An Honest Mess

Creation

2011-12-11T22:06:00.001-08:00

It's high time I stopped wasting my time and began building..er...creating! It's time to focus on doing what I love to do, not wasting my days watching others do it.-Watch and learn- Ha!

Here I am

2011-11-22T10:58:00.001-08:00

Its been nearly a year since my past post. When I'm at a computer I'll add some pictures of what I've been up to. As for now....just working for the man.

The Machine - SV650

2011-02-22T21:33:00.000-08:00

I'm a creative dude. I like to build things. Creations if you will. And, as with most creative people, I work with those things that most intrigue and challenge me. So, I bought this basket case earlier this year with big plans to RIDE...The riding season came to an end and I still had basically a basket of parts. I did some work but mainly spent a lot of time in the idea stage. Lately, though, I've made some real progress. My ideas, and a little shopping, have got me going:

Back to my basics - or rather a passion of mine...

2011-02-16T22:41:00.000-08:00

I've been getting a little spring fever lately.

MUSIC VIDEO RIDING SEPTEMBER from Hush on Vimeo.

Life...maybe...

2010-05-03T11:24:00.001-07:00

I don't think it's so much how you start off in life, but that you do your best with what you have.

I wish...

2010-04-07T08:49:00.000-07:00

I wish that life was different...I hope for better times.
I wish I could stand strong and resolute...it is hard to take a side.
I wish wishing could make a change...to bring about the best.
I wish I could know the outcome...then press forward with faith.

But faith is the expression of hope, which is much more than a wish, neither of which have anything to do with knowing. So I should not wish, but hope, and then press forward with faith.

Under the Counter

2010-01-11T09:46:00.001-08:00

Its been a while since I've posted. Some times life gets in the way, and sometimes I get my priorities messed up. This blog is a perfect example. It was originally supposed to be snippets of my current likes and styles and thoughts, but lately it's been all about Mr T, which I have a blog specifically for, www.mrtdiaries.blogspot.com.

My honest mess...

The trenches of life swept silently o'er,
Mask'd villain instead,
Trivial ill weighted causes bring,
The thoughts about my head.

Zookmeld 2009 Part Deux

2009-10-26T11:45:00.000-07:00

2009-10-26T10:54:00.000-07:00

So I've been spending many hours in the shop getting Mr T. (my Tracker) back on the road. Now it has a different engine, a new turbo setup, an 8000 lb winch, a spool in the rear, and it is pretty sweet! Oh, I also painted the hood camo. A nice touch I think.

Blown up engine! This happened in the end of May at my first Zookmeld out by Rocky Mountain House.

Whew! Lots of Pics...Lots of fun! eheheheh...

Today is...well, another day!

2009-07-28T13:48:00.000-07:00

(besides being my birthday)

I was looking to see if there was any famous people who were born on my birthday...as I looked over the list(I'm sure it's not a comprehensive list of everyone born on July 28th) I realised there are lots of composers, inventors, and athletes and I thought "hmm, there sure are alot of creative, ambitious people listed here." - but then it clicked, "duh, that's why they're on the list!"

The only person I recognized at all was Ludwig A. Feuerbach(1804), German philosopher who if famous for the quote "Man is what he eats" Isn't that a profound statement, in many ways!

Some events in history:
2005 IRA issues a statement ordering the end to the armed campaign against the British
1988 IBM announces price hike on older models
1951 Walt Disney's "Alice In Wonderland" released
1943 Italian Facist dictator Benito Mussolini resigns
1943 President Franklin D. Roosevelt announces end of coffee rationing in U.S.
1914 World War I began when Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia
1586 Sir Thomas Harriot introduces potatoes to Europe

There you have it! The 28th of July, full of history.

I know it's been a while since I've posted, sorry, sometimes there are things more important than the internet...like being lazy! :)

I hope everyone has a happy Ben's birthday!!!!

On a completely different note, I found this old car today:

I guess it was loved, a lot. Maybe too much?

Zookmeld 2009

2009-06-05T08:18:00.001-07:00

Here's a little video I put together from our trip to Rocky Mountain House. GOOD TIMES!

You can read more about it on my other blog: www.mrtdiaries.blogspot.com

2009-05-24T17:28:00.001-07:00

Well I spent most of Saturday working on my bike. It's near completion, but not near enough. I would like to finish it this week. But I would also like to build a lift kit for Mr T. Hmmm, maybe I can make both work. Maybe...
Here's my photo gallery of the work as it has progressed until yesterday. The slide show goes back in history: the next image with be older than the previous. Make sense?

