REVIEW: Tank's in Rudd, Iowa

I like to check out some of the local dives . . . and we know sometimes (not always) they have the best food.  So, me & C took off for Rudd, Iowa to check out these ribs we keep hearin' 'bout.  Well, here's the review of Tanks . . .

Atmosphere:  Not fancy, a bit outdated - but, Clean

Prices:  $10.95 for the full rack, big potato(real butter) and salad.

Freshness:  Very freshly made - crisp

Beer: Old Mill and PBR both available ! (what else do you need?)

Ribs:  Excellent !  Sauce was very good - Perfect bite to it !

Potato: A big baker russet with the fixins'

Service: Good - Get there real early or late (8:30ish) 

Overall - I'd recommend this down-home bar & grill to anyone . . .

and all the help told us "Thanks & Come Back Again !
Fun Place !

283 Build Up

The "283 Guy" out in Washington state said to get one of these if I could (got one) . . . your basic 275-300hp mid 60s cast iron (date code 1966 on this one) long runner, cast iron manifold.  This will warm up correctly, give increased torque (that's what we're after) and excellent throttle response.  Other suggestions are:

- 097 Duntov mechanical camshaft

- 58cc chambers, ported, comp valve job(use the heads I got with it)

- Maybe advance the cam 4 degrees for torque?

- .021 Metal head gaskets

- Flat top pistons (9.5:1 cr)

- Mill heads .030 - Surface block

- Edelbrock 500cfm carburetor

- 1 1/2" small tube street-rod headers (or warmed over manifolds)

- HEI (will fit with above manifold)

He said it will surprise a lot of people . . .
Thanks Grumpy ! (a different Grumpy)

Do you watch Glee...?

I started watching the show with Cheryl for no apparent reason . . . 

Well, maybe one? 

Hey Wiley . . . (UPDATED !)

Which frame is this one ?  Maybe the Boris Murray frame ?

Looks like it would flex to me . . . .
UPDATE FROM WILEY:  Jeff told me this is the early Boris Murray frame.  Leo picked this one up from Gordon Kately (who ran a fueler at the time).  This frame didn't flex so bad, but it had this wobble at high speeds and it threw Leo off at 150mph.  Amazingly, he just got scraped up a bit, and the bike was pretty much ok too - real lucky that time.  You always think these drag racers get all the glory, etc - but, it's a real dangerous way to make a living.  You never hear of all the bad shit that happens. 
(you can also see Leo's '67 El Camino)

Iowa Swap Meet - Feb 16th & 17th

Got this in the mail . . .

If you need parts . . . this one ain't too shabby - Bike Show, Beer . . .

It gets better every year . . .

True Swiss

This set I nicknamed the " Swiss Cheese Flywheels " since they have been shaved and initially balanced on an automotive-type crankshaft balancing machine (due to the holes in the ends of the flywheels)  They were kinda farted up . . . but, Hey, we saved 'em !

of Fords, Chevys, Dodges (& one damn Willys)

Went on a good ol' Iowa Winter Road trip last Saturday to check out all these guys with old car stashes . . . and go pick up some bike stuff too.  I felt a bit nervous at some of the stops, due to the fact they don't let just anybody see their stuff (if you get my drift?).  No photos please type-o-deal.  These guys are quite elusive in with their collections.  Most of the stuff I didn't even know what I was lookin' at . . . but, some of the parts left me with a big smile on my face.  Way cool old dudes - who don't do internet . . .

1959 CH Project

Powdercoat black w/ clear . . . .

Leo Payne UPDATE ON THIS PHOTO !

I traveled to my friend Jeff Wiley's on Saturday.  I know Jeff worked and traveled with Leo Payne to drag races on many occasions.  Jeff said the frame in this photo was one of the first Yetman frames.  It flexed so bad that when they raced in Bowling Green, the chain came off and just spun on the brake drum.  Jeff called it a piece of ____.(well, you know the word)  Leo named it a "Flexi-Flyer" after the kid's sled.  It just wasn't rigid enough to withstand the horsepower of this XLCH with nitro.  Then Leo acquired one of the first Boris Murray frames and that wasn't much better.  Boris then built another more rigid version that did hold up.  Wiley has a memory like vault, you just have to open it up now and then to get the information. 

