Sturgis " Here We Come ! "

My rigid pan is untested, packed with shit . . . 60+ years old with a 48 year old pilot.  We ran out on two-lanes, through small towns with broken down buildings, trashy bars and depression.  Dodging holes on Hwy 18, tryin' to keep my position on the seat and pegs.  My pack movin' around - situating itself between my maze of bungees.  The wind at our back.  Stops in Everly, Iowa and Tripp, Platte, White River, Wanblee(Pine Ridge Reservation) highlighted the "way out."  The long hills through Buffalo Gap, while challenging on the '64 Sportster, the '52 panhead chugged up to 3000 feet like a vintage tractor.  It's heavy flywheels carrying the load.  I'm now becoming more confidant.  My anxiety going away with a couple PBRs in my system.  I'm twisting the throttle a bit more and more. We're runnin' 75mph quite often, through a land with possible drunk Indians in pick-up trucks.  That smell of those pines is what always tells me we made it - Sturgis, South Dakota.  Let the party begin !

Once we got set up . . . Big Noot joined me, and we headed out to Buffalo Chip for the "Built For Speed" opening night and banquet Michael Lichter so graciously invited me to . . . Thanks Mike !  Motorcycles, Art, Food and Good Times were had by all.  For nightly entertainment we hit Easyriders Saloon for Eve 6 . . . and an awesome show from Dave Pirner and Soul Asylum (who went into a punk-rock inspired frenzy mid way through their hits . . . he totally lit up that Fender Telecaster with blazin' riff runs . . . Hell Yeah ! 

UL Chopper

Star Hubs

Internal Throttle

Relay
Add 4" Downs
Radius Rods

Side Car Loops

Etc.

Authentic Custom

The sport was Formal . . .

I like the "formality" of early motorcycling.  The whole idea of presentation and recognition with: pins, patches, plaques, and the best award of all - a gleaming trophy of silver & gold !
It gave you a goal, an accomplishment, a place in history on what you've done with your cycle.  You were either a racer, a road rider, entertainer, spokesman . . . etc.  Clubs are still here in this day and age - Long may they prosper. It recognizes you among your peers . . . fellow riders.  It's an important aspect of motorcycling.

 "Did you hear . . . he was awarded his 50,000 mile pin ?!"

The "Chip"

This is a similar crowd like Dylan / Kid Rock a few years back.  You look back and hope nothing crazy happens . . . 'cause, how are you going to get out ?

The bike that won the war . . .

The Koreans were advancing . . . I need to get out fast.  My trusty 1952 WLA has lead me through countless battles as I relay information from the front lines to an army outpost at the beach-head.  My Firestones have the perfect tread pattern for speed and stability on these sandy, island roads (more like paths).  The torque of my flathead carries heavy loads, and seems unaffected by intense island heat. As sounds of gunfire became crisp to my ears - I had to get moving to relay important information back at camp. I let the clutch out in 1st gear . . . and the bike kinda jumped, stuttered, jumped ahead again.  I rock'd the clutch back, rev'd the engine and somehow kept the motor running.  I tried again - and the bike took off.  I shifted to 2nd and away I went - WHEN SUDDENLY - the motorcycle surged - jumped out of gear - and the rear wheel locked up, killing the engine.  SHIT !  I almost went down !  One kick and the WLA was running again.  I nervously took off -and it was a repeat.  DAMMIT !  When I shift to 2nd gear - this thing surges . . . then the motor dies and locks up the rear wheel - it dug deep into the packed sand.  I can hear machine gun rounds singing through the trees . . . time is wasting.  I fire it up, again - jam it in 1st - let the clutch fly and I'm off.  I build the revs and this time SLAM THE TANK SHIFT Past 2nd - into high gear !
I'm suddenly building speed to 40,45,50,55mph - pulling away from the advancing enemy.  All they can hear is the sound of my cigar muffler straight in their faces.  In broken English I hear a Korean solder screamin' FROCKN HAWREY DAV'SOMS . . . bam bam bam bam bam bam.

In reality - it blew out leaving Casey's General Store with a tall can of Miller Lite 
in my back pocket.

XLR - Front

Factory Ported - Ductile Iron

The Bostroms at Sturgis this year . . .

I see Eric and Ben Bostrom have a charity ride this year.  Both these boys were quite the hard chargers in their day on ovals and pavement.  Could you imagine these little guys on a Wood Rotax !  They were so fast around that Gypsy Bowl . . .

Black Hills Rally - early years

Always dress for the occasion . . . Always.

