The Locust.... From the Beginning

It was the end of 2006..... I had just graduated college, gotten married and starting to shoot for some national motorcycle and kustom car mags. My dad was telling me about a basket sportster he knew of in some Grey Beard's garage a town over. I didn't have a dime to my name but thought things were looking up so my dad barrowed me the green to bring it home. I felt bad.... the Old Timer was on tough times... his wife had just passed and he was losing his house because all of the medical bills. I assured him it was going to a good home. He told me he had some machining work done make it a 1200. It came with the original frame and a new Paughco rigid frame as well. I wish I could have seen it in it's glory days. In the pile I found some pretty sweet 70's pieces such as six bends and the oil filter/cooler I'm currently running. I now had my first ever motorcycle! I didn't know dick about building one but I guess I would figure that out at a later date.

In early 2007 I met Rich Phillips at the V-Twin Expo. He asked if I would shoot his bike so I headed south to the Lou of Saint, shot his bike in the middle of a tornado and became very good friends. He had just started making leaf spring front ends and asked if I needed one for my bike. I said yeah.... That would be great but told him I couldn't afford it. By the end of the weekend he offered to build my entire bike. I couldn't refuse the offer. So I brought him my original swingid arm frame and he began chop'n!























This is the overall look and stance.

the landing gear is down

I stopped by the office today, which happens to be in my partners bar, and while I'm steady handing my High Life w/ a lime My pal Sean Patrick behind the bar says "hey man, a bunch of shit came for you today".

I'll be damned if people haven't been sending stuff for the walls of Bravetown.

This was the first box I opened tonight and it blew my mind. For christ sake the man sent a hawks feather from his Pennsylvania back yard not to mention a survival kit of literature and road maps for a cold winter day. Infidel0341 you get it and we got it, thanks man. puff puff pass.

To all of you who have taken the time from your day to send us something no matter how big or how small we truly are grateful and will do our best to keep things interesting around here. I'll keep posting the gifts and their destinations, just know that we send safe miles and an inevitable handshake followed with a grin. Bravetown holds a cold beer and a place in its heart for you all.

Wolfenstein

A few concept pieces I did for the game, Wolfenstein, back when I worked at Raven Software.

I had been in the industry 1 year - completely naive to wretchedness of politics that infested the hive of that studio. Ignorance is bliss. I was so fuckin stoked that I was gonna get to paint supernatural Nazi's for money. . . . how I loathe politics.

Sunday Rider

The plan was to ride all day today..... no destination just to ride. I gathered up all of the oil I could find around the shop. It was a special blend of weights and viscosities all mixed in a six quart jug. I planned on using it all. I headed west and about 15 miles in I went to pass a car and my throttle cable snapped. I played the rotary dial carb game with my finger all the way back home. It wasn't bad after you got moving but starting out was fun. I'd hit the slightest bump, my finger would jolt the throttle then the springer comes into play and sends the whole process in motion. Before you know it you are doing one handed wheelies. I parked it in the shop and hopped on ol' faithful 69





I ended up on the river road toward Oregon.



I stopped along the river and checked out the Blackhawk statue



The Statue was created by Lorado Taft in memory of all the Native Americans that lived along the Rock River.


Not to far up the road is White Pines State Park. This is one of my favorite State Parks. My memories of this place go way back. Within the Park there are these river crossings that have you drive your car or bike through the water. I've been across it on a bike on few occasions but today I didn't account for the high water level, quick current and a slippery bottom.... well I did give it some though but went for it anyway. It was a good thing I forced plenty of mink oil into the grains of my boots earlier today because the water was quickly up to my knees. I noticed a young couple on the other side cheering me on but I got the feeling they really were wishing against me. The current was pushing me sideways and the rear would spin with a little to much pressure on the throttle but I made it through with no issues. The couple just smiled and gave me a thumbs up. It really wasn't a big deal while it was happening but I didn't really feel like going back across.



I parked and went for a hike. When I got back the park ranger was waiting beside my bike. He asked If i had any issues getting across. I said not really but I'm not looking forward to riding back across. He informed me that it had already swept the two motorcycles down steam that tried it before me. He said he could open a gate and let me out an emergency exit. I took him up on it because I didn't feel it being the next douche bag floating down the river.

Settling In

He is a professional. Never seen in action till now.



Mitch making messes




Watch Dog



Mitch didn't know what Malort was all about. We held our straight faces long enough to get him to take a pull



Malort!



Typical response after a swig of Malort



Mitch and Eugene had a slow race in the shop



New Dog



Bacon's Knuck



Bacon, Warren and Cody rode down for Milwaukee.







Wouldn't be the same without Eastwood



We made Young Blood and Appleseed carry the bombs in.



