NOOT

R. Rockett

2012-02-13T13:11:00.002-06:00

. . . and his custom yellow Commando.

Resur-Erection

2012-02-10T14:35:00.000-06:00

This dude . . . they call 'em "Rattlecan" . . . got a whole shed o' 45s. Fresh'd up dis one. Kept her a bit gnarly lookin' . . . Beauty is in the eye-of-the-beholdest . . . Sure iz purdy !

Silver Flake Lids . . .

2012-02-10T10:10:00.002-06:00

Are nothing new . . .
What's he drinkin' ?

Abuse

2012-02-10T10:05:00.002-06:00

Pistonology

2012-02-09T07:56:00.002-06:00

K Model (on Left) 45 (on the Right)

Each has a different type of wrist pin and keeper.

Each has a different wrist pin location.

Different size rings.

Different compression.

Not interchangable.

(The K piston has cool PCP knurling somebody did - awesome !)
This post for the benefit of a blog follower . . .

Fabers

2012-02-09T07:50:00.002-06:00

Art is fun . . . do some . . .

He said . . .

2012-02-08T08:12:00.000-06:00

. . . don't worry, I can weld anything . . . aluminum, brass, plastic, cardboard, styrofoam . . .

great - just great , now what ????

Kenny Farrell

2012-02-07T08:58:00.002-06:00

A famous local stock car racer passed away this week. Farrell was the guy you wanted to be when hangin' with the neighborhood kids - racing homemade buggies down hills.

"Hey, I get to be Kenny Farrell this time!"

The glory of it . . .

2012-02-06T08:19:00.002-06:00

. . . ready for action !

Go RED LINE

2012-02-03T12:57:00.001-06:00

From my vintage patch collection,

Just need to find the right cap mate . . .

Pete Willis

2012-02-03T12:54:00.001-06:00

They say, "Don't f**k with British rockers . . . or road racers."

Knife-Edge Wishbone

2012-02-02T16:07:00.002-06:00

This was a style with the "Vegas" crowd for custom pans in the 70's . . . made popular by Lil' Joey Vegas, New York Eddie and Stormin' Norman. Can't wait - I got everything ready for it . . . then I'm ridin' 'til the fucking wheels fall off . . .

Kelly & Spina

2012-02-01T07:54:00.002-06:00

Old school art & paint royalty . . .

Mann's Girl . . .

2012-02-01T07:52:00.002-06:00

Tom Kelly

2012-01-30T14:05:00.000-06:00

Original art at my house . . .

The Ultimate . . .

2012-01-30T14:03:00.002-06:00

Fuser

2012-01-27T11:10:00.000-06:00

Read the book - Watch the movie

de Cosmo'n

2012-01-27T11:08:00.000-06:00

All cosmoline can be removed more easily by:

- soak with WD-40

- heat part slightly

- wipe with shop towel

- blow off excess with compressed air (away from you)

- clean in parts washer

- blow dry

The old style, one-piece oil ring is a thing of beauty ain't it ?

Wide World of Sports

2012-01-26T11:00:00.000-06:00

Tarabanko . . . the greatest of motorcycle ice racers. Howard Cosell would announce the action - it was a wonderful and exciting way to spend a cold winter day watching races.

The Golden Rod . . .

2012-01-26T10:53:00.002-06:00

Not just anybody gets a "Speed Ricky" sparkly piston, valve, leaf panel in the mail from Lil' Joey . . . with a gallon o' clear on it . . . sparkles in the moonlight - Crazy trippin' real world art.
Pist-On Time ! Far out Daddy-O !

Steve Morehead and __________________

2012-01-25T14:29:00.000-06:00

Randy Goss? nope . . .
Randy Texter? no (but, good guess with the 65)
Randy Renfrow? no (but, another good guess with Team Honda)
Randy Green? Yes - National Number 65W

Tim Bender

2012-01-25T11:47:00.002-06:00

Bender could hang off a sled with style. You could tell it was Bender just the way he threw that thing into the corners. He was very innovative - and experimental with his race sleds. Often out front . . . a very tough competitor. Still active in the sport . . .
Proudly sponsored by Olav Aaen . . . (one smart Swiss dude . . . )

Waldheim, Saskatchewan

2012-01-25T11:43:00.000-06:00

Scott Parker

2012-01-24T11:34:00.001-06:00

Indy Mile, just concentrate and win that No. 1 plate.

