Blog Archives
Mods and Rockers
They came, they saw, they beat each other senseless on the shingle. Or did they? Over forty five years ago on Easter weekend, mods took on rockers for the first time, fuelling Britain’s first mass-media scare over dissolute, drug-taking, mindlessly violent youth. Starting with a spot of bother at Clacton, Essex, over the Easter weekend of 1964, the tabloid press feasted for months on the gory new phenomenon breaking out at sleepy seaside towns across the South-east. Beside gleefully horrified headlines – “Riot police fly to seaside” – were photographs of pale youths in Italian fashions fighting pale youths in engine-oil-caked leathers beside penny arcades at Margate, Brighton, Bournemouth, Clacton, Southend and Hastings. But now mod experts and some of the old rockers and mods themselves are admitting that many of the candid newspaper shots of seaside gang fighting in 1964 – so shocking at the time, and now considered classic images of Sixties Britain – were staged. Here is a collection of some of those now famous photo’s.
One Legged Cyclist
Not a link I would normally include in the blog, but this guy is a New York legend. Ok so personally I think cycling is for 60′s hippies and fitness freaks, but I have to take my hat off to this guy, I’m bloody sure none of us couldn’t ride round the streets of New York with only one leg without killing ourselves, or more importantly other people… have a look at this short youtube clip, he really is inspirational…….
New Project
Ok, have changed my mind, yet again. I’m thinking this should be the style of the next project, I’t doesn’t look that hard to build…maybe… and it is very sexy,
I like this a lot…
Will update you with photo’s as she slowly transforms….
My Old Project
My Old Trike
My old trike project, it’s a 1400cc Rover Metro based automatic, i believe it is still slowly rotting away in the same lockup that I left her in 6 years ago, If anyone in the UK is up for a challenge then look no further. She is locked away on the Isle of Man and will probably need a bit of TCL to get her started again. She was 90% when i left her, this is quite an early photo in t5he build stage, so she’s a lot nicer than this photo. But if anyone has the inspiration to get her back on the road again, then let me know and i will pass on the contact details. God I miss her……
Disabled Biker Links
Conquest for the Disabled Biker
NABD This is a great UK Based association that helps anybody that has a disability get back on the road. They supply funding, Technical advice, Discounts, and have a massive following in the biking community, and are well known for there great fund raising events.
Their site has an extensive Adaptions page which covers all types of disabilities from one arm, one leg, or even no use of either legs.
Another clever site is Motorcycle Amputees which again cover a huge range of aids equipment to help you ride abike, trike or wheel chair motorcycle. They have so many varying ideas and are able to assist in finding the most suitable vehicle for your needs. Check out some of the pictures of disabled people riding and their motorcycles, some of them are seriously amazing.
This site has some truly amazing Wheelchair adaptions, they just prove what you can get away with when you have no legs. take a few minutes to look at the gallery of some fantastic machines.
Kliktronic One Hand Control In the United Kingdom, a company called Kliktronic is the king of push-button gear changers. Take their K-LEVER 2 Dual – Lever Master Cylinder, for instance. Simply put, the K-Lever is an electric shifter. What makes it great for someone with a disability is its modular design, which allows for a variety of configurations.
Use it to control both front and rear brakes with a single hand. Or, if you prefer, set it up to operate the clutch and brake for easier gear shifting. If you have weakness in your left hand, a Rekluse automatic clutch might be just what you need to get on the road. One example, the company’s ProStart Clutch, allows a rider to control starting and stopping with the throttle. After you start your machine, the clutch can still be used for shifting.
Finally, most riders understand that the front brake on a motorcycle provides most of the stopping power. If your right hand (which normally controls the front brake) is weak, you might want to try using a thumb brake system. Any reputable motorcycle shop can help you find a good set-up for your particular machine.
This site is great but have only just found it so it is work in progress, tacking here so i don’t loose it. check it out there are some seriously funky machine son this site. Think i might be able get loads of ideas of the crazy blokes. http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2009/10/30/honda-cbx-v12-by-andreas-georgeades/#.Tfki904c0PM;facebook
You have just got to be impressed with the guy’s at www.chhristrikes.com a great looking wheelchair Harley.
Max Tattoo’s 883R Sportster
Max Tattoo's 883R Sportster
There are some really cool bikes in Pai and this is up there with the best of them.
This Harley Davidson 883R Sportster is owned by Max from Max Tattoo Unique whose studio is located on the second floor of the Soi One Corner Plaza.
Obviously business must be good!
You can check out his Facebook Page Here or his Website by clicking the highlighted Links.
One Armed Motorcross Rider
I thought that boy in the previous post was amazing. This just shows you all out there what can be accomplished if you really want it! Ok, no left hand controls but check out that jump …..
Pai Land Estate
Pai Land Estate
If you’re thinking about coming to Pai and in need of a place to stay then a good friend of mine runs a small property management company out here.
He concentrates primarily on rental properties and construction but is also involved in Land & House sales. Check out his website at PAI LAND ESTATE to see if there is anything interesting that he can do for you.
The Project Overview
One Arm Thai Boy
During my 5 years in Pai I have noticed quite a few people in Pai Town and the surrounding villages that have similar disabilities to myself, and would like to offer them the chance to get on the road with the freedom to ride.
It is not just people with my condition that could benefit; many of you will have noticed a couple of wheelchair motorcycle adaption’s riding around town. This really isn’t a complicated modification and could be accomplished relatively cheaply.
So whatever disability that you or someone you know may have, if you or they have the ambition to ride again, or would like to experience the thrill for the first time, then I am more than willing to offer any advice, enthusiasm, contacts, encouragement, and knowledge that will help you fulfill your dream and get you on the road. So if you know of anybody, friends or family that might benefit from this offer please get in touch.
I am currently looking for a small workspace in Pai town to kick start off this project, so if you know of somewhere suitable to work on a motorcycle please let me know. I would also like to ask you for donations of any old motorbike bits & pieces, old wrecks, non runners, rust buckets, wheels, seats, forks or tanks, anything that you may have lying around. I can make anything look pretty again, except myself. I wish someone had knocked on my door 25 years ago and given me the keys to a free motorbike.
Discovering Pai
I discovered Pai purely by chance in 2005 whilst I was travelling around Thailand and literally never left. What’s the fascination, well you only have to look around the valley to see that you are out of the rat race.
The clean air (when they are not burning), the friendly locals and the new found friends all added up to knowing that I had found somewhere special. I wasn’t the first and certainly won’t be the last traveller to arrive in Pai for 5 days and still be here 5 years later……
