Morty: 2 hours ago . . . Friday, April 4th

 We get a dusting of snow last night (sucks) . . . and Morty ain't happy.  His water has been frozen too many times this year, and he's thirsty.  I open the door, he comes in . . . takes a swipe at me - and leaps into the sink.  We've had our water dripping the last 2 months to avoid frozen pipes, which we've never had.  Anyway, I go to grab him out of the sink - and he growls at me.  He drinks water for about 5 minutes, takes a bath . . . and we're friends again !    
Morty:  The Official Shop Cat.

52 K Model

The Stabil worked - started right up, only fouled 1 plug - Cool !

K-T Buffer ( it's buffed lots of parts over the years )

I cut a "fire groove" and polished up my Sportster pistons.  Supposedly, it helps create an improved fuel burn.  So, when I'm on the box (3rd place), you're back at the trailer. 

Roger Reiman

Miles, Half Miles, TTs, Road Racing . . . Reiman did it all.  He had his own H-D dealership and Evel Kneivel turned to Roger to make his bikes safe and fast.  Roger was the "track coordinator" at many AMA nationals, riding his high-pipe Sportster to check the track.  A true American Classic . . . and he's always smiling.

Possible Flame Design ?

I kinda like Finlan's style. 

-60 Part Number Aluminum Rims

I bought very rough set of wheels.  18" rear, 19" front with 1/2 brake.  Disassembled the rusty mess.  Straighten'd out the front rim (the best I could).  Both rims were wet sanded and buffed.  Hubs were blasted, washed, powder coated, fitted with new greased bearings and assembled.  Spokes and nuts were acid washed (in my special recipe solution), rinsed, wired together in a string and cadmium plated.  Ready for assembly with correct offset, etc. (Now I have to think !) They make the sweetest set of wheels Harley ever had . . .Mr. Borrani would be proud.

An FLH . . .Traditional Build

My friend is building an FLH.  The motorcycle was cashed in when he got it.  He owned one and rode the wind for many years . . . he then fell on some hard times.  Was away for many years . . . Now, in the fad of all these customs, choppers, flake paint and disco shit . . . he just wants that ol' FL again.  An 80 incher.   Rattlecan laid down some black basecoat, smoothed out the tin - we'll wet sand it - and pull a traditional flame job.  Bury it with clearcoat and buff to a high luster.  On the road again.  In the wind . . .  again.  Soon.

1975 Bell Star II - A Restored Historical Helmet

I completed the restoration of my full-face Bell - complete with NOS tint shield (with tear-off posts).  I cleaned and added new foam (so it grips your scalp) again . . . and Watermelon Pete commemorated the occasion with a gift.  A totally retro digital dash clock !  

A Racer ! Jim Boland - Fort Dodge, Iowa

He stripped his panhead of un-needed parts.  You can see, Jimmy had "his shit together" with his machine built for speed and agility.  Knobby and tin fender.  A proud member of the club . . . and well respected among his peers.  From: The Iowan Magazine.

Race People Are Cool . . .

I bought some parts from Scott & Eleanor Guthrie (talked to Ellen) today.  Real nice lady who knows all about race motorcycles.  Scott held numerous Bonneville records over the years.  Top photo shows his '57 XL at 140mph+ back in the very early 1970s. 

Bottom: The specially equipped Race Van !

I just have to get . . .

to Wendover, Utah someday . . . The Bonneville Salt Flats.
( Up top: Al Bye & his Triumph )

High on the boards . . . 95+ mph.

The tracks are wood, but still create large amounts of dust.  The build-up of oils leads to a slippery track.
In extreme cases, fallen riders have 2 foot slivers of wood driven into their flesh.  Jim Davis(header pic) was to survive the Motordrome Era (often known as "murderdromes") after deaths at major tracks soon lead to the closing of motordromes everywhere, one by one.  Davis went on to win at dirt track events across the country - winning the very first crowning of the national championship.

Ricky will be proud . . .

I found a box and got my record collection " Up Right " instead of - in a big pile.  I wouldn't want to damage my ultra rare Hanoi Rocks collection of vinyl.  Tanya Tucker included . . . 

Schwinn Klunker

Schwinn forged crank

Bendix Red Ring

105s

Goodyear Threads

Torco & Phil Wood Grease

 . . . can't find my seat & post ?????

