Trip to Norfolk VA without stopping by Diva's Customs

A couple of years ago while in Norfolk/Little Creek VA for work, I was driving along and saw one of my favorite sites: an independent bike shop!  Quick check of my available time, an even quicker check of traffic, a probably less than perfectly legal u-turn, and I was soon walking in to Diva's Customs. (link here).

I saw three or four cool custom bikes and looked around.  Who I believe was Jason was working on a bike, so after a short greeting, he went back to work.  Soon, Tami, aka Diva, showed up and we had a nice chat.  I bought a few things and was given a couple of stickers, and was on my way.

Fast forward two years, and a few months ago I was back in Norfolk and realized I was pretty near Diva's Customs, so decided to stop back in.  Sure enough, I walk in, recognize Tami, but this time her bike was on the floor (plus a sweet Shovel I wish I could afford and have ridden back to San Diego) so we talked Sportsters for a little while.  Note: her's is likely faster than mine, and has lots more chrome.  NICE BIKE!  As we talked, she mentioned that she was shutting Diva Custom's down, and moving to Charleston SC where Jason will likely re-open Jason's Garage but she doesn't know if she'll sell accessories on-line, or a small amount through his shop.  I bought a few things at her clearance prices, and got new stickers for my garage.  One t-shirt was a cool "Support your local Independent Shop" with Jason's small logo on the back.

Since they are in the middle of moving, I didn't stop by this week, and will miss catching up on future visits to Norfolk with Tami/Diva and Jason.  As they likely heard often in Norfolk: "Fair Winds and Following Seas" and keep the shiny side up!

Anyone shop at BikeBandit.com? Interested in their e-mail offers?

Bike Bandit is a local-to-me parts company.  Their business model is completely online and mail order, so although they are located in San Diego CA, I have never physically been to their "shop" but have bought a few things from them online.  So far my experiences have been good to great, and with them so close, shipping is practically overnight.  I have gotten parts as fast through the mail as I could have stopped by any storefront in San Diego, which I appreciate.

I have signed up for their e-mail alerts, and today received the attached offer: bikebandit.com e-mail promotion.  While I have plenty of jackets and vests, these are pretty good offers.  They have a wide variety of parts (both OEM and aftermarket), accesories and apparel.  I'll probably make one order to a specific Connie parts house for some hard to find parts, and a big order to BikeBandit when I get the Connie and the ZX-6R running again.

Favorite Biker Movies

Just a quick post tonight as all the "Joe Namath" stories around Super Bowl weekend got me thinking once again about "CC and Company", his biker exploitation flick made near the end of his playing days.  I must have watched it with my Dad as a kid as the opening scene where he rides up to a grocery store, parks his chopper, takes off his cut (!?!), walks in and starts shopping.  As he casually walks through the aisles, he makes and eats a sandwich, puts everything back, and buys some gum.  He coolly pays for his gum, and even asks for his stamps while flirting with some local girls.

I have to admit riding one of my motorcycles to the grocery store many times, and walking in thinking, "Man, I need to be Broadway Joe/CC cool and make a sandwich"!

Great movie, and it's available on Netflix if you haven't seen it or want to watch it again.