Hola once more from the Caribbean. Since deadlines are deadlines, and since I am writing this way ahead, I would like to wish all my extended family, friends and everyone else a happy Thanksgiving, merry Christmas and Feliz Navidad.
 
I hear that Steve is putting on the show after the toy run on December 3rd. Man, I would love to fly over and spend part of my Holidays there with all of you, but sadly this year it seems I can't go. That same weekend our event here in the town of Rincon is going on.

I have to tell you, I am tempted… The Pipeline Masters, the North Shore pumping, and all my friends showing the true spirit of Aloha. Yep, it sucks that I can’t be there…
I even had a wicked little bike I was taking over I just did it for a customer and is getting painted as I write this. It would have been a proud moment to be a contender in the December Build Off, and it was completely built for less than 5 grand!
 
Speaking of build offs, I don’t actually have much time to watch TV (as usual, I am running around doing a million things all at once). It's been a very slow year, and the bike building industry isn’t at its past performance. We just keep on haulin ass and building motorcycles. I did open an Ebay Store (Caribbean Custom Cycles) to sell surplus parts, and other cool stuff that we do have at the shop (if there's anything you need, check it out and let me know). Of course, we still have nine bikes to go, but before I run out of course again. As I was saying, Build Offs...
 
Well, the only one I watched was Detroit Brothers vs Twisted Choppers, (both those guys have very cool taste in T-shirts... Ya, they were both wearing my shirts. Thanks guys!) 

Of course, after every episode people come by the shop and start talking about the show the saw the previous night. They talk about the bikes, and what they looked like… Since I have not seen the shows, all I can do is give my opinion on what I know, or what I would do.
 
It’s all cool, but if you really knew what those guys go through when they accept a build on those shows, it ain’t for the money!!! When a builder is chosen, they’ve got to be mature enough to know what's going on, and they’ve got to be ready to take the chance (its 50/50 that they will get something out of it other than a little fame) that it will be profitable. I have seen builders spend a ton of money on a bike trying to gain people’s admiration, but, to what point does your expense translate into future customers?

I don’t get many of the builds I see guys doing either. What’s the purpose of building a 400 mm wide tire on a 16 foot long bike when all you do is restore antique bikes? You need to just stick to your guns, and to what you do.

Remember that Exile bike that won the recent build off with Billy [Lane]? Russell [Mitchell] has never won a build off, but he has gotten a lot of mileage out of the shows, because he builds what he sells.

The bottom line is, try to do the best doing what you normally do. If it turns you on and it turns others on, you will be successful. The bottom line is that your rent isn’t gonna get paid with a trophy… Just be yourself. That’s really what it’s all about, and if you work hard and stay true to yourself, you may just get some success from it…
 
Anyway, enough ranting. I sincerely thank everyone who takes the time to hang out with us when we’re in the islands. I consider you all my friends, and you make me feel welcome from the moment my plane lands in Hawaii.

I want to let you know that Monica and I will miss you during these Holidays; A Hui Hou has a very special meaning for us. We will raise our glasses as the clock ticks midnight, with everyone in our minds....

Mele kaliki maka…
 
Jose

http://www.chopperfreak.com/