June « 2015 « Mooneyes Express

Pre Party of Born Free 7

Irvine, CA で Street Chopper Magazine 主催の Pre Party が開催され
週末に行われる Born Free Show に Invited Builder が製作した Bike が展示されました。
奇抜なのもあれば奇麗なのもあり、 So Cal を中心にしたこのイベントの盛り上がりを感じました。

Street Chopper Magazine sponsored a pre party in In Irvine, CA.
Heading for the show this weekend, the Born Free Show invited builders’ bikes were also on display. There was a bit of everything to see from unique ideas to superb quality builds, trends started in So Cal, and you could really feel the excitement about this event.

LA Roadster Show 2015

51st LA Roadster Show

主催者の高齢化が進むこのイベントは朝7時に始まり、午後4時 (16時) に終了。
早く終わるので何ともありがたいイベントです。
マレーシアは10時~18時, インドネシアは10時~22時、
スエーデンは9時~ 何と翌朝の2時頃(北欧の夏は陽が沈まないので何時までも出来ます).
HCSは9時~17時ですが今年から朝8時スタートに変更しようか思案中です。

Possibly because of the aging population of the organizer, the event begins at 7am and ends at 4pm. However, I am thankful the event does end early.
In Malaysia the event was from 10am to 6pm and Indonesia it’s 10am to 10pm.
While attending an event in Sweden, that one started at 9am and ended at 2am (the sun doesn’t go down in some parts of Scandinavia during the summer).
HCS is from 9am to 5pm but I’m considering whether or not to start at 8am instead.

Genuine MQQN Pocket Ashtray

USA 出張に同行中の “Pan” Sumi-kun が Machine Shop に飛び込んで来て
「MQQN Tank の携帯灰皿が欲しい」と言い出し、
それならと Tim and Chico が何と Pan-kun の願いを叶えてくれたのです。
この間僅か 1時間と言う早さでした。

Here together on a USA Trip from Japan is “Pan” Sumi. He came flying into the machine shop saying, “I want a MQQN Tank pocket ashtray.”
Then Tim and Chico listened to his request and decided to make one.
It took about one hour to produce.

検討中

Planning and reviewing

筒はその辺に転がっていた物をべースに MQQN Oil Tank に使う Cap & Bung を溶接する事に決定。

They found a spare tube part to use as the base, then decided to weld on a Cap & Bung that’s used on our MQQN Oil Tank.

Tim が底の部分を製作中

Tim working on the bottom part of the tube.

溶接中の Tim

Tim welding it together.

出来上がった物に MQQN Aluminum Products の特徴の一つ、 “Sun Ray Finish” を施しています。

This is the finished MQQN Aluminum Product. They also gave it our “Sun Ray Finish”.

Cap が筒より大きかったので同じ大きさに削り完成です。
ステッカーは取り敢えず “Breather” のを貼りました。

The cap was initially too big for the tube body so it was shaved down to match. We added a sticker to make it official using our “Breather” label.

Genuine MQQN Pocket Ashtray の完成です。
これはあくまでも試作品です。

Genuine MQQN Pocket Ashtray is complete.
For the time being, this is just a prototype.

Okinawa, Keystone of the Pacific

一泊ですが沖縄へ、梅雨の明けた沖縄は青空が広がり気温も30度以上、もう夏です。
どことなく Aloha Airlines の様な南西航空 (South West Airlines)

Although it was just for one night, I headed for Okinawa just as the rainy season started here in Japan but as I arrived at the airport, it was above 30-degrees C (mid 80-degree F) just like summer.
Somehow the look of this Southwest Airlines plane reminded me of Aloha Airlines.

沖縄と言えばここ、”Sam’s Anchor Inn”
創業は昭和37年だそうです。

When you come to Okinawa, you have to visit “Sam’s Anchor Inn”.
This place was established in 1962.

名刺だらけの階段を上がって行くと

As you make your way up the staircase covered in business cards.

沖縄プレート、昔は Black プレートが飾れていましたが今回は黄色でした。

Old Okinawa plates. A long time ago they had a black plate here but this time it was yellow.

Teppanです。

Teppanyaki style dining.

容器付きのトロピカルドリンク、勿論全種類欲しかったのですがシーサーは品切れ中でした。

Tropical drinks with special containers. Of course, I wanted them all but the Okinawa Shisa was sold out.

