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We had some pretty large hail come tumbling down Friday early evening. Bang, bang, bop, bop, bop on the glass and my new roof(1 week old). The shingles look ok - but, it left a few dents in my new aluminum roof vents. When it was all over - it left behind the brightest rainbow I'd ever seen. Surely a pot of gold somewhere below.
Today's posting is a special one. It pays tribute to McNeese Motorcycles in Britt, Iowa. Royal McNeese was a Harley-Davidson Dealer when my father(Noot Sr.) first started working on his '62 CH. Noot and Carter would go over to Britt to see Royal. When dad had B&N Cycle, they went and traded Royal a truckload of parts for cash and more parts in return. I bought an original, new, still in the package, trip return cable for my speedo from Royal in about 1990 (see it on my speedo above). I still have the package with Royal's hand written price on it. In his final years, we went to buy some parts - we also wanted a price on all the Sportster inventory. Royal still had his "Grey Ghost", Indian Chief, KHK, Panhead, 80" Flathead and a 1971 Sportster(pink) in the window. A JD was parked in the back(Royal said that was the best bike Harley ever made). A Schwinn Cycle-Truck sat next to the wall with "McNeese Cycle" on the frame. Orange & black boxes everywhere. Fuel tanks of all shapes surrounded the walls. It was awesome. When the Harley big wigs came around with marketing plans and big ideas . . . Royal said "Nope" and closed her up for awhile. He later reopened with a plethra of "New Old Stock." Royal passed away a few years back, however his legend will live on and on. I stopped by on my way back from Sturgis last year. You can see the history, maybe hear the bikes - and definitely feel the aura of McNeese.
Jack Dale went 123mph on his Harley-Davidson "45" running 81 octane fuel. Who says flatheads can't be fast? That was a long time ago. Is technology going backwards? Thanks for the photo from Beauty of Speed - Excellent site for WR racers and information !
Every Sunday night I've been watching Donald Trump's Celebrity Apprentice. Jesse James is still in it - hasn't been fired yet. I think he's doing a great job. Most of the time, Jesse is the only one who's making any sense on the show. He was the winning "project manager" on the last task - and the bottom line is - he raised $20,000 for the Long Beach youth industrial arts programs. Pictured is the Trump Hotel in Vegas. When I walk to Spina's shop from the strip - this is the way I go. I've watched this area evolve from the New Frontier parking lot - construction and completion of this big, tall gold bar of Trump's wealth. I stepped inside the entry way (but I was way underdressed for the occasion). So, don't forget to watch Jesse on TV . . . cool dude. Next Sunday night - Be there.
Jay Springsteen (shown as National No. 25, orange & black helmet behind #31 Beauchamp) in 1976. On his way to winning the San Jose Mile. Now retired, he qualified for almost 400 nationals (a record) and won the title in '76, '77 and '78 - and would have won a lot more, but he had some health problems which hurt him for a few years. I saw him first race at the Indy Mile in '76 or '77. In his last race at Springfield a little over a year ago - his bike broke (it totally sucked). I miss seeing Springsteen race - he was a class act. He'd get busted up and always come back. A true legend of motorcycle racing. Hell of a road racer too . . . Other rides shown that I can remember are #44 "Jorgy", #2 King Kenny, #3 Burrito, #46 Crabbe, who's #84x ? ___________________.
A little leak, on a little house, with a little time, and a little work, to fix the little roof . . . . takes a lot of money !
Top Photo: Airbrush art from Dennis Mathewson (owner of Comic Airbrush of Hawaii). Dennis is a longtime friend of Bob Spina of Las Vegas. Depicted is a "Spina Tiki" rendition of "Uncle Bob" . . . very cool and very Dennis. Nobody does a tiki like DM. Bottom Photo: Original airbrush art by Fonzy. Fonzy is known heavily in the lowrider scene and his art is easily distinguished. He has a style all his own. Both original artworks were hangin' in Spina's office for only the priviliged to enjoy. I musta been priviliged that day???? Huh?
Thanks for the WLA photos for reference, and I'm glad you had a great trip to Australia. You represent our country well - Long Live the USA !
Since about 80,000 Harley-Davidson WLAs were manufactured between 1941 and 1952, they are found in almost every country of the world. This photo shows a group of bikes destined for Greece. My brother was just in Australia on business and saw a WLA proudly displayed in museum. The British and Soviet government used WLAs extensively during the war. The 1950-1952 WLAs were manufactured for the Korean War and military police. The Lend-Lease program basically had the US Gov't giving motorcycles to other countries (for cash and other services). The Greeks must have sent a ship full of gyros for this shipment!
No matter what age you are - 5 to 95 . . . if you like motorcycles - you like mini bikes. The top photo is from Brat of Japan. The lower photo(Super Brute) is from Mason City, Iowa. The "Brute" is the only motorcycle I really liked at the MC Show. Not much there - but the Super Brute was worth the price of admission (I got in Free !)
