A Michigan Rider's Blog

Let's Ride: Sonny Barger's Guide to Motorcycling

2010-12-06T15:41:00.001-05:00

I just finished reading this book. It's a great book for anyone new or thinking about motorcycling and a good read for even the advanced riders. Sonny Barger, one of the founders of the Hell's Angels M/C, writes about everything from what to look for when buying a new bike, beginner and advance riding techniques and even tips on joining a motorcycle club. This was the first book by Barger that I've read and I'm looking forward to reading more of his books.

First Winter Project

2010-12-06T15:23:00.000-05:00

Started my first winter project this past weekend. It's not bike related but garage related so that's close enough. I've been sick of working on my current work bench. It was there when we moved into the house and it a pile of junk. It's just nailed together 2x4 and it wobbles like cray whenever I try to work off of it. The new bench will be made out of 2x6's and be screwed together using 3" deck screws. The old bench was 7' by 23" and the new one is going to be a corner "L" shaped bench that is 8' from corner to end on both sides and 30" wide with one leg having a shelf under it for storage and the other leg open so I can store stuff under it on the floor, like my floor jack. I'll try and get some pics the new bench soon. After that project I think I'm going to try and work on getting my muffler, on the bike, closer to the header and then cut the muffler itself down some.

New blog / this blog moved

2010-02-08T08:55:00.002-05:00

Here is the link to the new blog. Same blog and everything just on another account.
http://michiganmotorcycle.blogspot.com/

License plate bracket

2009-12-17T13:35:00.000-05:00

Here are some of my new welds with my Hobart 125EZ. It's for a license plate / brake light bracket for my Vulcan.

Hobart Handler 125 EZ Review

2009-11-23T15:38:00.000-05:00

I got my 125 EZ Friday night. I must say, I love this machine. It's been about 14 years since I've welded, if not longer and I'm picking it back up pretty well. My dad is a welder for a living and he came over to get me going and he was really impressed with it too. It didn't do 22 gauge too well, blew right threw it for the most part, but it did 16 gauge to 3/16" really well. I ran a small bead on some 3/16" I had and tried to break the weld by putting it in the vise and smashing it with a hammer and it would not budge. I also welded some motorcycle exhaust together, it came out really bad looking but it would not bust apart. I just need more practice welding on curves / pipes I think.

Self Assembling Suzuki GSXR

2009-11-10T20:03:00.000-05:00

Are all HD riders fags?

2009-11-05T14:50:00.001-05:00

According to Southpark they are:
http://www.southparkstudios.com/episodes/251889/

Exhaust is completed

2009-11-02T10:26:00.000-05:00

Here is the exhaust on the bike. I'll try and get some video this weekend. We ran the exhaust without any baffles and then installed these 4" baffles I got from JC Whitney. Without the baffles the bike sounded really mean and really loud, however it popped some. After installing the baffles the bike got a tad bit quieter but sounds mean still. I'm really pleased with how it all came out, looks and sound.

As you can see I've also removed the emblems from the tank. It looks so much cleaner now.

Pipes

2009-10-29T09:30:00.000-04:00

Got the pipes back from sandblasting and got them primered and painted in Dupli-Color Engine Paint. I ended up going with semi-gloss black. They came out really nice. All the new hardware is in as well so this weekend I plan on getting the pipes wrapped in heat wrap and on the bike. I'll try and get pics tonight.

Exhaust

2009-10-25T22:02:00.000-04:00

Here is the exhaust cut and ready for the sandblaster.

Fender and Exhaust

2009-10-23T10:37:00.000-04:00

Got the new fender in. I ended up with the Blue Collar Bobber fender kit. Was more than I wanted to pay but it's direct bolt on and looks the best I think. I was a little worried about it being fiberglass but it's really thick and rigid. I'm happy with it. I got it test fitted and everything and now just need to wait until I can get it to my buddy Todd for paint. He's going to paint it the OEM color that's on the tank.

I cut the chrome off the exhaust this week. The exhaust looked all chrome but it was just one long heat shield basically. So now I'm left with 2 rusty pipes. This weekend I'm cutting the pipes down to the size I like, thinking of cutting them on an angle but not sure yet. Then I'm going to have them sand blasted. after sand blasting I'm goign to paint t

Publish Post

hem with high temp black paint and wrap them in black heat wrap so just the ends are exposed. I'm also going to try and find some removable baffles so that I can quiet it down when I want.

