Noot

I heard ice bikes this weekend . . .

If you got guns . . ?

. . . I see fuglescreations.blogspot.com has some cool belts available now . . .

all hand made by Tom himself !

I like the Mauser one

Tom Laughlin died last week, and I always respected his movies and opinions. He used his writing and cinema to send a message. A message against violence towards our native Americans, women and children. I know his wife was from South Dakota, and from her experiences with the local Lakota in towns such as Winner, White River and Wanblee . . . Laughlin created the character Billy Jack, a white man who would fight for equality of the local people. When I ride my motorcycle through SD each year, I appreciate the history of that land too . . . one ideal me and Billy had in common.

OIL Fitting Repair . . .

A damaged fitting, an iron pump . . . a repair is needed.

Cool Shovelhead No. 1

I like everything about this bike . . .

Cool Shovelhead No. 2

I like everything about this too . . .

Fun with One Shot

. . . by "Fun" - I mean swearin', cussin' & bitchin' . . .

Rocker Arm Lift Check

We discovered these covers give you less room for rocker arm movement than a stock, stamped cover. I have a Sifton 412 cam (which is about the same valve lift as a stock H cam). You could see where the previous owner of these CCE covers had their rocker arms hit. I installed the push rods and turned the motor over with the pan covers on - and didn't hear anything touching. We measured a couple times, and it's gonna be close. Big lift cams might not work with these, unless you use thick gaskets or thin spacers to lift up the covers a bit. Sometimes, 4 eyes, 4 ears and 2 brains are the best . . .

Money Down . . .

I guess whether it's a motorcycle OR a bicycle . . . "money down" is going away from us. It's all about financing and interest rate now. I do agree with Norm, it's a really neat bike - nice story.

Prohibition Trip

I like history. When I heard a prohibition traveling exhibit was at the Minnesota Historical Society, I made plans to see it . . . Packed with original documents (from Capone & Ness), artifacts (real iron knuckles, Thompsons, boot razors) it has a timeline that takes you through this period of time that was tough and tumble. Good times were well deserved. Life wasn't as easy, yet many times it appears to be more fulfilling - the 20s and 30s in America.

In the beginning . . . a Motley pan

" . . . and it has been written, that those who have the youth have the future - so come now children of the beast, be strong -
and Shout At The Devil !

Joey's raked neck wishbone . . .

This was a custom bike years ago . . it ran knuckles and pans. Now he's brazed, welded and molding the frame again at his home shop in Vegas. (it's 3rd from left above)

Don Castro #11

Don Castro's No. 11 . . . it started it. It's possible other riders chose "11" after Castro. To honor a racer they respected . . . Steve Eklund, Scott Parker, Bryan Bigelow . . . plus, if they win the title, they can just take a 1 off their leathers.

"Soup'R Sunday" Food Selfies !

. . . every Sunday night we have homemade soup & sandwich

over the winter months.

92%

I really need to see some nitro racing in 2014.

Santa's Workshop

This will be a good engine. It's like I've been to the H-D School of Hard Knocks on this one. The flywheels were fighting us. We got them right - then they didn't like it in their new home inside the cases. Then the gear cover syndrome. Then we learn about center-to-center distance - and the ability to identify sounds such as; whirring, clicking, ticking, oftentimes grinding . . . as you grasp the open ends of the connecting rods and listen. Turn off the music, turn off the TV, turn off everything and LISTEN. What is that? Listen to the "mechanicalness" of a panhead motor. I went as far as to bolt on the generator (and it's a good thing I did) because it needed the right idler gear. Eliminate parts and measure other parts . . . Finally after shimming, micrometers, calipers, dial-indicators . . . and this powerful, lighted magnifying glass - it's quiet now. Even with the generator - It's quieter than the elves sneaking into your house on Xmas Eve. All you here now is the perfect mesh and pitch of proper alignment. Gears that love each other. It spins free - and wants to keep spinning ! It's right now. I feel like a worker elf, perfecting a toy for a kid who's been good all year. That kid is me . . .

Cope with it . . .

Does anyone still use a coping saw to make custom chopper parts . . . ? Or has everyone bought a band saw by now, but me . . . ?

Chris' 1963 FLH

I like how on a panhead motor you can leave the covers off and slowly turn it over by hand to check the rotation, watch the rockers move, make sure nothing's binding . . . and listen to hear any clicks or ticks. This thing is nice and quiet - just the way we like it !

Give Thanks . . .

. . . for up-sweeps, cast pan covers, marble paint

and chics with chains . . .

Baker & Atherton sign with Harley-Davidson

Brad Baker will take his #1 Plate and ride for HD in 2014. He'll bring along the crew and his steel shoe.
Former factory rider Kenny Coolbeth will take his 3 championships and many wins and go for a ride with Zanotti Racing.

Cedar River Ice

I walked on the edge (down by the sandbar) and I'd say it's 2" thick. Perfect conditions for Kold Kutters !
Another couple inches and it'll be perfect for a bucket, a pole and a bottle o' schnapps.

Give Thanks . . .

. . . for panheads, molded frames, candy paint . . .

and cutoffs with nice legs.

American Motors Gucci Option

A lady at the grocery store opened her door - and when the dome light came on, I was like, wow ! Cool interior. I thought maybe it was Tijuana? She said it was Gucci. I guess AMC had this option on the AMC Hornets? This car had rusty metal - but, righteously mod threads !

Indoor Rumble in Mason City

Support Your Local Racetrack !

Words you might overhear at an indoor racing event:

1. coke

2. transponder

3. CD5

4. rasp

5.Krug

6. no nitro

7. (coughing)

8. Brad Baker

9. Bugs

10. 2 grand !
The carts were so fast - I never would have guessed a cart could make a lap in 4 sec . . . sometimes I was nervous standing so close to the rail that a cart could lose it and take out the spectators. Some drivers did not appear to move the steering wheel at all as they kept the throttle pinned. The bikes went very low - pegs dragging - tires drifting. I raced a few times on syrup, but don't remember the carts being this quick . . . Good Stuff Maynard . . .

Hot & Sticky

Indoor Short Track Friday Nite !

Hux & myself will be attending the Friday Nite events at the North Iowa Fairgrounds. It appears the newly crowned 2013 AMA National Dirt Track Motorcycle Champion Brad Baker will be bangin' bars with any local boys brave enough to show their stuff on the syrup. Bring your air horns and attitudes and check out the carts & bikes if you dare . . . it's like a hockey game with noise and smoke !

Pee Wee Gleason

These motorcycle companies would do a test with the rider Pee Wee Gleason at the drag strip. (This guy can get a lot out of a motorcycle) Then they'd advertise the time slips. 10.50s ! On the new Sabre or Seca or KZ . . . whatever they were testing. A normal rider might get a 11.20 . . . but, Pee Wee could make it a bullit !