About this episode
Tay, the man behind Storm Riders, shares his journey from growing up in the Bay Area and Auburn to pursuing fashion and vintage retail in LA before fully embracing motorcycle culture. The conversation touches on the value of vintage clothing, the grind of city life, and the gratitude found in doing what you love. Tay reflects on how nostalgia and personal stories add meaning to material items like vintage jackets and bikes. The episode also explores meme culture, social media's evolution, and the balance between urban and small-town living.
Stormriders is a motorcycle lifestyle brand that highlights biker culture, vintage fashion, and life on the open road. I really dig the content Tay curates through hyperbole, tackling many stereotypes that exist in our motorcycle community. Tay is also an avid traveler who has played down some epic miles on his choppers!
Storm Riders Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/stormridersus/
Yin-Yang Youtube Video- https://youtu.be/70f45lQKzaM?si=8orN_Nluy2yXZ4QR
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vintage
"You know, there is a scarcity aspect to it that when you have something that's vintage, whether it be an old Porsche or an old car heart, right?"
Vintage means old cars that people like because they are special and rare.
Vintage refers to older cars that are typically considered classic or collectible due to their age, rarity, and historical significance.
great financial recession
"And you know, Todd has talked about this on his podcast, I think where that weird area of time during the great financial recession was a sweet time to be in LA, man, because you could live there as a normal for kid and you could, you could live..."
The Great Financial Recession was a time when the economy was really bad, so people had less money to buy things like cars and bikes, which changed how easy or hard it was to get them.
The Great Financial Recession refers to the severe worldwide economic crisis that occurred around 2007-2009, impacting many industries including automotive, affecting car sales, prices, and availability.
motorcycle
"That's where I started seeing motorcycles was when I was living there at that time and, you know, because I wasn't really interested in it before then..."
A motorcycle is a bike with an engine that you can ride by yourself. People use them to get around or for fun, and there are many kinds for different uses.
A motorcycle is a two-wheeled motor vehicle designed for individual transportation, often associated with a sense of freedom and sport. They come in various types including cruisers, sportbikes, and dirt bikes.
dirt bike
"I wasn't really interested in it before then, you know, my dad grew up racing dirt bikes and that was a huge part of his life, but I've never been allowed to ride a dirt bike growing up."
A dirt bike is a special kind of motorcycle made to ride on dirt and bumpy trails instead of smooth roads. It helps people race or have fun off-road.
A dirt bike is a lightweight motorcycle designed for off-road riding on rough terrain such as dirt trails and motocross tracks. They typically have knobby tires and long suspension travel.
MIPS safety standards
"All while boasting a lightweight composite shell with ACT tech and MIPS safety standards for the last year."
MIPS is a special safety feature in helmets that helps protect your head better if you fall and hit it at an angle.
MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) is a safety technology in helmets designed to reduce rotational forces on the brain during angled impacts, enhancing rider protection.
lightweight composite shell
"All while boasting a lightweight composite shell with ACT tech and MIPS safety standards for the last year."
This means the outside part is made from strong but light materials so it protects well without being heavy.
A lightweight composite shell refers to the outer protective layer made from advanced materials like carbon fiber or fiberglass, offering strength and reduced weight for helmets or vehicle parts.
full face helmet
"I have been exclusively wearing the F 17, which is a full face MotoGP race helmet that has an aggressive profile while having some proper ventilation"
A full face helmet is one that covers your whole head and face to keep you safest when riding a motorcycle.
A full face helmet is a type of motorcycle helmet that covers the entire head and face, providing maximum protection compared to open-face or half helmets.
Harley-Davidson
"And that's Cowboy Harley Davidson of Austin. Whether you're looking to jump on a new 2026 model or a certified pre-owned Harley that's ready to go, Cowboy has you covered."
Harley-Davidson makes big motorcycles that are easy to recognize and popular for cruising on highways.
Harley-Davidson is a famous American motorcycle manufacturer known for its heavyweight cruiser motorcycles with a distinctive design and sound.
certified pre-owned
"Whether you're looking to jump on a new 2026 model or a certified pre-owned Harley that's ready to go, Cowboy has you covered."
A certified pre-owned bike is a used motorcycle that has been checked and fixed by the dealer to make sure it works well and is safe.
Certified pre-owned (CPO) refers to used vehicles that have been inspected, refurbished, and certified by the manufacturer or dealer to meet specific quality standards.
sissy bar
""...we decided like in January that we're going to do the trip in July. And he was like, I think some, one of us said we're going to do it with no sissy bar. And then the other one was like, fucking, I'm not doing a sissy bar either. So that was like our thing...""
A sissy bar is a bar on the back of a motorcycle seat that you can lean against or use to hold bags or clothes when riding.
A sissy bar is a metal backrest attached to the rear of a motorcycle seat, often used to support luggage or provide passenger comfort.
tire spoons
""I had tire spoons in there. I had a regulator rectifier. I had advanced weights because those are a bitch. If a spring goes bad on those, those are hard to get in a small town. Points. I had a coil just in case, you know, and then tire spoons, big crescent wrench for the axle nut and all that shit.""
