Dirty little secrets are funny things. One man's source of beaming pride might be another's most harrowing embarrassment. There are gentlemen in this world who collect stamps, for instance, but considerably more who deem such diversions the last bastion of douchebaggery. Wes White is neither a philatelist nor a lavage de vagin, but he knows the etymology of both words, and can speak them in two languages.

A self-described pagan with a greasy streak a mile wide, The brawny man behind Four Aces Cycle possesses a brain with even more kick than the high-compression motorcycle engines and scrupulously detailed transmissions he’s been rebuilding for nearly 20 years. In his younger days, Mr. White focused his cerebral heft on the study of world history. Once bitten by the motorcycle bug, however, Wes applied his mental energy to the less pedantic and infinitely more satisfying pursuit of good times on two wheels.   

Wes White
 
Age: 41
 
Business: Four Aces Cycle Supply
 
Town: Pac-Town, SFV

Coworkers: Jeff, Joseph, Danny
 
Riding buddies: Jedd, Jeff, Wingnuts

First time on two wheels: YZ80, 1980. Borrowed it from the neighbor kid and got in big trouble with my folks when they found out.  Other than a great uncle or two in the 1930's, I was the first in my family to get the motorcycle bug  
 
First hand-built motorcycle: I brought home a 1968 Triumph Chopper disassembled in the back of my car from Folly Beach, South Carolina in 1992. I unloaded it into my second story apartment in Columbia, SC.  I put it together over the course of a year and then had to figure out how to get it down stairs. It was a tall and steep staircase. I resisted the temptation to ride it down the stairs and pushed it carefully, although it would not have been the first time I rode a motorcycle on stairs 
 
Earliest two-wheeled adventure: In 1990, I left Tallahassee on a '75 Sportster and spent several days cruising around Florida. It was all very low-key
 
Most recent two-wheeled adventure: The 2009 Biltwell Bash was my latest two-wheeled adventure of any magnitude. Riding around Southern California and camping out in a field with 300 similar-minded people is hard to beat  
 
Current stable of bikes and projects:

• 1951 Triumph TR5:  This is the bike I race at Bonneville. This year it gets a set of tubular gas tanks, a new frame-mounted oil tank and new carburettor mounts. Also it gets a fresh set of pistons (10.5 to 1 Mondial), fresh hone and valve freshening 
• 1953 Triumph 650cc Showbike. Chrome Frame, shouldered alloys, and the WORKS. Fairly froggy dual carb motor and all the beauty kit we can throw at it. Nick-O-Teen paint of course 
• 1956 Triumph Mild Custom: Cool old dude customer wants it like it was in 1962. Stock tins, MCM Fork Covers, custom wiring.  Good stuff
• 1973 Triumph 750. Finishing up a very mild custom, almost restoration 
• 1936 Indian Chief: Period Bobber project. This one is mine. Flathead V-Twin Motor, rigid frame, 1947 Girder Front end. My first American made custom in years 
• 1950 Panhead: Period racer replica, then again Harley never won any races, Triumphs always beat them. But its should be a fun one to ride