The World of JEK

200th Post!

2012-01-30T20:48:00.000-08:00

Post number 200.

Suzuki TU 250

2012-01-27T16:57:00.000-08:00

They had this bike again at the Motorcycle Show. This would be a great platform for so many custom bikes, cafe, street tracker, etc. Now if they only made in 500cc or 650cc sizes...

British Bikes at the Motorcycle Show

2012-01-25T17:12:00.000-08:00

Here is a look at the British Motorcycle Owner's Club display at the show. The theme was the TT.

More From The Vancouver Motorcycle Show

2012-01-23T19:12:00.000-08:00

2012 Vancouver Motorcycle Show at Tradex

2012-01-22T16:33:00.000-08:00

Here are some random bike shots from this year's show. More to come.

Custom SV650 Seat Cowl Part 2

2012-01-22T16:30:00.000-08:00

I cut down some bolts to lock the cowl to the bike and attached these to an aluminium bracket I shaped. Then with some filler I added some smoothness to the top. Its still needing more filler, primer, then paint.

Custom SV650 Rear Seat Cowl Step 1

2012-01-16T16:17:00.000-08:00

Well, I have decided to change the appearance of the SV back end. I waned more of a cafe style tail, sort of like the Hayabusa. I still want to be able to change back to the stock passenger seat, which provides a good platform for a backpack or bag strapped to the bike. But for those shorter distance day trips a cafe type seat cowl was what I had in mind. A good friend Robert gave me an old Honda VTR section that I cut in half, trimmed about an inch and a half off the back, then raised it and plastic-welded the two pieces to what you see here. Next stage, reinforce the join with some steel and epoxy, sand the rough join, but some filler in and smooth it out!

1973 Hodaka Wombat

2012-01-08T21:36:00.000-08:00

Dune Buggies

2012-01-08T13:56:00.000-08:00

I always wanted one as a kid; I think I was influenced by the Speed Buggy cartoon.

Vincents in the Summer

2012-01-07T14:25:00.000-08:00

With the dark days and wet weather, I thought I'd post a few summertime shots from a few years back.

Metalflake!

2012-01-07T14:22:00.000-08:00

Let's start the new year off with some flakes!

Antique Store Sign

2011-12-29T12:56:00.000-08:00

This is perhaps the largest sign I 've ever painted on a building. I did this one quite a few years ago, and it still looks good today. I think I used marine enamel on it. I did the DOORS sign as well!

Tudor Ice Cream Clock

2011-12-27T19:21:00.001-08:00

This was perhaps my first antique restoration job. A collector asked if I could paint in the missing sections of his Tudor Ice Cream advertising clock. Considering I did this more than twenty years ago, I think it looks pretty good!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T13:30:00.001-08:00

Paul Pigat of Cousin Harley!

2011-12-23T10:20:00.001-08:00

Brian Setzer's Rockabilly Riot in Seattle!

2011-12-23T10:17:00.000-08:00

Last night's Rockabilly Riot show in Seattle was outstanding! Brian Setzer has been on my all time must see musician list for many many years. So to be able to make the trek south to see him and his band in Seattle was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. To begin with, the night opened with Cousin Harley, one of my favourite old time rockabilly bands. Cousin Harley are fronted by one of the best guitarists of the genre, Paul Pigat. I have seen this band a couple of times close to home, so it was the proverbial icing on the cake when I heard they were the opening band. Needless to say, Paul Pigat blew everyone away with his fantastic guitar playing. Being very close to the stage during the whole show, I was fortunate to see both Pigat and Setzer work the frets up close. Highlights from the Cousin Harley set had to be "Noodlin'" and "Jukin'". I plan on seeing these guys play again!

Brian Setzer took the stage with one of my post-Stray Cats favourites, "Ignition" from the album of the same name. Right away that set the tone for the rest of the show. He played a wide variety of songs from his career including some from his BSO albums, including "This Cats on a Hot Tin Roof", "Drive Like Lightning(Crash Like Thunder)", etc. He also included other stuff from Ignition!, as well as from the Rockabilly Riot Vol.1 album. Setzer and Co. finished the evening off with a set of Stray Cats material, and brought in Slim Jim Phantom on drums. Slim Jim I think is the skinniest man in rock, as well as one of the classiest, as he gave a very young fan (I think she was four? five? years old) a shirt that he hand delivered himself by walking into the audience. Brian Setzer assembled an excellent band of musicians and put on one extremely entertaining show, including a three-man slap bass duel! The drive to Seattle was well worth it; an amazing evening of amazing music and performance!

Roger Goldammer's Notorious Bike

2011-12-17T08:39:00.000-08:00

Here's another Goldammer bike, this time one that was at Lumby a couple of years ago. Its based on a Norton.

