At 6' 2" . . . Ted Boody was a little too tall to be a successful flat track racer. Wrong. Boody was one of the most versatile riders to ever participate in the sport. He won on TTs, Short Tracks, Miles, everything. He came back from injuries. He had long time spans between victories - but he still won. Boody won Ascot, Louisville and he won the Springfield Mile - and many other prestigious races throughout his career. He was killed many years ago in a freak last lap accident at Ascot Park at age 29. Ted was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
Remembering Ted Boody
At 6' 2" . . . Ted Boody was a little too tall to be a successful flat track racer. Wrong. Boody was one of the most versatile riders to ever participate in the sport. He won on TTs, Short Tracks, Miles, everything. He came back from injuries. He had long time spans between victories - but he still won. Boody won Ascot, Louisville and he won the Springfield Mile - and many other prestigious races throughout his career. He was killed many years ago in a freak last lap accident at Ascot Park at age 29. Ted was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
Knuckle Rods
This set of early connecting rods will be used in the upcoming '46 Knucklehead engine restoration. They've been checked for straightness, bead blasted, cleaned in solvent, washed in hot soap and water, blown dry and treated. The wrist pin bushings will be replaced. The forked rod needs a couple honed out to clean up - and the single end - maybe a tenth? Genuine Harley-Davidson Parts !
Vintage Stroker Power !
I've been playing around with my jetting and ignition timing for power - and so I can start the SOB. It looks clean in the photos, but I need to get detailing if I'm entering any bike shows in Sturgis this year. It's starting better due toincreased carbon build-up. However, when I get in the hills - I'll probably have to rejet, or play around with the fuel screw since I'll need less fuel (with less air). Carbs are cool - Fuel injection sucks ass - too easy!
M. Smith / Husqvarna
He's going so fast his rubber front fender flapper is folded under. Check out the vintage motocross gloves and flat sack on his back (maybe extra tools or water?).
Striping by Spina
Rikki Rockett's Triumph Thruxton fuel tank - paint, striping and leaf by Bob Spina of Las Vegas. Rikki is touring this summer with Poison, Cheap Trick and Def Leppard. I like Poison in concert. Leppard seem to be getting worse. I dug the old Def Leppard better. But, if you've never seen Cheap Trick, they're damn cool. There's a certian aura about Robin Zander - the guy is a superstar and a hell-of-a-singer. Now playin' at a city near you !
The Horse Show - Sturgis
The last few years, the Horse Backstreet Chopper Show has been pretty cool. The real grass roots, home-builts show for this event. Stock stuff that's been modified or customized. A guy can relate to the motorcycle ideas that come from the participants. Many of the customs you'll see have been assembled on a tight budget. You'll see a Harley, Honda, BSA, Triumph . . . and there's plenty of neat ol' stock & vintage iron too. They always have celebrity judges and give out damn good prizes. I think the band that night is Molly Hatchet - hell yeah !
Halbert
Every time I see Sam Halbert race - he just keeps getting better. He's a little guy. About 5' 4" - maybe 130 lbs? But this dude can handle a bike. He goes like hell on a short track, TT, cushion track, mile - you name it. He won the last national at Bull's Gap - and I'm sure he'll be at Sturgis. There's a pro national on Tuesday night in Rapid and plenty of Jackpine Gypsie action at the 1/2 mile and short track throughout the week. You got less than a month.
Priest : Live on Harriet Island !
Let's face it - as far as metal goes, big hair bands - 80s rock, head bangin' . . . I had pretty much seen them all. However, one particular band has always eluded me. One of the greatest, if not the pioneers of "metal" themselves JUDAS PRIEST. All original, but the drums - and he kicked ass. The whole band kicked ass. Rob Halford can sing like a mofo . . . great showman. KK and GT were loud, tight and in sync. If you ever get a chance to go see them - don't miss it. They shared the stage with Whitesnake. . . and Coverdale, Aldrich and Reb Beach can rip it up. David Coverdale is a true rock god in his own right. The bottom line is: Don't mess with British Rock - they are the best !The Most Famous Motorcycle ?