D's Leathers from Dee Johnson (Randy Goss's mom-in-law)

Autographs, promotions, money . . .
He's just tryin' to make a livin' at this.

BMXA 1978

2012-01-24T08:00:00.000-06:00

I remember buying this issue at Red Owl. Took my Murray (Stingray copy) and we welded gussets, double clamp, knobbies, made the Bendix a freewheel, Avocet saddle, fluted post, KKTs . . . I was radder than most. Me and my brother promoted races, our track, our rules . . . we won most of them - a fixed deal for sure . . . (now I'll get back to work)

NOS is New Old Stock

2012-01-20T08:12:00.003-06:00

So my friend Chad asks if i can go through his Harley 45 engine. He's got all the parts . . . hey - I say no problem. He shows up with original HD stuff, still in the boxes. Still in this hardened wax-like stuff. Cosmo grease everywhere. It takes like time to get the shit off . . . we're talkin' goo city here. But, the pistons and valves look so nice. Original Harley-Davidson parts. Back when steel was steel and quality mattered. If you can - buy NOS. It's usually better. Oh, Save The Boxes ! (he told me twice)

Exhaust Pipe Clamp . . .

2012-01-19T15:44:00.000-06:00

. . . not needed on UL models.

James ?

2012-01-19T10:28:00.002-06:00

In my youth . . . glory days of Sno Pro

2012-01-19T09:24:00.006-06:00

. . . I wanted to be a professional snowmobile racer. My dad was a tuner and wrench for a very successful local racer, and they started me racing the Junior classes. From 1978-1982 I traveled and raced the USSA aand WSRF (World Snowmobile Racing Federation) Central Division. Wisconsin, Minnesota, Dakotas, Illinois and Central Canada. Over 3 years, I won almost every race I entered. Placed 2nd a few times. 5th once. And blew an engine while leading a championship race. My heros were names like Thorson, Hulings, Dimmerman, Bunke, Elsner, Villeneuve, Donahue, The Deckers, Rosenquest and Levac. I would go down early in the mornings and watch as the pro teams in their matching race suits used tiny cranes to lower the race sleds from fancy semi trailers. The ice ovals were fresh clean ice. Carbides were being sharpened. I'd get a hot Dr. Pepper and report back to our rough lookin', copper color, camper school bus we traveled in. The "Brown Donkey" it was accurately named. It was Friday morning. Other kids were in school. I had the day off. I was 15 years old and a raced Yamahas on ice in front of crowds of people. All was good.

Morty's concerned . . .

2012-01-18T12:30:00.003-06:00

I thought she said "No more motorcycle parts in the house . . ! ?"

Out and back . . .

2012-01-17T16:35:00.002-06:00

. . . on the kitty cat. Need more snow for lube (or a can o' silicone in your pocket to shoot on the track every so often) Saw a big jack rabbit - we waved at each other and went about our business. The river had some sketchy ice . . . but, the surface is fast.

Tech Tip by Watson

2012-01-17T08:14:00.000-06:00

This method also works with some shafts (if they are soft enough) and many other applications.

Hot Rods, Bikes, Babes, Guns, Etc . . .

2012-01-17T07:57:00.001-06:00

Got my 16 episode series of Fastlane and watched a couple already. I remember when it aired . . . and ya'll know how much I just love Tiffani Amber Thiessen !

Issue #80

2012-01-16T14:36:00.002-06:00

Found it . . .

2012-01-16T09:38:00.001-06:00

I've been lookin' through all my old magazines for a chop with a Bosch regulator (got 'em on the brain for some reason) . . .
Finally found one !

You got a little head ?

2012-01-15T10:35:00.001-06:00

Peedro bought this swell Bell (size Large), but it don't fit. Metalflake Silver - now with custom Noot striping (if you call it custom). It's a nice lid. High quality roll & tuck silky lining. Brand spanking new with no dandruff. Original box with all the goods. $135 + freight.

Love Thy Knuckle . . .

2012-01-15T10:30:00.002-06:00

oh . . . and Love Thy High Life !