Roger Goldammer Custom Bikes

2011-12-17T08:34:00.000-08:00

Saw these in Vernon a few years ago. Interesting design.

Volkswagen Bug Drag Racer

2011-12-04T21:22:00.001-08:00

Brian Setzer's Rockabilly Riot!

2011-12-04T16:48:00.001-08:00

I just bought tickets!!!!!!!! Setzer and all of his various projects/bands (Stray Cats/BSO/ 68 Comeback Special) are some of my all time favourites. Amazing guitar player.

AMF Roadmaster

2011-12-04T16:29:00.001-08:00

This is a project that keeps coming back. I gave this one away a while back but now its back! Time to strip it down and paint it orange.

New Stripes

2011-12-04T16:25:00.001-08:00

New stripes for an old helmet.

Vintage Motocross Belt Buckle

2011-11-25T21:41:00.001-08:00

This is the best belt buckle I have seen, circa 1975! I've never put it on a belt; it remains as a piece of garage art.

Day of the Dead Guitar

2011-11-25T21:38:00.001-08:00

What do you do with an old beater guitar? Stripe and letter it!

1951 Mercury Custom

2011-11-24T16:42:00.001-08:00

1969 Camaro SS

2011-11-24T16:37:00.001-08:00

This would look great in my garage!

Ducati GT1000

2011-11-20T13:50:00.001-08:00

One of the best modern Ducatis has to be the GT1000. Absolutely gorgeous bike.

Another SV Flat Tracker

2011-11-18T19:26:00.001-08:00

This one comes courtesy of sideburnmag.blogspot.com. It appears to be an SV650 or 1000.

Suzuki SV 650 (?) Flat Tracker

2011-11-13T17:58:00.001-08:00

Here is Chad Cose on what looks like is an SV650 based flat tracker. Or is it an SV 1000?

Lest We Forget

2011-11-11T19:14:00.001-08:00

Remembrance Day, 2011

Brough Superior

2011-11-11T19:09:00.001-08:00

Here was another beauty from the Trev Deeley collection.

Steve McQueen's 1963 Triumph Scrambler

2011-11-11T19:04:00.001-08:00

Here is an old picture I found. It's of Steve McQueen's Triumph that used to be housed in the old Trev Deeley Museum in Richmond. That was a cool bike collection, and I hate to say it, the old building was hands down better than the current one.

More Hand-Lettered Signage!

2011-11-05T11:28:00.000-07:00

These sandwhich board signs I did for a local entrepeneur. I liked the final results of the signs.

Early 60's Ford Ranchero

2011-11-05T11:22:00.001-07:00

Ford Falcon Station Wagons

2011-11-04T20:18:00.000-07:00

The only thing better than a vintage station wagon is a Ford Falcon station wagon!

Jack William's Syndicate Scuderia Dragster

2011-10-29T10:02:00.000-07:00

The photos in the last post are of a well known local dragster raced by a long time local racer and enthusiast Jack Williams. He has a type of a racing museum now in Aldergrove. Thanks to befastpast.blogspot.com for the vintage magazine cover and information; go there for more information about the lower mainland's racing past!

Dragsters!

2011-10-25T17:03:00.000-07:00

Even More Bikes!

2011-10-25T17:00:00.001-07:00

RIP, Marco Simoncelli

2011-10-23T18:07:00.000-07:00

As an avid MotoGP fan, I was shocked and horrified to see Marco Simoncelli crash and eventually die during the Malaysian race this weekend. I always got a kick out of his riding style, and he was such a personality on the paddock, with his crazy hair. What a terrible loss for his family and fans, and for motorsport in general. Remember his family in your prayers. RIP, Marco Simoncelli.

The Lion and the Lamb Sign

2011-10-18T20:49:00.000-07:00

I made this sign for an art show at my church, hence the surrealist Christian imagery.

SV650 With Emgo Cafe Racer Fairing

2011-10-11T20:14:00.000-07:00

So I decided to go with a red racing stripe to break up the black of the fairing. I might still paint it though.

Chevy Surfer Wagon

2011-10-11T19:27:00.000-07:00

Complete with His and Hers dashboard hula dancers.

1985 Honda GB400 Mk II

2011-10-11T19:25:00.001-07:00

My SV650 With a Cafe Racer Fairing

2011-10-01T19:43:00.000-07:00

I bought this EMGO cafe fairing. I'm still not sure as to whether it should stay all black or if I should paint it red. It needed some cutting to fit and I made up my own brackets as the stock ones were awful to try and fit to the SV.

1950's Vendo 39 Coca-Cola Machine Lettered

2011-10-01T19:37:00.000-07:00

This machine needed lettering to finish it off. Here are the before and after shots. Thanks for the call, Joyce!