What is the world's most famous motorcycle? To all us motorcycle enthusiasts, it depends on a number of factors. Then you have the people that know almost nothing about motorcycles - their vote counts too. From the mouth of a racer . . . the Rollie Free Vincent (where he set numerous speed records - and his infamous run to 150mph where he stripped to nothing but his shorts) The Vincent is now owned by a Texas collector. How about Mike "The Bike" Hailwood's Honda 250 six cylinder? Then we have "The Fonz" and his preunit Triumph. Even through he had a couple different bikes on Happy Days - this is the one that stuck. Elvis and his '56 KH - on the cover of the Enthusiast (now on display at the new HD Museum in Milwaukee). But, when all is said and done - I'll give it to the Sparkling Red, White and Blue of Captain America. Nothing but an old police panhead, modified and used in a movie. Stolen, then supposedly found again - who knows? But, John Parham says his is real. Whatever. What about Billy's bike? "We're headliners baby!" He gets a little respect too. Others for arguments sake could be: Anything from Evel Knievel, Robert's Indy Mile Yamaha, Brando's "Wild One", The World's Fastest Indian, The Silent Grey Fellow. . . .I still don't believe any motorcycle is as famous - as Captain America.
HAVE A HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY !!!!!
Charles City Car Show
I decent array of hotrods show'd for the CC Car Show Sunday. A perfect day . . . AND
giant ice cream cones for only $3 bucks !
It's Summer . . . get out there and enjoy it.
Billy Lane
I guess Billy Lane finally accepted a plea deal. They dropped the manslaughter charge. The most he will get in prison is possibly 9 years(maximum). I doubt that however. He gets a lifetime license suspension. As far as an individual, he's always been nice to me the few times I was around him. He rode up next to me and we cruised the whole length of Lazelle one year. Me & Spina hung at his booth while talkin' to Indian Larry. Billy was always cool to us. You just can't drink and drive, and speed and go fuckin' around on the road - especially when you been drinking. Shit happens. Glad I didn't meet him on the road. We had a bad few years there with Indian Larry, Johnny Chop and Billy . . . These guys represent our industry and it's who we look up to. Hey - we still got Jesse James ! (unless he kills himself doing stupid shit). Keep on choppin'.
Church of Choppers
This was the opening header on the web blog: Church of Choppers.com for about 12 hours. Thanks to Jeff Wright and his bud Billy T for making the trek to support Iowa Dirt Track Racing. Jeff stopped by the "race van" and took some shots (unfortunately after Hawbaker's custom Honda) broke, before he could kick some ass in the pro class. If you haven't been to "Church" - go czech it out. It's one of the best online magazines on the web for us moto enthusiasts. Until next time - we'll be seein' you at the races !
'52 WLA Bobber Update !
1. Clutch cable mechanism fabricated and installed2. Coil with fab'd bracket installed (I'm running a modern 6V regulator and I've rewired a 32E 3 brush generator to function as a 52K 2 brush unit)
3. Mirror (heated and custom bent) and parkerized finish(olive drab semi gloss)
4. New seat post bushing with parkerized post
5. Seat T welded and painted(olive drab lusterless)
6. Steel tank divider welded, fab'd and painted(olive drab lusterless)
Davenport in 16 Hours
a Harley KR pilot takes some instructions . . .
"Church" doing his thing . . .
Close racing on the black gumbo . . .
With a whole lots of cash, nerves of steel and a 4 Valve Triumphyou can have a flag too !
Still racing into the night - Iowa flat track is best.
The Friday Nite races in Davenport saw heavy winds and rain - all events were cancelled. But, with some last minute prep . . . Bake, Noble, Oz, Noot & Eric hit the road for the Saturday program. Bake blew a gasket a few laps into practice - sucked big time. Noble ran the Honda backup to a respectable finish. Oz kicked ass too. Jeff Wright and Billy T road tripped from DM (we'll hook up later) I guess even though a little bad luck was had . . .nobody went to the hospital and everyone had a little fun. Thanks to Bake for takin' us along - Go #17 ! (see churchofchoppers.com for more excellent photos)
Morty's pissed off . . .
We think Morty got shot with a BB Gun - and he ain't happy. The BB is gone and he's healing up - but, me and "The Mort" are gonna kick some ass with a couple shithead neighbor kids. Remember what Walt said in an earlier post? I think they messed with the wrong cats . . .What goes around comes around.
Drag Racing History - Boris Murray
Boris Murray set a shitload of records in a career that spanned over 40 years. On any given day - he was a thorn in the side of many a Harley drag racer with his nitro Triumph. He defeated every big name drag racer that ever was at least once. In the 1/4 mile or at Bonneville - this guy flew. I'll bet that H2 Kawasaki X 3 was a handful . . . it takes balls to launch somethin' like that and let it scream.
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