Sturgis 2017

Day 1 (Friday) I skipped outta work early afternoon and chased the sun across Iowa and into South Dakota on Hwy 18 . . . stopping in Fairview, Davis and camping in Tripp, SD.  I went and checked out the 4H Fair across the way . . .

Fairview, SD . . . a beautiful hidden jem.

Above/Below:  The Trading Post bar in Davis has ice cold High Life !  Old Hwy 18 is kinda sad through here, with broken down filling stations, closed storefronts and past greatness now just a memory.  But perfect for panheads !

PS. Dudes, I think sheep and goats are cool (but it was only Day 1 . . .  I wasn't that lonely)

The fair was fun, and the cute "farm moms" made me a delicious dinner and served up breakfast in the morning.  My tent spot was perfect.  (then rain in the morning kinda sucked)



Day 2 (Saturday) I met up with Chad, Angie and Zach for a run through the badlands.  Chad's bike wasn't charging, so we had a couple delays - but I made it for the BUSH concert !  Which freaking rocked by-the-way . . . it was largest crowd I ever saw jammed into the Ironhorse.

I had a VIP spot (thanks fellas) . . . .

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Day 3 . . .  one of the first people I see at the Denver's Show is my good friend Irish Rich.  He welcomes me, then proceeds to chew-my-ass 'cause I don't have Instagram yet.  It was awesome.  He's one of my favorite people on earth, and he loves choppers and cats, just like me.  I need to get my shit together and go see him for a few. 

Above, Rich's view of his beautiful shovel chopper.  He cleaned ass with the Sturgis show circuit a couple years ago with this build - and I was stoked to see it again.

I talked to Mondo for quite awhile about Indian Larry, Bob Spina . . . and when he saw my frame, he commented how much he liked it.  I told him "Lil Joe" from Vegas molded it up, and my frame was from Vegas.  I would have entered, but I had Michael Lichter's invite for his show reception, and the Pro TT at Buffalo Chip . . . " Gotta Go Mondo !"

Cool bikes . . .  and when you see Rich . . . Part Timer Steve ain't far behind.  Love ya dude - Colorado's finest builders and riders . . .

The Pro TT was one of the best races I seen in a long time.  Chris Carr designed the track, and it really brought out the skill in all the pro riders.  I hadn't see "Twins" take a jump since Jay Springsteen at Peoria years ago . . . it really kicked ass !

The track had multiple "vantage points" inside The Chip, with all it's bridges and multi-story structures.  The long straight saw riders in the 70mph range . . . I sat on a bar stool with drink in hand as Henry Wiles and Kenny Coolbeth whizzed by . . . really fucking crazy !

This Hayden Gillim kid from Kentucky (relation to Haydens) was so fast, he just outclassed the field in the pro-am class.  His professional focus is on pavement racing, but this kid can sure ride a motorcycle !  He was just as fast as Henry Wiles (who out classed the pro field) until a blown water jacket ended his run giving Baumann the win.  All the riders were great - Thanks for a super show !

 

 

Day 4  I started hangin' with Lil' Chris and Sarah for a few days now.  Chris was chosen as a builder for the Michael Lichter Show this year.(see full feature later this week)  He brought Warren's (sorta rat bike) panhead for a loaner and us 3 proceeded to wander around Sturgis.  Kurpius joined in for moments of "regroup" & follow up.  With almost 400,000 people out there, we seemed to stumble on each other multiple occasions.  It was a really good time.  Thanks, love you all . . .

There are lots of incredible young women in this world, but Chris won the lottery with his wife Sarah.  So cool to meet all of you.  Never forget this trip.

 This shovel had a small break down  . . .

 Chris takes a nap . . ?  WTF ?

  . . . still fartin' with it . . . "Dudes, the cops are coming !"

Warren's panhead just keeps on chugging . . .

" Old Reliable"

 Zen moments on the hill above old City Park . . .

Josh finds us again.  A golden moment.

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Now What Day is IT ????  All the days start to flow together - which is a good thing.  I took a run down to the AMCA, Antique Motorcycle Club of America bike show at The Ironhorse.  I'm welcomed by Carl Olsen.  Hey Carl !

It was nice to see John Graff and many others for this "yearly meeting."

If you like old iron, this was it . . .

 I've seen the vintage motorcycles coming back at Sturgis the last few years.  Jerry and Jack Raino rode their 1957 and 1969 Sportsters all over the place.  I saw knuckles, pans and Indian Chiefs and Scouts out in the hills.  If you want to bring your old bike out some year - do it !  There's plenty of shows and people who want to see your classic ride.  Don't be shy . . .

 The Indian (above) has the neatest "retractable" windshield.  I need one.

Gibson had his rolling "photo shop on wheels" - developing tin types on site.

I helped Gene unload his 1961XLR drag bike !