Orange Pumpkin Hot Rod

2011-10-01T19:15:00.000-07:00

This was really something to see.

Flat-Nasty Truck

2011-10-01T19:11:00.001-07:00

Bikes!

2011-09-19T21:15:00.000-07:00

Hot Rods!

2011-09-19T21:08:00.000-07:00

Lot's of primered and old time rods were at the Cruise-In, many belonging to the Roadmen Car Club.

My Daughter, The Photographer

2011-09-10T13:44:00.001-07:00

This is my daughter's contribution. Very artsy!

Langley Cruise-In 2011

2011-09-10T13:43:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures taken today at the revived Langley Cruise-In. There were an estimated 900 cars and motorcycles at the show.

Local Car Night

2011-09-10T13:30:00.000-07:00

BSA!

2011-08-29T21:55:00.000-07:00

Yamaha YL-1

2011-08-29T21:53:00.000-07:00

Heritage Chiropractic Signage

2011-08-24T10:38:00.000-07:00

Here are some signs I did for a local clinic.

Schmidt Beer Sign

2011-08-24T10:30:00.000-07:00

SV650 Cafe Racer Custom

2011-08-22T22:50:00.000-07:00

This is perhaps the coolest first generation SV650 I've seen. Photo courtesy of twinshack.co.uk, where you can buy all the goodies to make your gen 1 SV look this good. Maybe I should scour craigslist for a cheap first generation...

Clinic Parking Signage

2011-08-22T22:08:00.000-07:00

Hand-lettered of course.

BSA Rocket 3!

2011-08-22T22:03:00.000-07:00

1969 Harley-Davidson SS350 Sprint

2011-08-22T22:01:00.000-07:00

These Aermacchi HD Sprints are some of my favourite Harley products. Would like one in the garage.

Trucks!

2011-08-14T19:33:00.000-07:00

1928 Ford Roadster

2011-08-14T19:28:00.001-07:00

1931 Ford 5 Window Hot Rod

2011-08-14T00:14:00.001-07:00

1952 Chevy Custom

2011-08-14T00:07:00.001-07:00

Coca Cola Button Sign Completed

2011-08-09T21:52:00.000-07:00

And here is the finished sign, in the truck and ready to be delivered. Matching the paint was extremely tricky and took some time, but both the customer and I were happy with the results, thank God!

Coca Cola Button Sign Part 2

2011-08-09T21:48:00.000-07:00

Here it is masked and primed.

Coca Cola Button Sign: the Beginning of the Project

2011-08-09T21:46:00.000-07:00

I began the repair process on this 4' Coca-Cola button sign. It was in pretty good shape, except for several chips and dents that the owner wanted filled and repainted. This is a Canadian button sign from the early 1950's.

My SV650 With Napoleon Bar End Mirrors

2011-08-07T10:52:00.000-07:00

Here is my SV650, complete with a fresh set of Napoleon bar end mirrors. What a difference these make, not only to the look of the bike but to the ability to see what's behind you. They offer an excellent field of vision and you don't have to continually move your arms to see into them, like the stock ones required.

Vintage Porcelain Enamel Harley-Davidson Sign

2011-07-30T23:13:00.000-07:00

Here is another sign at the same online auction. Again, I didn't get it.

Vintage Mobiloil Motorcycle Oil Sign

2011-07-30T23:11:00.000-07:00

I saw this up for auction a while back. I didn't get the sign. Sigh....

Charley Boorman and Russ Malkin Visit

2011-07-27T19:25:00.000-07:00

As part of their Extreme Frontiers visit to Canada, Charley Boorman and Russ Malkin (of Long Way Round, Long Way Down, and Race to Dakar fame) stopped by a Vancouver BMW dealership for a meet and greet session. I like their shows, and have watched them all, so I couldn't pass up the opportunity to see them in person. Desmo Rob and I made the trek downtown and took some pictures and said hello to Russ.

BSA A65 Side Covers Finished

2011-07-27T19:08:00.001-07:00

More completed side covers!

Piva Moto Sign

2011-07-25T09:33:00.000-07:00

I created this sign for a friend's birthday. There was a Piva motorcycle company in Italy in the 1920's, but I never found any logos or advertising from the company. I made up the logo myself, using the Vespa and Pope logos as inspirations.

Custom SV650

2011-07-23T21:26:00.000-07:00

Another custom SV, courtesy of svrider.com. Check out the site if you have a Suzuki SV650, (or if you want one).

Gas Tanks!

2011-07-22T21:24:00.000-07:00

1970's Style Honda Chopper

2011-07-22T21:22:00.000-07:00

This could've been put together in the 70's; if not, it sure looks like a 70's chopper. Nicely done.

