Early ironheads abound in the land of the rising sun . . .
What's Wrong?
Can anyone tell me the obvious thing that's wrong with this picture? (PS. I'm going to see Fonzie's leather jacket this fall in the Smithsonian Institute)Old Box Art
I've been carrying this piece of cardboard around for years. Every time I clean, I just can't bring myself to throw it away. Even though it's only a piece of bent up cardboard - the motorcycle pictured was a huge inspiration for me to build a scooter like it. I had never seen the actual bike - just the pic on this box. I can't even remember which company called themselves "The Motorcycle People" or what originally came in the box? It doesn't matter - I'm still keeping it - probably forever.
Run to the River . . .
A perfect day for a quick run through 3 states, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Stops in Lime Springs(for a cold Hamms), a buffalo burger at Stumpy's in Rushford, MN . . . through LaCrosse, WI and back again. 260 miles.
'tis the season . . .
A pretty good find this week - all cooked up with butter and the fixin's - Mmmmmmmmmmmmm
WLA Exhaust Installed !
What a son-of-a-bitch trying to get the exhaust installed. More weird exhaust clamps, special bends, special bolts, spacing . . and try to do it without scratchin' up everything. It ain't coming off that's fer sure . . . HD made sure the pipes weren't fallin' off in the heat of battle ! 
Roeder Harley-Davidson Closes
You've probably seen this famous photo of George Roeder from 1965. He set the world speed record for a 250cc motorcycle. George did a lot of things. He was an expert racer at flat track and road racing. George raced the Daytona 200 - he is also in the Hall of Fame. He started his very own Harley-Davidson Dealership in Monroeville, Ohio in 1972. George passed away in 2003 at the age of 66 (too young).
Noth Style
In the Quad Cities area of Iowa (around Davenport, Moline, etc) there is this style of early Sportster that's popular. I call it "Noth-Style" after Terry Noth. Noth is a Harley engine builder from "the old days." He's an expert on KRs, XLRs, strokers, ironheads - all types of things - HARLEY. This style of custom usually has short, drag bars, thin 19" or 21" front wheel, struts, low, thin and mean. This bike has 4 hrs left on ebay and it's up to $8600.00. If you go hang out at the Poor House (in Davenport) on Locust long enough - you may just see some radical ironheads like this !
Old Sparky
How a 40 year old ignition system can still function almost perfectly with only minimal maintenance is beyond me? The key lock is long gone (now an aluminum plug) and the clear "Drag Specialties of Minneapolis" cap is stained from years of sun and fuel spills. Just keep the points cam greased. Hell of a system.Sunshine Cleaning
It's been Kate Winslet for quite awhile now. Any movie with her in it is a must see. Well, Kate's out . . . now it's Amy Adams. I paid big money to see Sunshine Cleaning in Madison - and it was worth it. Hot chics cleaning up blood. It's much deeper than that - but, who cares? Go see it - good flick.
Rich King
This photo is from a poster I ripped off the wall at Rapid City HD (old location downtown). We were on our way to the 1/2 mile on Hwy 44. King won it that night. He raced for Team Corbin on a Honda RS750. Rich King is from Waterloo, Iowa and he was our local dirt track star. Now retired. He can still be found promoting the sport - and I hope he puts on another race this summer. His son Aaron King will give 'em hell at the Springfield TT, Saturday Night May 23rd. Should be a great race as always !
STD. (Standard) Bore
S&S stroker cylinders and pistons for a panhead. Freshly honed for fitment - ready to go ! Got 'em done last nite !Civil War
There is a civil war reenactment near Bradford (Nashua), Iowa this Saturday. I believe I'll go witness the battle. The photo above is from around 1863 near Hagerstown, Maryland. Dead soldiers. Not a pretty sight. Hope the boys in Nashua use blanks?
Santee Shift Knob
I found this in a box of stuff at a swap meet - paid a quarter for it. I researched this - and some old duffer told me it was from Santee Manufacturing Company. All that is Art Deco is cool.
Dry Clutch
The early Sportster-style dry clutch set up is one of the best in motorcycling. It's design is basically still common on the XR750 race bikes. This clutch works great as long as you keep it dry. The plates are housed in a sealed clutch basket, the tranny mainshaft is hollow - and it's disengaged by a series of pushrods. Until very recently, many top fuel drag bikes still used this clutch. However, if it gets wet(and you're using Raybestos Dry Plates)you're screwed.The K Model needed a refresher . . . it was wet and it had been 2 years since it was serviced. With the cover off, you can see the internals. The red springs are heavier Barnett springs - to help it hold under the massive torque of 40 horsepower ! The front compensating sprocket is about as vintage as you can get. It's in good shape - so I keep running it. Goth Girl gave me the Devil Doll sticky about 3 years ago.
NOS, New Old Stock
I really dig new old stock parts. Spankin' new parts, left over from bygone eras. I just received my WLA, Non-Vented "Eaton" Oil Tank Cap in the mail. Nice. Original olive drab paint with decal. It came in the original package, with cosmoline wrapping. A part over 50 years old, still in the package - NEW !
Shovelhead Stroker
Mike Brass had this motorcycle for sale. It was on the Noot's Custom Cycles billboard for about a year with no takers. I don't think there was anyone man-enough to start it? It was bad ass. Wonder where it went? I heard some young punk bought it and crashed soon after - figures. Young punks are usually fearless and . . . stupid. $8000, not a bad price for thrills. Bike is bitchin'. Cool is good. (you know it's been awhile due to the "instant" camera print)
Diggers are coolest . . .
I stole this photo from the blog: Blue Collar Moto. I can't believe I've actually been considering selling my digger . . .I must need counseling too? Diggers fucking rock !
I've got magazines with thousands of photos so I'd better start posting some . . .
Scenes from Slimey Crud . . . .
Dodgeville, Hollandale, New Glarus, Verona, Black Earth, Spring Green . . . ever been there? Twisty roads, dairy farms, beer signs, PBR(in a can), limburger cheese sandwiches, Betsy, Tom, Old Sauk Road, Fat Squirrel, Thruxtons and the movie Sunshine Cleaning (go see it). All from a weekend in Wisconsin !
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