Looks as if Spina has been at it again . . ? This time the "Flake Wizard" tricked out Paul Tracy's Lincoln complete with stripes, scallops, sparkles, sequins, micros, glitter, whatever you call it . . . it get's your attention - Have I got your attention? You'd better listen up - You wanna get flakey?
Remember when everyone took their top end off every year - or every other year to check the cylinders, valves, guides . . . just to make sure all was well before the spring riding season????
Most of Jack Frost is on the inside of my windshield - while trying to see - defrost blowing ice cold air - cloth seat is hard as a rock - power steering grinding & squeeling - brakes are hard - rear view mirror is iced over - lights are flickering - motor is running on 6 or 7 of it's 8 cylinders.
I should be getting my frame for the "Bastard Stepchild" 1978 XLH Sporty Project back very soon. Then I can stripe it up a bit - a little on the swingarm . . . way way cool in my One Shot Brown with Ivory. These books were originally Ed Roth how-to books (Spina is in most of them too, since he helped with them) Heck, about 1/2 the illustrations are Spina - you can tell his style. The "black covers" on the left are from Spina and Tom Kelly. Good stuff.
I saw a lot of neat sidecar rigs this year. More than normal. It's nice to see folks restoring and running these . . . this one is especially nice - from Iowa too !
Morty "the official shop cat" is known by all my friends from here to Vegas. He "guards" the property about as good as a cat can do. I've had a lot of cats - and Morty is the coolest. He's also a hell-of-a-fighter. Pound for pound - a Mayweather or maybe a Pac-Man. All the local cats know this too. They've tangled with the Mort - and have the scars to prove it. Well, this big cat (the biggest in the neighborhood) has been "testing" Morty's territory lately. I come back from work yesterday - and Morty has him cornered under my front steps. This orange/white cat is easily twice the size of Morty. Suddenly, Morty dives under the steps - and drags this cat from under - out into the snow - He's chewing the cat's head - dragging it, kicking - the other cat is cryin' and pissin' all over the place. He tries to run and Morty recaptures - biting, clawing and kicking . . . it was ugly. Morty chased the cat, all the way down the street all while re-tackling and more clawing and biting. This other cat tried jumping in a pine bush - Morty went in after him. When it all was over, the Mort now has a scratch on his nose. Always does. Morty is still the champ - he keeps his belt another week.
If I wanted to buy this 1970 Camaro . . . my ol' man said I have to get a job. So, I did. In a local autobody shop.
I needed new stickies for my bike, tool box, guitar, the Dodge, the van, garage window, Morty . . .
Heros. Trailblazers of Harley-Davidson performance. Whatever you want to call it - These men helped set the records and set the standards of speed in the late 60s and early 70s. Most of this happened in Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa . . . the midwest. Where Winter brings out creativity. You can't ride - so work on it.
A customer would bring in his bone stock '72. I always liked it. The customer became addicted to a certain white powdery substance. The bike went away. I wonder where it is - Is it still stock? The one that got away. . .
Pushrod adjustments for hydraulic lifters: Number of wrench flats to turn down once there is no up-and-down (valves fully closed - piston at TDC). Also number of threads-per-inch for popular pushrod versions.
These things work. The problem is - until you get it running - you don't have much velocity. You can use the accelerator pump - however, with a 1 1/2" carb spacer (so the carb clears the magneto) it's a long road for the fuel to get to the cylinders. I use a tennis ball in the stack so I can prime it for starting - then hit the enrichener - and she'll pop. Sometimes it's a bitch to get going. I have to run with it - or park on a hill. But, once she's goin' - it's all worth it. You get the glory. Just don't suck up a big rock !
I have some Revell models of Big Daddy's show cars. Should I glue 'em together? - Or leave 'em in the boxes? Seems a shame to let them sit. I see there's an article "Growing Up Roth" or something like that in the new Garage Magazine. Written by Darrel Roth(one of the living sons). I got to hang with Dennis Roth for a few days a couple years back when Spina was workin' on the Maxterion. Crazy dude he is . . Go to www.rothoriginals.com for cool shirts & stuff . . .
Me & Big Noot have been working on lacing wheels while it's snowin' & blowin' outside. If you've ever tried to spoke up big flange hub - they suck. It's takes a lil' skill. Plus, try and do it without scratching everything all to shit. You need old hand grips, tiny pieces of hose, shop towels and a peanut can - trust me. (and Peppermint Schnapps)
I just got to get out to Vegas and see Bob. I've got so many deadlines, responsibilities and commitments - is it all worth it? When will it end? We all need some free time - take it when you can!
Hello America . . . it's all good. I liked 'em better in the early days before the craze. High 'N Dry is my favorite album.
I see Cycle News said that former Harley-Davidson rider Springsteen and tuner Werner are teamin' up to run the Kawasaki bikes that Bill has been working with the last few seasons. Springer will be the test rider and feedback.
Down the street from my house a guy's woodburner got out-of-hand last night . . .
This dude came to me - down & out. His poor Harley was down and broken. 
Scott Parker tucked in . . . squeezing every mph out of each straight. Back in the day when Camel pumped thousands of dollars into the GNC Series. Nowadays, Jared Mees wins the #1 Plate - and guess what? Harley drops him from the program. WTF? Hope he wins it again next year. Is Harley finally going down with the rest of them?