Vernon O'Keefe Ranch Bike Show

2011-07-22T21:19:00.000-07:00

Here are some random shots from the show.

Yamaha Street-Tracker

2011-07-15T19:18:00.000-07:00

Sign Master Ken snapped this fuzzy phone pic of one righteous Yamaha in an underground parking lot.

Racing Whizzers! And Lawnmowers!

2011-07-11T22:01:00.000-07:00

Even Whizzers and lawnmowers were racing at O'Keefe.

O'Keefe Rannch Flat-Track Racing

2011-07-11T21:58:00.000-07:00

The past weekend saw myself, Dave and Brother Tom head up to Vernon to catch the vintage bike show and flat-track racing at the O'Keefe Ranch.

Dave's 1970 Triumph Chopper

2011-07-10T21:28:00.000-07:00

Dave from Greaseball Choppers has put together this bobbed and chopped 1970 Triumph. Outstanding bike, Dave! And very loud, too!

Suzuki A100

2011-07-07T15:57:00.001-07:00

Reading Material 2: Sideburn!

2011-07-07T10:08:00.000-07:00

Here is some more quality summertime reading. I found a copy of Sideburn at a local motorcycle show and I was so impressed that I bought all of the available back issues from Sideburn headquarters in England. They were all available with the exception of issue #1. This is now one of my all time favourite motorcycle magazines. Sideburn covers a variety of motorcycle subjects with a heavy focus on flat-track and street-track style machines and racing. This is a highly recommended read!

Reading Material: Motorcycho Magazine!

2011-07-07T09:46:00.000-07:00

This is a great local publication of all things sickle! Get yourself a copy (or two, or three).

The Four Arts Signs

2011-07-03T22:08:00.000-07:00

This project involved painting four 4' X 8' signs, each one representing a strand of the arts. I did these for a local school.

BC Supermoto Racing Action at Tradex, Abbotsford!

2011-07-03T21:57:00.000-07:00

What a great day for racing. It was nice to see the supermotos battle it out at the Tradex Centre in Abbotsford. Lots of close races, and free admission, too! Best of all, my wife and kids enjoyed it just as much as I did.

Triumph Drag Bike

2011-06-19T22:28:00.000-07:00

This thing was one of my favourites at this show.

Harley Davidson XR1000 Dirt Tracker

2011-06-19T22:25:00.001-07:00

Honda Dirt Tracker

2011-06-19T22:21:00.000-07:00

BMOC Display With 1964 Triton

2011-06-06T22:22:00.000-07:00

Here the sign and brick walls I painted for the British Motorcycle Owner's Club are on display, but this time the display was set up at the Tsawwassen Vintage Motorcycle Show. The Triton is a club member's bike, and a beautiful one at that.

1979 Suzuki GS1000

2011-06-04T23:19:00.000-07:00

Very nice GS1000 with some custom touches.

Honda Sign

2011-06-04T23:17:00.000-07:00

Here's a garage sign I did that's now in someone's garage!

Pinstriping by JEK

2011-06-04T23:12:00.000-07:00

And Wagons!

2011-05-30T16:49:00.000-07:00

More Ford Falcons!

2011-05-22T10:28:00.000-07:00

Love those Falcons!

Another Custom SV 650

2011-05-22T10:20:00.000-07:00

Here is another custom SV650, courtesy of svrider.com. Check out this website if you have an interest in the SV. This one is a tasteful first generation bike done in a cafe style.

Krazy Bob's Sign

2011-05-21T17:21:00.000-07:00

This is a sign I did for Krazy Bob's Music Emporium, a used record store run by a very colourful guy named, of course, Krazy Bob. Unfortunately, I took these pictures a couple of years after painting the sign, and it sustained a bit of damage during that time.

Brother Tom's Big Adventure

2011-05-21T13:59:00.000-07:00

My brother Tom has been on a solo motorcycle trip on his KLR for a few months now. He started from Vancouver Island and is now in South America, somewhere high in the Andes in Peru. True to form, he has avoided many of the typical tourist traps and has instead traveled backroads and visited some out of the way places. Some of the countries he has rode through include the U.S., Mexico, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama, Honduras, Belize, Costa Rica, Columbia, Ecuador, and Peru. Godspeed, Brother Tom!

True Fire Mike Lavallee

2011-05-14T21:49:00.000-07:00

Mike Lavallee was in my neck of the woods a couple of years ago at a truck show. Even though I'm not a huge fan of the whole skulls and death thing, his airbrushing is truly excellent, as his work is so highly detailed. It looks better in real life than in photos.

Lettering a Coca-Cola Swamp Cooler

2011-05-14T21:36:00.000-07:00