A Good Read | 45dgree

Enlarge 0 Comment

Real Friends by Jefff “Maddog” Maddox

Last Sunday morning in White City, I was sitting at the gas station waiting for some co-workers to show up for a ride. It’s not something we usually do together, but it seem like the thing to do. I always like being on main street on a Sunday as there is absolutely no one around. Every so often another local will drive by and a wave is exchanged. The sun was coming up and in a world of perfect alignment, it shines right down the middle of the street shining off the bricks and as I sit there I reflect on a life in this small town. Continue Reading →

560082_3623882000471_1376617885_3444557_1348675798_n

Enlarge 3 Comment

The Northwest’s Coast Road: US-101 by 8 Ball Brian

Virtually everyone has heard of Route 66, or Highway 101 in California. They are both great and legendary roads, don’t get me wrong. But let me tell you about the other end of the “101”.

Continue Reading →

Enlarge 0 Comment

The Old ‘46 by Abby Clabough

I’d like to introduce you to Abby Clabough – a writer and a rider and a fine storyteller at that! - please welcome Abby to the 456dgree family! – steveb

Getting the flathead back on the road….

A friend of mine has an impressive collection of motorcycles. A couple of the later model Harleys he rides regularly. His ’46 Flathead has been registered continually for a few decades, but it hasn’t been on the road for about a year. As with anything, especially a 65 year old motorcycle, it needed a little coaxing…. Continue Reading →

Enlarge 0 Comment

Keeping Up with Jones by Rob Campbell

I’ve been riding the shovel to work this week, a brutal 2.7 (yes, three measly miles) commute. And school’s out in something like three weeks. Rest is on the way….

Enlarge 0 Comment

Extension Of Being ~ Sorez the Scribe

Forty five degrees

Drilled and bored

This awesome machine

Keeps me on the road

Timed and tuned

For maximum power

Sparks ignite

Rolling thunder

Extension of being

Steel and chrome

Nuts and bolts

Tightened and torqued

Clutch the gears

Twist the throttle

Boot the shifter

Roads to conquer

Extension Of Being
~Sorez

Continue Reading →

28282_1496836185655_1376617885_1315657_2421931_n

Enlarge 0 Comment

Here’s A Little Tip by 8 Ball Brian

A lesson I learned a long time ago is that not everyone enjoys camping. Personally, I love it, and staying overnight in a motel just seems strange to me. But I found a website a couple of years ago, that covers the gambit of overnight lodging. Continue Reading →

Enlarge 0 Comment

A WALK WITH MY CAMERA – street photography by orlando uy

Through one of the sites/feedsI subscribe to, Orlando Uy came on my radar and I was captivated by his excellent work. His wonderful POV of the Philippines is truly worth the investment in a few moments of your time.

See Orlando’s blog here: A walk with my camera

I learned about him here: Digital Photography School

Support the Arts!

Enlarge 0 Comment

Writing for the rest of us: More rock stars of writing: Satchel Paige & Mariano Rivera by Mark Bellusci

What do two immortal baseball players have to do with writing? In the case of Satchel Paige, a perennial star of the Negro Leagues, the oldest rookie to play in the major leagues and an all-star well into his forties, it’s his famous saying:

“Don’t look back, something might be gaining on you.” Continue Reading →

The Second Annual Dixie Roundup Was Amazing! by Kustom Jeff Dailey

Another great party is in the books, and we’re all tired but smiling. It’s time to wrap our heads around the good time and remember having fun with our friends. The party “officially” started Saturday, but a lot of folks took advantage of the free camping all weekend and came out Friday. Continue Reading →

Enlarge 0 Comment

Keeping Up with Jones by Rob Campbell

I love Mondays, getting things like this from our contributors (in this case from Rob Campbell) make my day.. lol… riding season is here! – steveb

