W.A.C.

This is the wac page… the World According to Chip. This is where I relate opinions and re-tell stories as I see them and remember them. These stories aren’t bulls–it. I was there.

Back In The Day

You might say that the first part of this story is back on the Houdini Chronicles page… the story about how Houdini got his name. Well, after that first “Mikey bike” was built, Mikey wrecked it good. This was about 1977. It seems that while Mikey was riding across the bay bridge, which is also known as the 3 mile bridge, some cagers decided to play a game of chicken with Mikey. Well let me tell you in no uncertian terms: Mikey ain’t no chicken. While attempting to plant a boot on their car door Mikey lost it and rolled the scoot. That’s how he showed up at Houdini’s door to ask him to fix the thing before the Rat’s Hole show. Mikey had ridden the crashed bike, ripped up and bloodied with holes in the gas tank that showered his “street pizza” ( a term for cuts and abrasions you get after you slide on the asphalt ) with fuel at every bump. The bike did get rebuilt for the second time… so far there have been three rebuilds… but that’s not where I’m headed with this story. Houdini began to get a toehold in Pensacola and started to get known for building and painting bikes. These were the days that are now refered to as “old skool” or “back in the day”. Houdini’s work was known up and down the coast. Now here comes the part in the story where I try make a point. Even though Houdini was getting a rep for good work neither he nor anybody else thought that he was some kind of hero. In fact, the very idea would have gotten a good laugh out of any of the guys. You see, it was all about brotherhood. People were sending Houdini stuff to paint from all over the country ( remember, ther was no internet back then ). The money he made went to help him and his close friends. It wasn’t about Houdini. It was about building fine scoots, good parties and helping friends. This today is a foreign concept. With the advent of biker t.v. every young builder wants to be a superstar. I’m sure you know at least one. It’s the me generation. The old guys laugh at this. Young guys strut around with their chest poked out bolting parts on their bikes and thinking that they’re some kind of a bike builder. As for me, I really miss those nights past in someone’s garage hanging out with a few friends having a few beers and turning a few wrenches. Life goes on. wac