Cool Tools

2012-01-13T09:50:00.002-06:00

I really like when you have a cool tool that will do the job for you. You see more broken ears on tappet blocks (from careless mechanics with screw drivers). McFarland made this neat tool a few years back that threads on the block - and then a bolt presses on the adjuster (with a cam installed under the roller lifter) and pulls the block out. You can use the tool to install the block too. Just thread on the tappet block all the way down, remove bolt from tool, and tap in with a rubber mallet. You might get it close to the case and then thread in some screws and check it - make sure it's straight.

Here's to you . . .

2012-01-13T08:36:00.000-06:00

Elaine Robinson

Berkeley Graduate

Married a track star in the "Plastics" industry . . .

Make it two yards . . . Mother * * * * * r

2012-01-13T08:33:00.000-06:00

and we got us an automobile race !

( The best line in the movie )

Primary Chain Shoe

2012-01-12T10:29:00.001-06:00

If you need a new Primary Chain Shoe for your Sporty . . . Get the ones from your local Harley-Davidson shop. The black ones are better. They are a bit longer than the aftermarket "white" ones (which are too short). The short, white ones don't have enough length - and the steel, clamp deal that holds them on can't quite grab enough meat to adequately hold it on. I still kinda glue the shoe on with some "Right Stuff" before I clamp it for extra insurance. Don't run your chain too tight either (especially with a new shoe), since the plastic shavings will just clog up the oil passages in your counter shaft and door bearings. I run the 75W Bel-Ray Gear Oil. It's a nice red color (and when it turns black, time to change it !)

Clip & Save

2012-01-11T09:12:00.001-06:00

Both these swaps are real good. Great organization, great people . . . the way a swap should be . . .

More Parts - Less Crap

Ham Can to Linkert Adapter

2012-01-10T16:55:00.000-06:00

Minimalism

2012-01-09T10:43:00.001-06:00

Trying to make a "I call them Tom Fugle Front Ends" is more work than it looks.

First you have to hack all the mounts off the lower legs.

Then make a fixture to turn them down in a lathe.

Then sand and polish.

Turn the axle for 5/8" bearings.

Hack up the lower tree.

Have your buddy mill a flat for headlight bracket.

Hack Up sand and polish upper tree.

Make wheel spacers.

Assemble and Disassemble about 4 or 5 times.

More fuckin' around.

Then fuck around some more.

Now you have no brake - and no place to put a fender.

WTF?

I like it !

Bondo Joey

2012-01-09T10:35:00.000-06:00

Long distance bike projects don't always work. Hope this one does? I'm doing the motor, trans, front end, wheels, electrical and lights. Lil' Joe Vegas has the wishbone frame (with extensive welding, smoothing and molding work). He's fabbing the gas tank, oil tank, trailer rear fender and hummer spring seat. I make shit and send it to him. He's painting it with probably some weird 70's deal that ain't from no book - or copied from any blog. Nothing So. Cal. It will be his own deal. How his brain works, who knows? It won't be what I'd would choose from a book of paint-jobs. It will be a surprise. All Joey.
Hope I like it? - If I don't, I will still like it.

Does Howdy Doody got wooden balls, man . . ?

2012-01-08T10:38:00.001-06:00

Up in Smoke was on . . . so I . . .

Lapped some races . . .

Worked some cases . . .
Teeth ain't got braces . . .

Got green shoe laces . . .

Harley JD

2012-01-06T15:31:00.001-06:00

I was having a discussion with Royal McNeese in Britt, Iowa . . . and he told me, "You want to know the best Harley-Davidson? . . . that model JD is the best motorcycle they ever made." He told me to get rid of that kickin' back, too fast XLCH and go find myself a JD. I just don't listen very well.

JB's new wheels . . . Tight & True

2012-01-06T15:27:00.001-06:00

I'll play wid da cases dis week . . .

Name it . . .

2012-01-06T15:24:00.001-06:00

Ain't that jargon for an early narrow, steel legged Sporty front ?

No. 1

2012-01-05T08:44:00.001-06:00

They know it's one of the first Harley-Davidsons produced. It has the No. 1 inside the cases. So did a few others - they know that for fact. It's the oldest HD frame known. One thing is for "sure" - it's the oldest Harley-Davidson known to man. It started the trends. As transportation, style, for racing, for sport, for customization . . . everything. It's the first - and the name remains the same. It made the hairs on my neck stand up. It's in a dark room with a faux wood flooring. Oil soaked. The floor creaks. There are lights on the floor that depict the 10' X 15' shed where it all started. Old photos of the founders. Interesting facts, factory photos, family photos. It all happened in Milwaukee, Wisconsin - US of A.