SOUND CITY

I really hope this film comes to a theater near me so I can see it with all the rockin' sound and glory.
Dave Grohl bought some of the equipment from Sound City studio where many many totally rockin' albums were produced over the years - and this film will document the history of this legendary studio.  Everything DG touches lately turns to gold, so this should be great !

Jacques Villeneuve (Elder)

This is the brother of Gilles Villeneuve (Alouette, Ferrari).  These two brothers revolutionized snowmobile oval track racing.  Their design and innovations on the Alouette Twin Trackers once dominated pro events and prompted Ski Doo to build their own version in later years.  Now there's a book about "Jocko."  Cool.
After a terrible crash a couple years ago which left him severely broken . . . I know Jacques did race again.  However, age catches up with you . . . and while his stamina may not be the same . . . his determination has been unequaled in the sport of oval track ice racing.

Baja 100

Could you image riding one of these through the Baja Peninsula?

Stars & Stripes Forever !

I've always wanted one of these . . . now I got one.  I know, I know . . . they start kinda hard, real fussy, dead spot off idle . . . who cares?  They are the coolest carb ever made for a Harley.  This point is not even up for debate.  Can't wait for the frustration . . .

 . . . and if it doesn't work . . . It can always play music . . . 

Sing Along - "Oh when the Saints, Go Marching In . . . . 

Oh When the Saints Go Marching In . . . "

I'd never seen this one yet . . .

I love the carb - just got a GBL for mine . . .

Sometimes you just gotta say, "What the ______."

XLCH Trades & Barters . . . and beers

These crazy Italians I know from up north keep trading me old Sporty parts for old Sporty parts . . . weird.
Now I have an early lower tree, cups, short swingarm, a different frame . . . yada yada yada.  After a few Red Dog beers - now I want this other frame they have - so, I'll trade the frame I just got from them - for a different frame they have . . . Confused?  I am . . . .

Back from the Dead Panhead

Got the Cycle Nazi's heads pretty much the way I want 'em now . . . They really needed some TLC and should be a good, reliable set o' heads now.  Picked up some fazners from my "inside line" Colony source ta boot . . . .

Non-Detergent Oil . . .

Sucks . . !

A "car guy" tale . . .

This dude buys a new '58 vette.

Wrecks it the first week . . . junks car - saves motor.

His ol' man buys new '60 Biscayne.

Dude inherits Biscayne in '61 - bolts in vette motor.

Noot's buddy buys Biscayne (from dude who still has it)

Noot gets motor - checks date code.

Noot smiles . . .

All she wants . . . .

. . . . is for the photo shoot to be over soon !

Something like this . . . .

I've always liked how they build old motorcycles in Japan.  Since parts are expensive and in shorter supply, they use what they have to achieve a running, functioning motorcycle.  If all the parts are from that period of time . . . it all kinda goes together.  I have enough parts to do one of these(pic above).  I don't know how many times last summer I was hammering on the K-Model and just wanted to keep going to the next town.
The K is not really set-up for highway . . . on this I could keep going.  See you soon !

Tator sent me this photo....

Looks like South Dakota???   

Don't forget to mark your calendar for February 16th 

The Capitol City Swap Meet & Show 

at the Iowa State Fairgrounds - DSM, Iowa. 

Go to Kung Fu and get some tacos & Hamms . . . Go to GT, Go to Cyclepedia, Get a Big Tomato, Go see Brad, Go see Jeff . . . Go see Gilly, Go find Sully . . .!

Bump Start . . .

Do this with a Twin Cam too many times and throw the flywheels out-of-true - eat your oil pump bearing and ruin your day.....

Great Inventions . . .

The HeliCoil, invented by a smart German in the aeronautics industry, allowed the use of lightweight components (aluminum) to be used in engines.  The ability to meet torque specifications in aluminum with a corrosive resistant thread (stainless).  HeliCoils get a bad reputation because installers don't follow directions.

