the Speed Shop Moon Lander

Lots going on at the moment 

but still able to make slow but sure progress on the Mooneyes bike.  

Shaved 39mm sliders.

Not easy to fit a drum brake on narrow triple trees.

After machining a one-off axle for the metric hub it fit just fine,

 

not a fraction to spare!

A donation from an early CB350, thank you!

Running Firestone ribbed tires front and rear.  The bike is going to have a bit of that old school chopper look with a slight forward slope up to the bottom of the frame.

This thing is a monster but is going to give a nice comfy ride for me and my lovely passenger ;)

Will need to extend the swing arm about an inch.

Stubble

Sophie is looking a bit skeptical about this one...

American Made in Japan

So let it begin!

After scoring a free swing arm frame and with some encouragement from Kurosu San and my amazing wife I have started my first Speed Shop Design motorcycle build here in Tokyo.  The goal is Mooneyes 2013 so I have some time but a crap load of work.  I am so fortunate to be working along side such amazing craftsman at Cherry's Company because I am learning so much about vintage Harleys, something I have never been able to do before.

The plan for the bike is somewhat out of the ordinary but I dont think people will be surprised by a statement like that coming from me...  When have I ever done ordinary!?

Pan head motor, frame will be de-raked and stretched up about three inches.  The rear fender is going to have a few tricks up its sleeve and the tank will be a work of art if all goes as planned.  Hand shift, foot clutch, front brake for the hills, awesome tire selection and hats about all I care to share at the moment.

As far as Kurosu San and I know I am the only Gaijin building motorcycles in Japan which is both super exciting but intimidating at the same time.  Guess this is my chance to show them that I can in fact hang with the boys here.

Stay tuned for more....

Tokyo with Cherry's on top

Today I wandered over to Cherry's Company to meet Kurosu-san and check out the beautiful motorcycle he is building for the Mooneyes show.  This is the first time I have met Kurosu-san or seen any of his creations in person and wow was I impressed.  He is is a great designer and craftsman as well as a hell of a nice guy.  The details on his new creation are freaking amazing!

While I was there Kurosu-san's painter Endo-san from Nomad Concept, was designing the paint for the new bike with him.  All I can say is it's going to be sexy as hell!

The shop was very well outfitted with all the right tools packed into your typical Tokyo style work shop.  Small yet well organized, clean, and not an inch to spare...  what more could you want!?

Kurosu-sans apprentice / employee Yuki-san is a very lucky lady.  Not only does she get to work and learn with Kurosu-sensei but she also is getting a bike specially designed and built by him on which she is honing her craft.  Just look at the beautiful fabricated gusset at the top of the seat stays...  WOW!

I have always been impressed by the work of Cherry's Company and now that I have seen it up close and met Mr. Cherry himself I am more impressed than ever.

I have some spare time on my hands these days so I hope I will be able to give them a hand or two to prepare for the Mooneyes Yokohama show.

Too many ideas!

I feel like I will never get around to all of them so I sketch them real quick in my sketch book in hopes that some of them make it into future projects. In this drawing I particularly like the idea of making a sprung sissy bar/banana type seat that hides the spring under the tail piece.

One of these days! ;)

My old "Blue Balls"