Happy Holidays from Mercury Customs

Thanks to everyone for a fantastic year, we'd like to take a moment to wish everyone a very happy holiday and a prosperous new year. 2008 will be filled with new projects, new designs and fascinating events that should keep everyone excited.

Mercury Customs : Design Archive One

We've added the first of many design archive pages that give a quick view of a dozen projects we've designed, engineered or built. Check out the paint on Project Pink, look at the detail on the new Max Primary Cover assembly and see some initial concept sketches for an upcoming project. Check it out here.

Chopperfest & Cycle World 2007

Just back from a quick tour of the moto-sphere over the weekend. We had modern, newest, coolest over at the Long Beach Convention Center on Friday and old-school, oldest and coolest at the Ventura Fairgrounds near the beach at the David Mann Chopperfest. Both events overflowed with cool and the newest rivaled the oldest for a place in the photo gallery. Visit the Chopperfest photo gallery first and see some of the latest creations for the oldest hotrods. Then trip on over to the Cycle World 2007 photo gallery and get a dose of industry introductions with the latest production motorcycles. Let me know which ones you like best!

David Mann Chopper Fest - This Weekend!

Come out and see what Mercury Customs has been up to, this Sunday at Ventura Fairgrounds. The weather appears to look good for Sunday's show, and while it looks like rain through Saturday, the show always manages to dodge the weather. We'll see you out there!

Introducing: Serve with Honor

A full scale restoration, this original 1942 WLA took over a year to complete, from strip down to full restoration. A complete set of military issued documentation helped make the plan for disassembly and refinishing possible, with resources including the original issue O.D. Green military paint being sourced from the only remaining government approved source. The original project arrived in a civilianized form, having been found ‘in a barn’ in Garden Grove, California. Original engine numbers tracked the bike back to an April 1942 issue to the US War Department for deployment during WWII. Following it’s safe return, it cruised the streets of Los Angeles for over 60 years, remaining undercover (with a repainted black frame and civilian fenders). See more photos here.

LA Autoshow Highlights

Just returned from the Los Angeles Autoshow where several new production cars and a host of the usual spectacular concept cars were on display. You can always tell what the manufacturers are thinking by visiting the L.A. Show, it sets the trend for the rest of the country. This year the car companies couldn't jump fast enough into the population's favorite concept: Hybrid. It was everywhere this year. Everyone had something that was an alternative vehicle, coming soon, if not already in production. It seems 'going green' has become popular with the auto guys. Everyone except the supercar mfgs that is... See the highlight photos here.

Three photo shoots and various updates

We just finished a run of 3 photo shoots over the past week with the latest projects, nicknamed the "twins" - the two bikes have wildly different details while maintaining the same dna. You'll see one being promoted with the annual L.A. Calendar Show promotional materials over the next 9 months, with the lovely Tiffany Toth gracing the cover.
Also coming soon are photos from the shoot we just finished with Canon USA, (you know- the mega-worldwide camera corporation!) On that shoot we brought along a rigid ride, were calling "Cold Fusion". Red with silver, very different styling. Shot by world acclaimed automotive photographer, Gil Smith, the shoot produced some fantastic results.
We also managed to sneak in some time with a classic restoration project, soon to appear in the rides gallery.
Lots of travel but we think the results have been well worth the effort.
Stay tuned for some new technology, some new graphic design projects and a new artist were recommending.

No fire ... yet.

For those of you who have been following the fires in So. Cal, we're about 5 miles from the Santiago Canyon fire. Santiago Canyon is home to one of the weekend ride destinations, Cook's Corner. We're not sure how it faired, but rest assured we'll find out. For the moment, we're fine and out of danger, being approx. 5+ miles from the fire line. Anything is possible, so we're keeping our eye on the news and watching the horizon for the smoke. The shop parking lot is covered in ash and we're hoping for some better weather in the days ahead. We'll keep you posted.

inside the engine... the video

ok, this is cool.
If you've ever wondered what the hell is going on with your engine while you're riding (driving) down the street, wonder no more. Here's the video:

in-cylinder video (click here)

(special thanks to Tom H. for the link!)

Book Review : Indian Larry

Love him or not, the new book: Indian Larry by Timothy White covers a great range of material about the enigmatic and iconic figure, Indian Larry. Mostly photographic, the book covers the one of the most charismatic figures in the custom motorcycle industry. Worth a look.

Book review : Into the Red

The latest library read: Check out the book: Into the Red
A detailed description of many classic race cars (most of which were/are in Nick Mason's (Pink Floyd anyone?) personal collection. Excellent discussion about each of the cars and flawless photography as you would expect.
There is also a version of the book that includes an audio CD (I was lucky enough to secure one, don't know if they are available still.) The CD contains a track for each car covered in the book. Unbelievable.
Great looking and sounding performance cars from the past.
Check it out.

Fly low - avoid the radar

Cars & Coffee, can you smell the adrenaline?

100 Ford GTs today. unbelievable horsepower. You could feel the mpg needle dropping as each car rolled into the lot. Definitely a sight to see. Feel free to breathe in the adrenalin here.

