Lucas County Choppers

We're getting a group together to go to the Long Way Down screening at Maumee Showcase Theater on July 31, 2008, at 7:30pm. Log into Facebook and RSVP if you're going to be there, and we'll look for you. Tickets can be ordered for $11 in advance through Movietickets.com. "This is your only chance to see a Fathom exclusive cut of Long Way Down – Ewan McGregor (Star Wars, Moulin Rouge!, Trainspotting) and Charley Boorman’s (Actor and Motorcycle Fanatic) 15,000 mile motorcycle journey from Scotland to South Africa on the big screen. Join McGregor and Boorman as they face many challenges from the unknown and unforgiving terrain that test their endurance, driving skills and push their friendship to the limit. "'There is something liberating about just having what you need, on your bike,' said McGregor. 'A tent, a roll mat, a little bit of food, a bit of petrol in your tank and a vague idea of where you’re going and that’s all you need. There is something beautiful about that.'"

Today, I took my first ride over the Veteran's Glass City Skyway bridge on the way to Maumee Bay State Park. Traffic was insane as expected, but I'm glad I took that way to the park. The bridge is definitely impressive. Quicktime for iPod with video - 1 min 37 sec - 10.39 MB Subscribe: iTunes or XML Full Albums LCC's Photoset

In this video, we work on the gas tank some more. Quicktime for iPod with video - 3 min 53 sec - 44.29 MB Subscribe: iTunes or XML Music courtesy of the PMN: Jimmie Bratcher - Happy Full Albums Mini Chopper LCC's Photoset

Temperatures got into the upper 50s today, so I started up the bike and hit the road for a few minutes. Rain was approaching from the West, so my ride wasn't quite as long as I had wanted it to be. I also tried out a new toy. It's the ATC2K from Oregon Scientific, and it seemed to do OK. The microphone on it is shielded, so the recorded sound is horrible. Quicktime for iPod with video - 2 min 50 sec - 32.36 MB Subscribe: iTunes or XML Music courtesy of the PMN: Brother Love - Turn It Up Full Albums LCC's Photoset

This time we cut the bung out of an old gas tank and cut a hole for it in our coffin tank. I also kill try to myself with a cheap hole saw after its pilot bit breaks. Quicktime for iPod with video - 3 min 50 sec - 26.6 MB Subscribe: iTunes or XML Music courtesy of the PMN: Matthew Ebel - Drive Away Full Albums Mini Chopper LCC's Photoset

I don't know how this didn't get posted to the site earlier, but here it is (even if it is a bit out of order.) This time, we suffer our first big catastrophe. The coffin tank that took 2 days to fabricate gets blown out. We now understand the power of air pressure in confined spaces. Quicktime for iPod with video - 3 min 39 sec - 21.5MB Subscribe: iTunes or XML Music courtesy of the PMN: Jimmie Bratcher - No Pretense Full Albums Mini Chopper LCC's Photoset

In September 2008, the crew from Lucas County Choppers will take a few motorcycles and a Jeep on a trip from Toledo, Ohio, along the west coast of Lower Michigan to the Mackinac Bridge. The Ultimate Production House (TUPH) will be producing a limited-run documentary of this trip that will be released in early October 2008. The working title is “Michigan on Two Wheels.” If you know of any interesting places that are along the way, please contact us.

As almost everyone can figure out, I'm an air traffic controller. This site shows a lot of stuff that I do outside of work, so I thought it would be a good idea to show you what happens at work. This is a tape of one of my radar sessions from a few weeks ago. Air traffic control isn't nearly as exciting as the movies make it out to be, but it has its moments. Listen for the Lost reference at 18:05. MP3 audio - 21min 3sec - 19.3MB

In this video, we fabricate a jackshaft assembly and readjust the motor mounts again. It's been awhile since the last video because of the basement finishing project. Quicktime for iPod with video - 4 min 15 sec - 24.7MB Subscribe: iTunes or XML Music courtesy of the PMN: Roadtrip - Mean What I Say Full Albums LCC's Photoset Mini Chopper Welding

This is the video of the highlights from our trip to Metal Meet 2006. We had a great time, learned alot, and would like to thank the Metal Meet staff and the folks of Oblong, Illinois, for their hospitality. Quicktime for iPod with video - 4 min 5 sec - 23.9MB Subscribe: iTunes or XML Music courtesy of the PMN: Audiopharm - The Groove Full Albums Metal Meet 2006 LCC's Photoset