I agree with Chopper Dave - this is how Harley should have done it. A modern day cafe racer style with fiberglass seat section and fairing. The cafe bar-and-shield on the tank adds the finishing touch. Nice job whoever did it - and a mopar nut ta boot !
Every night around 9:30-10:30pm . . . and then in the morning about 6am - we hear this hooty hoot, hooty hoot . . . then a cap cap cap cap. I searched the net and found a website that had the calls of owls. What we have in our neighborhood are Great Horned Owls. I believe a pair of them - possibly more? They've never been here before. I looked out the other morning - and it looked like a small boy sitting in the tree in the backyard. Then he took off in flight. The branch he was on bowed - and bent as he flew away. A big sucker. When they hoot - you can hear it though the entire neighborhood - kinda neat - kinda spooky. They eat rabbits, squirrels, rats, mice, bats, birds, chickens(they walk right in the chicken coop and grab 'em) fish, ducks, crows and small dogs and cats ! (Look Out Morty !) The owl might be sorry trying to tangle with Morty. The Great Horned Owl has 500 lbs of crushing power in it's talons. Whoa. Since I like all animals, it's neat to have them around.
You meet the nicest people at the Full Throttle Saloon . . .
A couple more pics of the JD for "Old Timer" - Hope they help? This motorcycle was displayed last weekend at the Donnie Smith Show in St. Paul, MN. Wish it was mine !
'Bout a month back, a bro from Rochester giv me his lid. Wanted some paint. Jazz'd it up a bit - you dig? Now he ain't square no mo. He be kool now. Git it on - Ride Free - Live to Ride - Ride to Live - Drink Guinness !
We had some pretty large hail come tumbling down Friday early evening. Bang, bang, bop, bop, bop on the glass and my new roof(1 week old). The shingles look ok - but, it left a few dents in my new aluminum roof vents. When it was all over - it left behind the brightest rainbow I'd ever seen. Surely a pot of gold somewhere below.
Today's posting is a special one. It pays tribute to McNeese Motorcycles in Britt, Iowa. Royal McNeese was a Harley-Davidson Dealer when my father(Noot Sr.) first started working on his '62 CH. Noot and Carter would go over to Britt to see Royal. When dad had B&N Cycle, they went and traded Royal a truckload of parts for cash and more parts in return. I bought an original, new, still in the package, trip return cable for my speedo from Royal in about 1990 (see it on my speedo above). I still have the package with Royal's hand written price on it. In his final years, we went to buy some parts - we also wanted a price on all the Sportster inventory. Royal still had his "Grey Ghost", Indian Chief, KHK, Panhead, 80" Flathead and a 1971 Sportster(pink) in the window. A JD was parked in the back(Royal said that was the best bike Harley ever made). A Schwinn Cycle-Truck sat next to the wall with "McNeese Cycle" on the frame. Orange & black boxes everywhere. Fuel tanks of all shapes surrounded the walls. It was awesome. When the Harley big wigs came around with marketing plans and big ideas . . . Royal said "Nope" and closed her up for awhile. He later reopened with a plethra of "New Old Stock." Royal passed away a few years back, however his legend will live on and on. I stopped by on my way back from Sturgis last year. You can see the history, maybe hear the bikes - and definitely feel the aura of McNeese.
Jack Dale went 123mph on his Harley-Davidson "45" running 81 octane fuel. Who says flatheads can't be fast? That was a long time ago. Is technology going backwards? Thanks for the photo from Beauty of Speed - Excellent site for WR racers and information !
Every Sunday night I've been watching Donald Trump's Celebrity Apprentice. Jesse James is still in it - hasn't been fired yet. I think he's doing a great job. Most of the time, Jesse is the only one who's making any sense on the show. He was the winning "project manager" on the last task - and the bottom line is - he raised $20,000 for the Long Beach youth industrial arts programs. Pictured is the Trump Hotel in Vegas. When I walk to Spina's shop from the strip - this is the way I go. I've watched this area evolve from the New Frontier parking lot - construction and completion of this big, tall gold bar of Trump's wealth. I stepped inside the entry way (but I was way underdressed for the occasion). So, don't forget to watch Jesse on TV . . . cool dude. Next Sunday night - Be there.
Jay Springsteen (shown as National No. 25, orange & black helmet behind #31 Beauchamp) in 1976. On his way to winning the San Jose Mile. Now retired, he qualified for almost 400 nationals (a record) and won the title in '76, '77 and '78 - and would have won a lot more, but he had some health problems which hurt him for a few years. I saw him first race at the Indy Mile in '76 or '77. In his last race at Springfield a little over a year ago - his bike broke (it totally sucked). I miss seeing Springsteen race - he was a class act. He'd get busted up and always come back. A true legend of motorcycle racing. Hell of a road racer too . . . Other rides shown that I can remember are #44 "Jorgy", #2 King Kenny, #3 Burrito, #46 Crabbe, who's #84x ? ___________________.
