Brick streets . . .

I live in one of those "historic" neighborhoods where all the homes have weird architecture and leaky pipes.  They are fixin' up my street with permeable brick paving.  Now, when I ride my WLA down the street it will remind me of the first Harley's riding through Berlin after the fall and defeat of Nazi Germany.

Kitschy Belt Buckle

"kitchy" is the term my wife uses for all the goofy, weird, clicky crap I like to buy.  I'm drawn right towards this stuff.  I frequent a variety of antique shops . . . and this one particular lady knows what I like.  She's says, "Hey you, bike dude . . . maybe you'd like this belt buckle?"  SOLD !

McCann

Magnuson

CZ

TMs

Buy it - Ship It - Show It

? ? ? ? Is this what happened here ?   Cool bike - just so rad. But then there's always that "gitch" I call it in your side that kinda eats at you.  Like, that's not yours.  Give it back.  I don't know the history of this motorcycle, but that's what the situation looks like.  You have to say, it makes you feel proud to come from a culture that even those across the pond thought was so cool - they want a part of it.  I go back and forth.  You have to admit some of the best custom choppers come from Japan.  No question about it.  Gak can make a bike look like it came right outta the barn . . .
(photo by Motoyan and Co.)

Hey Part-Timer Steve . . .

It's cold in the mornings . . . however, I'm still riding a motorcycle at least once a day.  (That's not me in the photo by the way . . .)

50 Cent Video . . .

Flea Markets, Yard Sales . . . I buy stuff like this. Hey it was cheap.  Narrated by Al Roker (kinda weird) it's really not too bad.  The best part is the two Indian Chief riders from Washington that ride out to Sturgis.  If you really, really have to see this thing, or know the dudes who are in it - or you've been lookin' for a copy - I guess I could send it to you . . . or trade?

Rebuilding Rods . . .

This process sounds easy - but, it's more difficult than it looks.  One problem is that aftermarket rod races are not consistent anymore.  ODs too big, IDs too small - varying hardness and varying widths.  On the female rod, you want the races flush, but they are all too wide, so we have to surface-grind the outside or it will wear into the flywheel thrust washers.  Wrist pin bushings are way undersize . .  don't they have any quality control in Taiwan ?  You can take a NOS Harley part and it fits with little or no modifications.  Say what you want about Harley-Davidson . . . but, they had pretty damn good QC at the factory in the 1920s thru 1960s . . . then people got greedy and looked at the bottom line all the time. 

Pick 'em up . . . (chics on bikes)

Good things come from California . . .

Sweet Hitch Hiker . . .

 . . . Won't you ride on my fast machine? "  

- John Fogerty

No shorts today . . .

. . . It's 38 degrees in North Iowa !

Warren's racers . . .

Warren, the faster you go . . . the more you gotta take it apart !

Florida Garage Sale . . .

Goes like this . . . Big sign says, "Garage Sale Ahead" - at the stop sign.  So, the sign comes up, I pull over for a break.  Look at some stuff.  Here's this panhead with a 10K post-it note on the tank. 

Where's he get this stuff . . ?

Over the years, Tator Gilmore has collected lots o' parts.  He knew what was cool and worked, before it was figured out by everyone else . . . always a little bit ahead of the game.  Paul Burkhardt Porkchop Nitro wheels . . . for revin' it up and goin' fast. Burkhardt's was in Long Beach, CA . . .a famous shop !
NOTE:  Go see Tator's drag bike in the Harley museum !

Florida Backroads . . .

It's no secret I like Florida . . . (and Vegas and Mexico).  Florida backroads are the best.  I hate resorts and all-inclusive bullshit.  Get out and see the locals.  Meet the cool gray beard with the '40 Ford Coupe with original flathead power.  Drink beer with good people.  Eat good food.  Heck, they even got mermaids ! 
I mean "Ya'll gotta git on donn here again - ya hear ????" 
Wish I could take ya'll wid me next time . . .
Soooooo sweet a trip . . .

Scrap Aluminum

Tator sent me this last week . . . he just wondered what the goin' rate for scrap was in my area. 

Hey, times are tough . . .

Markel Man . . .

Bart Markel.  No gloves.  Open face.  Smooth treads.  True grit and determination . . . 
National Flat Track Champion in 1962, 1965 and 1966.  A former amateur boxer, Markel worked for General Motors and was the leading force in the formation of the "Michigan Mafia" . . . an elite group of riders from Michigan which still dominate the tracks today on any given weekend. 

Custom Superglide

. . . from Janesville, Wisconsin.  Very cool.

K Model Coolness . . .

Air Compressor

This air compressor was once used to power machines in the Allis-Chalmers factory.  It is now housed at the Thresher's Reunion Grounds near my home.  This thing is like Captain Nemo meets Steampunk. 
Totally crazy with steam and oil squirting - heat rising - smoke, grease . . . wow.  It makes you take a step back when it's in operation - like it's gonna blow and we're all gonna die . . . The industrial age in the 1920s, 30s . . . is quite remarkable. 

Terry Poovey

Lots of great motorcycle flat-track racers from Texas.  Poovey included . . . Terry raced right up until a career ending crash really hurt him.  From what I've heard, he fought his way back - and he's doin' real well now with that great ol' Terry smile and humor everybody loved about the guy who was one of the fastest racers to ever come through the ranks.  Terry (and engine builder brother, Teddy Poovey) were quite the team in the glory years. He preferred those Hondas (but, I show him on the XR750 my favorite race bike of all time . . . )

Break it in . . .

I've been trying to dial this thing in with my trusty CV carburetor.  It runs so nice, but the carb will hit my leg and interfere with a comfortable riding position.  I have a DellOrto PHM38 (like John Copeland runs) that eventually will be my mainstay source of fuel atomization.  The pipes sound like a flat-head Ford - which is kinda cool . . .

Elmer Trett (Hall of Famer)

" Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed from a tube . .  "
        -Hunter S. Thompson

40X ( Scott Parker )

Parker chases Springsteen at the 1979 DuQuoin Mile.  As this race progressed, these two pulled away from the field - Parker eventually caught and passed Springer to become the youngest rookie to ever win a national event at 17 yrs, 8 months and 8 days. 

Jeff is a little Crazy . . .

It was fun working at Church of Choppers . . .

Get Yer Motor Runnin' . . .

Head onto the Highway . . .

Lookin' for Adventure . . .

 . . . To be honest, I'm really not lookin' for adventure - I just want to make sure Jeff's motor is pumpin' oil and dialed in when we do the initial start up.  Retorque the heads and base nuts, maybe check the jetting.  I got my trusty Church of Choppers backpack (they are really nice) packed with my toothbrush and map of Des Moines (in case I get lost).  I'm really excited . . .
this is fun for me to hang with Jeff.  

To be continued . . .
(what the heck . . . maybe a little adventure?)

I know where there is one of these . . .

Round Girder, Sporty neck . . . about 10" over . . .

Flat Track Discussion

Mert Lawwill and Rex Beauchamp discuss factory sponsorships, track conditions, Dick O'Brien, who knows . .  ?  ( More on Beauchamp from my July 2009 post )