Unloading Pete's Shovel project



The Garden

Indian Summer

Milwaukee Mike showed up with Steamer and Jimmy on Saturday night to check out Bravetown and take advantage of a 70 degree night in November. The weather right now is ridiculous so Mike decided to crash at the lodge and take his time heading back this afternoon.
Mitch decided to ride up to the state line for a beer with Mike and get some miles while the weathers holding.
Mike and Mitch split for some breeze which motivated me to raise the wings of Bravetown and let the warm air cycle through while I started progress on my tranny. Most of the fellas came through to grab a bike or just to bullshit on a Sunday afternoon.
Feels like home again. So glad. Thanks for breakfast Mikey.

Nice Guy!

On Friday I headed for the South side to meet up with a good friend of mine. While I was going to school at Columbia I'd be in the darkrooms..... I kept hearing this raspy voice in the darkness. The voice was constant..... never really stopping.... and there was a story for every situation. I was like.... this dude is totally full of shit. I worked at the lighting studio, he came in for a job and as it figures I'm stuck working with him. I thought great.... I'm never gonna be able to get anything done because he's going to be talking to me the entire time. Turns out he really wasn't full of shit..... he had just seen a lot of things in his life. We didn't get anything done but I didn't care. Anyway he kept telling me about this sheet metal roller he had. He's got a lot things.... your average junk collector you know..... He said I could "barrow" it until he needed it back someday. He even threw a tank of acetylene and stainless welding rods at me as well. He is a swell guy!

Progress and pals

If your standing your stealing!
New Dog got all tuckered out from setting joists.
Petey trying out Bacons '46
We had our first official ride in guests at Bravetown tonight. Jr, Bacon and Cody took advantage of a warm November night and jammed down from Milwaukee to be the first to cross the moat and throw a few back. Always good seeing you fellas, maybe next time you could lend a hand instead of burning through our stash and peeling out of town.

Push Start 79

I just found this picture my friend Ali took of me in Sturgis 2008. The starter housing broke and left me push starting the bike everywhere I went. It was all good until one night a vicious storm ripped through and I was trying to find my way to my tent. I layed her down twice in the mud because so much of it jammed up in between my tire and fender it locked up the front wheel. I killed it the second time and left in the mud until morning.



I miss riding the 79 superglide

Thanks Ali

Moon Patrol

Not only my favorite video game of all time but also the inspiration for my next build. stay tuned for some moon madness in the form of The Searcher.

An incredible thing happens when a person takes control of The Searcher.

Wild Magazine France

While I was Sturgis I ran into Fred of Wild Magazine and he handed me a copy of this issue. It was raining, I was riding, getting pulled over and sitting forever in the rain. My original copy got lost in the mix. Anyway Gaby just sent me the layout. It's a little 10 page feature on my work. Wild is doing some great things over there in France so check them out if you are in their neck of the woods. Only in Europe could you get away with printing the Fuck word on the cover of a publication. NICE!

Bravetown Cherry popped

The sun lured my bike out this morning. But the cold air reminded her that she runs like shit when it's this cold. So I just slapped her stubborn ass and rode to the new shop from work for lunch. She bitched and complained the whole time. After I arrived, I threw open the doors and the wave of oversaturateddogsass smell hit me like a ton of mayonnaise; nearly knocked me on my ass. I let that bitch air out. I parked the Hustler in the empty bay and threw a dog toy at the wall for 30 minutes. Winter sucks.

Anthrax and Pipe Bombs

Send em. I like the early, pre hip hop stuff and the bomb better have something in it that I can smoke. Same address - Brian is my room mate.

Move it to the front

Reaching for the light

Loosing all control

Using all your might

Wheels are gonna spin

Asses gonna shake

We are gonna kick

Walls are gonna break

The road is hard

The fight is tough

Gonna play it fast

She likes it rough

With my strength

With all my soul

Makin' love

I'm losing control

Guts begin to churn

Minds are in haze

Hell is gonna burn

Axes in a blaze

Go in for the kill

Always on the run

Fighting for you life

The battles never won

Move it to the front

Reaching for the light

Losing all control

Using all your might

Wheels are gonna spin

Asses gonna shake

We are gonna kick

Walls are gonna break

Backs are turned

Rock and roll

To the wall

I'm losing my mind

.

Anthrax - Panic

Disco Sucks

...And so does moving your shop and leaving all the memorabilia of graffiti, knick knacks and sharpie scratch behind. There's lots of empty walls in Bravetown that we would love to fill with some nifty stuff from anyone so inclined to send us something. Stickers, drawings, hell I'd love to get a letter, nobody writes letters anymore. Write me a letter and I'll write you back with some kemosabe goodies that are about to be available. I don't care if you send me OJ's glove, we'll find a spot for it and when you come to run the gauntlet or tame the lion you can check your shit out.

signed


attn: B Harlow
2109 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago IL 60622

ps: pipe bombs and anthrax can be sent to Mitch.

Winning Big.......

