Customizing Your Bike. Master Your Own Style!

LDJ Auto Body and Mechanical Provides Motorcycle Customizing For Less in Riverview, FL.

From Custom Motorcycle Paint To The Perfect Accessories, LDJ Auto Body Has Your "Look" For Less.

1943 Harley Davidson Panhead

Motorcycles have come a long way since the Harley-Davidson's of World War's I and II.  Depending on your own particular style, the evolution of the motorcycle has created a "no boundries" attitude among both bike builders and bike owners.

What's better yet, is that no style is ever outdated!  Unlike the classic and antique car enthusiast forum, where the style of the 1957 Chevy and the 1960's era Corvette are forever in the past.  Vintage motorcycle styles never really come to an end. 

1963 Harley Davidson Cruiser

From baggers to cafe racers, bobbers, choppers, and "crotch rockets", motorcyles just don't see to evolve....or is it something we better prepare our "stuck in the 70's" butts for!

I have been bitten by the "Pinterest" bug!  Yup, I said it would never happen, but, I am addicted! I am most certainly addicted to pinning the different motorcycle styles onto my "Pinterest Board", which, by the way" is http://www.Pinterest.com/ldjcustomshop.  Pinning on Pinterest is just plain fun!  AND, by pinning all of our "cool" custom bikes, I have had a chance to look at some of the greatest "concept" bikes I've ever seen.

2003 Suzuki Intruder 1500 posted by LDJ Auto Body& Mechancial, Riverview, FL

However, bike building and "concept" bikes is for another article.  Today, I want to show you just what customizing your own bike can do to make your bike more comfortable, stylish, and whatever else makes it you.

If you have a "touring bike" and like to travel, saddle bags are a 'must have'. Bags come in a variety of sizes and shapes and from hard shelled with locks to what resembles to me to be "duffle bags" mounted on the bikes rear sides.

Windshields are also a 'must have' for the traveling biker.  Highway debris and bugs need to be deflected away from the rider as even the smallest fly can become a "bullet" at 70 or 80 mph.

There are a myriad of suppliers at which to purchase your accessories. LDJ Auto Body and Mechanical's professional technicians have put together a list of their favorite accessory shops, based on quality and price.  

J&P Cycles - Harley-Davidson Parts carries a full line of accessories for every Harley-Davidson model out there.

H-D Sporty owner's will find everything they need to turn that Sporty into a cruiser at J & P.  They have the best selection of Harley-Davidson accessory packages anywhere.  From "hard saddle bags" to tool pouches, front and rear luggage carriers, sissy bars, seats, and more, J and P Cycles has the absolute largest selection AND the lowest prices.  Be sure to give them a call today!

And for your motorcycle painting needs, LDJ Auto Body and Mechanical in Riverview, FL has the best, professional, certified paint specialists.  Call us today for a price on your custom painting needs.  Custom paint jobs are simply the best in the business.  Go to their website at http://ldjautobody.com and click on photos.  You can even request a free quote online.  Fill out the convenient form on the home page and Larry Blackman will get a quote to you the same day!

Have fun accessorizing!

-Larry and Dee Blackman
LDJ Auto Body and Mechanical
Riverview, FL
http://ldjautobody.com

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2000 Mustang GT - A Father & Son Project by LDJ Auto Body & Mechanical, Gibsonton, FL

2000 Mustang GT Project Car!
A Father and Son Colaboration
by Howard and Eric McCorkle! Great Job Guys!

Cars are something that all of us deal with daily.  But, our first car....well, now, that is something special!  We all remember that special day when we got our driver's license.  That day is, if you think about it, the first real step into the future.  The day when we experience real freedom. It's a special feeling to push that key into the ignition knowing that we are truly "on our own". 

The next step to "emancipation" from parental control is the day we get our first car.... And our first car is something that stays with us for the rest of our lives.  I'll bet there isn't a single one of us that doesn't remember the day we bought it!  I can even remember how it smelled!  Seriously....our first car is something special.  It is a special feeling that we just never forget. 

That's why this story is special to me.  I love seeing a father and son team up and work together on that special vehicle.  It's something I have been lucky enough to share with many "father and son" teams and each and every one of them makes me smile.