Jim Davis

I met Jim Davis once (he was 100 years old at the time)  He raced for the Harley Factory Team (and Indian).  Pictured,  Jim is congratulated on a race win by William Harley himself.  William was an accomplished racer too.  Both men very fast and fearless on two wheels.  Davis took it to another level. 

A Lost Interest

Dan & DC Choppers Latest

He won at "The Horse" Daytona.  It reminds me of those tough Easyriders-Style builds that were the style of the 80s.  They run hard, stop . . . it's got neat forks, brakes, wheels, enough fuel to get away and keep on going - and leave the old-time chops behind. 
DC Choppers goin' strong ! 

JW's FXR Oil Tank

He fabricated this oil tank (which will be hidden under his specially designed fuel tank).  This free'd up the former oil tank area for a custom exhaust system.  Innovative ! 

1959 XLCH - TT Street Racer

So far, so good. 

- Rebuilt shocks ($5 / ea.) swap meet

with powder coated springs

-New swing arm races & bearings

- New headset ball bearings w/ cad bearing cups

- XRTT steering damper

- K&N Dirt Track Bars

- 23" modified fork tubes (in progress)

1959 XLCH Oil Tank

I bought this rusty, chrome tank in Deland, Florida at a swap meet.  It was dirty with a 1/2 quart of black oil inside.  The ladies at the La Quinta Inn boxed it up all nice (and shipped it Next Day Air - Holy Shit ! WTF? to Iowa)  I did not tell them to do that.   When I got my bill, I about fell over.  I paid $80 for the tank, $80 shipping, $20 Powdercoat, $20 for steel & labor to make the mount plates, $10 for special bolts I made - and another $10 for carb cleaner, etc.  $220.00 - I see why they get good money for these things. 
Now I'm gonna put a couple vintage stickers on it.

Mike Hailwood

Magoo Pinstriping Redo . . . .

A couple years ago I spot this custom striped Dodge in our little town.  I'm checkin' out the striping and I see it's signed by "Magoo" . . . Hey, I know that guy.  Magoo was from Las Vegas.  An old-time striper and painter - he's been around forever.  1,800 miles away - how'd this truck get here????  I guess the guy liked Iowa (not so hot) and he moved his business here.  Well, I guess he crashed the truck a little, the local body shop repainted sections - and they needed the stripes redone.  I have to "Redoo Magoo."  Big shoes to fill.

I trace the flames with pencil.

Pounce the pattern (with pounce wheel)

Flip the design and affix to area for flames

Powder with my (sock-n-powder)

Remove pattern and stripe it in !

Just Like Uncle Bob Spina taught me . . .

Magoo Lives On !

 Me & Magoo at Spina's many moons ago . . .

Schwinn Heavyweight Frame circa: 1950

Schwinn made really good frames.  This Chicago-built model had it's share of abuse over the years - all by "yours truly" . . . I've ramped it, downhilled, curb jumped, crashed it . . . it's never cracked, maybe bent (I straightened the chain-stay once).  It's heavy. It's tough.  It's been Battle o' Britain Blue, Grass Green, Basic Black, Harley Hi-Heat Barrel Paint Silver . . . Now it's Cast Iron Brake Caliper Gray with Ivory One-Shot medieval shit . . . and an original Maschek Cycle (of Charles City) brass head badge. 

Donnie Bargmann

Longtime race announcer at Davenport and Springfield Mile . . . and the AMA circuit -  passed away on February 16th, 2014.  Donnie was a great announcer and spokesman for the sport of motorcycle flat track racing.  It just really sucks when you lose a talented and big hearted guy like Donnie.  One of the best race announcers I've ever heard.  I'll never forget his play by play of the action.

A big steel shoe to fill !

My condolences to his entire family and friends.

' 59 XLCH Headlight Eyebrow

This was picked up last fall at Davenport.  Somebody chopped it.  It was very beat-up and abused.  The choppin' wasn't even straight.  Hacksaw.  I smoothed, filed, sanded, and buffed.  Ready for my project.
Just don't see these much anymore . . . and it don't look right without it.

Countershaft

The first one was bent .010 . . . ?  Just Ride Nice !

Mako Shark II

This 1965 concept car was a huge success and the forerunner of Corvette design for years to come.  It featured a 427ci motor . . . and I think a square steering wheel ?