This is the video of the highlights from our trip to Metal Meet 2006. We had a great time, learned alot, and would like to thank the Metal Meet staff and the folks of Oblong, Illinois, for their hospitality. Quicktime for iPod with video - 4 min 5 sec - 23.9MB Subscribe: iTunes or XML Music courtesy of the PMN: Audiopharm - The Groove Full Albums Metal Meet 2006 LCC's Photoset

This time, we suffer our first big catastrophe. The coffin tank that took 2 days to fabricate gets blown out. It's been awhile since the last video because of the Summer riding season, NATCA Facrep duties, and general laziness. As the weather cools off, we'll be riding less and welding more. Quicktime for iPod with video - 3 min 39 sec - 21.5MB Subscribe: iTunes or XML Music courtesy of the PMN: Jimmie Bratcher - No Pretense Full Albums LCC's Photoset Mini Chopper Welding

This time, we break down the chopper to the frame, cut new motor mount grooves, TIG weld the neck gusset, and clean the components. Quicktime for iPod with video - 3 min 46 sec - 22.4MB Subscribe: iTunes or XML Music courtesy of the PMN: Jimmie Bratcher - Happy Fluox speelt Fluox - Tedeebedibbedib Full Albums LCC's Photoset Mini Chopper Welding

After a slight miscommunication, we fabricate mounting brackets for the coffin-style gas tank. Quicktime for iPod with video - 5 min 16 sec - 31.1MB Subscribe: iTunes or XML Music courtesy of the PMN: Stingray - Play It Straight Full Albums LCC's Photoset Mini Chopper Welding

We work on mounting and foaming the seat pan. The foam that we use is 1 1/4" closed cell plumbing insulation. Quicktime for iPod with video - 4 min 31 sec - 26.8MB Subscribe: iTunes or XML Music courtesy of the PMN: Jeff Schram - Head in the Clouds Full Albums Mini Chopper Welding

We finish the initial fabrication of the coffin-style gas tank. Quicktime for iPod with video - 4 min 11 sec - 24.6MB Subscribe: iTunes or XML Music courtesy of the PMN: Road Trip - Roxanne Full Albums Mini Chopper Welding

We start fabricating the coffin-style gas tank for our mini chopper. Quicktime for iPod with video - 6 min 6 sec - 36.0 MB Subscribe: iTunes or XML Music courtesy of the PMN: Stingray - Blackbird Full Albums Mini Chopper Welding

We were given a steel fire door and decided to make the gas tank out of it. However, in order to do that, we had to dismantle the thing. That's pretty much all that happens. We destroy a door, and Arch hurts himself. Quicktime for iPod with video - 5 min 11 sec - 30.6MB Subscribe: iTunes or XML Music courtesy of the PMN: P.W. Fenton & the Second Ward - The Road Full Albums Mini Chopper Welding

All of LCC's characters make an appearance in this video. Beav & Hormann take their first rides on the chopper. We attach the tensioner pulley to the new throttle grip and work on attaching the rear fender. Quicktime for iPod with video - 4 min 1 sec - 23.5MB Subscribe: iTunes or XML Music courtesy of the PMN: Roadtrip - Two Days Full Albums Mini Chopper Lucas County Choppers

This time we work on the front and rear fenders. We're also using the new wide angle lens for the first time. Quicktime for iPod with video - 4 min 47 sec - 27.9MB Subscribe: iTunes or XML Music courtesy of the PMN: Stingray - Meet Me in the Middle Full Albums Mini Chopper Welding

There are times when things happen that are just so funny that you have to tell others about it. As luck would have it, the camera was running when it happened. Quicktime for iPod with video - 50 sec - 3.94MB Subscribe: iTunes or XML Full Albums Mini Chopper Welding

This time, we work on the engine to get maximum performance and take the chopper out for a test drive. We've been working on several side projects lately. Turns out that in order to finish the motorcycle, we needed to make some tools. Future videos will include the fabrication of our power hammer and english wheel. Quicktime for iPod with video - 3 min 2 sec - 17.6MB Subscribe: iTunes or XML Music courtesy of the PMN: Jimmy Bratcher - Bad Religion Full Albums Mini Chopper Welding

It's a side project day. Arch had to take the day off, so I made some pen-holding stick figures for a local church's silent auction. Quicktime for iPod with video - 4min 39sec - 27.6MB Subscribe: iTunes or XML Music courtesy of the PMN: Stingray - Last Night Full Albums Stick Figures Mini Chopper Welding

