May 9th - Southern Classic Bike Show: Photo by Roka Kustom Kulture

The Rudge_Whitworth company was an established bicycle factory that entered motorcycle production in 1911. Their first machines were 499 cc IOE singles. They developed the famous Multi gear, with a possibility of up to 21 gear positions.

In 1924 the factory introduced a new range of four valve singles. In 1928 Graham Walker managed to win the Ulster Grand Prix on a Rudge, after a heroic handlebar-to handlebar battle with Charlie Dodson on a Model 90 Sunbeam. Since then the sporty Rudge models were designated “Ulster”. In the 1930 Junior TT Rudge scored 1, 2, 3 with the all new 350cc 4 radial valve. In 1931 the engine was scaled down to 250 cc and that proved to be a real winner too, judging from 1st, 2nd and 4th places plus the lap record in the Lightweight TT.

Rudge used different layouts for its 4 valve models: from 1930 onwards they used parallel inlet and exhaust valves for all Specials; the radially disposed exhausts were only used on the Ulster and racing models.

Practical features of this well-engineered machine are the enclosed fork spring, the oil bath chain primary drive in oil-tight aluminium case and the handle to that is coupled to the centre stand.
This “Special”, the touring version of the “Ulster “, is a well- fettled older restoration.

Steve working on the tank for my sporty project.

Couple shots from the 2009 Cool Breaker posted to Flickr by Dan, webmaster over at Biker Radio Magazine.

Choppahead brought the A-Team van to the Greasebag and brought on the smoke shows. That was only the beginning of the jackassery.

Ace Cafe - Hotrod Night - Spring Riot 2009 - Photo by Roka Kustom Kulture

A full year of Smokeout 2008 photos. 365 photos - 1 a day, everyday. Hopefully you’ve dug this photo exhibit - it’s been fun putting it together and wading through all the memories.

I’m not sure what the next photo project will be, but I’m sure there is one around the corner. For the next few weeks, knucklebuster will return to once a day updates, but I’ve got a few ideas, so that may change back to twice a day updates soon.

Pack it up, and move on out - time for the next adventure.

I know I’ve talked about the amount of swag at the greasebag a couple of times, but it still blows my mind at how much stuff we give away. I had originally thought the value of the swag pile was between $3000 - $3500 - that’s a lot of swag. However, I just did an actual estimate of almost everything we gave away (and I’m pretty sure I forgot a few things) and the final amount came to over $5000.

Damn.

It’s a little hard for me to wrap my head around that. The generosity of all of the sponsors is unbelievable. None of the sponsors are big corporations with marketing or PR budgets - they’re small businesses and shops (in many cases 1 man shows) who are stepping up to the plate to support the scene and grass root events. It’s because of their donations (and you guys buying raffle tickets) that we can keep the show free for everyone to come to. I know I’ve said it before, but I will continue to say thank you to all of them. Their generosity and involvement gets me real stoked on the community that we have going on. In an industry that can be full of sketchy and shady bullshit, its awesome to be surrounded by stand up dudes (and gals) who are putting out quality products and supporting the community at the same time. So thank you to all the sponsors and please make sure to check out their websites and support their businesses. These guys are helping keep the scene alive in all the right ways, if you’ve got a few dollars to spend, give them the support back. (full sponsor list on greasebag.com)

As for the actual raffle - man, that shit was nuts. The amount of big prizes was unreal and the number of t-shirts was insane. I remember looking down at the swag table in the middle of the day and it was still full. That’s when I started giving away multiple prize packs - 5 shirts at a time became the norm towards the end, some folks walked away with whole new wardrobes. There was a lot of stuff I really didn’t want to part with (the helmet, seat, oil tank, grips, saddle bags, tail light, striped panel, paint discounts…I could go on) but to be honest, it did feel good to give that stuff to folks who were genuinely excited about it and would put it to good use. 70+ winning tickets were pulled when all was said and done. There were quite a few people who won multiple times which just goes to show you - the more tickets you buy and the earlier you buy them, the better your chances are. HR continues her 3 year streak of winning big, which also goes to show you that a little luck goes a long way (although all the tickets she bought really helped her chances).

As with every other aspect of the Greasebag - this was the best raffle in greasebag history. The bar was set real high this year, looks like I’m going to have to hustle twice as hard next year to raise it again.

The turn out for the bike show this year was incredible. A total of 33 bikes entered and the competition was pretty stiff. As I explained at the show, the judging rules are pretty simple: my favorite 12 bikes got a trophy. No classes, no people’s choice, no judges panels or other bullshit - my favorite bikes win, end of story. Picking the 12 this year was definitely harder than in the past just because the quality and character of the bikes keeps going up - that, in and of itself gets me stoked and psyched up to do it next year. Without further delay, the winners of this year’s Greasebag Jamboree Bike Show:

Dave Schlitter • 1970 Triumph TR6C • Trophy Sponsor: Acme Choppers

Bob Caiado • 1948 HD EL • Trophy Sponsor: Chop Shop

Chris Bernardi • 1956 Triton • Trophy Sponsor: Lowbrow Customs

John Mansun • 1973 Honda CB450 • Trophy Sponsor: Kickstart Cycles

Lock Baker • Speed Fetus • Trophy Sponsor: Cycle Source Magazine

Clark Perry • 1968 Triumph Bonneville • Trophy Sponsor: Licks Cycles

Chris Balan • 2002 Sportster • Trophy Sponsor: Troy Fab

Rob Merrill • 1979 Yamaha XS650 • Trophy Sponsor: 47 Industries

Krazy Karl • 1950 HD Panhead • Trophy Sponsor: Limpnickie Lot

Brian Haskell • 2002 HD Softail • Trophy Sponsor: Biker Radio Magazine

John Donahue • 2009 Acme Choppers XS650 • Trophy Sponsor: Tanks By Tigman

Nate Burke • 1993 Sportster 883 • Trophy Sponsor: E-Fab

Swissmike on the JJ has a rad bike. Here’s some info:

It’s been a 3 year journey to get to this point. I bought a pretty sad looking 68 bonneville chop rolling basket case. Upon closer inspection I decided to junk everything except the motor, frame, frontend and hubs.

The cases had chain damge and were replaced with a set of nice ‘67 cases which came without any hardware, which turned out to be a bitch because most of the hardware changed from ‘67 to ‘68.
The late style head was rebuilt by MAP, countryside cycle installed and sized the cam bushings.

All bearings were replaced throughout and the frontend completely rebuilt.
I shortened and rethread the fork tubes 1″. New rims (stock 19″ front and 16″ rear were laced with stainless Buchanan spokes on a homemade truing stand built out of 2×4 pieces.

I machined the oil tank, engine plates, headlight bracket and fabricated most all of the parts and brackets on the bike.
The taillight lens started out as a truck cab marker light, for which I built a bezel and the interior bulb holder.

The fender is an aluminum aftermarket ebay item.

The electircal system consists of a Sparx regulator /rectifier/capacitor with a Boyer electronic ignition module and a 2.2Ah gel battery to make starting easier.

I “untunnelled” the Wassel tank slightly to make it sit level and added new outlets.
The paint was my first attempt at a flake job. It took me two tries to get it right (it helps to read the label on the bottle before using reducer instead of hardener…).
Pinstriping was done by local talent Anthony White.

Killer little XS650 Chop - really dig the lines on it. Can’t remember exactly where I found this, but if it belongs to you, post in the comments.

Be there! Good times and jackassery guaranteed!