Noot: May 2018

He's Come A Long Way . . .

Continuous Improvement. Never Give Up.

Jeffrey Carver wins the Springfield Mile.
It was great to watch him take the win from Mees and Coolbeth.
He got away from the veterans and they couldn't catch him . . .
Carver owned The Mile on this day !
(wish I could have been there)

Springfield MILE this Sunday

I couldn't make it this time, but I hope everyone has some fun. Looks like a hot one (95 degrees) where the track dries out and gets slick, creating possible low-sides. Tire wear will be a huge factor, so look for the veterans to hold back a bit 'til the 5 lap sign. Another problem is with all the liquid cooled bikes now. They'll be blowin' their corks (if they sit on the line too long idling) and spewing during the race too. Tiny radiators for less wind drag, but they don't cool as well either. The older air-cooled motors never had that problem. It should be interesting. I always hate seeing a newby with a good run for the win, get sidelined for a overheating engine or a bald rear tire. Experience is the key - so look for Coolbeth, Smith (and of coarse Mees) . . . but I'll take Ronnie Jones just for the fun of it ! Go Ronnie Go ! Show em' some flashes of brilliance ! My predictions (except for the obvious) Look for a good run from Chad Cose, and maybe a win from Jeffrey Carver (who I always root for). I'd like to see Bickerton make a pro main again too !

Let's see, Hmmmm, if we left at 4am ish Sunday - I'd be there for the race, home by 11pm . . . long day - but it could be done !

Joe Smith

How'd you like to try and hang on to this SOB ????
AND get it stopped on the other end !

The S&S Degree Wheel Kit

Most of the time, the only occasion this tool is removed from the tool drawer is when there's a problem. Your camshaft, pinion gears, timer gear, breather gear . . . all the marks on the teeth line right up and your cam timing is done correctly? Right? Wrong? The fact is: You most likely have 4 to 5 parts, manufactured by 4 to 5 different manufacturers. A mark could be off a tooth? Throwing everything off . . . Different gear pitches. New parts meshing with used parts. Are your valves really opening and closing at the precise time they should?

This is the best way to do it. Using dial indicators. That needle will indicate movement (what the human eye can't see) You'll know exactly where you're at. It's best to check your valve movement directly off the valve itself (unless you have a 1:1 ratio like a knucklehead or 45, then the lifter is ok too). The clearances between the pushrod ends, rocker arm to valve, all take up space. Correcting cam timing is done by moving the cam gear on the camshaft (not easy). Also done by changing pinion gears, changing cam gears, moving the cam (+ or -) 1 or 2 teeth . . . or modifying keys and ways. It's a learning experience every time this tool comes out. Think about it....You did all this work and research choosing the perfect cam for your rebuild - but usually this step gets skipped. You don't have any idea if your aftermarket cam is doing what you want, unless you take the time and check your cam timing. It's one reason some engines just run better than others.

(pic of degree wheel on engine from: Lee (Lee's Speed Shop)

Me & Morty (The Official Shop Cat)

. . . workin' on choppers before work this morning.

Last night we watched our local gal Maddie Poppe win American Idol.
I hang out with Mort a lot - he's my best bud for sure.

Evel Ad

Rokon

No Bike Shit

My world is so packed with motorcycle related stuff 24/7 . . . it was nice to just drive with no radio, hang out with my bro . . . and party like a rock star. Tired (and broke) - but I feel better now.
Mos Generator's Tony Reed

King of The Road

Fu Manchu

Way back when... my friend Doug (who's mom lived in California) would come back, and we'd meet in Cedar Falls for a beer. His Honda Prelude always had this terrible band called Fu Manchu in the deck. I soon learned to love them (after buying Daredevil) and currently, Fu is the only band (except for Hanoi Rocks/Michael Monroe) I have yet to cross off my list to see LIVE ! That is after this Saturday nite . . . See ya soon Scotty !

HD Part No. 16070-98R

I guess the "Engine KIT" includes everything but the cases ! ?

I think you actually get the cases in the kit . . .

Cast Iron Sportster Tappets

From 1957 to early 1962, all Sportsters had these cast-iron tappet guides. I run them in a couple engines. They last much longer than the aluminum version. I have over 35,000 miles on a (used set when I got them) - and they are still straight and perfect.

K to coffee . . .

The last few days in Iowa have been about as perfect weather as you can get. The best part of my day usually is riding a vintage Harley along the river, making a short loop to Aromas, talk with the boys, then off to work. Got her dialed in . . . Have a great week !

Champion Sparks Champions

Messin' with lights & switches . . .

My headlight is an FXLR factory headlight. I welded tabs on it(upside down) and utilized the stock wiring hole to mount my switch. I welded a block on the lower tree, and mounted the headlight. I smoothed out all the mounts, and shaved the lower tree. My own pinstripes. When did I have time to do all this?

The small hole in the frame is fed my headlight wire. (I wrapped the wire around a pencil, telephone cord style) Kleen is what I want . . . Ness hardhead frame. It's a 1965(hence the Manetti Gold Leaf "65" on the head tube). Also 65 cu in.

New kill switch in the top motor mount. Heads by Jerry Branch.

John's Car

Someday, you'll own a Yamaha.

KR Mudrunner

Favorite Fat Cars

I just have a thing for fat Chevys with windshield visors. Chrome reverse rims too. I should have bought some different reverse rims just to have them around, maybe mount some whitewalls to give your Chev a different look . . ?

Jarno Saarinen

Many racing experts rate Saarinen as the fastest 250cc motorcycle racer - ever. A native of Finland, his style was smooth and calculated. He raced in the most dangerous era of GP. The "car circuits" were not set up to address the safety of a motorcycle racer.

Jarno Saarinen had a total of 15 Grand Prix victories on 250cc, 350cc and 500cc machines.

He won the 1972 250cc GP Championship

He was killed at age 27 racing in Monza, Italy when Renzo Pasolini's engine seized, hitting a barrier and the motorcycle was throw back onto the race track - striking Saarinen . . . (see Wiki)

Old Dudes/Bad Knees = Bump Starters

There are many different versions, and many different ways to get the job done. These examples are lightweight, easily moved and stored - and they work. However, expensive.

Above:

This model looks good !

Back up, start the bike, ride off . . .

_______________________________________________________________________

If you're old-school - Here's the method you like best, but it takes one guy on the bike and one guy in the car or truck. You have to work together on this one - and a lot of shit can happen, accidents can happen . . but it gets the job done, and will start the most stubborn, flooded,
high compression and/or mis-timed machines !

. . . now if you're way way old school and you know somebody with a salvage yard - Go get yourself a car starter/solonoid, weld a socket on your sprocket shaft, get a car battery and a kid's wagon - and you got yourself one of the best remote starting devices ever conceived !

. . . and the grips off your Bridgestone.

If you're strong . . . ? This might just work?

Bonsey 80

He's a charger . . .

Chris Tribbey - Cannonball Racer !

Chris (from Caledonia, WI) has followed the Cannonball Run over the years as a spectator. However in 2018, he'll be a participant. Chris got inspired to ride from listening to Bill Rodencal talk of his own experiences on this coast to coast run. Bottom Line: "When Bill speaks, people listen !" I sure do . . .

The Cannonball rips through Iowa (my neck of the woods)

on Friday - SEPTEMBER 14TH

with a stay in Spirit Lake, Iowa