....... Las Vegas style. I found these pictures of my Grandma and Grandpa in a photo album. The funny thing is the album chronicled the entire build of their "new" house and started off with these two images. They really must have hit it big!



My Grandpa Ted Kurpius.... first night on the town and still had silver in his pocket. January 23, 1978



My Grandma Liz Kurpius.... the Last night and even more silver in her purse. January 28, 1978

Diggin up bones

I found myself goin through some old artwork that I produced while I was in art school. About 9 years ago, I had just flushed my Air Force career, and I scored this cool gig illustrating for Fantasy Flight Games drawing interior b/w's for their books. They would pay me $150 a page and I would pack my portfolio full of material. I feel like this shit was some of my favorite stuff I've ever drawn.

I had a part time job as a security guard in Galleria North in Dallas to help ends meet. If I wasn't watchin couples fuck in the parking garage on the video survelance, I would be "on patrol", drawing these in a vacant, 14th floor penthouse office with my radio turned way down.

These are two 1/2 page illos I did while on patrol.

Humans slaughtering giants:

Giants slaughtering humans:

The Wilbur III

We spent a fare amount of time relax'n in Will's garage. Will is the the type of guy that will really set you up if you are ever in need of shelter near the Long Beach area. One time I flew in but didn't have a place to stay.... he was going to be out of town so he left me his truck at the airport. I drove to the store, bought a loaf of bread and lived in his truck for a week. Sorry about the bread crums Will. He's just that type of guy and he really came through for us on this last trip. Thanks brother.



Brain Swapping out his coil. He blamed my at a gas stop in Iowa for spilling something on his primary belt. I told him to fuck off and that he probably spilt the caramel from his sunday down the side of his bike.... but it looked like it was coming out of his coil. A wise man at the Kung Fu Tap saw it and informed him the his coil was trash. Will offered up an extra and we hit the california highways.



There's always blue sky when you ride with Willie





T-bone check'n out "The Lizard Bike"





I'll always rise early for a good swap!



I must say..... My bike never looked so much at home as it did in the California blue skies and the green of the Palms.



A trio of fine look'n Panheads... oh and a good look'n Kawi as well





Nikki let me ride her kawi. I don't know how she does it. I killed it about 20 times around the block.... seriously! I'm not used to having no low end torque. It's funny cause she got right on mine and did a wheelie down the entire stretch of the alley. I hung my head in shame.

Welcome to Bravetown

traditional privacy
double overhead doors
picnic area/guest parking
gas and a bath.


Got the new shop today, killer spot with no drama. If it's broke fix it, so we did. Welcome to Bravetown, pride restored.

Starting the build-out tomorrow. It'll be nuts with tiers and mega drops like in Pitfall, definitely putting in a moat. I've already hired two hookers and a caddy to play the role of peasants out front. Oh and in the back we've got a black hole like in that movie 300. So nuts, you just have to see it to believe it. Give a shout and test your skills on the obstacle course or just get your picture taken with the zebra striped donkey. This is Bravetown.

LOW RIDE Italy

Giuseppe from Low Ride magazine in Italy just sent this over to me. Bacon and I riding in Sturgis. Brings back great memories of the goings on in Sturgis this year. This shot was taken on the last day... hung over and hot as hell. I started out the week by get'n all drunked up and spinning my bike like a top across the Broken Spoke parking lot racing dirt bikes. I must have had to pick my bike up off the ground 10 different times during that week. Great memories!




For those of you in Italy be looking for my work in the pages of LOW RIDE magazine.

Bear Bull

With the changing weather I've been home more lately. I decided that I should go through everything I own and organize it, sell it or throw it away. It's like a cloud over my head. I have to be able to get up and go if need be. I'd rather push it all over a cliff and forget about it but I have a hard time throwing away garbage let alone anything I own. Anyway.... I just found these pictures. I was about 17 with hair past my shoulders that I refused to wash. I was hanging at my friend Sam Brakefield's house and noticed some guitars in the closet. He said he'd sell me the Les Paul knock off for 50 bucks. I think it was actually his brother's but he sold it to me anyway. I immediately stripped it down to refinish it. Refinishing guitars was kind of my thing growing up. I've been infatuated with Native Americans for as long as I can remember and the image of Bear Bull just seems to fit a curve so nicely..... so I wood burned it into the guitar. I hadn't really done much wood burning but I thought I would give it a shot.





I engraved the same image into my primary cover only inverted. I shouldn't have polished so heavy because I lost a lot of detail.



Rest In Peace Sam. I turned on the TV about a week and a half ago and The Doors movie was on. I sat and watched it and as I did so the character of Jim Morrison reminded me so much of him. I couldn't remember if Sam was 27 or 28 when he passed so I got online and looked up his obituary. He was 27 and he passed exactly one year to that day. It's strange how things like that work sometimes.