1. Use the proper drill size and tap

2. Always break off the drive tang

3. Finish with the new HeliCoil just below the surface

4. Use Loc-Tite (as recommended)

5. Never remove fastener when engine is hot (ie: spark plugs,

timing plugs, engine covers, etc . . . )

6. Readily available

HeliCoils are an effective (and very cost effective) fix to stripped threads.  Yes, there are many other products that you can argue are equal or better, IF installed correctly.  Most other inserts require a hole so large, that if it ever comes out - you are really screwed . . . (pun intended)
If I met this German in a hall, I'd buy him Weihenstephaner.

 

" Here I go again . . .

 . . . down the only road I've ever known . . . "

Early Sportster frame (recently purchased).  Let's build a bike !

I'm thinking something like that '52K but, with twice the power.
Run a '59CH motor, PB cams, Branch Heads(Big Noot has a set),
DC Linket(bored for an X9), dry clutch, chopped fender, short wheelbase, steering dampener . . .

Just tie on a sleeping bag and go like hell . . .
What else do I have to do ?????

Make it resemble Warner's Bonneville Bike !

Cable & Wire Tricks . . .

I saw this method used on Jay Springsteen's XR one year at Springfield.   Take small rubber hose and cut it into equal, short lengths.  Next, run those tiny zip-ties around the wires(or cables) and through the hose to make a cool separator system.  Works great on push/pull dual throttle cables too ! 

Cold Weather Depression . . .

I may have to head South to ride soon ?

Displacement . . . Did you know?

K Model = Bore: 2.750.  Stroke: 3.8126 (3 13/16")  Cubes: 45.28

KH Model = Bore: 2.750. Stroke: 4.5625 (4 9/16") Cubes: 54.19

XLCH 900 = Bore: 3.00 (3")  Stroke: 3.8126 (3 13/16") Cubes: 53.89

S&S Cycle Super B Series

The S&S B ( and it's big brother the Super D) are tried and true.

There are a few different versions - but, all function the same.

Pros:

Very affordable ($50 - $100)

Easy to Tune (Variety of common jet sizes)

Top end power !

Simple to operate - Few moving parts
They like cubic inches (74" to 96")

They look cool. - Easy to polish !

Cons:

Look for worn throttle shaft (kits to fix)

No accelerator pump (works better with electric start)

Have to cut the ball off your cable (leads to frayed ends)

If you have a 80" shovel - and don't want to pay $350 for
a Super E Kit.....

Try a B on for size.

Public Message

My condolences to California, Nevada . . . yada yada yada.....

Happy Times . . .

I really dig this photo . . . they just look like they're so happy together.  Riding that pan chopper, hangin' with friends.  She's got her new fringe leathers on . . .  He just had his buddy do the top-end . . . everything is just golden at this very moment. 
The photographer who took the shot could see it too . . . Hope they are still together and still rolling down the highway.  Looks like a mini Packer-Type hat he's got on the fender????

'38 EL - Assembly Line

Another '38 lower all done . . .she's tight too . . .

Original Races

Andrews K Cam

4 fins (sleeved by Advanced)

Almost all original HD parts . . .

Rocked, Wired & Blues'd !

On any Sunday afternoon . . .

I heard a rare sound yesterday as I got home from an "old parts in the barn" mission.  It was the sound of a sole XR500 Honda motor.  On again, Off again, On again, Off again.  The locals had scrapped away the snow for a track on the main channel of the mighty Cedar River.  The older, vintage motors have such a nice rumble to the pipe.   Then a CRF took the track - and those kinda sound like shit.  Sorry.  They have an annoying exhaust note (that I see why citizens soon call the cops).  Even after I got home, the sound was blurring out the Redskins.  I think the cops will soon shut this down, just like all the rest.  My solution would be mufflers. (like the days of the Sacto Mile, when "boom cans" at lower decibels actually made the bikes go faster)  However, it makes you want to ride again.