Another motorcycle flip

A little over a year ago I got my hands on a 1982 Honda Magna VF45 750cc touring bike. It was ugly as hell and didn’t run, but hey for $500 bucks I said fuck it. It was a fun project and a major surprise. A surprise meaning how fun it was to ride since it was FAST FAST FAST! I ended up selling it but it’s one of those bikes that I wish I hadn’t. Here's the before/after pic:

Whacha think? I'm thinking I may need to get my hands on another Magna in the near future.

Motorcycle Resto

I've always been a fan of bikes and grew up riding them from motocross to street. It's been quite a few years since I've been on a bike but the itch has always been there, so I caved and got another one. 

This time I went big, and challenging and something that you don't see on the road as much. My latest project has been restoring a 1982 Honda Goldwing 1100. Yep, that old school touring bike that looked like a space ship on two wheels. My goal here was to strip this beast of a bike down and go cafe brat style. Make it look completely different... And better.

Here's what the bike originally looked like:

Here's a pic of her gettin naked:

This Jap was super clean when I bought it, and I say Jap albeit the bike was made in the US. Yeah, you read that correctly. Gold Wings were manufactured in Marysville, Ohio but whatever, it's a rad bike and I wasn't concerned about where it was made. If I was searching for "US" made I would've gone Harley or Indian.

Engine wise, this 4 cylinder beast was designed and built to run forever. The previous owner kept it clean and well maintained so rebuilding the engine was not needed. 

Here's some progress pics:

Strippin her down for some new paint:

Sanded down the side covers:

 Painted the tank a two tone color:

Some new brat style bars:

Old seat:

Customized old seat to a new seat:

First, got cray cray with a knife and the seat foam.

Cut the seat pan to a more slim profile:

After I shaped the seat to what I wanted I picked out the upholstery and had it wrapped. Wanted a brown vintage look to go with that matte black:

After some more paint and cleaning the electrical up with new lights the progression is real:

New pipes:

More pics to follow after I get the new gauges installed and some new tires but she's about 90% there. Been a fun project. Can't wait to take her on a road trip!

Thanks for checking out the post. If you ride or are working on a bike what is it?  Holler at me here or on Insta @shiftdunion 

-Brandon

Strap your watch

Just made some bad ass leather straps for your bad ass time piece!  For now I made just raw veg tanned straps since I am a huge fan seeing the leather change on it's own, naturally through the wearer.  Why should I color your collection when you can do it on your own, right?  Check out the below pics and if you like what you see hop on over to the LEATHER tab and pick yourself up one.
   

 

NIXON, the private watch, leather craft, hand made

Vans are cool man

When I was a kid living in Lake Havasu my parents owned a 1975 Harvest Gold Ford Econoline 150 Van.  It had the kitchen with table and bench seats all set up.  The little window on the sides at the rear had a a copper flower painted around it.  So awesome!  That Van was perfect for families such as mine who looked to road trip or even live out of.  Looked something like this minus the paint color and flower:

 

My homie and I were just talking about old 1970's Vans the other day as he wants to get himself one.  Make it a second "home on wheels" where he could cruise it where ever with surfboards, snowboards, bikes, chopper accessories and whatever else.  Old school vans are super cool so I thought I would drop a few here in a blog post.

Enjoy:

“The medieval knight stands bold in its shining armour as Miss World of Wheels, Dorothy Hoogstraten (Dorothy Straten) dubs Ron Bergsma, who is one of the ‘Macho Man’ contestants from Universal Olympic Gym at the World of Wheels Custom Car Show, August 16th, 1978.” –Photo by Paul Snider.

And this last one just ties it all together.  A dope Van and Choppers!  WTF?!  Well shit!  Now I think I too will have to get me a Van.  Let's start a Chopper Van club!

Thank You Jamie Lynn!

I started riding in 1989 in a small mountain town in Arizona (Flagstaff). I was so into riding as I still am today, 25 years later. You'd walk into my bedroom and I'd have all 4 walls covered (floor to ceiling) in snowboard posters or torn out Transworld pages. (Sorry Snowboard, you weren't an option back then).

My dream was to move to Oregon and ride the gnarliest powder and get mad sponsors, ha! I was that kid building my own park on the golf course or ditching school a couple times a week to catch some fresh pow at the Snowbowl.

Of the few riders that created this level of stoke for me, Jamie Lynn was one of them. His eclectic, radical style and ability to kick out such an epic Method was something that I will always admire. Fast forward to today and he's still slaying it and keeping things original. One of the Godfathers of the sport for sure. Another reason why I admire Jamie is that his artistic ability is so rad and being a huge art advocate myself, it's something I truly appreciate. His style is so unique it's in a category all it's own. 