Our latest project car was just that.  We got an email from Howard, Eric's dad, asking how much it would cost to "just paint the car and install a carbon fiber hood".  There's "no body work" the email went on to say, "but, my son would like a nice paint job, and we're thinking about a Lemans stripe package".  "He is paying for the work himself and I have heard that you guys do some really great work there." "I'd like to see him get a nice job." "Please get back to me. Thanks. Howard".  As I read the email, a smile crept over my face as I thought about all the "first cars" we had painted here at LDJ.

I remembered my youngest daughter's first car, a Mitsubishi Eclipse that Larry had literally "cut in half"!  Yep, she wanted that car more than anything in the world, and, at that time, the only way we could afford a DOHC, fully turbo charged, gleaming black Eclipse was if we "fixed one up" and the only one we could find to fix up was basically "a total loss" in the rear end!  So, Larry and I bought another one and he cut the damn car in half and welded the two halves together!  Walah!  One gleaming black, DOHC fully turbo charged Mitsubishi Eclipse commin up! Yes, having one of the best body men on the planet for a dad has it's advantages!

As I answered Howard's email, I already knew that we'd be taking on this job.  My husband Larry is a great bodyman.  But, first and foremost, he is a dad and a husband.  And, I also knew that Howard had come to the right place to get his son's car painted and modified.  As Larry looked at the pictures of the car, I could see the smile....the same smile I see every time we paint a "first car".  It is just something that he loves to do....and, he loves seeing the look on the face of that "first car owner" when they see the car for the first time after it's done.

This is an awesome representation of what a great
father & son team can do when they put their heads
together!  This beats all the video games and time lost
with our kids due to "texting" and "facebooking"!

This car was special though.  We both love Mustangs and Howard and Eric had already been very busy doing what guys do to "first cars"!  When I was asking Howard for his permission to share this car with all of you, I also asked him what he and his son, Eric, had done to the engine and the rest of the car....it was obvious that they had been working hard on turning this first car into something very unique!  In his own words..." We started with brakes and suspension.  We replaced the brakes, shocks, struts, ball joints, and lowering springs. Installed 4.10 gears and a cold air intake. Installed Comp 270 cams, long-tube headers, and catless X-pipe. Intalled racing seats and short throw shifter. We purchased a 3 1/2 inch cowl hood. Then we started searching for a painter and decided to go with LDJ Auto Body and Mechanical. Very happy with the outcome of the paint and the hood installation!  And believe me, they did an outstanding job!  Here's a shot of "under the hood"!  I wish I had recorded the sound of this car....it's awesome!  You can see the time spent under her hood is significant and the car runs great.

The car was in great condition for it's age to begin with.  A few minor scratches were the only "body work" that needed to be done.  We started by removing the finish on the vehicle.

The car was fitted with a new, fiber carbon, 3 1/2 cowl inducted hood.  After fitting and prepping the hood.  The painting process began.

From primer to base coat, the car progressed nicely.  The Lemans stripe package really impressed me.  The color of the stripe is a pearl, gun metal blue-gray that really set off the red in the car's primary color scheme.


The paint job was completed using all DuPont products.  From the filler for the 3 very minor scratches to the base coat / clear coat finish, DuPont supplied every stitch of the material.  Even the outrageous "gun metal blue to silver" flip / flop pearl Lemans stripe was DuPont. 



The finished product is spectacular and the color combinations are fabulous.

The 2005 Mustang GT has some fantastic body lines and screams "muscle car" with styling that brings back the original "pony" car itself. 

Ford's attempt at re-creating the original look of the early Mustangs was a huge success and the Mustang, new or old, has become one of the most popular cars on the road today.

We hope Eric enjoys this outstanding "first car" as much as we enjoyed helping him get this project finished! 

We'd like to thank Howard and Eric for letting us share this great vehicle with our readers and we wish them all the best.






For more information on restoration and custom paint work, give us a call at (813) 644-4497.  Larry Blackman is always available to answer your questions and help you find the best solutions to getting your project up and running at prices that will fit your budget. 

We also do motorcycle restoration and custom bike work. 

Estimates are always free so call us today to see how little it can cost to get your dream car or bike on the road today!

Happy Motoring!