“Hey Stephen:No writting entry. Wiped out! Have fun. Rob “

Enlarge 0 Comment

Rose of the Roots by Chef Tiana

The sun has finally shown itself upon my mountain top home. Spring rains have washed the earth and those sleeping seeds and bulbs deep within have poked their sweet little heads up to say hello and bathe in the warmth of new beginnings. How I love this time of year, although there is much work to be done the earth is moist and forgiving and the weather is calling for company. Weeding, tilling, planning, seed starting and dreaming of the bounty of summer to nourish my family and my soul. Continue Reading →

Enlarge 0 Comment

Spring is Here by Jeff “MadDog” Maddox

Spring is here. As a biker we live for these days and of course take full advantage of them. But where does the time go? On the weekend I wake up in the morning, try to get some things done around the house, run some errands and hopefully get a ride in sometime. Not always. It never fails that some things don’t get done, whether it’s intentional or not. Continue Reading →

Enlarge 0 Comment

Type Directors Club Event: Greg Lamarche

This interactive and informal discussion focuses on how graffiti has influenced my development as a collage artist, letterist and illustrator. The talk will explore my techniques and unorthodox practices using hand lettering in relationship to my fine art and commercial art. Continue Reading →

Enlarge 0 Comment

Keeping Up With Jones by Rob Campbell

384381_2730505386614_1376617885_3052919_998858761_n

Enlarge 4 Comment

A Road Story by 8 Ball Brian

I have told people many times about how my old 73 Beezer 650 Thunderbolt was about the best handling bike I ever had. That’s her in the pics, while she isn’t the sweetest looking bike I have ever had, she was by far the best handling, in an almost psychic way. I have rubbed pipes and pegs on other bikes before and since. Continue Reading →

Enlarge 0 Comment

Keeping Up with Jones by Rob Campbell

I’m never sure I’m drawing mirrors the right size, in spite of the fact that Jones’ bike (or one an awful lot like it) lives in my garage. One way to solve that little dilemma is to actually put my ass in the saddle once in a while. Continue Reading →

Enlarge 0 Comment

The History of Whiskey River Motor Company

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with motorcycles. For the lost time beyond the memory of a two year old, family photos help tell the rest of the story. My Grandpa had been riding Harley’s since the 1930’s and my Dad and Uncle raced Triumph’s and Bultaco’s on the dirt tracks and TT’s around Southern California in the late 60’s. Continue Reading →

Enlarge 0 Comment

Cycle Electric 50 amp charging system install – on a 1986 FXR

Installed back in 1994, the 22amp Cycle Electric charging system on my 1986 FXR had finally given up the ghost by the end of the 2010 riding season. The packing in the regulator had started to melt and drip from the housing (but the unit continued to work!). I couldn’t complain, I’d gotten my moneys worth. For a part that lives in such a severe environment the 18 years of service is a testament to the quality and durability of Cycle Electric products. Continue Reading →

Enlarge 12 Comment

SuperSeven: reservoir ride & thoughts on helmets

I took a blast around my favorite reservoir in squirrel country just the other day on my favorite machine, the FXR. It’s nice to have a Spring with no sand in the roads, and wouldn’t ya know it, the new Avon black banana peels seem to be working wonderfully… keeping me glued to the slippery slope. I will be doing a brief write up on these nice black donuts soon.

As an aside, after taking the FXR out for a brief local, “go get dinner makin’s run” Continue Reading →

Enlarge 0 Comment

Keeping Up with Jones by Rob Campbell

Happy Friday!

Enlarge 0 Comment

The spice of life by Chef Tiana

Charlemagne the eighth-century king said “Spices, the friend of physicians and the pride of cooks” This is so true, the amazing power of herbs and spices make them a must have in the kitchen. Might be time to take a look deep in the back of that spice cabinet and consider, out with the old and in with the new.

Continue Reading →

Enlarge 0 Comment

West Coast Pride

BillB, Prideful West Coast Operative writes in and shares…..