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 After breakfast one morning, I went for a ride out to The Horse Backstreet Chopper Show with Danger Dan and Christian(Buffalo, NY) to check out some custom iron . . .





Dan's panhead is set-up for distance.  Bacon did some wrenchin' on it in the past, and she's runnin' fine - Nice to hang with you dude !

Zach Starkey rode out on his 1200 Evo Sporty Chop (built himself).  It was his first rally and he was havin' so much fun (and running out of money !)

This Cali Black Plate panhead was pretty damn bitchin'

Rhett blew my mind again on the wall - with his showman antics and riding skill.

He's the best !  Good to see you again !  -Noot

 

Throw The Flag . . .

. . . and Snap the Photo !

Goin' to a Party . . .

I got invited to this guy's birthday party last Sunday - and man he's got a lot of stuff.  1960s C10s, C20s, Suburbans, Impalas, Biscaynes, '56 Chevy, old Fords, Harleys, motors and parts everywhere . . . what a collection.  Here's just a small shot of a Viper, a Vette . . .

 and a beautiful early GTO with 4 speed (my personal favorite)

 

The band didn't look like much - but they were great !

Fun times had by all . . . .

Panheads in the Army

I'm not sure how many Army panheads served in the US armed forces, but this 1965 FLH is ready for equipment racks, ammo box, rifle scabbard, communications equipment, crash guards, skid plate, black-out lights, radio suppression, oil bath air cleaner, raised engine & transmission breathers and kilo speedo . . . with the added bonus of manual and electric starting systems.  Ready for service !
Built by: Clapper Restorations (Chad himself) for a Wisconsin customer

Born a little too late . . .

I always get a shitty attitude around this time of year.  I'm not the only one.  This is the time when dudes want to ride their bikes, and the boss says NO !  Then they say "fuck this job" and jump on their motorcycle and ride on outta there.  Well, I don't have that problem personally, but when I see these pics of the way Sturgis was . . . and never will be again - I get kinda wrangled.  I need to get a posse going sometime, all on old iron and ride on out to the hills.  One of the most fun runs was last year with Clapper on our panheads, or when Ricky Anchor went.  This year we'll all hook up when we get there - at Michael's show.  The Cycle Source Run-To-The-Line . . . maybe Mondo's chopper show? or the AMCA meet . . . The Spirit of Sturgis - maybe go support the White Plate Flat Trackers or The Jackpine Gypsies . . . then I'll be with my own kind since I don't see myself changing anytime soon?
Sometimes I feel all by myself here in small town Iowa, but at Sturgis I can hook up.  That's a good reason to go sometime if you're on the edge.  Don't overthink it - just ride on outta there !

PHOTO ABOVE:

The fast cat wearing ol' #122 has got it goin' on . . . crankin it off the blue groove with his Simpson on . .  he's checkin' out . . . bye bye boys !

He started it . . .

. . . and it really blew up into a huge deal.  I'm excited to see the flat track racing at the original fairgrounds track coming back.  Races starting Thursday and going about everyday through the entire week - and that doesn't even include the Pro 1/2 Mile at Rapid City or the Jackpine Gypsie Short Track or the Buffalo Chip Pro TT or Hooligan.  That's 12+ days of flat track racing, and you can't be at all of 'em.  Plus there's the hillclimb events, drag racing and motocross events.  Racing is what made the Black Hills Rally - and it's back stronger than ever.  Pappy would be happy !

The Nicest DC Linkert

It's just really damn nice.  Everything on it is tight and correct.  I did find where the No.4 Main Jet has been silver soldered shut, and redrilled.  Hmmm?  When I held it up and compared to the stock No.4 jet, I couldn't really see any difference.  I tried some small check pins and it appears to be just slightly smaller hole in the jet (which would make sense) or you would just drill it larger.  I set all the initial settings as it says "in the book."  I added the bowl spacer, and longer bowl screws.  Float height set as stock. 

A Nervous Wreck !

There's nothing more nerve-racking than ordering a set of special order pistons . . . especially when they'll run in rare, vintage Axtell cylinders . . . and there's probably NO RETURNS on the pistons?  I came up with some special bolts to get the cylinder properly mounted to the boring table.

They require +.005 to +.007 running clearances (measured at the bottom of skirt) and Venolia normally figures the clearance into the piston size.  I requested my specific piston size, I wanted a standard manufactured ring size (in case he just needs to re-ring it sometime?) and I requested the rings come with the newer style Hastings 3-piece oil ring.  Cast compression rings.  The boring came out successfully (no other option on this one) - now just hone for fitment.  I'll probably give 'em a heavy 6 thou . . . he can break it in easy - and good warm-ups from then on . . .