Larry and Dee Blackman
LDJ Auto Body and Custom Shop
Gibsonton, FL
www.ldjautobody.com
lblackman@ldjautobody.com

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Auto Window Tinting 101 – What You Need to Know

When it comes to adding style to your vehicle, there are few things that can do more than window tinting. However, it also offers many other advantages, including helping protect your interior from UV damage, keeping your car cooler and can even offer protection for those with medical conditions aggravated by sunlight. Of course, there are a few things you should know before you slap a sheet of tint on your windows.

Seasonal Considerations

Many drivers don’t realize that adding window tint to their cars can have a huge impact on their comfort throughout the year. For instance, just a slight tint can help block sunlight and heat during the summer months. This can make a drastic difference in your comfort levels, particularly when getting into a car that’s been parked in the sun during the summer. Of course, you should still use a windshield sun screen to really cut the amount of heat buildup in your car. During the winter, you won’t notice any adverse effects from tinting, either.

Health Considerations

Some individuals actually have a medical reason for adding window tint. For instance, medical conditions like lupus and eye health problems can be severely aggravated by direct sunlight. Other conditions include skin cancer, allergies to sunlight and photosensitivity. Adding window tint can save pain and suffering for these individuals.

Save Your Interior

While it might seem benign, sunlight is actually a damaging force of nature. All you have to do if you need proof is look at an item left in direct sunlight for a prolonged period of time. Paint fades, vinyl cracks, fabric fades and loses elasticity – sunlight is actually a slow death for the interior of your car. For instance, if you have leather interior, you’ll find that prolonged sun exposure can cause serious damage in a rather short period of time. However, adding window tinting to your vehicle can block the UV rays responsible for drying, cracking and fading your leather interior. Not only does that prolong your interior’s life, but it can have a beneficial effect on your time and finances as well. Less damage means less time and money spent on conditioners and protectants.

Legal Considerations

Of course, adding window tinting is not as simple as you might suppose. You might think that all you have to do is head down to your local aftermarket shop and buy a roll of tint. That’s wrong, though. Most states in the US have some very specific rules regarding the amount of tint (the darkness of the tint) that you can have on your windows. There are even laws that determine which windows can be tinted and how much tint is legal for each window. Understanding your state and local laws is vital. The best place to find out what your state requires in the area of window tinting is your state’s DMV website.

Which Windows Can Be Tinted?

Most states allow you to tint all your vehicle’s windows except the windshield. However, you do need to be aware that the degree of tinting varies with window placement. For example, rear passenger windows can have a darker tint than the driver window. Failure to comply with these laws can result in fines, and you might find yourself forced to remove the tint that you just paid good money to have installed.

As you can see, window tinting for your car can be a huge benefit, but there are some specific laws that you need to know prior to having it applied. You also need to remember that if you move to another state, your car might not comply with their regulations, so find out what to expect beforehand.

Don Elfrink is the owner and operator of AutoMatStore, an auto flooring company based out Columbia, Missouri. Before AutoMatStore Elfrink was the operator of a automotive production site. AutoMatStore focuses on all-weather, logo, carpeted and molded car mats.

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1970 Cutlass 442 Convertible! The Finished Product!

I promised finished photos today, and here they are!  Unfortunately, due to a mishap with a shipping company, her bumpers did not arrive yet, but, because she turned out so beautifully, I decided to go ahead and post these anyway.

As we anticipated, the car turned out great.  She is shown here with a base coat /clear coat black mica metallic finish with a pearlized white 442 racing stripe configuration. 

The car took approximately 3 weeks to complete and came within budget.  So everyone is happy.  That's the way we like to see things go!  Her owner says the bumpers should be here within a couple days and that should put the finishing touches on this beauty.  She sits on 275R16 Goodrich tires mounted on aluminum alloy rims.  A look that we personally think is a very good one for this particular car.

As you can see from the above shots, the body on this car is just sheer perfection.  Congrats to Larry for the unbelievable straightening job on this one! 

A great big hand to Larry Blackman and Adam Stratton for another great job well done!

The next vehicle to go under Larry's hand will be a 2005 Mustang!  Look for it in about 2 weeks.  We'll be following that one through the steps too!

Thank you to everyone that watched this car go through her transformation.  We'd love to see your projects too!  Send your pics to Dee Blackman at ldjautobody@yahoo.com.  We'll post them here.  Please send us the story that goes with them.



More about → 1970 Cutlass 442 Convertible! The Finished Product!