THE STORY

Growing up, there was always a machine in my father's garage. He was very contradictory that way. That is, while he was an avid rider and staunch advocate for learning the workings of a machine, he also vehemently forbid me from ever owning a motorcycle. As my father, he had the right. Motorcycles are dangerous. They demand the rider's utmost respect and attention--and even then, your life is largely in the hands of other motorists. My father said all this, forbidding me from doing something that so obviously brought him joy. He knew all along that I would disobey him. He only hoped to delay the inevitable, to instill in me that essential sense of respect and caution in hopes that by the time I did what he knew I was going to do, he would feel he'd done everything in his power to prepare me. 

Of course, that applies to more than just motorcycles. It's a fitting metaphor for fatherhood as a whole. Motorcycles were the metaphor in a larger conversation about values, responsibility and spirituality. And this is precisely the conversation I yearn to further. I want to share my work. But I also want to listen, to learn, and to collaborate. 

THE FACTS

I rebuild, restore and customize vintage motorcycles. My first motorcycle was a 1981 Honda CM400T. I bought it in college from a professor for $300. It didn't run. I knew nothing but that I wanted to ride. With the help of a local mechanic, a repair manual, and lots of YouTube video, the machine was on the road a few months later. Then, many years later, I decided to convert into a Cafe Racer. Again, I knew nothing but that I wanted to make it my own. It took about a year. I learned a lot in the process, foremost of which was how much I still had left to learn. 

THE MACHINES

1981 Honda CM400T -- This was a near complete rebuild. It was my first bike and I am pleased to have sold it to another first-time rider. Build details include: 

• Rebuilt Carbs (new floats and float needles
• Rebuilt front forks
• Rebuilt front brake caliper, new diaphragm
• Chrome mini Speedo with Odometer and LED indicator lights
• MAC 2-into-1 exhaust
• Firestone Deluxe Blackwall tires
• Salvaged tank
• Original 16-inch rear wheel retrofitted with 18-inch
• Clip-ons
• Hand-sewn leather grips by Walnut
• Seat reupholstered 
• Chain, sprockets
• Cables, filters, gaskets, plugs, bearings
• Chrome headlight brackets
• Cat-eye brake light
• Axle-mount license plate

1974 BMW R90/6 -- This is my daily rider, my dream machine. I bought it in 2013 from a man in Raleigh NC. It retains its original design with the exception of a few custom touches: 

• Clubman handlebars 
• Bar-end mirrors
• Hand-made copper battery box with leather-wrapped battery
• Hand-sewn leather grips by Walnut
• Compass/Mock Speedometer 

1974 Honda CB500T -- This is my current project. Visit my The Garage Blog to follow my progress.