RIX '64: Sportster Factory Luggage Rack

These racks are hard-to-find...and when you do find one, they go for $200-$300 bucks.  Thanks to my friend Dennis for selling me a rack. (I sold him my own rack about 5 years ago, then wished I had it back) I modified an H-D Hummer seat (I like them since they have no seat tee bar) but they're the same shape and steel pan as the original XLCH solo seat.  McFarland helped me make special brackets to mount the seat (which was restored by: Heathers Leathers of South Carolina).

I have a restored, original 1960s Tour Pak that quick attaches to the rack.  It works slick - and I can now carry more stuff !  We reinforced the stock fender struts too (just for insurance).
All parts are moved back about 1.5" for added leg room - and "lean back" room.  It rides and handles awesome - and I just need a long trip for a test . . . Where we goin'????

Mothership - City Nights

I've seen this band live about 4 times - and I like them.  A good "biker music" kinda vibe.  They are playing in Iowa City on Saturday night, but I go to bed by 10pm anymore - and I'm old - so I probably won't go.  I met 'em through my friend Shea, and it's the kinda crowd I like to hang with . . . so maybe I'll crank a few on their videos, run 'em thru home theatre Bose - and rock out Saturday night before bed - and drink a couple beers to Mothership !

TECH: Pushrod Modifications

LEFT: Stock H-D Panhead

CENTER: Aftermarket Colony

RIGHT: Aftermarket Colony (modified end)

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I got this weird sound on my '54 panhead engine.  It's coming from the pushrod/rocker arm area, under the pan covers.  It's not spring collars hitting, loose rocker arm bores or springs rubbing together.  However, I did make a comparison with the fitment of the stock pushrod end ball fitment in the rocker arm versus my aftermarket pushrod ball end. 



The aftermarket makes a little "click" sound . . . and that's when it's not even under pressure.  The aftermarket ball doesn't have that flat on top,(or it's really small) and it kinda catches on the oil hole area in the center of that ball rocker socket.

I belt sanded a flat on it - now it doesn't do it... Maybe that was it???  The oem H-D pushrod didn't do it - now the aftermarket aluminum doesn't either.  Hope that was it - or at least I did something - Gotta really check this shit....  These aftermarket aluminum pushrods are so big in diameter, they want to hit on the inside of your tubes, etc.  I like the narrower aluminum ones...but nothing is as good as the oem H-D parts.

1952 FL Chopper

This things just runs so good . . . got it all detailed yesterday.

1936EL

This thing was pretty farted up.  On the verge of self-destruction sums it up about right . . . My dad worked really hard on it the last month.  Now it's solid - and when the gasses mix with the correct amount of oxygen - it should provide years of enjoyment powering around this great heart of American back roads.  1936 - A year in motorcycle engine production for Harley-Davidson that changed things for H-D, and all manufacturers - from that year onward.

Decorah, Iowa Run

I took this old blacktop A46 all the way east . . . The weather started out kinda foggy and damp, and later turned to sun.  Back roads all the way...dodging Mennonite buggies fresh from Sunday church services.  Their horse-drawn buggies leave deposits - so stay alert or you may squash a clump.

This is a good spot to regroup, look at the map - and hope your bike starts - it did !

Pulpit Rock Brewing ain't bad . . . I sat outside and got stung my a bee.  My arm is all swelled to shit, and I just got the stinger dug out (after 18 hours) I didn't see it at first - but now it's almost tool late.

This DC11 Linkert works great.  It likes it best when the rpms are kept up, so when you see a hill coming - keep it pegged and in the upper power band - no problems.  My starting issue didn't come around on this run.  1 to 2 kicks max . . .

A stop near Bassett, Iowa to adjust my backpack . . . riding so fast, it got all shifted and kilter.  Low beam burnt on this trip - and back home I noticed no tail light or brake light.  This thing only has a 3 wires - so I should be able to figure it out.   Thanks to Shane Einck for the refeshments.  T-Bocks in Decorah has great grilled chesse sandwiches !  The Sugar Bowl wins for ice cream !  

The Iron Maidens' Jam Session

...One of the breast bands I've seen in awhile -
 . . . and you gotta love Iron Maiden ! 

Much goodness . . .

Photo Above: XLR Struts

When the Harley-Davidson race department made all these XLCH (original steel) parts from aluminum for the XLR race bikes, their goal was to lighten this thing up - make it go faster, and win some races !  I had steel fender struts on it for years - and my fender was fine.  I put these aluminum struts on - and this thing vibrates like a tuning fork back there - cracking paint and buzzing like a true Milwaukee vibrator !  No rigidity....
No wonder most I see are cracked, missing the tacked on spacers - and if you are fortunate enough to find the aluminum fender (which my buddy Jeff has, but won't sell it to me(smiley face here)) they are all cracked too.  Pretty to look at - not all that practical.  But I still like 'em ! 

Edison-Splitdorf

Above: Bakelight Edison-Splitdorf rotor with broken off contact tab...

I'm working on a WR race motor that came factory with the big, square Edison magneto.  It had no spark, and dad found that this was the culprit.  Ordered one - $75.00 off Ebay - Ouch !