息抜きに市場へ

A quick stop at the local market.

Art of Speed Malaysia 2015

6/4(木)羽田発の Air Asia (LCC) 深夜便で Kuala Lumpur (クアラルンプール) で開催される
4回目となる “Art of Speed Malaysia 2015” へ Wildman and Steve と参加してきました。
過去2回行きましたがその時はアウトサイドとインドアでのイベントだったので
日中はとにかく暑い、暑いイベントだったのですが今年からインドアイベントとなり
クーラー完備の快適イベントに生まれ変わりました。
今までの Meeting 的イベントから今年は大きく飛躍し “ショー” と呼べるしっかりした内容になった
この Event を切り盛りする Deni & Asep 夫妻に Hat Off です。

Wildman, Steven and I flew out of Haneda Airport on 6/4 (Thu) and caught a red-eye flight to Kuala Lumpur on Air Asia (LCC) to take part in the 4th annual “Art of Speed Malaysia 2015” event there.
The past 2 times that I went, the majority of the event was held outside. It goes without saying, it was hot. A very hot event. However, this year it was held indoors and the hall was completely air conditioned and pleasant all day which completely evolved the event to a new level.
Where previously the event felt more like a cruise or meeting, this year was without a doubt a high quality “SHOW” and my hat goes off to Deni & Asep for organizing this event.

内容は全体的にバイクの質は高いですが車はクビをかしげる様な仕様が多く、
結局 MQQNEYES Award は 1965 VW T-1 と 2年続けて VW T-1 となりました。
VW は全体的に質が高く良かったです。
全世界的にVWの質が高いのはやはり Flat-4 マジックだと思います。
他の車種もがんばって欲しいです。
車のカスタムはアジアでは始まったばかりですから時間を掛けて変わって行ってくれたらと思います。
しかし、今やこのカルチャーは大なり小なり世界中にあります。
素晴らしい事になってきました。
10月は Indonesia で “Kustom Fest” が開催されます。

As for the contents of the show overall, a majority of the bikes were high quality builds but the cars in my opinion were a bit confusing to judge. In the end, the MQQNEYES Award with to a 1965 VW Type1. The award last year went to a VW T-1 as well. I liked the high quality of the VWs on the whole.
Possibly, this level in quality for VWs worldwide has been set by Flat-4 magic.
I hope the other cars will come around and raise their level as well. The custom car scene in Asia is relatively new and will change over time I think. However, the fact is that this culture right now is more or less literally worldwide. That alone is an amazing thing.
Coming up in October is “Kustom Fest” in Indonesia.

Art of Speed Malaysia 2015

Lawson and Mervyn のブース、 Display も凝ってます。
HCS から影響されたとの事でした。

Lawson and Mervyn’s booth and display.
They said that HCS as a big influence for this.

Rat Rod でしょか？ベースは Mini です。
難しいですね。

Is this possibly a Rat Rod? Base car is a Mini.
It’s difficult to judge.

こちらは Volvo

This is a Volvo.

Datsun 620 ベースの Rat Rod
Air Sus が入っていたりでかなり手はこんでいます。

Here’s a Datsun 620 base Rat Rod.
It’s Air Sus equipped and has been touched just about everywhere.

なんともコメントにこまりました。

I’m having a bit of trouble coming up with a comment.

強烈です。こちらは言葉もありません。

Intense. No words either here.

2 days Event で日曜日のライドイン風景です。
Nash はまさかのゲストカーとして愛車に乗って登場です。
手を振るのは Pumpin Sally の Shorty 佐藤さん。

This was the ride-in scene which was on the second day of the 2-day event. The Nash and his beloved car made their way into the hall as it was an invited guest. That’s Shorty from Pumpkin Sally waving his hand.

自分の Triumph でライドインしているこの方はマレーシアの Minister (大臣) だそうです。
その両側に立つ方々はこのイベントの主催者の Deni & Asep 夫妻。

The Youth Minister of Malaysia was part of the ride-in on his own custom Triumph motorcycle. The next photo is during the event of the minister with Deni & Asep.

Salt Laks City で Pangea Speed を経営している USA ゲストの Andy Carter.