Extra time on your hands?

For all you gearheads, both young and old...
A working lego car factory. Someone had wayyy too much time on their hands, but it sure was cool. Six minutes long, but worth the time.




watch the video here

MotoGP : Laguna Seca

Don't forget to watch the MotoGP race from Laguna Seca.
Sunday 7/22 - 2:00PM PDT, Fox Channel.

Cars and coffee latest

Just posted the latest Cars & Coffee photos. The Mercury Customs crew came out in force (thanks Jon!) and brought a few bikes over to the weekly event. Great turnout as usual, the weather wasn't anything to write home about, but as usual great cars and bikes were in attendance. Our old friend Joe M. brought his iron worker bike, you might remember him from biker build off, and Barry Meguiar was filming an episode of Car Crazy, the fan show he hosts on Speed channel. More pictures next time we visit.
see the photos here.

L.A. Calendar photos are up

Just posted the show photos from the L.A. Calendar show, nice turnout, some nice bikes, interesting scenery on the Long Beach peninsula.

See the photos here.

read this book.

An excellent discussion of all things MotoGP. Having done the graphics work for Team Roberts earlier this year, we're happy we've read and re-read this one. A full dissection of the sport and technological details, it covers a broad range of topics. The best discussion covers the use of staggered timing to control traction.. amazing. (Special thanks for Tom for the first copy...) Now we're stocking it in our store. If you haven't read this, you should.

Project:Redline off to paint

We completed pre-build on Project:Redline today, getting it off to paint just in time for the holiday. Sheet metal looks great and should hold it's own once we go into final assembly. Think HardEight meets Porsche. We'll be finishing pre-build on the Stingray project shortly, then it's on to first pre-build assemblies for the twins. Graphic Design elements are coming along nicely for the big Fight Club launch on Tuesday. Early feedback has been pretty cool, with everyone having some good things to say about the overall project. We're excited, we hope you will be too.

You are not a beautiful or unique snowflake.

Fight Club is almost here. It's hard to believe. The builders and assemblers are done. The client has taken possession. It's all in the graphic designer's hands now as we put together the art package for the project. It turned out magnificently and lives up to everything we had hoped for and then some. Fight Club pushed the boundaries and helped us develop so many new technologies that we're still trying to list them all. Tuesday at 1:30PDT all will be revealed. now back to work. And remember the first rule of fight club...

six weeks and counting.

We've just come to the end of a six week push to finish a large number of projects in the assembly shop and the R&D area. As you might have noticed, not much blogging going on during the craze, but we'll be back shortly with some observations on the industry and some interesting trends emerging. Also, we'll have a sneak preview of the upcoming 'Fight Club' project, making it's debut at Myrtle Beach for the Easyriders show. 'Fight Club' owner, Tom, was as patient as a saint and received the completed bike just this week. He's happy, we're happy, everyone's happy! But more on that later.
We just wanted to say 'thanks!' to all our dedicated customers and fans for their loyalty and patience as we continue to grow and expand our services. We've always known we have the best customer family out there!
The web updates are about to begin, with new projects, products and events. Stay tuned for many more exciting things to come!

Google solves the networking problem.

Ok, this was sort of funny. Google had one over on us for April Fool's day.
If only networking were this easy.
Check it out.

http://www.google.com/tisp/index.html









Back with more serious content next time.

2007 Television season con't.

Lots of great feedback on my post from last week. Also cross-posted on a popular tv site, it drew both agreement and criticism which is fine with me. I'm glad people still find it useful to engage in an intelligent discourse over topics that contribute to our lives. Like TV or hate it, people will always find value in television programming. Whether it has intellectual content, comic value or informational interest, television still engages us on a level unlike anything else in our lives. Of course there are the vacuum chambers on the dial like Home Shopping Network but they still serve a purpose to bring otherwise abstract information into our homes. Personally I flip between Speed, Showtime (love Weeds!), Discovery and NBC/ABC/CBS. Seems there's always something worth watching. I've made a religion out of catching Brian Williams and the NBC Nightly News each and every night. But I stand firm that the television goes off as soon as ExTRA comes on. No more sensationalism here. But that's a topic for next time. Comments anyone?