Harley-Davidson Museum

2012-01-04T09:46:00.000-06:00

This is worth the money. (I had free tickets). Randy Smith's Magnum is there. The Venolia pistons were still usable. Go to the 3rd floor elevator and check out the restoration shop. The Gold Digger was there (JJ said in the build-off he had a bike there, so I had to try and find it). The Joe Petrali knuckle that went like 136 mph on a beach at Daytona . . . The Elvis KH . . . Tator's bike . . . It's a great display of HD history.. The only thing that bugged me was . . . you know how there are stories or information about certain motorcycles that us people in the industry (us enthusiasts) know . . . interesting facts. Well, they wouldn't tell you that. Not in the descriptions (or on the headphones). Kinda too general on the descriptions. But, well worth the trip.

Jim Davis

2012-01-03T13:20:00.000-06:00

Davis was a member of the Indian and Harley-Davidson factory racing teams. At the Springfield Mile awhile back, Dave Despain gave me a job to do. "Make sure Jim Davis (He was 100 years old in a wheelchair) has enough ice water today . . . it's hot." They interviewed Jim during the Hall of Fame festivities. At the HD Museum on New Year's Eve day . . . when I read that these were Davis' medallions - it made me smile - and feel proud that I got to spend some time with the last surviving member of the original Wrecking Crew.

Bosch Regulators

2011-12-30T10:01:00.000-06:00

My generator guy from St. Paul, MN picks up these Bosch regulators cheap . . . then tests them and gets them adjusted to a good 13.2 volts. The solid state regulators always puke on me.

I really dig vintage electrical components.

Mechanical over Solid State any day !

Chains over belts.

Grease over hairspray.

Linkerts over EFI . . . etc etc etc.

Handy?

2011-12-30T09:49:00.002-06:00

. . . . still need a wrench to get it off ?

Crazy shit . . .

2011-12-30T09:47:00.002-06:00

I like the Crazy Frank stuff . . . but, I hope there ain't a lot of this one floatin' around out there ?

A Question for "Old Timers . . "

2011-12-29T09:05:00.001-06:00

I had a gray beard tell me when he ran his jockey shift transmission, he ground a small notch (where I have highlighted the White Dot) so when he was in-between gears, his false neutral would stay there - and not accidentlly slip out and send him forward. Will this work? Seems like it would?

1938 EL

2011-12-28T14:54:00.002-06:00

. . . with one-year-only pump and re-sleeved 4 fins.
Ready to go back in the rat bike.

It's all about your tools . . .

2011-12-28T08:16:00.001-06:00

I've decided that my blog entries for 2012 will be a bit more insightful. A friend gave me some HOG Magazines from 2010 . . . and I see that Josh K. had basically the same tool kit I carry with me on my Sportster too. We could probably trade kits and not have any problems. The 530 chain 1/2 link was the kicker. Nobody has a 1/2 link. How about a primary chain link? (I carry one). I like my tire irons better, but I've heard those Ty Davis-style irons are the trick. I run Autolight 4316 plugs, try 'em. The year 2012 should be the year that you get out your tools and get down to business. Get some things built, get some things done. Get out on the road and see some things different - some things you always wanted to see, but haven't had the time. Make some time in 2012 to just do it. I know you got the tools . . .

I like this one best . . .

2011-12-22T09:50:00.000-06:00

Have a Happy Holiday . . . from Noot, Ricky Noot, Big Noot, Lil' Joe, Sporty Geek, Uncle Bob and all the rest . . .

Save for future reference . . .

2011-12-22T09:45:00.001-06:00

Kinda Cool . . .

2011-12-22T09:40:00.000-06:00

Husqvarna gets it right . . .

Joe Furtado

2011-12-21T13:07:00.000-06:00

At one time he was the oldest living Harley-Davidson mechanic. He flew the Bs and Ps in WWII and got one of his first jobs from Windy Lindstrom (the great hillclimb specialist). Don't know if Joe's still around . . . but, you can learn a lot from these old guys that "did this, did that and are still doin' it" Respect your elders.