An invited guest from USA, Andy Carter from Pangea Speed located in Salt Lake City, UT.

Noise Cycles の Scott T-bone Jones は Honda でライドイン。
彼とは数週間前にスイスで会ったばかりです。

Also, Scott T-bone Jones of Noise Cycles from Santa Ana, CA was there too.
I just recently saw him in Switzerland as well.

日本からのゲストは (広島) 平和モーターサイクルの Kengo Kimuraさん。

Guests from Japan included Kengo Kimura from Heiwa Motorcycle in Hiroshima.

もう一人のゲストは (京都) Luck Motorcycles の Masa Sugiharaさん

Another guest was Masa Sugihara from Luck Motorcycles in Kyoto.

Team Nash

Copy 品を発見!!
“Approved = 承認” 私が承認したのでこれだけは正規品になりました。

Bootleg (copy) found!!
I signed it and wrote “Approved” so now this one shirt only is fine.

これも強烈な Copy 品!! こちらもついでに承認しました。

This shirt too was a bootleg (copy)!! I also signed it like the one above.

こちらは Copy 品ではありません。新製品の Helmet Tote, ヘルメットバックです。

This is not a copy. It’s a new item, Helmet Tote Bog.

MOON Helmet Tote [NM082YE]
Price: 3,900Yen (plus tax)
Japanese: http://www.mooneyesshop.jp/product/8770
English: http://www.mooneyes.jp/product/8432

表彰式、ステージ前は人、人、人。
ものすごい盛り上がりでした。

The crowd of people during the award presentation on stage.
The entire crowd was excited.

MQQNEYES Pick はコタバル (Kota Bharu) から 500km を自走して来た、
Zat Asyaff Takiyuddinさんの 1965 VW T-1 に渡りました。
昨年に続いて今年も VW になりました。
出展のバイクは良い感じの多いのですが車はキワ物が多く、困りました。
車は “変” にするのが流行ってしまっているのでしょうか？

MQQNEYES Pick went to this 1965 VW T-1 owned by Zat Asyaff Takiyuddin from Kota Bharu (close to the Thailand border). He drove with his fellow VW group drove 500km (310 miles). Last year the award went to a VW as well. There were many bikes on display that were very well built and presented however the cars seemed to be hit or miss which made it difficult. Is it popular right now to have a “strange” type of car?

Vintage MQQN 物が人気でした。
どうやって手に入れたのか AON の Tシャツや
Sugi-Sack デザインのジャケットも売られていました。

Vintage MQQN items are very popular.
How do they manage to find these? An AON event shirt as well.
There was also an old Sugi-Sack designed jacket for sale.

月曜日は主催者の Deni & Asep が経営する Shop の Grand Opening でした。

On Monday, the event organizers Deni & Asep had a grand opening for their shop.

Grand Opening 祝いの Special MQQN Disc

We presented them with a special grand opening MQQN Disc.

Team Nash + Wildman

Team Nash and others

Wildman’s Blog にも Art of Speed 2015 記事あります。

Wildman also posted about Art of Speed 2015 on his blog.

Malaysia Trip

先週マレーシアへ行きました。今週土曜日のブログにもっと紹介します。
お楽しみに！

Went to Malaysia last weekend. This Saturday I will post more about the trip.
Please view again Saturday!

Kanrekiも悪く無い。

今年 2015年、1955年は生まれは全員、還暦(60歳)です。
沢山のお祝い/メッセージを頂戴しました。
ありがとうございます。
最低でも12回は夏を過ごしたいと思います。
と言っても12回しか無いのか。。。

This year (2015), everyone born in 1955 will turn 60, celebrating Kanreki.
I received a lot of message and congratulations from many people.
Thank you very much.
I’m hoping to at least see 12 more summers.
That said, just 12 more summers…

Here in Japan (among other Asian countries), turning 60 is a milestone age when one reaches their full cycle according to the ancient lunar calendar. Turning 60 is called Kanreki in Japanese. Reaching a full cycle, similar to a full minute, the clock starts again from the beginning. This is where the color red comes in. Starting a new cycle in life, like a newborn. AKACHAN in Japanese is “baby” which is based on AKA, Japanese for the color red. Red is the theme color for celebrating Kanreki.

サプライズでした。