Dan "Bacon" Carr - Sturgis 2012

Probably the highlight of my trip was just hanging around with my friend Dan Carr.  I wanted to go because he was going to be there - and we always have a good time talking about bikes and life.  He drove up with his Born-Free 4 - Drake Knuckle Chop he built all himself.  Bacon also brought a stroker shovelhead with hydraulic clutch and other goodies (the first couple photos) for a customer from Canada to pick up at Sturgis. Bacon, is a young bike builder who also does his own motors.  That's not easy . .  and doesn't always go as planned.  That's what has impressed me the most about him.  He is one of the few who attempts all aspects of the bike builds. He got me (and Negotiable Tim) passes to get into the Michael Lichter show and dinner.
It was awesome to say the least  . . .

I met Dan at the Full Throttle Saloon where he was working to help pay for his trip - putting in a 40 hour week doing service work on whatever came in.  Changing tires, oil, fixing transmissions - he was grease and dirt from one end to the other.  We walked into this artsy gallery type of show - and BAM - Michael Lichter had Bacon up on the box next to his latest build . . . "So, tell us about this . . ." being a man of few words - Dan kept it short and sweet and really looked the part.  No fluff, no fancy shit - you get what you get.  All the builders get a huge hats off - If you didn't get to Born Free 4 . . . I'm posting more insight and photos of these custom motorcycles comin' up soon . . .

Blackberry Smoke

I like this band, and they're playing this year.  Crack a cold one and fire it up !  Other good music this year includes: Shooter Jennings, The Reverend, Supersuckers, Cinderella, Firehouse, Trixter and Foghat !  All in the black hills . . . .

1958 XLR or XLCH

This appears to be a 1958 XLR (due to the fact the magneto is mounted up front) or maybe a '58 XLCH?
It really doesn't matter, but this is probably my favorite motorcycle I've seen in awhile.  If I could find this in a barn, this would be a bigger score (for me) than a '36 knuck.  The rear shocks are from a K model (with those tightly wound springs)  The Goodyear Grasshoppers look good.  XLR pipes.  No headlight or tail-light (which is correct for this year)  It's pretty damn straight. 

Classic Tank Photo

Diamond Tank, Honda 750, Ribbons, Stripes and Spiders, Airbrush, Yellow Wires, Chrome Rockers, Allens . . . On and On  . . .

Small town diners and bars are best . . .

K Model Photo Shoot

More in a cool mag soon . . .

Hang-Arounds

When you work in the garage, people stop by.  You've got your regular bike bros, dudes you know.  Then you have neighbors, small children (and the guy with the Suzuki Intruder that thinks just because he rides a motorcycle you have this in common and are instant buddies.)  I call these people "hang-arounds."  It's the young kid on his BMX bike that just digs motorcycles who will be influenced most.  His bicycle needs adjusted.  His chain keeps falling off.  His grips are loose.  His tire is flat.  You help him when you can - otherwise - beat it kid - can't you see I'm busy !   I'm sure I'll be in one of his stories someday about his youth.  The "old" guy with all the Harleys that would be nice to me - get me lemonade.  He gave some COC stickers . . . I still have a racing trophy he gave me. yada yada yada  . . .
I was just like him.

False Advertising . . .

This is what they call H-D Wiring Charts?  Impossible to find . . . ?  Not what I expected.  Kinda funny . . .

Ruffians on the run . . .

Chester, Iowa (Hwy 63)

17/32, 19/32, 21/32 and 23/32

I just picked up an old socket set - and there are these weird sizes included.  Upon further research, I found that these sizes were used in the earlier automotive and manufacturing industries.  Early GM manifold bolts are 19/32" for proper fit.  Model A Fords used a 21/32" for various rear differential components.  These are common sizes for early auto restorations - possibly even motorcycle related components? Upon further inspection they are quite similar to 1920s Snap-On sockets with the knurling around the socket and no logo.
Now I just need the 5 Window to go with 'em . . .

Tom Hanks - circa 1974

VL frame with a shovelhead.  This guy may have done it first.  Tom looks like a cool dude to hang out with.  This was (still would be) a radical custom.  All kinds of neato parts on this one - nice molding.
Let's see . . . that was 38 years ago - he'd be in his 60s now.  Hope he's still doin' it . . . ?

Cooney, Ness & Smith . . . Sturgis 1977

This is when people really first started seeing these 'bay area' style Sportsters.  Those long, low bikes with stretched necks, so so thin.  The crowds gathered around.  These men started something that goes on to this very day.  If done tastefully and correctly - nothing takes your eyes away like a cool digger.

Ray Ruiz - Apache Junction

I'm not the only one who knows this place is cool . . . I like to stop on my way to Tortilla Flats and have a cold one on the sofa - and talk to the cats.  Johnny Gold will tell you all about mining - the same stories over and over , , , "hey, I already heard that one - tell me a different story."  Good to see Jeremiah stops to say hello too . . .

Poor Man's Rocker Clutch Stop

1. Find out the range of motion for your foot rocker

2. Scribe through the top, open hole in the outside of the clutch pedal

onto the friction plate surface.

3. Mill a slot

4. Make a pin and weld it in the hole

5. Cut off the front foot pedal and move it up

6. Cut off the access - smooth out the bottom of pedal

7. Make a steel plate and reinforce backside of 

foot peg mount . . . makes it more rigid for fat dudes.

8. Make sure your welder is workin' prior to work

9. Rich has been doin' this for years most likely and

this is nothing new - but, I just figured it out.

She's tight . . .

Everything is so tight and close on these panheads.  I always thought I was just a bad welder (until we got the wire adjusted), now I'm welding like, well . . . let's just say "much better."  JB and Sergio are coming tonite for a lap job on a case race . . . whoopppeee - I like visitors every now and then.  I'd better get some water, pop and maybe some cold Miller High Life bottles to celebrate (after the work is done). 

Car Craft National - St. Paul, MN

I might have my "burn-out" about over and be ready to get back to some 2 wheel action . . . It's been a hell-of-a-slump.  The Black Hills Rally is comin' up - so, that usually breaks it up.  Davenport Vintage, then the Springfield Mile can cure anything . . .

Bearded Lady deal . . .

When I was 13 . . . this sports shop in town started selling these "high end" Fuji bicycles.  All the hot older chics rode them.  You know their folks had money if they had one.  I saw this one at Bearded Lady . . . I looked around, but couldn't find the hot one.  She's probably old and fat now - didn't recognize her?

As for the show - it's like such a mix of motorcycles, mopeds, choppers . . . and personalities.  It was sorta weird.  I just didn't catch a good vibe.  Lotta standin' around.  Greasers, Yuppies and Artsy Farts.  Didn't really gel that great . . . I did really like that Norton !

Redneck fun . . .

I'm suffering from motorcycle burnout.  A severe case.  Let's just go sit in the stands with all the farmers and common folks, crack a cold Bud ($2/can) and get some fair food.  Rode the "Paratrooper" at the midway and about got sick (don't like heights very much) . . . Heck of a turn-out of diesel and alcohol fueled competition.

Just add sawdust . . .

On the Andy Griffith show, Barney's new car shifted really good with some sawdust . . . hmmmmm?  Always wanted to try it - just not on my own stuff.  Maybe some other time . . .

Hummers & Scats

 . . . have cool handlebars, front ends, paint jobs, gauges, etc.  

They are the ultimate in lightweights (Ducatis too)