1954 Project

I should call it "The Rum Runner" since many parts came from Panama?  To fit a magneto you must clearance the relay boss, front cylinder and cooling fins on the front head.  My pistons weren't coming high-enough in my bore(low compression), so I had McFarland turn some off the base.

This is better ! 

These are NOS S&S Pistons I've been saving (+.010)
I sanded off the edges and rough spots . . .

Ricky Graham's Rotax

Black Hills Rally Headbangin'

After a day of riding the hills, a half-mile, maybe a TT, top fuel drags, a ride with Cycle Source, or just hangin' out . . . this place always puts up different music to end the night. 
I'll probably be checkin' these out?

Bush (a free show at The Ironhorse Saloon)

Guild of Ages can really rock at One Eye'd Jacks ! (no cover)

Legendary axe man Pat Travers will blister The Full Throttle !

Tanya Tucker at Shade Valley - bring your spurs baby.

Powerman 5000 

 Can you handle it ?  at The Ironhorse (freebie show)

Jasmine Cain and her band at The Knuckle !  Free show . . .

 

Old Sportster Parts

I found this DC choke mechanism in my stash.  The ball-detent on my current set up is all rounded off - and this one looks better.

I found more parts I needed . . . I think I'll try the DC-11 after all.  What the heck.

I bolted on the "early early buddy seat" for extra comfort.  This is the first version of this shape - made with the silver strip, smooth top and steel "V" grab rail.

DC-11

If you're gonna rebuild a DC Linkert . . . it may as well be a DC-11.  Reliable sources say these came standard on all the DC equipped Harley XLR model race bikes.  I've measured and compared absolutely everything, comparing it to standard DC Linkerts, and I can't find anything different yet?Maybe just a standard DC replacement to do whatever your little heart desires?????  Hmmm?

Lil' Chris' Michael Lichter Entry: Sturgis 2017

The show at Buffalo Chip this year features guys that ain't been on earth as long as the rest of us. 
Young dudes building classic iron. Chris totally fab'd out his WL for the show.  He's is a skilled metal craftsman . . hand forming the tanks and sheet metal.  Building from scratch.  It's a true classic with a timeless look, and a bit of performance innovation.  Is that Posa or Lectron?  Holy shit.  Classic paint too !  Pirellis . . . I really dig it dude.  He studies the history and development of all things custom, and utilizes his skills to create rides worthy of any top builder. 

PS. Yes, this is the same Lil Chris who's stroker Sportster I been workin' on.  Everything he's got is kinda rad.  Can't leave nothin' stock.

Def Leppard: Overture 1980

In 1982, we rented a van and drove to see Def Leppard (new to America) and witness a real British metal band who jammed so tight - and totally rocked our asses off.  Often times when I hear this music again, it saddens me - to remember those days and those songs . . . and to see my youth slowly slipping away.

So get out those records and jam out, as time never stops . . .
and Have a great weekend !

John Tibben Wins The Northstar !

1972 was a great year for dirt trackin' in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois.  Tibben with his rather unorthodox style, sorta side saddle, left leg bent and out, bars pulled back and low . . . hey, it worked !

Light of the storm . . .

Drove out to the Floyd County Fair last night for the truck/tractor pull.  There was weird sunlight for a few minutes from humidity and heat . . . livin' in Iowa.  Makes the corn grow.

1961 KR750

I need to make one of those air cleaners . . . and I've never seen a front tire like that (in person) in all my years of swap meets, etc.  Only in photos.

Holy Grail of Bates Seats

5 Bolts, Pull the Axle - The wheel is off . . .

 . . . that's fast.  Probably one of Harley's best design features.  The chain & brake drum stay on, and you hardly get greasy.  Like changin' the wheel on your car.  The problem is getting the bike in the air.  I supposed I could rig up a rear-center-stand, but it might look weird?

I break these things down with irons . . . so I can experience another aspect of motorcycling (other than just pushing a button, or writing a check, or swiping a card).

The 18" Kelsey Hays Steel Sportster rim has served me well on this rigid.  They take more abuse on rough roads and stay true.  I run 25-32 lbs of pressure and just take the hits.  Lower pressures can create too much heat on a hot day. 

I knocked off the "spoke type" lead wheel weights (which I prefer over stick-ons).  I checked all the spokes and trued it up a touch . . . ready for computer spin balancing.  My tube is a 1940s army issue heavy-duty tube for a Harley WLA.  It's thick rubber, still pliable, nothing wrong with it.  When you blow it up by itself, it's just so true - no bulges, not sucked in spots (you know what I mean?) I really hate to swap it for a Taiwan tube.  "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

I run the late-model, size large, juice rear brake on this rigid.  Original Bendix backing plate, and I try to keep it "all Harley" the best I can.  It works very well - and you need some stopping power when it's your only brake.  Keep it clean.  Keep it serviced.  Frame pinstripes cost extra.