Sunday Service

Just one more thing this weekend......
Agree with Jarvis Cocker and Lawrence, nobody can write and sing a sad song like Tom Waits. 
The yang of that is "The Power of Positive Drinking" by Lou Reed.
That's all I wanted to say! 
I thank you......

Dress to impress

The bike will start again soon. Too much activity for the Rag and Bone man at the moment. Don't want to outstay my welcome in the Workshop of Wonders. Hopefully there will be some more pictures to post at the end of this next week.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind some members of the biker fraternity about dress code.

Fluorescent helmets, flapping day glow bibs and decked head to toe in advertising was not always necessary to command a presence. Sometimes all it takes to win a race is a stout woollen jumper, or for that special public occasion, a well tailored suit and tie. 

Do you want those flame grilled?

Talking of balls of fire!

I Put A Spell On You

So many times plans go awry. So many intentions find a different home. I heard Screaming Jay Hawkins "I Put A Spell On You" on the radio this morning. His first ambition was to be an opera singer. Had he taken the classical route the world would have been missing his outrageous performances and his lyrics bordering on the obscene. A true rock and roll character. The first shock rocker, only Alice Cooper came close to his onstage persona.
He died 12th February 2000 leaving behind an estimated 55 children at the time of his death, that figure became close to 75 when the facts were reassessed. A life without a dull moment (or a television). A lesson in redefining your goals. Great balls of fire.

Small is beautiful

Came across these 125cc ideas for a recent Alchemist MC comrade.

The first cut is the deepest

Looking around for a few ideas of detailing on the bike. Mmmm..... find myself a Dremel and practice makes perfect. Still, I'm confident of producing a minor masterpiece. Wonder if the Alchemist will miss any of his crank case collection...


Otto Carter - Godspeed

Otto Nero - Bushidō

Etched in metal

Came across this titanium framed bike whilst browsing. Not sure if I like the concept, but it has a regal aura to it.

First battle

The first battle goes in favor of the  meek. Very nice lady at the DVLA has differed the bike examination to November. It would have been churlish to bark down the phone at the poor woman. Small victories!

If ever I was to get tattooed......

................it would be in Italy and from this studio, and this studio only. Italian Rooster

David Robilliard

When, thoughts reveal themselves to you after many years of neglect on the bookshelf,  you are reminded that the collective unconscious is not just a Jungian idea. Ideas of worth leap time, defy the grave and stab your heart.


NO TITLE
When literally nothing
remains of your past
you're part of the cosmos
at last.
             --------------     


FARMERS AND ROCK STARS
STOCKINGS AND STOCK CARS
A house of wrecks
too late for sex
and the angel flew out of the door
without leaving a recipe
             --------------


I'D LIKE TO DRINK YOU UP
I'd like to drink you up
I saw you through my glass
and then it was empty
and then you were gone
                                                   David Robilliard 1952 - 1988

A Hunter S. Thompson moment

Two people marched into my room at work this week. 
They proceeded to lecture me on proving my "worth to the company". It was during this indoctrination I truly understood freakout as a phenomenon. As they simultaneously leaned towards me, their heads instantaneously metamorphosed into the physiognomy of green raptors. This was without any consumption of mescaline, opium, acid or any other chemical cocktail. 
Somehow I've acquired a superhero power, to recognise mindless aliens and/or produce an abundance of class A drugs on command...sweet!

BOOM!

Cleaned out the tank with Spirit of Salts!  (aka hydrochloric acid (How the hell do DIY stores get away with selling that over the counter?))
I really don't recommend slopping that stuff undiluted around the tank and then opening the cap. Those fumes stripped my throat of living tissue and steamed the lining of my lungs. Now the inside of the tank looks like new. 
Fuel tap taken apart and a small molehill of gunk fell out.
Battery charged, contacts checked.
Internal combustion sounds so sweet when least expected. Yes, it's now firing on both cylinders.
Chrome rear fender has been fitted. I welded some necessary brackets to the frame, my first attempt at the art. Needless to say the Alchemist was none too impressed.
A couple more full days and it will be ready to bite tarmac.

Back to the Future

A vintage motorcycle rally passed through the village today. Those that stopped for refreshment on the village green were subjected to the wrong side of my camera phone. I was running about like a dog with two dicks. No, that should read a donkey between two carrots. Such a shame I didn't have the sense to record them firing up. Beautiful engineering creates it's own aesthetic. (I think I've said that before). Have we really lost this as a nation?

Congratulations and celebrations

Catching up with a post that should have been written ages ago. How I enjoy congratulating friends on their achievements. Especially when it is so well deserved.

So, the first is to The Rag and Bone Man. A sellout stand at London Tent, part of the London Design Festival. Don't say that I didn't warn you. Look at the post with a big blue banner. Now it's all sold out, and Paul has a waiting list as long as his arm for commission work. I've nicked this image from his site, hope that's all right with you Paul. Cheers. (Photography by Stuart York)






It's not too late to acquire another an exceptional artist's work. Well it is if you wanted a print of "Out of the Dark" byBrigitte Williams showing at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. Sellout again! An edition of 75 prints, also flew out of the door before the end of the show. Hope is not lost. "Out of the Dark II", an addition of 100 with real gold leaf is in print but going fast at a new show. Proud to work with you Brigitte.
(I'm terrible at using images without permission. Please forgive)

Pick a card, any card

Listening to Scott Walker as a cure for Buzzcocks syndrome? Waste of time! It's a terminal case.
The proof? Several different combinations of the same cards, here's the worst. Had this interpreted and the prognosis is crazy. Gone into my bones, the only thing now is to live for the moment.