I'll try and get updated pictures this week / weekend.

License plate / brake light bracket

2009-10-19T20:19:00.001-04:00

Here is the license plate / brake light bracket I made. Just used 16 gauge flat steel and bent and cut on it. Painted it gloss black and bolted it up. The light is a simple trailer light that acts as a daytime running light as well. I've been told that I'd need a gusset or it could eventually break. I'll keep my eye on it next spring and see how it holds up.

Fender

2009-10-12T08:30:00.000-04:00

I've been heading toward the direction of doing a 6" flat fender from a fender blank and having it painted to match the bike. But the more I think about it and the more flat fenders I see on Vulcans I think I'm going to bite the bullet and just get the bolt on fiberlgass rear fender kit from Blue Collar Bobbers. That way I don't have to worry about not being happy with it after it's all been painted and done.

Blue Collar Bobbers

2009-10-09T13:06:00.000-04:00

I have to give HUGE props to BlueCollarBobbers.com ! i emailed them to tell them that the kit did not fit the Drifter. I got it to fit with some work and could not use two of the parts but it was just not direct bolt on. I just wanted to let them know in case another Drifter guy came through. They gave me a $50 credit because of it and told me don't worry about sending the other parts back! I'm not going to do that though. I'm going to send them the parts I could not use back so they can use them and toss in some of the products I make in too to show my appreciation.

New seat

2009-10-08T22:33:00.000-04:00

Ordered a Vulcan seat kit from Blue Collar Bobbers . The quality of their kit is awesome but the Drifter is different from a standard Vulcan so I had to do some cutting and stuff. Also you can see how I relocated the stock turn signals.

Bobber Project

2009-10-04T20:52:00.001-04:00

Here are some pics as the bike is right now:

Bobber Project

2009-10-04T20:52:00.000-04:00

Here are some pics as the bike is right now:

Bobber Project

2009-10-04T20:09:00.000-04:00

Well I've got the rear fender off my Kawasaki Vulcan Drifter and I'm officially done riding for the year. I sold my stock seat within an hour on eBay and will be ordering a LaRosa seat for it this week, if not tonight. Since I'm doing this project on the cheap I did not want to go out and spend $100+ on some tail light and license plate relocate bracket. So what I decided to do is buy a round 4" trailer light with the clear window to light up a license plate. For the bracket I'll attempt to make one myself with a sheet of steel. I don't want to be one of those riders that thinks the more money you dump on parts the better they will be or the better the bike will be. I'n my opinion there is no need for a $100+ steel bracket with a Chinese made brake light when you can get the same thing at the trailer store for $5.00 and make a bracket the cost of a piece of sheet metal.

I'll try and get pics of the bike as it sits now up this week.

Grip Tuning Body Kits in our eBay Store!

2009-09-28T16:05:00.000-04:00

We are now selling Grip Tuning Body Kits!
http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Daniels-Customs__W0QQ_armrsZ1

Clean Your Interior Before Winter

2009-09-28T13:10:00.000-04:00

For those of you that don't keep a clean interior year round I highly suggest giving your interior a really good cleaning before winter comes. Your car will be a mess after winter so the cleaner it is before the easier it will be to clean after. Also, I highly recommend some QUALITY rubber mats. The kind that won't let snow and salt onto your carpets.
Of course, this is not intended for you people who are lucky enough to never see snow. :p

2009-09-22T16:30:00.001-04:00

We are now a dealer of Kraft / Tech Motorcycle Parts. So if there is anything you guys need from Kraft / Tech let me know.

You can see most of their parts here.

http://www.krafttechinc.com/

If you need anything just email us at orders@danase.com

Danase Detailing Products

2009-09-04T13:13:00.000-04:00

WebBikeWorld reviews Danase Detailing Products. These are the only things to touch my cars and bikes.

Cycle Source Magazine

2009-09-03T13:30:00.000-04:00

I just picked up a copy of Cycle Source and it's a really good blue collar grass roots style magazine. I highly recommend it.

So long Milwaukee Iron

2009-08-30T21:58:00.000-04:00

http://www.milwaukeeiron.com/ I've always loved their bikes and just found out they are closing their doors. We wish you all the best in whatever the future brings.

Sons of Anarchy

2009-08-30T21:57:00.001-04:00

Sons of Anarchy Countdown