" Flake & Flames " Coming Soon 2012

2011-12-20T14:50:00.000-06:00

Jesper Bram and crew did up a way cool deal with some paint, flake & rods . . . featuring everyone from Cole Foster, Von Franco, shit . . . there's a bunch-a-dudes in this one. Oh, and Spina's in it too . . . of coarse. Good job boyz . . . can't wait to buy it ! ( Czech out the teasers on You Tube )

Sidecar Hearse

2011-12-19T13:09:00.001-06:00

from "Stone" 1974

Jordan's '59

2011-12-18T10:02:00.000-06:00

Flywheels blasted, tapers checked, new rod races, new pin bushings, everything honed and slip fitted, rods surfaced for straightness . . . yada yada yada . . . . locked & loaded.

Happy Holidays Tator

2011-12-16T11:17:00.001-06:00

from Noot Jr.

This digger needs . . .

2011-12-15T11:05:00.001-06:00

a fiberglass Ness rear fender . . .

The kind that breaks when your girlfriend sits on it . . .
( paint by McCann )

XLCH

2011-12-14T11:54:00.000-06:00

XLR Pipes sound best . . .

Back by Popular Demand

2011-12-14T11:50:00.002-06:00

What's it to ya . . ?

2011-12-14T11:42:00.000-06:00

That's just the way it is.

Swedes, Danes, Finns?????

2011-12-13T08:24:00.001-06:00

Who claims this style? Northern Europeans have claimed this as their own . . . and I believe them.

. . . we couldn't get much higher.

2011-12-13T08:19:00.000-06:00

Freedom of Speech. Freedom to Ride. America welcomes you . . .

Little Tricks . . .

2011-12-12T09:05:00.002-06:00

You'll Never Wear Out . . . An Indian Scout

2011-12-12T08:57:00.000-06:00

Art by: Mark Patrick

2011-12-09T15:15:00.001-06:00

The old Noot's shop had plenty of Mark Patrick's sculpture around. Big Noot bought the original "Drifter" from Mark himself at Sturgis one year. He gave this one ("Santa's Sled") to me, and every year I forget to bring the thing up from the basement for Christmas. I didn't forget this year . . . but, he looks a little pissed off from being in that box all these years????!!!! I could have swore Santa was in a more jolly position?

Winter is here . . .

2011-12-09T15:04:00.001-06:00

Art by: David Mann

Ice Bikes Ready ?

2011-12-09T08:00:00.000-06:00

Only one block from my house . . . perfect ice conditions this morning. 2 inches of fresh is better than 1 foot of old ice. I'd fall and break like a twig now. In my youth it was wide open on the TT. Some just get rusty with age. Confidence lost.

1971

2011-12-08T10:34:00.001-06:00

The last tank on the best motor Harley ever made . . .
the 900 (883cc) Ironhead. Those suckers won a hell-of-a-lot-a-races !

I liked it . . .

2011-12-07T08:30:00.002-06:00

The best part was how JJ pretty much let 'em have it . . . it's kinda what everybody knows already. I liked the comments about Jr's 3/4 gal fuel tank, rivets and copper. I always thought they should call the show "American Theme Bike" . . . What happened to riding 300, 400, 500 miles to a destination? It was clearly a Discovery Channel deal to promote the show. If I could choose - definitely James' chop. A few things - Those rotors, will they warp (pretty thin). And maybe if the springer was a bit narrower? You'd lose some more rigidity . . . but, hey - maybe a sissybar? Needs something back there? Maybe Kat? That's a Jim's 131" in there, so it's got power. Way way way cool to see Bacon on there . . . Talk to you soon !

Dean Jeffries

2011-12-07T08:12:00.000-06:00

Thinking about it . . .

2011-12-06T10:26:00.002-06:00

. . . getting myself a subscription to Street Chopper Magazine !

Bender Cycle Tool

2011-12-05T08:10:00.001-06:00

This tool is used to replace worn tappet rollers. The tool sets in a common bench vise. For '36-'83 and Evo tappets. Drill off ends with No. 7 drill (included) then drive out with 3/16" common pinch - clean up tappet body - install new roller and pin - then it crimps ends of pins in the center. Neato. We've done hundreds of tappets with this tool. The rollers pictured are "very early knuckle" before they used bearings . . . just a pin and solid spacer rollers.