Just spreadin’ a little west coast pride. Yeah, I know the article says that the #1 pizza comes from Staten Island BUT – the second best is about 4 miles from my house. Damn good eats. You visit – I buy.

http://www.sbsun.com/ci_20396091/j-bariles-chicago-pizza-cooks-up-winner-one

Cheers!
Bill Continue Reading →

Enlarge 3 Comment

That Damn Pine Tree by Kevin Moore

An abandoned coal mine stood within riding distance of my house as a kid. It was a huge trench thirty feet deep, fifty feet wide, and about two hundred feet long. The sides were steep with trails that ran between adolescent maple and oak trees, re-growth from clear cutting done decades before. Continue Reading →

Enlarge 1 Comment

Anticipation ~ Sorez The Scribe

Have we known each other forever
Traveled the same roads together
Or does it just seem that way …
Your voice comforts my being
Your laughter touches my soul
Peace and harmony walk hand in hand
Every time that we talk.
You are on my mind every waking moment
And when I sleep I dream of you
You have reached a place I’ve kept hidden
Deep within my heart
I want to, long to, be by your side
Treat you like no man ever has
With love, respect, compassion and kindness
Hold you close and never let you go
Take you with me upon that journey
Together on down the road

http://www.roadscribesofamerica.com/

Enlarge 0 Comment

Keeping Up with Jones by Rob Campbell

Read more of Rob Campbell’s work here…

389209_3624605178550_1376617885_3445417_721863054_n

Enlarge 0 Comment

My Annual Run By 8 Ball Brian

The time has come to start organizing the run I lead every year. I do it for personal reasons, as I was suppose to be at Mt St Helens with my Dad when it blew. But by fate, the weekend I was scheduled to take Dad down to relieve another Ham radio operator at an observation post was Armed Forces Weekend.

Continue Reading →

Enlarge 0 Comment

Keeping Up with Jones by Rob Campbell

Enlarge 0 Comment

Fujifilm X-Pro 1 Digital Camera… initial product use report

Background: I didn’t like always having to take my DSLR out if I wanted decent quality images. I always walk around with a camera and was looking for an alternative to my DSLR or having to resort to using my “not so good” iPhone. I tried just using a small DSLR body (D90) with a small fast 50mm, but even that was just to big. I thought why bother… I may as well just bring the big gun. – stephen berner Continue Reading →

Enlarge 0 Comment

Exile v Choppers Inc. Biker Build-Off, Exile’s ‘Hooligan’ Streetfighter By Steve Kelly Photography

A No Win Situation!

With just ten days to build a ground up, jaw dropping, custom bike, I was more than a little surprised that there was not much activity the morning of the first day; instead of Russell Mitchell and his Exile team getting stuck into the project, the Discovery film crew eroded most of the available time setting up their lights and completing other ancillary tasks. Continue Reading →

Enlarge 0 Comment

TIRE STRATEGY THE KEY TO AN ACTION-PACKED CHINESE GRAND PRIX

Shanghai, China, April 15, 2012 – Nico Rosberg completed a perfect weekend for Mercedes, during which both the German driver and his ‘Silver Arrows’ team managed their allocation of the P Zero White medium tire and P Zero Yellow soft tire perfectly. Continue Reading →

Enlarge 3 Comment

Motorcycle Conflagration by Kevin Moore

Motorcycles are a polarizing form of transportation. Broach the subject and you will find people fall into two groups. On one side are the folks who think they are loud and dangerous, ridden by dirt-bag miscreants who eyeball women. On the other are those who lecture how the vehicle offers ultimate freedom, complete with the self-bolstering undercurrent of a social outsider.

Continue Reading →

Enlarge 0 Comment

A Loner.. No Longer… ~Sorez The Scribe

Bikers are passionate about their lives. We live, love, and laugh.. work hard and play hard.. And we ride. We ride
in the rain, ride in the cold, just ride around when there is no place to go. Living life in the wind and loving every
minute of it. I still remember the first time I ever hopped in the saddle and went for a ride. I was just a kid and
owned my first motorcycle before I even had a first girlfriend. Continue Reading →

Enlarge 0 Comment

The back roads of Morris County by Jeff Maddox

Growing up around a small community has it’s advantages. Exploring the back roads of Morris county on my dirt bikes looking for something cool to see or an old bridge to cross was fun and every day was something different. Continue Reading →

Enlarge

Keeping Up with Jones by Rob Campbell

One of the things I always loved about riding is that I never know how it’s going to go. I might have a great ride, or I might take a nice walk, pushing the bike along with me. Expect the unexpected. Continue Reading →

Enlarge

SuperSeven: hanging with TSY & the hipsters

The invite from The Selvedge Yard said:

There will be beer by The Brooklyn Brewery and spirits generously provided by our friends at Art in the Age. A taco truck will mosey on over and park outside Fast Ashley’s for your convenience.