A little leak, on a little house, with a little time, and a little work, to fix the little roof . . . . takes a lot of money !
Top Photo: Airbrush art from Dennis Mathewson (owner of Comic Airbrush of Hawaii). Dennis is a longtime friend of Bob Spina of Las Vegas. Depicted is a "Spina Tiki" rendition of "Uncle Bob" . . . very cool and very Dennis. Nobody does a tiki like DM. Bottom Photo: Original airbrush art by Fonzy. Fonzy is known heavily in the lowrider scene and his art is easily distinguished. He has a style all his own. Both original artworks were hangin' in Spina's office for only the priviliged to enjoy. I musta been priviliged that day???? Huh?
Once upon a time, a racer proudly picked up his new 1952 Harley-Davidson KR race bike. His hopes of countless wins and the glory that comes with it were his goal. The history of this motorcycle and it's rider are unknown to me. But, here are the original engines cases. Badly burned from fire. Aluminum melts at 1200 degrees F. You can see the cases are now ruined. Hopefully this engine got to see the winner's circle at least once. It would be a shame if it didn't - KRs are beautiful machines. A few parts may be salvageable - maybe not. It's for sale now on ebay. If you want it, you'd better get it while it's hot ! (Note: Did you remember that '52 and '53 had no tranny trap door?)
Thanks for the WLA photos for reference, and I'm glad you had a great trip to Australia. You represent our country well - Long Live the USA !
Since about 80,000 Harley-Davidson WLAs were manufactured between 1941 and 1952, they are found in almost every country of the world. This photo shows a group of bikes destined for Greece. My brother was just in Australia on business and saw a WLA proudly displayed in museum. The British and Soviet government used WLAs extensively during the war. The 1950-1952 WLAs were manufactured for the Korean War and military police. The Lend-Lease program basically had the US Gov't giving motorcycles to other countries (for cash and other services). The Greeks must have sent a ship full of gyros for this shipment!
No matter what age you are - 5 to 95 . . . if you like motorcycles - you like mini bikes. The top photo is from Brat of Japan. The lower photo(Super Brute) is from Mason City, Iowa. The "Brute" is the only motorcycle I really liked at the MC Show. Not much there - but the Super Brute was worth the price of admission (I got in Free !)
I agree with Chopper Dave - this is how Harley should have done it. A modern day cafe racer style with fiberglass seat section and fairing. The cafe bar-and-shield on the tank adds the finishing touch. Nice job whoever did it - and a mopar nut ta boot !
Every night around 9:30-10:30pm . . . and then in the morning about 6am - we hear this hooty hoot, hooty hoot . . . then a cap cap cap cap. I searched the net and found a website that had the calls of owls. What we have in our neighborhood are Great Horned Owls. I believe a pair of them - possibly more? They've never been here before. I looked out the other morning - and it looked like a small boy sitting in the tree in the backyard. Then he took off in flight. The branch he was on bowed - and bent as he flew away. A big sucker. When they hoot - you can hear it though the entire neighborhood - kinda neat - kinda spooky. They eat rabbits, squirrels, rats, mice, bats, birds, chickens(they walk right in the chicken coop and grab 'em) fish, ducks, crows and small dogs and cats ! (Look Out Morty !) The owl might be sorry trying to tangle with Morty. The Great Horned Owl has 500 lbs of crushing power in it's talons. Whoa. Since I like all animals, it's neat to have them around.
A couple more pics of the JD for "Old Timer" - Hope they help? This motorcycle was displayed last weekend at the Donnie Smith Show in St. Paul, MN. Wish it was mine !
Nice weather, cool bikes, not a lot of people, not many old parts, a few deals, long drive, good ice cream, had a little fun - that about sums it up. Can you believe I restrained myself from buying another t-shirt? A good mix of old and new iron. We didn't even see Donnie Smith (he must be too important to be at his own show all the time)??? The best bike(if I could have any one) was probably a 1922 Harley-Davidson JD Model (fuel tank pictured)
'Bout a month back, a bro from Rochester giv me his lid. Wanted some paint. Jazz'd it up a bit - you dig? Now he ain't square no mo. He be kool now. Git it on - Ride Free - Live to Ride - Ride to Live - Drink Guinness !
It's always a great feeling when the time comes to install your newly rebuilt mill into the frame. You get all the proper fasteners ready. You clear a path from the bench to the motorcycle. You grab the cylinders, and hold the engine against your chest. It's heavy. 45s are rather light. Knuckles are heavy. Sportsters are the heaviest (especially ironheads) You gently set the engine in place - line up all the holes. Get it straight with the trans, snug up the back, check the front with a feeler gauge (shim if necessary), snug up the front . . . . away we go. Now sit back and crack a cold one and stare at your work. It's a beautiful thing !
