Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem......

....for retro motorcycle customs. Hahahaha. That's where my epic ride today took me, on a pilgrimage to the three holy places in southern California for old bike stuff.

The first is the fancy, expensive, "oooohhhhh" one, Dues Ex Machina in Venice Beach. And when I say expensive I mean it, like $200 flannel work shirt kind of craziness. A hipster's wet dream basically but you'd need Brad Pitt's income. I bought two t-shirts at $47 a piece.... I know, don't say it.

The bikes in there were exuisite in their paint and preparation. The 'fashion' and 'scene' sense were spot on. While not something I am totally into, I was definitely digging it while there. Let's call this one Medina.

Check them out HERE

And onto Mecca. The Garage Company in Inglewood. (this time it IS up to good) Oh my.... I was dead in my tracks walking through the front roll up door. It's like a Smithsonian storage shed of motorcycling from 1960 forward.

RZ500 V4. 5 different RZ350 s. Bimota DB1. Leathers from Spencer, Chandler, Bostrom. A plated XR750. Shelves piled high with parts. Three foot tall stacks of 15 year old Cycle News. Motocourse books from like 1982 onward.

Sigh. It's a good thing I rode my motorcycle on this adventure, rather than driving my truck. I could have spent 6 months of disposable income easily. Easily.

Check out The Garage Company. And talk to him about the transition from being in Japan to the US when you stop by for a unique motorcycling history lesson.

Finally the lesser of the three, South Bay Triumph in Redondo Beach. Home of some cool in-house customs but especially the new handmade Norton Commandos.

Finish the day off with some delicious bacon, onion ring, bbq sauce hamburgers and the freeway slog at rush hour back to San Diego made it all seem worth it. Definitely glad I made this pilgrimage. We'll see if it prompts any offerings to the God of motorcycle modifications............