Out with the OLD in with the NEW

2009-05-04T12:49:00.000-07:00

I have been using an helmet I purchased roughly 10 years ago. It was a cheap Canadian Tire special, and I had no way of replacing the super scratched visor. I used it on my 3000km ride to Utah last summer, and vowed to replace it. Most of the trip I actually removed the visor and rode with MX goggles. NOT FUN. So now, it is spring, the Tax return has come in, hence: Out with the OLD, in with the NEW. Me likey very much, and I got a sweet deal on it! Well, I consider it a sweet deal - Most Icon helmets run between $300 and $500 and I was not interested in spending that much. I scooped this one for $180. Of course, I had to get a tinted visor to go with it. heheheh...

the Tail

2009-04-11T21:48:00.001-07:00

After much deliberation, design, mock-ups, and building. I've completed a tail for the 400. Lately I've been forum trawling at Custom Fighters forum. It's got lots of guys building crazy bikes, and most of them are kinda more my style. You can check out my build there at: http://www.customfighters.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19912

So here's a couple pics of what I've been up to:

CB 400 Update

2009-04-01T14:51:00.000-07:00

The tank is finished! I've painted it and everything. Now I just hope it won't start leaking. What do you think of the color?

Now onto the rest of my list...

Jon this one's for you...

2009-03-28T09:21:00.001-07:00

This is totally your idea! (except it's not on a hitch, or very removable) But I think you see the problem this guy has. Not too many people would want a pallet loaded with bricks on their hood.:)

It's funny that a V8 with tranny weighs more than 3/4 of a 4 door Suzuki Sidekick.

FAIL

2009-03-24T21:38:00.000-07:00

Check out the mega fail. Regardless of the pictures shown in the following link, the laws of physics do apply to everyone and everything.

http://jalopnik.com/5176055/30-epic-do+it+yourself-automotive-fabrication-failures?skyline=true&s=i

More CB400T

2009-03-17T20:16:00.000-07:00

Well, I got a few minutes to look over the 400 and make a list of things left to do before the season is open. While I was at it I pulled it outside for some more pics. A less cluttered environment makes it easier to see how it looks.

Work on the Tank

2009-03-09T16:10:00.001-07:00

Well, truthfully, I haven't worked on the tank for a couple weeks. This is how it has looked since the day after my last post of it. I've been too busy with work. Lame excuse I know.

New favorite YouTube Channel

2009-02-22T10:35:00.000-08:00

MormonMessages

The Gas Tank

2009-02-20T15:16:00.000-08:00

Well I've spent a few hours cutting, bending, and welding. It's all coming together now. My previous attempt at a gas tank (back in 2001?) was a failure due mostly to the fact that I was using a flux core wire feed welder. Now I'm onto bigger and better - TIG WOOOHOOO! It's still a challenge at times, but so much better. SO much...better, yup, better.

CB400 - Progress

2009-02-16T12:26:00.000-08:00

So here's the progress from Saturday. It goes a lot faster, with less frustration when you start with a pattern.

CB400

2009-02-14T08:54:00.000-08:00

Jon, I think you're right. The CB400 was a blast this last summer, when it ran. The fuel tank was severely rusted, plugging up the carbs. That is why I have been working on a new tank for it. In the pictures below, I've got a mockup of the tank made from paper. By far this bike requires the least amount of work to have it completed. It won't break any speed records, but fun and it looks pretty cool!

2009-02-13T08:37:00.000-08:00

As you can tell from previous posts, I'm a bit of a video's and pictures kind of guy. My good friend Jon has inspired me, through his blog, to write more. I do suppose it is more expressive, and maybe even more interesting especially to those who don't share my passion for mechanical things.

Recently I have been stewing about with a new dilemma. I want to ride a motorcycle this summer, but I have to choose which one. As you may know last summer I put 3000 kms on a little Yamaha 400 driving from Edmonton to Utah and back (Kara drove it for a short stretch too). It was just not big enough for me. I will never complain about the gas mileage. The unofficial cost of gas was about $80. I figure it averaged around 50 mpg. Pretty amazing especially considering how hard I pushed it. So back to the dilemma: I have 3 potential bikes to choose from.

The 1979 Honda CB400 - Small like the Yamaha, and probably as good on gas. Will I enjoy it lugging me around? I bought this bike for $50 as parts bike back in '99 I believe. It sat in pieces for a few years. Last year I revived it with new fork, wheels, and tires. I have plans for a custom gas tank. I think a fun bike for around town, but not so much on the highway.