Sebastian Bach 2014 Concert Review at Surf Ballroom - Give 'Em Hell

After 25 years . . . Bach still has that great voice, the showmanship and the rock in his blood to give his audience what they want - to get their ass rocked off !  He's not just a singer - He's a rock-n-roll machine.  It's all he's ever known.  But, there's always something more with Bach - he's a rolling history of a type of music teenage kids, like myself, got hooked on and never looked back.  A reminder of our Youth Gone Wild- Bach is on the radio everyday, social media, Metal Sludge, New York Times, even national television . . . on tour, making records with new musicians that can tolerate the demanding energy he still has after all these years.  A master of self promotion, he fronts huge arenas and . . . small ballrooms - like the Surf Ballroom last night where Sebastian Bach and his band totally blew us away the minute they hit the stage.  Spinning mics, head bangin' frenzies . . . like a heavy-metal conductor - he treats you to his god gifted, now 45+ year old voice that let's you know that was him on the cassette, him in the videos, and he sounds just the same.  Bach also did something that surprised me . . . something I rarely hear or see from musicians at the Surf . . . He recognized the significance of this hallowed building.  The ballroom itself.  The many great performers that have stood right where he was - now.  At one point, he motioned the audience to 3 giant, lighted art works that hang on the back wall of the dance floor - those of JP. Big Bopper Richardson, Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens.  The entire audience turned to look and listen.  After some historic notes - Bach's band then broke into La Bamba . . . and you could just feel a presence, an excitement, you got what he felt from performing there tonight - and he was taking us along for the ride !  I like all good music.  But a metal rock concert, done right with fists in the air - that's it man.  Big smiles - and eyes watering with delight.  Me and Cheryl had a blast !  Thanks Baz !

Elmer Trett's First Real Drag Bike

This bike is so neat.  Damn.  When I saw this picture, I just had to copy it.  So cool.  Hey Wiley, What type of cams are those???  I can't make out the brand.  Sweet bike.

'68 or '69 CH

Gas, Alcohol, Stroked, Dytch'd

XLR pipes

S&S L

Slick

Struts, Cable Tach, fender chopped . . .

Buddy seat bracket to hold you on . . . ! 

Throw it in the truck and drive up to Cedar Rapids, Iowa . . .
run around - lookin' for some guy named Payne?

#14 Hank Scott . . . and some Black Hills history

The races and rally in Sturgis, SD could be one of the most important aspects in the history of two wheels in America.  In a way, it brought the Midwestern US motorcycle enthusiasts together.  Racers from the coasts first traveled to national events starting in Dodge City, Kansas.  This let the "coasts" know these midwest boys could ride.  The unique racing aspect of the Black Hills is the altitude and the dirt itself.  The tuning of carburetor jetting, traction and suspension set a level playing field.  Local riders often beat seasoned pros.  I always go see a race.  Support the fearless men who can throw that bike sideways in unfamiliar territory.  This year an AMA National comes back to Rapid City.  If mother nature can just hold off her weather for a week . . . ?

Photo Above:  Corky Keener(62) on the outside of this cushion, loose track (note the dirt streak on his shield from his own front wheel) as the one and only, Hank Scott(14) sets up early for the straight.  You can see Aldana(10) in the back struggling with his set-up . . . too little - too late.

Wayne Gardner

So you want to build an FXR . . . ?

It's harder than it looks.  Years ago we had a guy cut the box (backbone) out and weld in a different tube, change the rake (using the proper ratios of trail, etc.) and a local welder and fabricator did it all up and it worked great.  Handled well . . . a great handling custom FXR chassis.  It was the first FXR in the area that anyone dared to do any frame modifications to - and he kinda proved it could be done successfully.

Here you go.  Make about 25 copies of this - Use a scale: 1/4" = 2" or something . . . and draw up some different designs for that custom FXR you always wanted.  OR - just go with the design H-D engineers spent countless days and nights, trials and errors, testing . . . with a track record of proven customers from Arlen Ness to The Hell's Angels that said, "The FXR is the best handling Harley the factory ever built." . . .  and leave it stock.  It ain't easy, or everyone would do it.

The Milwaukee Vibes

Vibration can be determined with the formula:  Acceleration in Meters per Second Squared.  Different speeds, Variable RPM = Variable Waves of Frequency = Variable Swear Words . . . "Damn, my pinky fingers are numb ! "  McFarland made me up these stainless handlebar vibration dampeners to smooth out very fine vibrations.  The O-rings keep them snug - The threaded holes are for removal.  Weight is 7.75 oz. each . . . According to my calculations? - (yet to be tested)  Slick Daddy- O !

