Glyptal Buzz II

I moderately heat the cases to get all the oils and solvents out.  Clean with hot soap and water, and rinse with hot water.  Blow dry . . . you want a clean surface.  I like to use a brush, you can work the paint into the pores.  2 coats - after they have been allowed to dry a few hours - then I heat the cases (like the directions).

Denvers

The choppers by Denvers are unique for their front ends, crazy molding, long & low . . . but I always remember the paint.  The oranges, the yellow . . . the tangerine !

Terry Dorsch

The (center photo) is on the wall in the Fuel Cafe in Milwaukee.  When I was there in February, I was trying to identify the riders - and I couldn't remember who #22 was . . . (far left).  After some research, I see it was a pro rider named Terry Dorsch of California.  If you search on You Tube (under 1971 Race of Champions) you can watch a special "made for TV race" where a rookie Terry dominates the likes of Jim Rice, Bart Markel, Frank Gillespie, Dave Sehl and others at the San Jose Mile.  In the video, he is really drifting perfectly on the groove, rolling into the gas and powering away from the field.  His Triumph has the perfect set-up for this track, on this day . . . and Terry is showing his ability to run on a mile.   This had to be one of Terry's finest moments in his racing career.  Just a couple years ago, Terry crashed his street bike.  They couldn't get him to the hospital in time, and he didn't make it - he was 63.  Looks as if he lived an exciting life.  An exciting life is a life worth living.

I dig my Chevy . . .

Someday when I'm older and all gray.  My legs and knees sore from all those years of magnetos and kickstart hot rod Sportsters.  I'll need my Chevelle.  I'll need the hardtop.  It's the same age as me - and we'll both have rebuilt parts - and run the same speed.

Ride Your K to Work Day . . .

Say you don't have a K ?  That's OK.

New Trunk Mat

Ready for a picnic basket and a cooler . . .

Sunnen Bevel Cone

This tool works well for all types of bevels up to 3" . . . It will help me when starting to press in races, etc. when the surface has been marred or burred.  I can set it up in the drill press and just touch the surface and clean it up . . . When you tighten the center bolt, it expands the wedge and forces out the rubber cone against the abrasive paper. 

Michael & Steve

Met two bros in Springville and delivered Steve's pan short block - all rebuilt and ready for warfare.  Tall boys, taco meat and just takin' in a sunny day.  Reflections, education and discussions were conducted - Big plans were made - This meeting will be continued . . .

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.