We’ll be giving away some goodies as well. Look forward to seeing you there! Continue Reading →

Enlarge 7 Comment

30th Annual Oyster Run By 8 Ball Brian

Last September, I went with a couple friends to the Oyster Run in Anacortes, WA. This is the biggest motorcycle event in the Pacific Northwest with attendance in the 30,000 bike range. Which is pretty amazing since this is technically a one day event. Although many people begin arriving on Friday and stay through the weekend. Continue Reading →

Enlarge

Jimmy Johnson’s Hot Rod Whizzer by Paul Holdsworth

Now here’s a contributor for you folks – Paul Holdsworth. Holdsworth is a longtime fixture in the VTwin industry and older bike scene. He grew up in a manger that had been Cosmoline’d. The guy leaks oil if he stands in a place for too long (well, not wholly true). I’ve road tripped with Holdsworth by bike and by car and I can say without a doubt, the man has stories, tons of stories…. 45dgree has been lucky enough to tap this great font of tall tales and here forth, he shall appear every now and then. – stephen berner

With all the biker build off promotion crossing our desks, not to mention new model news from the Motor Company, and the it seems like almost weekly a new ‘custom motorcycle manufacturer’ and also the amateur builder we here from who has built a bike ‘just like that BIG NAME BIKE BUILDER!! Continue Reading →

Enlarge 0 Comment

Keeping Up With Jones by Rob Campbell

And so it begins.

A Star Wars Geek and his outlaw dad out for a road trip on their bikes. I guess stranger things have happened. Continue Reading →

Sportster 96, A Metal Muppet Production by Steve Kelly Photography

Jeff Tiedeken is one half of Metal Morphosis Cycles, in the past, I have shot a number of bikes that have been built by Jeff and his older brother Jason, but this was to be the first solo construction by the young buck. Continue Reading →

Enlarge 2 Comment

Meet “8 Ball Brian” a new 45dgree Contributor

As you are gathering, 45dgree is about stories. In this lazy-ass day and age we all too often assign images the task of telling stories and well, they just don’t do the job as well as a few poignantly crafted words. So, in that vein, Meet “8 Ball Brian”, a new contributing writer to 45dgree. We hope you like his work and take the time to let us (and him) know. – stephen berner

I am a 51 year old, 2^nd generation rider, who has been riding since the late 60’s. Proud to have been raised in the small town of Home, Washington. A quaint little suburb that was originally founded over 100 years ago as an Anarchist/Socialist Utopia on an arm of Puget Sound. Continue Reading →

Enlarge 1 Comment

Brotherhood by Kustom Jeff Dailey

I wrote this about a year ago for my blog at a time when some friends who I thought might be Brothers were starting to show me why you wait so long before knowing who your Brothers really are. I think this is one of the best articles I’ve ever written, it’s at least the one that comes from the heart more than any other. Give it a read and let me know what you think. KJ…. Continue Reading →

Writing for the Rest of Us by Mark Bellusci

Another writing rock star: Frank Lloyd Wright

To accomplish his architectural feats, Frank Lloyd Wright needed something we all need: a blueprint. Or the writing equivalent, an outline.A brilliant architect with an endless imagination, Frank Lloyd Wright designed by his own rules, in harmony with the environment around him. He had the vision to see what was possible, and the perseverance to see it through. Continue Reading →

Lucifer II By Steve Kelly Photography

David Covington comes to the fore with this truly stunning modern high tech incarnation of a chopper. He has learned his metal craft well from father Jerry, at Covington’s Cycle City of Woodward Oklahoma. Continue Reading →

