also a few Jap and Triumph bits, but not many - saw a 5T engine, box and frame go for about £550. A few full bikes too including this 1200 Flattie:

Asking price was $18,000

My bargain of the day was a  Triumph 19" wheel, complete with flanged hub and 7" TLS brake plate - all for the princely sum of £30 - No span it yet, but it looks pretty straight and true, spokes are good - just what I was after.

Also picked up a couple of 'bobber' seats on the cheap - will probably stick these on e-bay and put the money to a really good repro seat.

Well, sadly the holiday is over, got back home a couple of hours ago, knackered and wanting to go back sooner rather than later.

At least I've got work to look forward to tomorrow morning

Venice Vintage Motorcycle Rally

Just spent the day at the venice vintage rally after being given a flyer in a bike shop yesterday:
What an awesome event, everything from a Harley JD scrambler - still being raced today, right through Cafe Racers, vintage race bikes, stockers, customs, you name it.
Was really surprised at the make up of the bikes - the 'show' area was roughly 50% jap, 40% birt + european and only about 10% american. Even the general parking lot was full of awesome bikes including a few pans + lots of  Triumphs. Of course, probably the most represented bike in the parking lot was evo based, but they just faded into obscutiry amongst everything else.
Great bands, food and beer, free entry, 100yds from the beach, I even won a poster!
Sorry - my pictures don't do it any justice whatsoever

Sidecar controlled bike!

Shooting shit up

Went to the the vegas gun store today, turn up, choose your weapons and fire some rounds. I took the WW2 package - 1911 handgun, MP40 (german machine gun) and Thompson machine gun. Fired 40 shots on each of the machine guns, bursts of about 3 or 4 rounds at a time, and had 20 from the handgun. Also had 19 shots from a Beretta 9mm - Ella chose this one but decided she didn't like it after the first shot (which I think hit the ceiling).

While I was here, I thought it would be rude not to have a go on a 45 Magnum 'Dirty Harry' style, only got 5 rounds, kicked like a mule and, while I hit the target, I didn't get close to the centre.

By contrast, this is my 'tommy gun', shredded the target to pieces:

Indy Race

Went to the Indy race in Las Vegas today, took this picture early on, before the crowds arrived:

Awesome setting for a racetrack, right on the edge of the desert, and it turned out to be a very surreal day - firstly because i'd never been to a big event in the states before, but more poignantly, because just 13 laps in was the crash involving 15 cars, which sadly resulted in the death of a british driver, Dan Wheldon. Its a very strange feeling watching a crash where you know someone died.

lone pine

Never seen one like this before:

Had a few beers in a local bar after stopping off for the night on route to Vegas, Ella had a bit too much to drink and put on Michael Jackson and Lady Gaga - remember, this is the frickin wild west - thought we was going to get lynched.

Next morning headed for a cafe on the trail to Mt Whitney after a tip from a local - I ordered a pankake for breakfast:

Turned out to be a 2 plater, only cost about £3 too.

Stopped for a photo halfway back down the road:

Yosemite and the Sierras

Drove the Tioga  pass today through Yosemite, the road peaks at about 10,000ft - awesome scenery, vertical drops at the kerb edge + surrounded by snow covered mountains. The road closes for the winter in a few weeks time, the lake below is Tioga lake, near the top of the pass.

After crossing the mountains the road drops down into some open plains, with mountains both sides, the scenery here is just on an immense scale. We've stopped in Lone Pine for the night, in the shadow of Mt Whitney - highest summit in the USA at 14,500ft. Proper Wild West country.
Tomorrow we head for Death Valley, then on to Vegas.

Top of the world

Left San Francisco today, picked up the hire car and drove to the outskirts of Yosemite. Some cracking scenery, the mountain roads remimded me of driving through the Alps in the south of France. Car's not too bad either - 6.2L of American muscle - shame they've tamed the exhaust note - obviously to meet some sort of legislation.

hotel goodies

Had these delivered to the hotel from Lowbrow Customs. Should save me a bit on postage as they'll be travelling back in my suitcase

Happy days