The 1978 Honda CB750 - Lots of power, decent on gas. I bought this bike from a friend (Pennz) for $35. This bike has gotten me around for years. I've stripped it, chopped it, and customized it completely changing it's looks 5 times. Right now, I'm in the middle of Chop #6. So I don't have a usable setup, just a bunch of parts and a frame that would need to be heavily modified. :)

The 1972 Yamaha XS650 - Legend. My oldest bike. I bought it back in the late nineties when my first 1979 Honda CB400 was old news. I picked up this bad boy for $100 and got it running reasonable. Then one day after about two weeks of riding it the cam chain broke while I was out with my buddies. It has been in pieces ever since. I loved the sound of the inline twin thump. Not like any other bike. But I will need to rebuild the engine, and replace some missing parts on the chassis.

That's about it. What do you think? Do you need...pictures? (A post just doesn't seem finished with out them.)

Picture of my CB400 in current condition.

CB750 Currently.

Yamaha XS650 Today.

I love this

2009-02-10T07:45:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite things is finding sweet YouTube videos of small cars with motorcycle engines. An Excellent idea...

2009-02-08T19:33:00.000-08:00

They Pony gets a little work done at the photo SHOP. The only work that's been done to it in years!

Mr T gets a set of dubs and a little clearance at the photo SHOP.

Jay Lenos Garage

2009-02-05T11:29:00.001-08:00

I think this is my new favorite website: Jay Leno's Garage

Hot Wheels

2009-02-05T11:09:00.000-08:00

The most impractical ride ever!

Mr T turns 400,000 kms!

2009-02-03T08:41:00.000-08:00

My Dad is convinced these things last forever:
#1 Because of how I drive it.
#2 It's still running with 400000 kms!

Finland 4X4

2009-01-05T23:39:00.001-08:00

Well it's been a little while since I've posted here. I've been quite busy with work, you know, life gets in the way. In standard fashion here are some fun pics of a sweet Finish 4x complete with homemade coil-overs and a Alfa 3.0L engine. Maybe it's just the farm boy in me, but I like it best with the tractor tires...

Sweet Ride

2008-12-09T20:46:00.000-08:00

Check out this sweet ride I found today! Those guys on the other side of the world know how to build 'em cool. 4wdfiberglass

2008-11-20T11:18:00.000-08:00

A great video. The song reminds me of...well...ME!

Luke Bryan - Country Man

Polaris RZR

2008-10-21T07:49:00.000-07:00

Talk about cool! My brother just introduced me to the world of sidexside. I am officially addicted...
More information about this sweet oversized shiftercart can be found at Yakahosu.

2008-10-09T20:51:00.001-07:00

debora cox
Staind
hill billy deluxe

Some new finds - Steampunk

2008-10-09T10:50:00.000-07:00

This Stuff is cool. Mixing old school "Age of Steam" style with new school technology.

Mmmm More Eye Candy

2008-08-28T16:41:00.000-07:00

Some more sweet bike action. Check out this bike. More info at: The Kneeslider

Some of my favorite spots

2008-08-27T13:29:00.000-07:00

-Zukiworld
-Desert Rides
-Rook Customs
-Ryan Moore-ESD MFG

My YouTube videos

2008-08-27T12:34:00.000-07:00

So what can I say? I'm a little addicted to YouTube. Here's a couple of my videos.

Introduction to my projects

2008-08-27T12:18:00.000-07:00

Here's a list of some of the work I've done in the past:

1949 Chevy Truck - Frame swap to '77 Chevy; 350, etc.
1985 Hyundai Pony - Small Block Chevy installed with TH350
1972 Yamaha 650 XS2
1978 Honda CB750 - Hand-made custom frame
1978 Honda CB400 - Frame modifications
1991 Chevy Tracker - Body lift added and removed; Turbo added; Suspension upgrades coming soon.

I'll try to gather up as many pics of these as I can in the next few days.

Sweet Work

2008-08-27T11:38:00.000-07:00

This kind of stuff inspires me. Some might think that is a bad thing. Shinya Kimura of Chabott Engineering calls it functional art. I agree.

Nowadays

2008-08-27T11:17:00.000-07:00

I'm a graduate from Mechanical Engineering Technology at NAIT (Similar to an Associates degree in the U.S.). After graduation I got some great R&D experience working for a local manufacturing shop. I now own a laser cutting company located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada called Fine Line Laser Cutting. It keeps me busy, busy, busy.

Opening Comments

2008-08-27T11:00:00.000-07:00

This whole blog thing has interested me for some time now. So I'm in. To begin, I would like to explain the name: An Honest Mess. I just thought it sounded cool (I even came up with it myself). But really, I feel like it's what I'm in right now. From time to time, I seem to get myself into an honest mess. Good intentions put me on the street a block over from Easy. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. I'm good where I am and glad where I've been. Enough of this sentimental crap. Let's get on with it!

Ben