Enlarge 0 Comment

Sauerkraut….superfood or just sour? by Chef Tiana

What is a superfood anyway? It seems to be a sexy word used by marketers to intrigue our imagination of faraway lands dripping with exotic fruits that…for a nominal fee….give us unbound energy and disease free health. I have to admit the sound of Himalayan Goji berries and Maca root’s “Power of the Inca warriors” has a draw to it. I think these foods are full of healthy antioxidants and vitamins, especially for the people who live near them. But for the distance they have to travel and the amount of energy it takes to get to our health food store….there are better options. Continue Reading →

Enlarge 0 Comment

Keeping Up With Jones by Rob Campbell

I read a book once by Tim O’Brien, a Viet Nam Veteran, called The Things They Carried. Part of the novel discussed what the guys in a platoon carried with them in their packs. The basic idea was that, since you had to carry the stuff with you all the time, whatever you carried had to be damn important to take the space and weight in your gear. Continue Reading →

Enlarge 0 Comment

Retro Racer by Steve Kelly Photography

Steve Carr, Rick Bonin, Vicki and Mollie Griswold make up West Coast Florida’s Lightning Rod Motorcycles. Mollie is the cutie you see modelling with Retro Racer, but she is a whole lot more than just a curvaceous body and pretty face! Mollie is a certified bridge inspector and President of her own company, Bolt Underwater Services. Continue Reading →

Enlarge 1 Comment

The last few days…. by Jeff Maddox

The last few days have been beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. I’ve been riding to work every day and the mornings, although somewhat cool, have been well worth the ride home.

Some dew and fog in the a.m. but again, I’m a big boy and it’s all a part of riding. While at work last week I noticed that as I’m hearing bikes go by I get a little jolt of something running through my body. Continue Reading →

Enlarge 0 Comment

Fat Turkey by Kevin Moore

I’d like to introduce you to a new Contributor to 45dgree, Kevin Moore, writer/story teller extraordinaire’. You can check out Kevin’s blog, if you do, tell him you saw his work here..at 45dgree. – stephen berner

Wildlife changes from one side of North America to the other. Not just the type of animals, but each species itself. Squirrels, for instance, are mostly grey on the east coast, but brown in the west. In places with large amounts of snowfall, they can even be white. Continue Reading →

Enlarge 0 Comment

Keeping Up with Jones by Rob Campbell

The advice I was given is counter to this, that working in gradually larger circles around home until the bugs are gone is a good thing to do. Continue Reading →

Enlarge 0 Comment

Road Blocked ~ Sorez The Scribe

Second class citizens
Rights revoked
Stopped and searched
Out there on the road
Checkpoints set up
At major events
Trying to discourage
Those who’d attend
Profiling Bikers
Patched or not
Americans rights
Are being set up
To be taken away
By the powers that be
In this home of the Brave
And once land of the Free
Continue Reading →

Enlarge 12 Comment

Dream Ride – Let’s Go Trippin’! by Kustom Jeff Dailey

Do you have a trip that you’ve always wanted to take and are always looking for info about? Is there that one road you want to ride from one end to the other? Some people are fortunate enough to be able to arrange things to make these rides happen, and some of us keep on dreaming. If things go right, it happens, but we have to handle the things that we’ve accepted responsibility for first. Until then we keep on dreaming and planning, and the dream I keep having is to ride Route 66 from Chicago to California. Continue Reading →

Enlarge 0 Comment

Keeping Up with Jones by Rob Campbell

One of two times a year when I veer from one purpose to another in this comic. When I was a kid my dad used to call these “C and E”, or Christmas and Easter, though he used it to refer to folks who when to church at those times. Next week we’re back on story central with the father-son saga of Jones and Porkins.

checkit: http://www.cartoonthunder.net/2012/04/mini-chopper-for-sale/

Enlarge 2 Comment

Chocolate, Homemade. by Chef Tiana

Easter is almost here and chocolate is dripping from the shelves of big chain stores around the country. You know the stuff, shaped into cute critters, stuffed with unknown fillings and wrapped in plastic.