These are tools that help you take tires off and put them back on wheels.
Tire spoons are specialized tools used to pry tires off and onto rims, especially useful for changing motorcycle or bicycle tires.
regulator rectifier
""I had a regulator rectifier. I had advanced weights because those are a bitch. If a spring goes bad on those, those are hard to get in a small town.""
It's a part that changes the electricity from your engine into a steady power to keep your battery safe and working right.
A regulator rectifier is an electrical component used in motorcycles and some vehicles to convert AC voltage from the alternator to DC voltage and regulate the voltage output to protect the battery and electrical system.
big crescent wrench
""...and then tire spoons, big crescent wrench for the axle nut and all that shit. And then my small bag, I had all my hand tools...""
It's a tool that you can adjust to fit different sizes of nuts and bolts to tighten or loosen them.
A crescent wrench is an adjustable spanner used to tighten or loosen nuts and bolts of various sizes, commonly used for axle nuts and other fasteners.
bagger
"...you get a bagger, you throw bars on it, now you're in a subculture performance bag..."
A bagger is a type of motorcycle that has big bags on the sides to carry stuff. People often change how it looks to fit a certain style or group.
A bagger is a style of motorcycle equipped with saddlebags for touring, often customized with features like tall handlebars and specific exhaust tips to fit a subculture.
soft tail
"...you get a soft tail, you put some super tall apes on it and some fish tails..."
A soft tail is a motorcycle that looks like it has no back suspension but actually has hidden springs to make the ride smoother.
Softail refers to a motorcycle frame design that hides the rear suspension to look like a hardtail chopper but provides rear suspension comfort.
chopper
"...you get the chopper, you buy the right clothes and you're in that niche..."
A chopper is a type of motorcycle that looks very different from normal ones, with long front forks and a simple design.
A chopper is a style of custom motorcycle that features extended forks, minimalist design, and often personalized styling.
Nissan Juke
"... uh, you know, I don't feel like I can, you know, juke somebody. Yeah. Yeah. No, totally man. That's wh..."
The Nissan Juke is a small car that looks a bit different from other cars because of its unusual shape. It’s fun to drive and good for city driving because it’s small and easy to park. People often talk about it because it doesn’t look like most other cars.
The Nissan Juke is a compact crossover SUV known for its distinctive, quirky styling and sporty handling. Introduced in the late 2000s, it appealed to buyers looking for a small, fun-to-drive vehicle with a unique appearance. Its mention might be related to its name pun or its unconventional design that stands out in the crossover segment.
fuel injection
"...internet, fucking fuel injection, right? So many things like 1930s knucklehead..."
Fuel injection is a way cars get gas into the engine to make it run better than older systems. It helps the car use fuel more efficiently and pollute less.
Fuel injection is a system that delivers fuel directly into the engine's combustion chambers or intake manifold, replacing older carburetor systems. It improves fuel efficiency, performance, and emissions control.
FL style fender
"Harley Davidson, the FL style fender that used to come on, they don't really come on them now, but that was like the standard touring fender that came on all the bikes."
The FL style fender is a big curved cover over the motorcycle's wheels that protects from mud and water, and it has a classic look that Harley Davidson used on many of their bikes.
The FL style fender is a type of large front or rear fender design traditionally used on Harley Davidson touring motorcycles, known for its classic and timeless look dating back to early models like the Knucklehead.
Chevrolet Impala
"... not a thing in the 90s other than like maybe an Impala that I would fuck with. Right. You know, everythi..."
The Chevrolet Impala is a big car that was very popular in the 1990s because it was comfortable and roomy. Many people liked it because it was easy to drive and lasted a long time. It’s often talked about because lots of people remember it from back then.
The Chevrolet Impala is a full-size sedan that was especially popular in the 1990s for its spacious interior and smooth ride. It has been a staple in American car culture, often praised for its reliability and comfort, making it a common choice for families and fleet vehicles. Its mention in the podcast likely reflects its status as a recognizable and dependable car from that era.
Porsche 944
""...I really wanted like a, an old Porsche, not an expensive one, like a 944 or something kind of cheap...""
The Porsche 944 is a sporty car made by Porsche. It's easier to buy than some other Porsche models and is fun to drive because it handles well.
The Porsche 944 is a sports car produced by Porsche from 1982 to 1991. It is known for its balanced handling, front-engine layout, and relatively affordable entry point into Porsche ownership compared to the 911.
jockey shifter
"oh your jockey shifter check your fucking jockey shifter nuts that hold that thing on because if you lose that then you're you're fucked you have no way of shifting so those always come loose for me even my trans has come loose"
A jockey shifter is a handle on some motorcycles that lets you change gears with your hand instead of your foot.
A jockey shifter is a type of motorcycle gear shifter mounted on the side of the transmission, allowing the rider to shift gears by hand. It is less common than foot shifters and can be prone to loosening if not properly maintained.
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