Studio 60 and the 2007 Television Season

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip is likely the best writing on television today. Boston Legal is sensationalist crap. Lost is must-leave TV and relies on sensationalism to get the viewers. Fine, it works for them but lets get something relatively intelligent on the air and stick with it for a few seasons please.
West Wing did well in a narrowly defined demographic because it was about a subject that everyone could somehow relate to - politics and government. Studio 60 is, on the other hand, an inside look at an industry that is quite screwed up, over-hyped and frankly gets more coverage than it should every night on EXTRA and the like. People think they want to know how television production works. When they finally get to see the 'glamour' of hollywood they realize it really ain't that glamourous.
Having worked in TV and Film for a number of years (I have a friend who is directing episode 19 of S-60) I've been on the set when it's hurry-up-and-wait for the hours and hours of set up and lighting and rehearsal, etc, etc. Did I say it really ain't that glamourous? In reality, while Studio 60 is excellent writing, great character development and interesting relationships, it just doesn't hit home with most of the tv audiences. People want to be shocked and awed to death while they wonder what alien creature impregnated jessica on which island under the crime scene investigation during a blackout invaded by some foreign country. (OK, maybe I'd watch that) It all adds up to the same old category of 'sex sells' whether it's sex or sensationalism, dancing with the ex-stars or watching them get fired, the tv audience seems to need the over-the-top vicarious living that they don't get in their daily lives. It makes sense, but is also a sad statement of entertainment. I'll agree that the rooftop thing was kind weak, but at least it was interesting dialogue. Danny needs to scream less and make power plays more. Everyone else, keep doing what you are doing. (Yes, Harriet could be a bit less flakey). I have to say that Amanda Peet has been handed the best lines on television since the pregnancy thing started (yes I know she's really pregnant) Anyway, long story long, I'd like to see S-60 live on, but let's face it, television (ok, commercial television) has no place for intelligent, well written, non-sensationalistic content.
I'd write more but aliens just invaded my Tivo.
Bring it.

Mission Control

DSC_1074
Originally uploaded by mercury customs.

Excellent classic styling. They don't make them like this anymore. From an early Moto Guzzi. No clue what all the buttons do.

Who killed the Electric Car?

I don't have an answer, I'm simply quoting the title of the movie. Worth seeing, this one, due to the interesting nature of the business model that GM has undertaken. (there's an appropriate word...) This documentary made us question our existence in the fossil fuel powered world... ok, not really, but it did raise some interesting questions about gas, electric and hybrid vehicles. Would you ride an electric motorcycle if it looked, sounded and felt like a traditional motorcycle powered by gas? Let me know.

Two pointers for you:

Who killed the electric car?

Tesla motors - proof an electric car doesn't have to suck, er be ugly.

Go Rossi! er, I mean, Go Kenny!

Race #2 is over now, shame about the transmission Kenny, would have been nice to see you on the podium. Rossi did what Rossi does best - took the lead and kept it. Not much of a race though, except for the unbelievable traction for Elias. Nicky is going to have to find some love if he has any hopes of getting up with the front runners anytime soon. And interesting watching the Ducatis make a go of it. Didn't seem like the straightline performance of the Ducatis helped this weekend.
4 weeks to go til Turkey. can't wait.

Mercury Customs and MotoGP

Well, the new Kenny Roberts design is on track. By now he has completed the race in Jerez, Spain- hopefully with a big finish. It was a nice change of pace to make a contribution to an international platform where design has such a big effect. We put together the graphic design for Kenny Jr's bike a few weeks ago and it was definitely a conversation starter. The brash black with skull-n-crossbones look was very piratey, not intentionally designed for the Treasure Island boys, but had a nice tie-in nonetheless. We were going for something slightly counterculture, something that gave some hint of the underlying message of "not me too", in a world where everyone wants to step up and say "me too". It's all different now, we'll be trying some new things with the design and trying to step up the brashness. Next race is in Turkey and we may or may not change things at that race. Maybe some additions to the paint would help. In any case, here's a photo of the bike doing battle.

Paint and Graphics commencing on R6 project

We're deep into the paint and graphics on the R6 restoration project. We've elected to keep the paint/graphics work in house due to the nature of the design process being so very interactive; which has raised an interesting observation of the 'industry'. Why are there so many bad bike designs being done out there? I'm sure one of the answers is that they're not "bad" - it's more a matter of taste or preference. I'd agree on some of the things we've seen, but let's face it- everyone thinks they can design a cool look. Heck, even I think that way sometime, but I'm running a business and my employees require me to be confident in our design and styling exercises. When I've looked at the number of bikes that have the same old graphics and the same old themes year after year, I wonder if they haven't seen anything they like better? Or maybe it's just a matter of the look they are being 'sold'. I'm of the firm opinion that we should always give the client what they want, but my job is to clearly help guide the process. If that means better flames and skulls, well, that's what we should do. But I think there are better alternatives and certainly better design aesthetics. Sure, we'll put our reputation on the line again and again by not going with the 'tried-and-true' looks, but let's see what happens when we roll out Speed Racer (and the revamped R6) later this year. More of the same? or 'what were they thinking?' - We'll soon find out.... as always, your comments are welcomed.

The Chariot Makers : worth reading!

Just completed The Chariot Makers: Assembling the Perfect Formula 1 Car; the technical dissertation on Formula 1 technology.
An excellent book presented in a clear and concise format while paying respect to the historical aspects of the sport and it's forefathers. Steve Matchett writes with enough of the 'everyman' approach to make the topic interesting, colorful and digestable. If you like the technology of automotive and motorcyle racing you will enjoy this book. It discussed in light detail the historical significance of the many decisions that have been made through the years and dissects several of the key advances in hardware that have also found their way into many modern production automobiles. Traction control, active suspension, advance metals and composites, all part of the history and future of the sport. Next up: the new MotoGP technology book!