John Tibben - AMA Hall-of-Famer from Iowa . . .

Leo Payne wasn't the only motorcycle racer from Iowa, helped by Mike Wilson (in the early days).  Flat track racer John Tibben earned the National #60 way back in the late 1950s.  A great 1/2 miler and short track racer . . . Tibben was one of the best.  I watched him a few years ago ride at Davenport.  Amongst all those fearless, young hot shoes . . . Tibben ran mid pack on this very same bike seen above.  He made his moves through the pack, being smooth and carrying corner speed.  The field got stretched out - and John held on the third position (in a field of 12).  I was impressed.  A hall-of-famer forever.  See his machinery in the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, Iowa.

Cooler in B&W . . .

Some photos are somewhat cooler in black and white . . .

( for hot days . . . )

FLH Bagger thing . . .

This motorcycle was at the J&P deal.  Nice stock bike.  The stripe job had no rhyme or reason where it was going . . . but, the line quality was good.  It's like the guy can pinstripe ok - but, didn't really care - and just plastered it with lines and jazz . . .

Bacon's Water Bubbler . . .

Let's all get wet . . .

Al's Ironhead Sporty Chop . . .

Al always knows what he wants.  He built this rider last winter.  Late model ironhead with early-style gear cover and Morris Magneto.  Does his own welding, paint, motor, fabrication . . . always working on something.  Awesome custom right outta the backwoods of Iowa.  Cool scoot dude . . .
Look for it in a future Ironworks !

Daniel just called me . . .

I call him that (so does his dad) . . . seems to go with him more than "Bacon" - but, that nickname is ok too.  He's on his way to Born Free 4.   He'll have the only engine like it . . . that Drake.  Cat's outta the bag and it's runnin' . . . You gotta appreciate his skill with motors.  So many bike builders use a hammer and crow bar to get their mill outta the wooden crate.  Good Luck to all the Born Free 4 builders.  From what I've seen, it will be quite a display of workmanship. (Dan's motor not pictured above, you'll see it soon enough)

Mike and Margaret Wilson (and my dad)

Yesterday (Sun. June 24th), me and my dad (the original Noot) met with Mike and Margaret Wilson of the famed Wilson's Harley-Davidson(and Honda) dealership of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  They are the pair that the legendary Leo Payne adopted as his parents (he adopted them) - and the stories just rolled for about 2 hours.  Mike is very knowledgeable and sharp to all the racing history of Payne.  Margaret is a Golden Life Member of the Motor-Maids. She was voted most popular member in 1958 by all AMA clubs.  Mike sold Leo the very same bikes on display that went on to legendary status.  He has since restored them and donated the machines for everyone to enjoy.

Countless times we went to leave, (the museum was closing) and Mike would pull us back in to show us carbs, pipes and other trick things they had done to the bikes.  He was very proud in the fact that Leo's motorcycles always looked stock, or as a motorcycle should - but, they were the fastest bikes in the room.
He told us how he would tell Leo, "No, you made that part too light, too flimsy - it has to be light, but, safe."

There was a time in 1967 when Noot was in Cedar Rapids and his '62 XLCH had a leakin' head gasket.  He went to Wilson's dealership - and Mike gave him this special head-bolt wrench and instructed him to "Tighten it down, don't lug the motor, and you should make it home."  That was the first they met (this was the 2nd).

Mike showed me on Leo's street dragger how to feeler gauge the throttle disc for more torque - which I never knew - and I'm eager to try it on my '61.

Mike told me of the time he went 110-120mph on his Gold-Wing . . . racing a semi through the mountains of Washington. He looked back and Margaret's front wheel of her FXR was right on his rear fender the entire race.

It was awesome to talk with them - and all the way home - I couldn't keep thinking about it.  Their enthusiasm towards the sport of motorcycling makes some of the things I do seem - "not like much."  The golden days of motorcycling will never be again.  And when you talk with these legends of the sport - it gives you a slight feeling of what it was really like to live through and be a part of it.

Just as we were about to leave - it happened again.  Mike dragged us over to show us this new hard-cover book of Motorcycle Drag Racing by John Stein.  It was covered in plastic, so we had to rip it open (we bought the copy), but only after Mike and Margaret signed the edition for us.  (way cool dudes !)  This book looks awesome.  Very well done . . . and of coarse Mike's name is in it !  

 Thank you to the Wilsons for sharing this with us and we hope to see you again real soon !  Crazy !

J. Gouge

I was flippin' through a local biker magazine . . . and it's like, "Hey, I know that guy ! "

Bright lights with 6 volts . . .

My friends Paul & Dave (guys with electrical engineering degrees) always have nice, bright headlights while still running their original 6 volt systems.  They like those big 6 volt "police" radio voltage regulators.  Then they get (2 each) solid 6 volt batteries from the local Batteries Plus store.  They wire them together (+ to +, - to -) and the end result is more amperage . . . and brighter lights, that stay bright.  The batteries fit right into the stock battery box in the oil tank.  Nice system.  For a small fee, Paul can service your 32E (and if you supply the regulator) check and test your system.  He will supply you with the part numbers for Batteries Plus . .  then you can have bright lights too - and retain your originality ! 

1957 FL

Just don't park next to the dumpster . . .

Burt Munro

I'm going to Bonneville someday soon.  I've heard it's the only motorcycle event that isn't all whored up like all the rest . . .

Swap Meet Special . . .

I got to the swap while all the vendors were unloading.  Getting the goods, buying stuff right off the truck before it hits the table or the tarp.  I saw this K Model.  "Sir, what you askin' for this?"  He had that snicker in his voice - Like he just ate a fat rat . . . "Just bought it . . . not for sale."   I always like to rescue these bikes, and some guys just buy to resell - and never get them going.  Hopefully, it has a bright future and not just destined to be parted out . . .

Cannonball Racer

This motorcycle was in St. Paul last weekend.  Coast to coast on this . . . that's a mighty long way.

Hangin' with Paul . . .

Went up and stayed with my buddy Paul over the weekend.  His ride is a sano '49 - and he goes like a streak on that thing.  Got to meet "the snowman" riding his nice, original '42 EL . . . throw in a '48 pan and a guy from Holland - and we had a great time.  Sorry, not more pics - but, you gotta be jumpin' to keep up with these dudes on their old bikes . . . serious !

Guys with a hobby . . .

"Oh, it's just a hobby of ours . . . Hey, can I have another one of those Red Dog beers?"  You think their "hobby" might be gettin' a bit out-o-control ?   I say, Heck NO !  Just right . . .

7th Street Iron . . .

HEAVY Crew members Spencer and Pete have been busy workin' their rides and it shows.  That Triumph is one of the finest I've seen.  Everything in it's place.  Then, when Spencer left - it sounded just right.  That British sound . . . so fuckin' cool.  Pete's waiting for paint from Harpoon . . . and I predict this panhead will be the showstopper of the summer . . . Cool hangin' with you again.

Viking AMCA Show - St. Paul, MN

They had a real nice collection of motorcycles this year . . . featuring Japanese brands.  All types were in attendance - and thank you to all the folks who brought their machines to participate !