Al's paint . . .

2011-12-03T08:30:00.001-06:00

This guy "Allen", originally from my neck of the woods. Moved to Haight Ashbury back in the day. Built some chops & rods and served during the Vietnam war. His builds saw the pages of Street Chopper & Custom Bike. He then moved back, did some farming . . . now he's building stuff again. He needed some pinstripes and outlines (his patented flame job and paint). Out in the boondocks - I checked out his hand-built home and custom shop tucked back in the trees. Who in Iowa has a sand-dune-buggie racer???? Lots of neat old stuff. Next time I'm at his shop, I'll take some pics. I outlined his flames - made 'em a simple panel . . .
Process Blue One Shot "The California Kid" flames I call 'em . . . .

Heart Throb: Ann Margret

2011-12-02T16:50:00.000-06:00

Ann Margret could be anything you want. The ultimate babe.

No gain with polished flywheels

2011-12-01T15:58:00.000-06:00

Jerry Branch said that he found no gain in horsepower from using polished rods and flywheels over non-polished units. The gains (if any) where insignificant.

Louvers

2011-12-01T15:54:00.001-06:00

Nobody makes a cool air cleaner for an old Mikuni. I'll go nostalgic.

Dennis Hopper

2011-11-30T14:10:00.000-06:00

Did you know he was originally from Kansas? . . . and that he once married Michelle Phillips?

Milled Breather

2011-11-30T14:03:00.001-06:00

That breather is totally trick. I never thought about that - or saw one done before. The intake is paper-thin. Anything for extra horsepower - and an endless supply of parts from the factory when shit goes awry.
(you ever use the word "Awry." ????)

How to . . .

2011-11-30T13:58:00.001-06:00

Wrap your headers. Nice Job.

EL Gordy

2011-11-29T08:26:00.000-06:00

Cases together for total goodness . . . original pump with 1/4-24s all functional now. She'll be a runner !

Chvrch Mail

2011-11-28T13:58:00.000-06:00

I had to hang the new postcard up next to my desk. Just a few more pop cans . . . and I'll be able to pay Jeff for that bike.

Mullins Kicker Pedal Review

2011-11-28T10:21:00.001-06:00

Review: Fast Shipping. Quality Product. Solid. Quality Construction. Cast Aluminum is High Quality (when I sanded the outside edge - aluminum is hard and non-porous). Grooves inside pedal housing retain grease. Quality machine work and hardware. Very nice - I'm very proud to use it on my panhead. Looks awesome. Thanks Brandon !

JJ Kicks Ass

2011-11-28T10:05:00.000-06:00

Who gives a F&%* . . . I love Joan Jett !

Vegas Trippin'

2011-11-23T11:10:00.001-06:00

div>

Had a shitload o' fun with Uncle Bob & Lil' Joe last weekend. Joey's gettin' the frame smooth. I got the oil bag prepped. Ate some good, cheap eats. Drank plenty of Jack & Honey. Had Fun. Love those guys. My best friends in this world. Wished we lived closer. (Nice to meet you Nick !)

Be nice to your girl . . .

2011-11-16T13:17:00.002-06:00

Wanted: 18" M&H Slick

2011-11-16T13:16:00.001-06:00

Glass Packs

2011-11-15T08:04:00.000-06:00

" Destroy and Rebuild . . .

2011-11-14T08:53:00.002-06:00

Kelly's tranny had "welded" rollers (not spinning-see the flats). Countershaft junk. Surfaces breaking up. Missing (3ea) thrust washers. Bushings totally shot.
He said, " Actually, it shifted fine . . . !"
This could only be a Harley 4 speed. The best ever.
Starting the rebuild with fresh Glyptal.

Sporty Babe . . .

2011-11-11T09:55:00.004-06:00

Photog from Junk Magazine (Austrialia & UK)
www.junkmotorcyclemagazine.com

Hux? A distant relative?

2011-11-11T08:12:00.001-06:00

Don't you think this guy kinda has that Hux-type-o-smile? He's got that nice "hey you MF'er" like he's got something goin' on that he wants to tell you. All in a good way. Darrel, where ya been? Cool bike. Cool pic.
80 Incher FLT with fiberglass batwing - totally cool then - and now.