Whittier, Stone City, Springville, Waubeek . . .

I went and visited the in-laws this Easter weekend.  I took the K Model in the truck so I could get away and explore the twisty, hilly backroads of this part of Iowa.  I cut through fields, worked trails, crossed about a dozen streams(small bridges of all sorts) and basically rode every road in the area.  Mercer Road is a hilly ripper of an adventure !   All types of old gas stations (make cool shops), buildings, mills, etc.  This old, Catholic stone church was quiet as a mouse on Easter morning.  A beautiful piece of pride and togetherness - once bustling and ringing with small children and church hymms - quite sad.  The artist Grant Wood helped establish an art colony in the 1930s here.   I took a break, as I shut down my bike, and relaxed in the grass - taking it the beautiful view of Stone City below.   I wonder what this church looked like on Easter morning in 1908, 1920. 1941 (with boys gone off to war), 1965 . . . ?  (I'll bet there wasn't a '52K with hot cams parked by the front door.)  A clump of wild Daffodils growin' in the ditch (I've never seen that !)   Lots of history - a great weekend all together . . .

XR / XLR Dry Clutch Cover

You ever see one of these made from Aluminum?  

Less rotation weight.

Factory race shit . . .

A Good Educational Meet . . .

I've been to this every year since it's inception.  You can learn a lot about motorcycles (all brands) and get to meet like-minded enthusiasts.  This quality of the machinery in the museum is excellent . . . and it's a great place to get all sorts of ideas.  John Parham is on-hand to answer any questions - and if you're lucky, you'll get to meet some legends of racing and riding from our sport before their gone forever.  If you live in the midwest - this is a must attend event.

- Swap Meet & Show

- Food & Beverages

- Museum & Vendors

- History and Substance

Sliced & Diced

XR Peg Mount (pipes on the left)

" that Parker . . . he's a charger." (quote)

1. Stretch out, knee bends, drink liquids . . 

2. Get on your leathers, pants, jacket . . .

3. Boots . . .

4. Helmet & gloves . . .

5. Get some race gas or booster

6. Warm up your motor . . 

7.  Get an Attitude - Get On It . . .

8.  Get Aggressive - Ride Hard

9. Ride Smart

10. Repeat

. . . a few more Donnie show pics

A good time to hook-up with 

Minnesota crew for a day . . .

Scrambles

Food Selfie

Risotto with baked asparagus with olive oil and indian naan bread

Youth is King

At the Donnie Smith Show last month, I talked with this young man about how cool it would be to own this Montessa trials bike.  Trails bikes usually don't get too beat up, (due to low speeds) . . . and this one was pretty flawless.  A kid with a dirt bike is about as American as it gets . . . Made in Spain.

Orange & Black

 . . . with No Brakes

The AMA brought rear brakes into the scene around 1972, which according to many long-time pros "ruined the sport of flat track" by grooving up the surface, changing race lines and tearing up tires and equipment.

Offensive T-Shirts

These shirts I've worn have initiated various responses from people . . . good & not so good.

Mr. Record Man . . . Do you know who I am . . . ? (for Ricky)

Mert's Iron XR

Mert was gonna make that thing(waffle iron) run . . . and hold together, if it was the last thing he would do.  Mert's innovations for performance and strength with inferior equipment changed the game for motorcycle flat track racing in the early 1970s.  Regardless, it was still a fast and well handling race bike.  Oil cooler, dual carbs, trick frame geometry, Lawwill's own ignition systems, and cam profiles.

Places with aura . . .

I'm one of those people who will travel far reaches to see places with a certain spirit about them . . . to feel the aura . . . and to say I was there.  Places from movies, civil war battlefields, places Steve McQueen stood, Chichen Itza, Weeki Wachee, Little Big Horn, Jerome, AZ, Wanblee, SD . . . The question is: Should I go all the way to California for Randy's Donuts ?

Fresh built Pan for a Workin' Man

Wrist Pin Clips

I prefer the "wind-up" style clips . . . when installed correctly, they don't come out.  Always make sure you have a flat-end style wrist pin.  The end of the pin should be flat against the face of the clip.  verify that both edges of the clip are secure in the piston groove.  Due to age, I now use my new no-line bifocals and a lighted magnifier to make sure it's a go.

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.