Viking Chapter AMCA Meet & Swap

I never did sell the gas tank . . . 

 

Lots of really good iron in Minnesota . . . The Raino's '57XL and orange '68 XLCH.  A hot-rod early ironhead with S&S L . . . Pans & Knucks . . . all the swap spaces pretty much filled up.  Lanterns and your favorite beverage for the evening wind-down.  My tent and camp were facing Snelling Avenue, and when the old bikes would leave for the evening, they'd race past on the street - it was really cool seeing all the vintage motorcycles whizz by at speed, shifting and changing lanes.  Reminded me of what it was like to ride back then . . . in the past, when motorcycles had the best sound (not just Rhineharts, or sport bike slip-ons)  There were CBs, BSAs, Triumphs, Royal Enfields, a pack of RDs . . .  all music to my ears.  A fun time was had by all.

Minnesota Delivery (with instructions)

I take the passenger seat out and use the seat-mount studs to bolt the motor down.  Then I put a couple ratchet straps on it, then finally use the passenger seat belt.  That should hold it.  So now I can drive down the road lookin' at this beautifully rebuilt "Krusty" knuckle motor sitting next to me.  Awesome patina.  This particular engine didn't have the tiny "air inlet" holes in the intake cups . . . hmmm?  I guess if it over oils the top end, a guy could always add the 1/16"(.040 to .060) holes to aid in suction?  Anybody know what I'm talking about?  Maybe restrict that upper oil line where it comes from the gear cover?  You dig?  You there?  A guy can move the rocker shafts . . . adjust those?  I started with base settings and will inform the owner of these possibilities. Instructions for oil pumping and break-in . . . always included.

Ed Schenken

Girl on a Bike

Carb on the left . . . Pipes at the sky !

A midnite ride for the Gear Jammer . . .

Picks & Slides.  We rocked it at The Surf Ballroom with Setzer & Thorogood.  If they're in your town, get out and get down.  Strut your stuff . . . with a bourbon or Coke.  Show gets an A.

Pat is cool . . .

This is Pat.  I don't know him, but he's got a really cool cycle.  I like the exhaust cut-outs (if that's what they are?) and I like it he does his own wrenchin' . . . Maybe this was Pat's only transportation?   I like his seat set-up, and the fork dampener too . . . and the risers & bars . . .

It Runs !

Almost ready to hit the dirt backroads . . .

Ace is coming to Clear Lake, Iowa

Ace Frehley rocks . . . 

and his guitar solos rule. 

He designed a special smokin' humbucker - 

AND he signed my original Kiss Alive album.
 . . . . so there.

No. 59

Bill Scott won the Daytona 100 in 1959.   

He recently raced in vintage events at Daytona again, 

and plans on runnin' some more !

34891-52

I see why racers use all these clamps . . .

Won't have to worry about the pipes falling off . . .

A week of expanding, cutting, bending, re-expanding, slotting, die grinding, filing, trimming, re-sanding . . . ready for paint.  H-D Part No. 34891-52 are the sprocket cover bolts (internally threaded) for attaching the exhaust pipe clamps.

1938 EL ( 61 cu. in. )

This build has been a challenge since Randy wanted the engine to retain it's original "crusty" patina.  New on the inside - Old on the outside.  When I first got goin' on it . . . it was hard to hold back, and not detail everything.  Now, it's one of my "most favorite" engines I've ever rebuilt.

- Always squirt extra oil on the gears, etc. before

you button up the tappets . . .

Bead honed the blocks, tappets have new rollers.  I checked the rods for straightness with

my special S&S Check Pin.  Noot had the gears all set-up and shimmed, checked pinion to cam

gear with the .105 pins.  I used the later (large)spacers for the idler gear studs with snap rings.

Cases machined (McFarland), updated races installed, lapped, rollers fitted.

PS.  Always make notes - and SAVE THEM !

_____________________________________________________________________

PART 2.

I always check the ring gaps (upper & lower parts of cylinders), fit in piston, etc.

Hastings ring sets are usually spot on . . . but, my ring gap spec. is +.010 to .020, and this one was about .012.  I like it in the middle.  The .013 feeler gauge felt like it was dragging a bit.  If you do need to file your rings, take a little off each end of the ring.  Not all off one end.  The 2nd ring had a dot, dot goes up always, and the Top Ring was square and bare, no bevels.  Install either way up.  WD-40 on rings, oil on skirt, clean bore with brake kleen and coffee filters, low lint paper towels, etc.  3 fingers smear oil on bore, rub it in.  

Follow the book, listen to your elders and use your head - and you'll have the 

best chance of achieving a good result.

A couple for Wolfie . . .

Forever Lasting . . .

This weekend was a reflection of life, both human and mechanical.  Mechanical things in life can last almost forever.  They can be rebuilt.  Most mechanical things I restore have a history of many owners, some remembered, but most forgotten.  These motors, parts and cycles will be around forever.  Human life is a "set time." You're only here for a specific amount of time - in your own time.  You do what you can.  This last weekend I attended a graduation celebration and observed a "new adult lifetime" just beginning.  The start.  The majority in attendance were people who are "into their lifetime."  Established.  But the celebration was for these young teens, young adults in their prime of life.  I took a motorcycle in my truck (unloaded it) and rode out to the spot where The Music Died on February 3rd, 1959.  This is only about 2 miles from the graduation celebration . . . where the airplane went down. Now, a seemingly sacred spot.  I'd never been there before.  I rode a 1/2 mile trail, out into a quiet, breezy field along a fence row.  The air was now still.  A peaceful place.  It gave a person a feeling of appreciation for the things you have, and made you think about what else you can do . . .with your life.  With what's left.  The possibilities.  Never settle for just this - thinking you can "always" do that someday - for someday is today.   I rode around on these beautiful roads, taking in the scenery.  Playing flat-track . . . all the way back to the party.  I met people I hadn't seen in years.  Stories were told.  Plans were made.  Human interaction creating positive satisfaction.  Catching up and wishing Chris the best of luck for an awesome, exciting future - a lifetime of more memories just beginning - again.  Really cool.  Got to make a parent proud.

Print & Save

Chase & Co. in Japan

Neato 52K . . . he gets to feel & hear what a K is like . . . across the way.

Vintage Ks in use today

Drag Bike - Minnesota

Sunnen

Perfect Stance !

1958 XLCH Kicker Pedal

I think this is the only year H-D would have used this?  Maybe '59 - and I saw an original '60Ch had one, but probably added later.   I'd have to read for sure, since KRs and XRs didn't have manual starters.  This part originally had a straight rib sleeve (which was weather checked).  I use a length of rubber hose instead.  It appears H-D just disassembled a bicycle-style pedal, and only used the shaft, washer and nut. ?

Mikuni 38mm

It's a good idea to start a fresh motor with a carburetor that (you know) works, or has proven itself.   Then you aren't flooding or starving your motor of fuel during a crucial "break-in" period.  I've seen bad results from incorrect jetting, starvation, washing the walls, etc.  I know this Mikuni works - it's broke in about 6 motors now.

Bryan Smith & Kawasaki

Smith took the win at the Springfield Mile.  His Kawasaki was fast, but Smith is probably one of the best milers at the moment too.  He's smooth and knows how to work-the-draft.  I watched the race (thanks Hux) and you could see Smith just had the power - and was controlling the pace.  He's had some bum breaks the last couple years, with rules, sponsors, etc . . . but,  I've always been a fan of Smith, he came up through the ranks to get where he's at - not always with the best equipment or the best bike.  He's a pro motorcycle racer - a tough way to make your money.