Noot

A couple for Chris K . . .

I like 'em too. We both like a well done stocker. Or a functional chopper.

Jiffy Trails

It didn't start right away . . . took a couple kicks.

Betty Blowtorch / Hell on Wheels

I didn't get to see Sharon (and her band Hells Belles) at Sturgis this year . . . but here she is back in the day with Betty (Bianca) Blowtorch sportin' her white tank and rockin' rhythm guitar ! Go Sharon - she's a rocker ! It's Hell on Wheels - Have a great weekend - crank it and pop a top !

More ART (less words and war)

I once ate gigantic cheese burgers with Chase in Phoenix.

photo by: Narihiko Kumagae

Helmet
paint by: Jody Perewitz
. . . with glow-in-the-dark stripes.

Probably one of the most famous images of late . . .

photo by: Josh Kurpius

Watercolor Panhead

by: Claudia Liebenburg

Baja (ink drawing)

by: Cory Jarman

Linocut (this was a very neat print)

by: Amy Hood

UPDATE (see comments)TECH: Clutch Basket Grease

If you run a dry clutch primary, you've probably noticed your grease doesn't last long (about 2000 miles in summer weather). I run the individual, long roller bearings(no retainer) so it may be easier for the grease to liquefy and evaporate? I found this Lucas X-TRA grease - good for 560 degrees
and "resists slinging out of fast moving parts."

The test is officially in session . . . I'll let you know how it worked in the future . . .

. . . it was only $10 bucks.

Storytime . . .

This guy was parked on Sturgis Main Street. It was about 10:00pm. He had a spark plug wrench in his hand, kneeling down near the front cylinder. I said, "How's she runnin'? and he replied with, "Well, right now it's not - on the front cylinder." His gal was standing nearby, and she looked a bit concerned, but not really. We talked for a minute, and I got my trusty flashlight to aid him with his work, trying to help, but not suggest. He knew his bike. They had a great ride all day through the Black Hills, and when he came into town at dusk, his shovelhead started running funny. He replaced the front plug, put away the tools, and she fired on the first kick. The motor had a healthy sound, and the throttle was blimped - the pipes had a sweet crack n' cackle. They both thanked me for the assistance, he pulled his bike onto the street, she jumped on - they smiled - and away they went. I hope I'm still goin' like they are in my years to come. He was the genuine deal, with a sweet chopper and a sweeter gal . . . Nice folks out havin' some fun.

Chris Milanowski's '42 WLA

He runs an early model engine and stuffed it to an earlier (Model RL) frame. Chris (at age 29) has succeeded in learning all aspects of custom motorcycle building. Designing, metal smithing and forming, machining, pattern making, paint, upholstery . . . and marketing (hey, it's in the show with a great write up)

When I walked into the showroom area (very early on Monday) I was the 2nd visitor. Sort of ironically, there just happened to be someone already looking at Chris's bike. I had to wait, then I finally started talking to them about it, and said I knew the owner/builder.

The POSA (or originally promoted under the name "Positive Fuel" or something like that...?) The carb has no-float-bowl, so fuel just keeps flowing to keep the engine fed. The idle is a bit rough, and works best at mid to WFO throttle !

Snappy clutch pedal for rainy nights and slippery Vans.
Czech da o' tank oak leaf bros . . .

I shot in Serpia and thought the photos added more character to the gloss and flat black, chrome, and brush aluminum.

I believe Kendal did the elegant gold leaf designs . . . ? They're sharp. Chris hand-formed all the sheet metal from patterns he designed and built. This WL runs a little hand shifter (down low to the left). I dig the comfy custom seat !

Early Sportster triple trees(smoothed and chromed) one-off risers . . . and he made the lower legs (complete with late 60s XL internals). The bike looks almost too nice to ride . . . however, it's thin, lightweight and should be a quick urban assault weapon . . . "Here he comes now, slidin' sideways into the bike show!"

PS. I talked to Chris on the phone yesterday, and he said the bike made it to the show at Buffalo Chip (picked up by a shipping company for the event 2 weeks ago) and back to Milwaukee "without a scratch" . . . so a deserving hats off to Michael Lichter's shipping and show crew for a job well done !

George Smith's - The TRAMP

When I walked into Michael's reception on Sunday night, there were so many people, I didn't notice The Tramp displayed in the entry-way. I came back on Monday morning to take some pics when nobody was around (and I still didn't notice it, until I was leaving). I couldn't believe my eyes. There it was - to myself - the most historical racing motorcycle (besides the 1970 Manning streamliner) that I consider to be the ultimate for any collection.

Do you know what's going on here ? Those aren't stock cylinders?
Not a lot of "stock" here . . .

It's hard to comprehend the amount of time George spent thinking about this motorcycle and how to make it go faster - it totally consumed his time for a few years. He put his knowledge and findings to good use . . . S&S Cycle

Get on and Lets' GO !

1954 = 152mph

Hangin' with THE LOCUST

A few of the best engines . . .

I like a well done mill. or something different?

A few more that might catch your eye?

One Eye'd Jacks Saloon

Sturgis Main Street is for '52 panhead choppers that rode 650+miles packed with shit to go see some races, ride the hills, see friends, talk bikes, eat gyros, drink beer & shots . . . and at the end of the day rock out to Guild of Ages and watch hot chics jump around and shake their stuff. 1:30am

. . . one for Hux

Super Hooligan Buffalo Chip

The rider's meeting was simple and to-the-point. "Jump the start and your transponder will register it and you won't know until the race is over (that you've been bumped to the back) Don't Jump !

Roland Sands #10 dealing with turn 1 chaos . . .

Jake Zemke's Ducati was professionally built.

Dave (#105) Kilkenny got me a pit pass so I could enjoy the fun and help out with ice water, carrying stands and rider support (thanks Dave). He actually ran the last-chance and came from the back to finish second, and they only took 1st to the final. Dave was definitely one of the fastest guys on the track - but couldn't run the main - that sucked.

Terry (dad) and Jordan Baber. Cool heads just before the Main Event. They had the S&S entry running and handling sweet. He pulled a solid 3rd place finish and moved up in points with just a few races left (all in California).