I dig Funnel Cakes . . . and Chops !

Iowa is the place to be in summer.  County fairs are mega fun.  I like the animals best.  My friend Brent has great band called the Pork Tornadoes . . . and there musta been 5000 people in Solon to party party party . . . A great time was had by all.

I guess . . .

 . . . if I have to pick a Shovelhead.

Jeremiah Armenta

Love Cycles - Phoenix, AZ

 . . . in his younger days - I always dug this knuckle !

Johnny Winter can make it look so easy . . .

Texas brings out the best of blues . . .
He never got rich - royalties passed him by . .
But who really cares?
 This guy could play a guitar - so damn good.
Thanks Johnny !  
You made a huge mark on music.

Image Re-Evaluation . . .

I'm thinking about changing my "look" . . . my image.  The Question Is????  WITH or WITHOUT the Ray Bans . . . ?

and I threw in a photo of the walleye this guy caught at 7:35am this morning while I stood at the Main Street Dam drinking my coffee.  This fish hit real weird.  His (nightcrawler) line just sort of pulled real slow, like a carp or a sucker fish.  He slowly pulled his pole back and it was hooked - and there was really not much fight in the fish until he got it hoisted up the side of the bridge . . . then the thing went nuts and bit his finger really good - the blood on the fish is from the guy's thumb . . . ouch dude. 

More Testing & Tuning . . .

I've been tuning my S&S Super E Carb.  I swapped out the (28) Intermediate for the (29.5).  I warmed up the motor and readjusted the fuel screw.  1. Turn in fuel screw until it starts to kill the engine and back it out carefully until it runs smooth, and the idle picks up and stop there. 2. Readjust your idle.  3. Take away some accelerator pump and blip the throttle - give it just enough where it doesn't hesitate (you all know this). I actually like a bit less acc. pump then needed - more of a "roll on" response, so I'm not shooting unwanted fuel due to the inefficiency of these panheads.   I swapped the (50)Intermediate Air Bleed for a (48) and this will let the Main Jet(70) come in a little quicker - or sooner.  I see a lot of guys run a 72 Main in their motors, but I need some economy - and decent performance is all I ask.

I went for a road test.  80 degrees F.  Sunny.  I noticed right off as I run along with light traffic in 3rd gear - when I roll open the throttle - this thing takes off.  It starts pulling much better now - even with a tall (25T) transmission sprocket.  In high gear I'm now running about 60-62mph - so I opened her up - and it pulled hard to 75mph.  Oh yes - this is what I want !   No spits. No coughs.  Just my pipes startin' to sing - and that Sifton 412 making things happen like it's supposed to be . . . This chopper is pretty cut down in weight compared to a stock 1952 FL.  I have a lot less weight.  Still running the big, heavy flywheels - so once I get her rolling - it's down the road I go.   Creeps right up the hills too . . . Now I just need a good rain shower for a wet weather test to see if I got it fixed.  

I've christened this motorcycle a "female personality" since she likes to be treated with respect like every girl - and I know if I treat her right - we'll have many many good times together.

Fun stuff at Sturgis this year . . .

Some folks like it, some folks don't . . . but one thing is for sure - You have to know how to "do" Sturgis - or you won't have any fun at all.   The ride out (2 lanes only) take a couple - there's no hurry, ain't nothing there yet anyway but all the others that just sprinted out there.  You want to be there around early Sunday afternoon - not really any sooner.  The Michael Lichter "Built for Speed Show" is cool - and I like to go to the party, since it's a good place to hook up with everyone, plans for the week.  The Horse Chopper Show is a good one too. Go on Michael's "Ride" - awesome.  This year we got drag racing (vintage and pro) - Pro Dirt Track, Gypsie Dirt Track, Pro and Gypsie Hill Climb, all kinds of great FREE music at Easyriders Saloon and The Knuckle Saloon - and don't forget the Sidehack . . . and for you 1am-2am later nighters - I'll see you at The Oasis & Fireside.  Take a day or two and ride in the hills, Spearfish Canyon, Rochford . . . Nemo.  They even have a decent motorcycle swap meet . . . so go try and make a deal with Randy.  Competition Distributing is a must stop (log building on Lazelle St. curve).  Don't hang on Main too much.  I get a good breakfast, skip lunch(or a cold brew), and a groovy dinner. It's a long ride, but it's a fun time - something different every year if you look for it.  Grab a buddy and head out Need a nice camping spot . . . for people who stay up late and sleep in: Creekside is the place . . . or Hog Heaven is you're an early riser (bands nightly too.)