Noot

Thanks for the education . . .

Shea showing me WHAT and HOW to properly use a sissybar . . .

Busted Cases

A replacement from Knuckle Works of California . . .

Ready to make some shavings !

Deck, Cylinder Bore, Motor Mounts, Etc . . .

This photo was taken after a long day Saturday (it's still hot) workin' on motors, helping with a panhead at the local H-D shop . . . buying supplies like shrink tube, wire ends, switches, running errands, etc. All on this stroker digger with a backpack - strapped to my shoulders. It reached speeds excess of 90mph for short bursts.. Gasoline sprayed on me from the cap (overfilled it, whoops). When raw gas sprays on you - you feel like a real racer - Like Force or Garlits. It spits fuel from the carb sometimes - built with real race parts trying to run on the street. Not always practical.
It started with 1 or 2 kicks every single time I needed it to run. Most of the time with an audience.
I can kick start it - but, you probably can't. It should really be started with a roller or hand starter. It's a fun bike - but kinda dangerous. It's like a snotty kid who teases you to "do it" - you want to screw it on and hear the pipes - that tone. I always say "I should sell the stroker and then I could . . . " But after a day like Saturday, you look at it - and say . . . F#$&'n aye. Saturday was a good day.

Proper Tools

Don't forget the bearing ! ( if you've done this before )

Sunday Church Service

" V "

Doin' it right . . .

The right way to do a Sporty Chopper !

1940 Knuckle Cases

When cases have been welded and I see some porosity . . . I like to paint the inside with glyptal red and bake them. I tape 'em off all nice. They look swell on the bench. When this old, cast aluminum heats up - oil can work it's way through the pores and make a mess of your engine - unless you like the well-worn look ?

Lucky Brakes . . .

This guy was fixing his brake cotter pin and clevis pin. With no front brake, he has a lot riding on these .10 cent hardware items. Even with the most sophisticated braking components of modern sportbikes - there is one tiny, small o-ring, clip, snap ring . . . dirt or water bubble that can render your brakes totally useless. Then it's just you, your transmission and the soles of your shoes.
(and hopefully they ain't Vans)

0 Runout at 90, 180, 360 . . .

After striking, tapping, squeezing, prying . . . thinking. You can mess around truing up a set of flywheels for an entire afternoon sometimes. You get them within "spec" . . . then you go working for perfection - but, often end up going backwards. This set is about as perfect as it gets. Which is damn near perfecto !

Ironhead XLs - Forever & Ever

Paul's '68 CH had broken cases, broken motor mount, scored pistons, rods destroyed, loose guides, bad seats, tranny (kinda ok) but needed race lapped. What a mess. Big Noot has some quality time in this (hell, we both do) but it will run again. Just have to get this guy to slow down a bit? That "gold" tool works great for performing any type of head work. Threads into plug hole.

Rats Hole Show selections . . .

One for Shea . . . One for Ricky . . .

For those of us who can't make our our pipes

Kenny Price said, "You want a tour?" Samson has relocated their factory from Brea, CA to Sturgis with this new facility. I got the full factory tour. All pipe diameters, shaping jigs, dies, presses, plasma cutters . . . all their exhaust pipes, heat shields and baffles are mostly hand made. The buffing room was insane !

FXR "Midnight Special"

This FXR was parked down the street . . . and you will notice something unique about the engine, which has some heavy mods by the way . . . It reminds me of those Yamaha's that came out in the 80s - Black & Gold. A friend of the owner took me aside - and in a hush voice said . . . " that sucker really runs !"

Al Malmin's Iowa-Built Chopper

You've read about Allen Malmin on this blog previously . . . he builds his own bikes, paints, welds . . . and he's real fussy. ( I got to pinstripe and help with magneto timing ) and Big Noot of coarse . . . but, he's real particular and precise. Al had his own shop in California, and has never lost the "chopper bug" that bit him years ago. Nice lookin' shovel chop wedged in a pan wishbone frame - and it sounds real crisp too !

Lost Art Metal Forming and Fabrication ?

This '53 Hydra-Glide was built by an artist who got into motorcycles in the 1960s. It was found in Florida and restored to it's current condition. A fine example of ingenuity and custom fabrication. The artists, Robert & Barbara Vanderlick were ornamental iron and sheet metal masters. They used a torch, welder, anvil and buffer to create a one-of-a-kind lead sled motorcycle. It's got 10,000+ miles on it. It's probably the only '53 FL with electric start?! A Lost Art . . . sort of . . . since some artists are still doing it. One of the more unique customs I've seen this year. Pretty darn classy I think . . .

Makes me want to suit up with my club collar shirt, studded gauntlets, jeweled kidney belt and riders cap . . . and ride to tonight's club meeting. Attendance is mandatory !

From 2014 Sturgis: Ultimate Builder Show

Rain? No Problem !

The Black Hills have a nice shade of green this year due to abundant rainfall. We had a wet day, but it didn't matter - The boys followed me down to Ol' Smokey's Moonshine where we could drink FREE tall PBR cans (imagine that?) and watch above the busiest intersection in town (Junction & Lazelle) as all the 80s rockers made their way out to see the Crue and Alice Cooper. What a zoo !

One goal I had when building this panhead, was to ride out to Sturgis and get a photo on the hill above old city park, where all the historic craziness of the rally took place. We spent some time carving names, and dates, and listening to the subtle roar down below of 200,000 motorcycles.

Alva took me on a tour of Gypsie Cycle (the original building where J.C. "Pappy" Hoel had his Indian Motocycle dealership. He estimated the exact spot where the charter was signed for the very first Black Hills Motorcycle Rally. Alva is cool . . . he lets me camp in his yard - and I get a history lesson.

The night ended as it does many times over the last few years with the Five 13 band from Colorado !