Sorry to break it to you but that is not the real spirit of chocolate. I was on a mission to fill my little bunnies baskets with chocolate I could feel good about and was free of stuff we avoid in our diet. I found a delicious, and inexpensive way to make it from simple and natural ingredients. Continue Reading →

Sordillo Salt Flat by Walt Siegl Motorcycles

Another Arthur bike. He picked up a set of 1950 pan cases with papers for cheap and we were planning to build a bike around a small motor and run the bike in the 1200cc class at the salt flats. The original cases turned out to be cracked everywhere, so Arthur opted for a small engine build by the guru Andrew Rosa. Continue Reading →

Enlarge 0 Comment

Keeping Up with Jones by Rob Campbell

Like I said Monday, I’ve never actually made it to one of these things. The fact is, I really like riding alone or with a few friends. I’ve had fun a time or two on larger rides with lots of people, but generally I’m not out for a social call, I’m out to get some wind on me. Continue Reading →

Enlarge 0 Comment

Keeping Up with Jones by Rob Campbell

Not to mention those little prayer bells. Do you have one?

Once again the Top Hatters MC annual bike blessing in Hollister has slipped by me. Actually it mostly rumbled past on the nearby highway. By the time I was hip to it I had already planned some time with my youngest son. I”m still waiting to repair or replace my inner primary cover after years of being cracked in too many places to name, so I wasn’t going to ride it yet anyway. I did have some hope thinking I might have a week or two yet. Continue Reading →

Enlarge 0 Comment

Keeping up with Jones by Rob Campbell

Behind all the bling and leather and chrome out there, you might think we’re all the same–or at least from a distance.

I was enjoying an article by Scotty Kerekes at HD Open Road about how times have changed around bikes. Continue Reading →

Meet the Tri-Tip by Chef Tiana

To keep us well fed, happy, healthy and wise we’ve asked Chef Tiana to clue us in when it comes to what we should and shouldn’t put in our mouths. Seems to the 45dgree brain trust that we’ve left it to Packaged Goods Corporations and advertisers to tell us what we should and shouldt be eating…. and well…. does that really make sense? – steveb

Tri-Tip aka….bottom sirloin butt or triangle roast, is a nicely marbled tender and very flavorful cut of beef. For many years Tri-Tip was ground into hamburger or cubed for soup meat at the butcher shop. This was because there’s only one Tri-Tip per side of cow, so butchers didn’t want to use up the space in the display case. Yet today this overlooked cut of beef has made a come back , especially here in California, where the majority of Tri-Tips are shipped. Continue Reading →

Enlarge 0 Comment

Writing For The Rest Of Us… by Mark Bellusci

The ability to express yourself with the written word is critical, especially in the digital universe. 45dgree is always on the hunt for new contributors and talent and we regularly (here) hear “I can’t write”, p’shaw we say and so we connected with an old friend and award winning writer, Mark Bellusci to hep us put the matter in perspective and give us some tips about how to make writing an enjoyable experience! – stephen berner/45dgree
Continue Reading →

Enlarge 0 Comment

Keeping up with Jones by Rob Campbell

I once had a friend who believed that the back seat of your motorcycle should be small and uncomfortable enough to discourage your wife from riding along. That way you can ride the way you like without worrying about it. My wife doesn’t ride, so I have no problem there, but I’ve come to appreciate his point. I love spending time with my wife, and if she rode, I’d probably want her to be comfortable on the back, but the idea is that sometimes a ride alone is good for what ails me. Obviously a ride with someone on the back tends to be a pretty different type anyways, at least in my experience.

Search 45dgree

Share 45dgree with your friends

Contributors

Creatives: Writers, Photographers, Artists, Painters, Craftsmen

Events & Venues

Hot Rods & 4Wheelers

Manufacturer's Sites

Media

Motorcyle Shops & Builders

Organizations

Style

Tattoos & Skin Art