92 - 27 - 21 Remembering Heros

For a few years there . . . it was becoming tragic on the AMA Grand National circuit.  #92 Rodney Farris, #27 Davey Camlin and #21 Will Davis all passed away from racing injuries. They were top riders too.  Pros.  There were a few others like Andy Tresser, Toby Jorgenson, Jimmy Sumner . . . some amateur riders.  Flat track has always been a dangerous way to make a living, but when the riders are personable and your heros . . . you forget how dangerous a sport this is -  in reality.   We can all hope 2014 is a safe year with Daytona starting the schedule this weekend.  Go fast, but ride smart  - so we can all be doing this for years to come.  Keep 'em on 2 wheels boys . . .

Chevrolet 283 Draft Tube - PCV Valve

The Chevy 283 has a "draft tube" which vents the motor.  It just runs from the back of the block, to the outside atmosphere (to the ground).  No valving.  I took a standard freeze plug and modified the inside diameter to accept a valve cover grommet.  Press in the freeze plug, install grommet . . . and you can use a PCV valve (one way) to run a hose under your carb and keep that negative block pressure we all love so dear . . .

Race Shit . . .

Late Model

1965 FLH w/ Sidecar - Electra Glide

The sidecar version still runs 3 1/2 gallon tanks
 to utilize the tank shift. 

Jockey top transmission w/Reverse gear

Three Speed.  

1:1 final drive ratio - same as a 4 speed.

Dragons & Moats & Drawbridges . . .

We opened the barn door . . .

. . . to see the old ironhead Sportster he had . . . and . . .

Bart Markel

 . . . at the (possibly) Peoria TT.  The back pipe kinked up so it won't drag when the suspension bottoms on the right-hander.  This just may be an Iron XR since it's got Ceriani forks, small rear sprocket & ham can, and the XR frame neck? 
Runnin' a 20 or 25T engine sprocket !

Good Plugs for Panheads . . . L92YC

The Champion L92YC has just a bit longer reach with a few more threads - it gets your spark in the combustion chamber a little better.  The stock-style plugs are slightly shrouded.  I think it starts better with these - others say it too.  If you have the heads off, you can screw one in and kinda see where you're at . . . ok with standard compression pistons, but you should double check anything with big domes. 

Applications include: 

Points w/5 ohm coil (standard coil)

Magnetos

get this . . .

I remember it well.  It was Sturgis 1998.  I had taken my '61 CH out in the van that year (with my XL500) and I met a guy from Ironworks Magazine to shoot my bike early in the week at the Black Hills National Cemetery.  It was my only Harley back then. After dual sporting the fire roads on the Honda, I took a day at the end of the week and set out on the Sportster.  I rode the back way to Spearfish (through the canyon) and stopped at the trout hatchery to cool off - it was very hot that day.  I went down and waded in that spring fed water, and almost froze my feet off ! My rear brake was sticking (not returning) so I went to the local Ace Hardware store and bought a nut to put on the front side of the rear brake rod so I could pull up on the pedal and back it off while riding.  I ended up on the side road to Whitewood, running with a guy wearing a bright yellow Hamster shirt on an FXR - all the while working my rear brake off and on - dead man throttle, etc.  There's no way he was gonna let that little Sportster pass, so when he heard those pipes coming, he really wicked it up to stay ahead.  When we came into Sturgis, I pulled up next to him at the light.  He wouldn't even look at me.  I just wanted to say, "Hey, that was fun !"  What a dick.  I should have just laid down on the tank, WFO, passed close up the left-side draft, etc.  He had all the stereo-typical bike gear on, kool daddy's, white tennis shoes, gold watch . . . I rode alongside with Arlen Ness once for about 6 blocks in Sturgis one year on my '64 Sportster, and he asked what year, neat bike - and I did the same.  Boys will be boys.

RPMs . . . Redline . . .

Revolutions Per Minute . . . Revs . . .

Evel XXX

I believe it's an XLR, since the barrels aren't short enough . . .

Blown

Jack wondered where that little snap ring went . . .

Bill and his bike storage system . . .

Wes Rowlett

I finally got to meet Wes after all these years.  He was the only guy (besides Pat) that seemed interested in talking about flywheel run-out and truing up rotating assemblies.  Wes' blog is "Junk with Wheels" but, he builds some solid motorcycles.  Next time I'm down in the 'hollars' of southern Indiana . . . I'll be calling Wes to drink some beers and count some calories.  Keep in touch dude . . .

V.R. 46

A grand prix racer such as Valentino Rossi only comes around about once every 25 years or so . . . He's already one of the fastest in pre-season testing - even on new tire compounds.  2014 could see another title.  Continued flashes of brilliance are almost guaranteed.
( photo courtesy of the Motorcyclist blog )

Paul Smith and Harley-Davidson

Some of the most iconic (and now highly sought after) 

graphics were designed by Paul Smith.

Bit's & Pieces - MAMA TRIED

VIP - Tours - Archives - Food & Friends - Milwaukee, Wisconsin ! MAMA TRIED

Scott was nice enough to grant us VIP tours of the H-D Factory (Powertrain Plant) and the H-D Archives at the museum.  Photos were not allowed at the factory, but it was interesting to see how the new Twin-Cam engine is built . . . even if we don't give a shit about anything made after the 1970's.  The x-rays are of a guy named Robert Craig Knievel.  The "Sturgis Softail" is the only one ever built by H-D.  Turkey Burgers,  Mac & Wisconsin Cheese . . . & Kruse . . . round it out.   
Quote of the week:   
"I miss you - love you . . . but, I love choppers more."