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This past weekend Jeff Crank came up from Redding to help me pinstripe at the GWTA Oregon State Gold Wing Rally which is considered by others that the TA stands for tight-ass so many would not consider striping there. Those putting the rally together practically begged me to be there guaranteed without fee's. Setup was Friday night and by Saturday morning we were ready to go and we got there at 11am. From the first hour, business was booming and our prices didn't seem to bother anyone. I had Jeff take over and I took the job of prep, design and color mixing to match work done by others where-as persons wanted names, cartoons etc. Throughout the day it never stopped yet we were both sweating profusely. I don't think one person who was there hadn't stopped in to get something done and it was I who couldn't keep up. All the twisting and turning made me realize why I didn't want to do running bikes anymore. We were given an indoor place to work until the park rangers complained and so we stopped at 7pm Today is the last day and we'll be back there by 9am with a EZ-up to continue on a few more bikes.
Bottom line is that we done great and if it weren't for Jeff Crank, I'd of been DOA from heart problems. I can long longer do this kind of work and the next five vehicles I have lined up here at my home shop will probably be the last as I will no longer be a contortionist as I am way to old for this kind'a stuff, but it was fun while it lasted. I been doing this kind of work since 1952.
Now I've got to make breakfast for us and than get to the rally.
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
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I hear ya' Joey. Gettin' old is a PITA, but being around young folks at a meet helps to improve the spirits. It's like the feeling of euphoria after a good letterhead- type get together...it's invigorating...
-------------------- Jeff Ogden 8727 NE 68 Terr. Gainesville FL, 32609 Posts: 2138 | From: 8827 NE 68 Terr Gainesville Fl 32609 | Registered: Aug 2002
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...I appreciate your insight and experience here. I want to be a striper someday. That is, if I my aging body doesn't fall apart before I get good at it!
quote:Originally posted by Si Allen: Getting old ain't for sissies!
Like there's a choice in the matter!!!
-------------------- Dana Blair Blair Signs Wooster, OH www.blairsigns.com
If sign makers go on strike, is there anything written on their picket signs? Posts: 835 | From: Wooster, OH, USA | Registered: Jul 1999
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Working Rally's ...On a personal note, I would always make sure that some kind of morgue would be handy for reference. A bag of tricks so to speak. Never knowing what a person would want and being able to contrive something that is in their head is too much trouble. I just liked to have plenty of scraps of ideas to show and let them select an idea. Portfolio's of past work is good but having some clipart around really helps. The striping then becomes second nature and where the cash flows easier. Today I am just not in the game and have had my day, so quiet walks on a windy beach take over.
Jack 541-270-5515
-------------------- Jack Wills Studio Design Works 1465 E.Hidalgo Circle Nye Beach / Newport, OR Posts: 2914 | From: Rocklin, CA. USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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[ August 23, 2009, 03:10 PM: Message edited by: jack wills ]
-------------------- Jack Wills Studio Design Works 1465 E.Hidalgo Circle Nye Beach / Newport, OR Posts: 2914 | From: Rocklin, CA. USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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Here it is Sunday afternoon, Jeff left my place going south and now I've called my Monday and Wednesday's appointments and rescheduled for Wednesday and Friday and my weekend's work is still in place. God help me, I no longer want to stripe running motorcycles.
I did Laconia for years when I was very young and Daytona during the 70's and 80's. Did small hometown bike meets and traveled throughout this country and Canada and did whatever I had to. Now I am no longer young and have no need to put my health into my own trick bag.
I am truly more comfortable laying out lines where I don't have to become a contortionist and doing this on vehicles with four wheels lends the opportunity, at least till my leaded paint runs out.
Neil, I have a bike lift but no longer have strength that I had even last year and very much dislike a sitting position when working, unless its sheet metal at the table in my art room where climate control is at my fingertips.
Jack, they loved us and they treated us like kings. All the hoopla of the portfolios meant nothing as soon as the brush hit the substrate. Everyone was either sitting and watching or standing around asking questions. And Jack, guess where next year's state rally is going to be held? You guessed it, Newport Oregon where you will be painting on an easel, a panel for me just like this one here
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
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WTF where can I find some real lettering color ? BTW I have no clue where this place would host an event. Maybe the fairgrounds.
Jack 541-270-5515
-------------------- Jack Wills Studio Design Works 1465 E.Hidalgo Circle Nye Beach / Newport, OR Posts: 2914 | From: Rocklin, CA. USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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oh no, not the fairgrounds. More then likely be an ocean park and camping area for tents and motorhomes. They probably already rented the spaces necessary to carry on their adventure
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
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I remember that picture from a few years ago- great fish!
Joey, an old coachpainter I talked to in the 80s told me when he was fed up with being a contortionist, he told people they had to pull the vehicle apart & bring him the pieces to stripe. So that's what they did, till he stopped doing it altogether. I guess with a bike, that's maybe not as easy, but it is a possible option.
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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Glad you had a good time! I hear ya on the getting old part. I don't have any trouble getting down on the ground to do the side of the bags..................................getting back up
edited to add. I did burn my knee five times on a Sportster last bike night.
After watching Cobra work up in Kentucky, we bought a simple stand to hold the Harley's up straight. The lifts are just too cumbersome.
Gold Wings....they are a different group for sure but they do love striping and like you said, price doesn't seem to factor into it. The best we have done so far this summer was at a Gold Wing event.
Now lets see some pictures of the striping!
[ August 24, 2009, 10:23 AM: Message edited by: George Perkins ]
-------------------- George Perkins Millington,TN. goatwell@bigriver.net
"I started out with nothing and still have most of it left"
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I was home Sunday afternoon at around 2pm when the first three bikes pulled into my driveway and that's when I realized it weren't over. My shop/barn has a spraybooth where they helped me clean a big enough spot where I could use the bike lift if needed and get around the bikes. I stopped six hours later with a hefty amount of cash. Thought about Jeff a couple times but he already had gone south, so I figure WTF he who hesitates is lost and at least all my tools are in one place.
Ian, since 1989 I only do sheet metal, but this was a rally I had set-up myself and registered for two months ago and all the bikes are together and ridden. I still do sheet metal occasionally, but my love is cars and trucks.
George, I got arthritis, heart problems and tire very quickly and as far as photos, I took one of myself and doggie recently and sent them to a friend.
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
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