15 years and 10,000 miles . . .

Big Noot's Panhead
Fixed the tranny leak (maybe? )

Adjusted the rear brake . . .

One new spoke . . .

New rear rubber & tube . . . balanced . . .
Dave T. helped out. . .

Where shall we go ????

The Story goes like this . . .

"Biker Bob" tried telling "Skid" that the 11mm X 2" belt was not the way to go . . . 

but, Skid just wouldn't listen.

Office Jobs . . .

Morehead, Springsteen and Roberts

 . . . and Miss Camel Pro Lynn Griffiths.

Dad & Kid . . . (guy trip)

Not every ol' man with a son gets to do a real life road trip with his kid.  I try to do at least one a year.  His wife always lets him go . . . so, she must think I'm harmless????  When we travel (no "corporate chain" motels, food, etc)  All mom & pop local stuff.  We meet the greatest people and like to chat with the locals.  Arizona is a grand state.  The land of Buddy Stubbs.  Jerome, Arizona is a kick ass place.  Williams is cool too.  I met a bar-fly chic who graduated from Plainview, Minnesota High named "Cricket" . . . maybe Ted or Pat knows her? 

Loud, Louder, Loudest . . .

Last winter Jeremiah wanted me to listen to his pan/shovel and see if I could tell what was making noise.  The noise wasn't loud enough.  I couldn't tell where it was coming from (sounded just a bit loose).  I said it would have to get louder before I could pinpoint the problem.  Well, it got louder !   This engine had multiple problems . . . so he wants to strip off the shovel top - and restore it to full Panhead . . . ! 

To Jack (who's not good on his computer)

Dear Jack, 
    The Rear Chain Oiler can be shut off by bottoming out the screw.  You may also want to attach a short hose and plug the end, just in case of leakage.  Plug the Primary Oil Return.  The Crankcase Vent is where you plug in your fancy $75 Krank Vent (one-way valve).  Make certain you install the Krank Vent on the proper direction (as per our conversation). 

Don's Sporty

Ironhead Sportster Drag Bike !

Beware of Import Clutch Pushrods . . .

I scratched my head so much I had a raw spot and had to keep my hands in my pockets.  I could not figure out why my clutch pushrod was eating up between the adjusting screw and the rod (pressure plate side).  I took it to work and conducted a Rockwell Hardness Test (C-15) too soft.  So, we made a new one to the exact specs of the "import" rod I had - and heat treated the ends (C-50).  It did it again - not as bad since it was harder - but still not right.  Then with a keen eye, my buddy Bake noticed the throw-out bearing end of the rod was a bit too long and it was hitting the stationary (outside) portion on the throw-out bearing . . .(going thru too far) and locking up the rod when it should be spinning.  I didn't have a stock HD rod to compare - hell, I didn't know. 

NOTE: You can see on photos 2 and 3 the shorter rod should only fit into the movable side.  It was touching the stationary(notched) portion of the bearing previously.

Brick streets . . .

I live in one of those "historic" neighborhoods where all the homes have weird architecture and leaky pipes.  They are fixin' up my street with permeable brick paving.  Now, when I ride my WLA down the street it will remind me of the first Harley's riding through Berlin after the fall and defeat of Nazi Germany.

Kitschy Belt Buckle

"kitchy" is the term my wife uses for all the goofy, weird, clicky crap I like to buy.  I'm drawn right towards this stuff.  I frequent a variety of antique shops . . . and this one particular lady knows what I like.  She's says, "Hey you, bike dude . . . maybe you'd like this belt buckle?"  SOLD !

McCann

Magnuson

CZ

TMs

Buy it - Ship It - Show It

? ? ? ? Is this what happened here ?   Cool bike - just so rad. But then there's always that "gitch" I call it in your side that kinda eats at you.  Like, that's not yours.  Give it back.  I don't know the history of this motorcycle, but that's what the situation looks like.  You have to say, it makes you feel proud to come from a culture that even those across the pond thought was so cool - they want a part of it.  I go back and forth.  You have to admit some of the best custom choppers come from Japan.  No question about it.  Gak can make a bike look like it came right outta the barn . . .
(photo by Motoyan and Co.)

Hey Part-Timer Steve . . .

It's cold in the mornings . . . however, I'm still riding a motorcycle at least once a day.  (That's not me in the photo by the way . . .)

50 Cent Video . . .

Flea Markets, Yard Sales . . . I buy stuff like this. Hey it was cheap.  Narrated by Al Roker (kinda weird) it's really not too bad.  The best part is the two Indian Chief riders from Washington that ride out to Sturgis.  If you really, really have to see this thing, or know the dudes who are in it - or you've been lookin' for a copy - I guess I could send it to you . . . or trade?

Rebuilding Rods . . .

This process sounds easy - but, it's more difficult than it looks.  One problem is that aftermarket rod races are not consistent anymore.  ODs too big, IDs too small - varying hardness and varying widths.  On the female rod, you want the races flush, but they are all too wide, so we have to surface-grind the outside or it will wear into the flywheel thrust washers.  Wrist pin bushings are way undersize . .  don't they have any quality control in Taiwan ?  You can take a NOS Harley part and it fits with little or no modifications.  Say what you want about Harley-Davidson . . . but, they had pretty damn good QC at the factory in the 1920s thru 1960s . . . then people got greedy and looked at the bottom line all the time. 

Pick 'em up . . . (chics on bikes)

Good things come from California . . .

Sweet Hitch Hiker . . .

 . . . Won't you ride on my fast machine? "  

- John Fogerty

No shorts today . . .

. . . It's 38 degrees in North Iowa !

Warren's racers . . .

Warren, the faster you go . . . the more you gotta take it apart !

Florida Garage Sale . . .

Goes like this . . . Big sign says, "Garage Sale Ahead" - at the stop sign.  So, the sign comes up, I pull over for a break.  Look at some stuff.  Here's this panhead with a 10K post-it note on the tank. 

Where's he get this stuff . . ?

Over the years, Tator Gilmore has collected lots o' parts.  He knew what was cool and worked, before it was figured out by everyone else . . . always a little bit ahead of the game.  Paul Burkhardt Porkchop Nitro wheels . . . for revin' it up and goin' fast. Burkhardt's was in Long Beach, CA . . .a famous shop !
NOTE:  Go see Tator's drag bike in the Harley museum !