After reading Snowboard's the "Timeless Issue" with Jamie on the cover, it brought back all these nostalgic feelings of being a kid and wanting to see on my wall of stoke, the epic photo that photography legend Chris Brunkhart was able to capture. 

At the end of the interview, Jamie says it best and is definitely words that I've been living by in both my personal & Shift'D biz life: 

"I think truly if you have a positive outlook, direction or path it will lead to just happiness in life. Just getting a chance to do what you love to do and want to do without harming or hurting others and maybe passing on some stoke or gifting people with inspiration... I mean that's a truly special situation in life." 

So thank you Jamie Lynn for being so rad and keeping that stoke alive!

The Dapper Wallet!

Heading into the new year I decided to add a new bi-fold wallet to the product line.  Introducing the Dapper wallet!  This two tone super stylee bi-fold is designed to hold all your cards/cash providing quick & easy access either inside or on the backside. Color is Evening Blue and Raw Veg Tanned leather allowing you to fully customize your own wallet through the natural Patina (aging/usage) process.

Check it out and if you like what you see, show that support and pick one up HERE.

Cheers and thanks for the support!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from the Abdominal Snowman!

Just me..

Still time!

There's still time to score that special something for yourself or your loved one. Don't get the beatdown if you don't need to. 

Plug discount code "QUALITY" at checkout for 15% off your order. 

Shop >> www.shiftdunion.com

Gigi Ruf – Smoove Like Butter

Gigi Ruf – Full Part From Perceptions

Camo'D Card Slip Wallet - Coming Soon!

As a brand, we love pushing creativity in everything that we do.  If you have followed us I am hoping that you have seen this.  From hiking mountain tops to shred epic pow lines, to taking creative pics, to leather crafting, it's all about trying to do something different and unique.  This Camo'D Leather Wallet is definitely unique.  We sourced the finest leather we could find and had it dyed to create the camouflage pattern that we love.  If you haven't noticed, S'dU loves camo!  So once I got my hands on this custom leather I new instantly that it should be sliced and crafted into a wallet that doesn't take up too much room in your pocket.
The Camo'D Leather Wallet can hold cards on both the front and back sides.  The front pouch is left with a little more room to also hold some cash, and to hold it all in is a leather flap that snaps closed to keep things secure.  The entire wallet has been hand sewn with the everlasting nylon waxed thread in a saddle stitch technique to assure it never falls apart.

Enjoy the pics and be sure to follow our Instagram to see when it drops, which will be very soon!

 

The Roadie Wallet Coming Soon!

If you have been following the Shift'D Union Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, you have probably noticed that I have really taken focus on leather crafting and creating accessories that incorporate leather of some kind.  Working leather is a special skill set that many people can do, but a lot aren't great at.  It takes time, patience, and a very keen eye to both detail and quality.  I admit, I wasn't great at it from the start, and rightfully so, but with a lot of patience and PRACTICE I feel that my leather crafting ability has really propelled to a higher level, especially in the hand sewing department.  Sewing a very straight, consistent line by hand is something to be proud of.  When you can nail a straight line with a Saddle Stitch your leather product will last more than a life time and look good doing it!

I wanted to really test myself and see where I stood as far as my skill set stands by making a wallet that offered long stitch lines that looked both elegant yet had the toughness to endure whatever life will throw at it!  I love longer wallets (biker wallets) and felt the time is now to make a Shift'D Biker wallet.  I did just that with the Roadie!  This leather Juggernaut is 7" in length and 3-1/4" wide when folded and snapped.  There are two massive interior pouches that are designed to hold cash, combs, or whatever else you'd like to stuff in it.  There is also a card slip that can hold numerous cards.  I punched in a grommet hole on the back flap so that a chain or a leather tether can be attached if you are into chains or tethers.  I personally love the leather tether look and made two different types of tethers that can go with the Roadie.

The Roadie will be released in October when we get all settled in to our new digs in Oceanside.  There will be 2 colorways, Coal Black with some Natural Veg Tanned details and an all Veg Tanned wallet.  I wanted to offer the Veg Tanned qualities to both colorways so that the wallet can tell your story!  When an untreated Veg Tanned wallet goes out into the world and is used daily, it'll develop a Patina that changes the look and feel of your wallet; making it a custom piece that only you can create.  With every touch from your hand, water splash, denim dyes from your pocket, sun rays that touches your wallet, and whatever else comes it's way, it'll accept and embrace the change.  It'll tell your story and remind you of where it's been and what it's been through!  Crafted to Endure.   

For now, have a look and keep your eyes open to when it get's released.

The Black Roadie: 

Brass Hardware // Natural Veg Tanned Battle Rabbit Axe Logo // Natural Card Slip 

The Natural Roadie:

Nickel Hardware // Natural Veg Tanned EVERYTHING!

Leather Wallet Tethers:

Available in Coal Black // Natural Veg Tanned