We work on mounting and foaming the seat pan. The foam that we use is 1 1/4" closed cell plumbing insulation. Quicktime for iPod with video - 4 min 31 sec - 26.8MB Subscribe: iTunes or XML Music courtesy of the PMN: Jeff Schram - Head in the Clouds Full Albums Mini Chopper Welding

We finish the initial fabrication of the coffin-style gas tank. Quicktime for iPod with video - 4 min 11 sec - 24.6MB Subscribe: iTunes or XML Music courtesy of the PMN: Road Trip - Roxanne Full Albums Mini Chopper Welding

We start fabricating the coffin-style gas tank for our mini chopper. Quicktime for iPod with video - 6 min 6 sec - 36.0 MB Subscribe: iTunes or XML Music courtesy of the PMN: Stingray - Blackbird Full Albums Mini Chopper Welding

We were given a steel fire door and decided to make the gas tank out of it. However, in order to do that, we had to dismantle the thing. That's pretty much all that happens. We destroy a door, and Arch hurts himself. Quicktime for iPod with video - 5 min 11 sec - 30.6MB Subscribe: iTunes or XML Music courtesy of the PMN: P.W. Fenton & the Second Ward - The Road Full Albums Mini Chopper Welding

Jeff was around the other day and took a few pictures. They give you an idea of what happens behind the video camera. Full Albums Behind the Scenes Mini Chopper Welding

Lisa Renee from Glass City Jungle put out a challenge a week or so ago. The challenge was to talk about a favorite locally owned business. So here goes... My favorite locally owned restaurant is Gyro & Kabob Express. The best part about it is that I just happened to stumble upon it. I'd never really been into Greek or Lebanese food. I'd only had one gyro in my entire life. I lived in an apartment complex that was across the street from the restaurant and decided to try it out. I ordered the gyro, and it was heaping with rotisseried gyro meat and veggies. Add some tzatziki and fries, and it was the perfect meal. I started to frequent the place more often. Sometimes I was in there 2 or 3 times a week. I always got the gyro and fries. The more I visited, the more I got to know the owner. His name is Sam. Every time that I've been in his store, he has always been very excited about cooking the "very best food you'll ever have." It got to the point that I would walk in the door, and Sam would say, "Hi, Micah. How are you? You havin' the usual today?" I don't know how he does it, but it seems like he knows every one of his customers by name. After a couple of months, I mentioned the place at work. We tend to cut someone loose around lunch time. They take the lunch order, collect the money, and pick up the food. Usually, we hit a fast food joint, but "Gyro Kabob" is on the menu at least once a week. As a matter of fact, one of the guys at work has acquired "Shank" for a nickname. He got the nickname because he would have some serious cravings for the Lamb Shank from Gyro Kabob. One of our supervisors goes in there at least once a week for the Chicken Pita. Susan goes in at least once or twice a month for the Chicken Tawook, a Greek Salad, and Baklava. (Of course, I usually try to steal the baklava.) Sam doesn't know this but Gyro & Kabob Express is the official purveyor of large amounts of food for Lucas County Choppers. The problem is that after a dinner of that magnitude, who really wants to go back out to the shop? I haven't had a gyro from Sam in a while. I decided to get a little more culinarily adventurous a little while ago. I get the Kafta Sandwich and fries. The Kafta is a mixture of ground beef, herbs, and spices that is formed onto a skewer and grilled. It is placed on a pita that is spread with hummus and garnished with lettuce, tomato, and onions. When I'm in the mood for something a little bit on the lighter side, I order the hummus (which is made fresh on a daily basis) and a side of feta with onions and greek dressing. Oh, and baklava. Lots and lots of baklava. If you happen to visit Gyro & Kabob Express, tell Sam that 'Micah from the Airport' sent you. If you're not sure what you want to try, just say that you're not sure, and he'll give you samples of everything. The restaurant is located at 7130 Airport Highway on the northeast corner of the intersection of Airport and Holloway in Holland. The website is http://gyroandkabobexpress.com/, and the phone number is (419) 868-6644 (yes, I have it memorized.) The menu and coupons are available on the Gyro Kabob website.

Brian bought a scroll saw the other day and decided to make a shop sign for us. While he was working on the initial design, I mentioned mounting it onto a light box. So the simple project instantly became complicated. Needless to say, he did a great job. The sign looks great hanging in the garage. Thanks, Beav. Full Album Welding