Noot: July 2020

Iowa's Island City

Did you know my late aunt was the mayor of this town once...?

The good 'ol days !

Rollin' on the River !

The early primary chain adjusters didn't have the "nylon shoe" on the adjuster pad...it just had this soft metal pad, permanently attached. The pad wore just a tiny bit(where the chain grooves started to show) and you didn't want to run your chain over tight.. The face of the adjuster was a bit narrower to fit a KR(XLCH type) tin primary cover. The clutch basket was narrower, so the shoe had to be a bit narrower too. I've found those nylon pads aren't always the best since the retainers often come loose, and the nylon shavings from the pad can clog your countershaft needle bearing oiler.

I built this motor...tuning by Hartman...

Hartman's mill. I went thru this ripper years ago - and it still runs pretty good. You do your best, try not to skip steps or cut corners...and sometimes you get lucky. He runs 2 carbs on everything - and he's good at it. Tuning, jetting - he makes it work. This bike is insane with details !

Nathan's Shop (he's on the right)

Full Moon Cycle in Dubuque, Iowa. I stopped for a quick visit one year on my way to the Meltdown Drags in Byron, Illinois. My chopper was packed ! Still runnin' that old, vintage square air cleaner. PS. I'm not in this photo...I'm better lookin' than these two blokes...

NOTE: If you ever need a wheel laced and trued, Nathan is your guy. He specializes in chopper wheels, spools, Sportster wheels of all types, hamburger and half-brake front wheels, super narrow stuff...also he builds (and rebuilds) old Sportster front ends of all types.

The Supersuckers

She used to be Pretty -
Now she's Pretty fucked up...

My favorite country band !
(well, he wears a cowboy hat...)

Pre-Ride Checks

First thing I always do before a trip is a run with the Battery Tender to get that battery up-to-snuff.

I check the push rods, take a look at the points/condenser...and check the tires and air pressure. I adjusted the chain a touch. A twice around shot of my Amsoil chain lube (I like best).

My mousetrap (clutch) wasn't goin' all the way forward on some operations - so I adjusted that a bit - lubed the springs and all joints with my Lincoln Spray Grease - now everything works all nice and quiet ! No squeaks ! I removed both plugs - and they look exactly the same, you can't tell which cylinder they came from - but I switch 'em anyway each time. Oil level is good in tank and tranny(just about 1/3 way up the throw-out bearing).

Haggle of a Start . . .

Had a fun day at Dubuque Speedway !

The ol' K Model just keeps rippin' !

Honing / Surface Grinding

Attempting to restore some panhead rocker blocks. Surface grind the lowers - Bolt on a top - Sunnen hone the bore til' your check pin fits ! Give 'em .0008-.001 clearance seems to work ! It just sucks holding these damn things when you're honing (I made a handle jig deal) but still a good way to jam a finger, bust a knuckle or loose a fingernail ! But I love it ! Restoration of old H-D parts - the best on mother earth . . .

1961 XLCH - 12 Volt Electrics

Gas it up...Hit the Street !

I did a 12V conversion with

Bosch Regulator...

Now I can see where I'm going..!

1950 Harley WR (Rebuilt)

These WR engines are rare. The only way to buy one was through a dealer(of coarse) and you had to have a racing license. Class C via AMA, American Motorcycle Association.

This is a 1950.

Special features (different from standard WL/45" engines include:

Sprocket Shaft (special for ball bearing)

Pinion Shaft w/oil groove (special for ball bearing)

Crank Pin (special size for WR rollers)

Drilled Connecting Rods

Special Lightened Flywheels

Special Cams (for WR only)

Special Ball Bearing Idler Gear and Spacer

Special Gear Cover for Ball Bearings and Wico

Ball bearings on #3 and #4 cams(both ends)

Ball bearings on #1 and #2 cams (case end only)