Thursday, December 17, 2009

The Icon Sporty Update

Someone once said "Cool is a journey - not a destination". And by someone we mean Icon.  So we continue on our journey - propelled ever onward by the rapidly growing fleet of Slabtown Sportsters.




From apes to flattracks to clipons the Ironhead formerly known as 'Cold Dead Fingers' continues to evolve. She has given up her dirt track aspirations in lieu of ruling the high banked ovals of the greater tri-state area. Therefore we will now refer to her only as the 'Iron Bubble'. Is she fast? Son, you better ask somebody...



You may not recognize this beauty after her much needed face lift. Yes, this is the previously documented Shitester. Eight hundred and eighty three cubic inches of fury. She is what is commonly referred to as a mechanics special or in old english a 'Shitebox'. But not to worry - big changes are headed her way. Things are gonna change for her, I can feel it.


 
And making her grand debut is the 'Cast Iron Bitch'. Years in the thinking, weeks in the making - she's a '80/'83/'85 Ironhead powered oxymoron. Don't blame Hodaka for this creation - they had nothing to do with it. No, this fine bit of engineering is all Slabtown. Nothing says Anemic like the word Anemic written in tire pen on your frame. She's a fine steed no doubt and would make any Vans wearing, ollie popping, glittery helmed biker proud. Currently we are debating if we can add another bend to the jockey shift lever to increase her legitimacy. What's that you say? Hardtail drop seats are so fat tire. Dammit - that is time critical information - we need to get on a better tweet feed!

Haven't got your fill of the most noble of Harley's yet? Head on over to Quad Cam Bastards for a complete overload of Sportster love.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Field Armor MilSpec Vest

The Field Armor vest rewrote the definition of street protection. A truly innovative product that rightfully dominates the competition. Combining this product with our industry leading Mil Spec vest was an easy decision. All the low-profile protection afforded by the FA vest combined with the daytime and nighttime high conspicuousness of the Mil Spec vest. Truly a win-win situation. 










Monday, December 14, 2009

Rocket Scientist





We found this gem during our daily scans of the YouTube time vacuum. So why are we posting it? Choose one of the following;


a. The lead actor is rocking an Alliance SSR Headtrip helmet - much love
b. Icon loves CBR's that are equipped with unguided rocket pods
c. It is incredibly irresponsible, dangerous, and juvenile 
d. All of the above



'Til Death Do Us Part







Ms. Crossbone Racer and Mr. Death or Glory - True love forever. 

Friday, December 11, 2009

It's a Minnesotan Thing



It's been arctic blast cold here in Portland over the last week. But no matter the weather you can always count on Shawn, our lead developer,  to spool up the Gixxer for the bitter commute. He's been hard at work on his newest creation - a pretty knit helmet liner. He's from Minnesota so he knows a thing or two about pretty hats. He also has some matching mittens which are not pictured.

Matte Black - Final Suicide

Yet another Matte Black creation - 'Final Suicide'. The Icon garage team was pressured into test riding this beast in front of the mildly intoxicated home town crowd. To say it was a bit of a handful doesn't do it justice - this is one bike that definitely earns it's name.



FInal Suicide's proud owner displays the questionable 
ergonomics while the poster in the background begs 
us to stop before someone gets ruined - we don't
heed it's request



Based off a Yamaha 750 - or not - only the Matte Black
Garage Team knows for sure and they aren't talking



Kurt rides off, merrily chanting the Final Suicide's theme song -
"I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die..."







Luckily it comes equipped with a change of trousers
to save post test ride embarrassment






Thursday, December 10, 2009

Team Merc


Wednesday, December 9, 2009

The man, the myth, the legend - Jason Britton


Looks like the father of modern day stunt riding got a little anxious to wear his new signature series helmet. Someone from the Philly area sent us this photo of Jason warming up for his show at Clutch Control. This is all you'll see until we launch this helmet in January of 2010. Until then hold off on practicing those rolling burnouts, you're gonna need the tire money to put towards your new helmet purchase!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Blown Ducati

During one of our photoshoots we had Jason Britton take a Hypermotard for a spin; 



Word on the street was that the ride ended with 
the Duc looking something like this. The truth
is something a bit less messy, but...



Elongated wheelies and aircooled Ducatis...




...don't mix very well




This is a simulated image of what happened




The actual culprit was oil shooting out of the crankcase breather. Lesson learned - If you're going to impress the local gelato crowd with your extended 12 o'clocks you'd best buy the extended warranty.


*No Ducati was (permanently) harmed in the making of this blog post


Monday, December 7, 2009

Deus Ex Bridgeport

My Dad used to own a production machine shop in Detroit. I would work summers there as an assistant to Fritz the Machinist. I learned enough about machining to make me a huge danger to myself and those within fly cutter range. It's strange how sentimental I get at the smell of coolant, machine oil, and hot steel chips. The perfume of the Industrial Midwest. -Kurt


Fritz's purple iron killer 

 

Fritz's old handwritten tap & clearance chart that I still use to this day