Chicago - Surfin' with Aliens
Pat likes to weld . . .
but. not when he's feeling sick.
Thanks for the help - and I hope you're feeling better today . . .
See you soon. -Noot
TECH: Wrist Pin Spiral Lock Tool
This tool will install spiral-style lock rings in the proper manner.
I use the butt-end of a deep socket to get the spiral keeper ring centered, and down farther inside the sleeve. A small amount of oil smeared on the inside of the sleeve will help the spiral slide a bit better.
Insert the sleeve into the piston:
(you can see my spiral keeper pushed down in there)
(you can see my spiral keeper pushed down in there)
Next, Insert the Driver Piston and use your palm to press the spiral all the way - The sleeve is tapered down, so the spiral with wind up and pop into the wrist pin groove.
I usually insert a spiral keeper in each piston first. Then heat the piston a bit, this helps the wrist pin slip right through with ease . . . Don't forget to lube the wrist pin bushing.
I install the piston with "indented dot on top" (or if it doesn't have the dot)
with small "fin" on the inside wrist pin boss . . . .
TOWARDS THE PINION / CAM-SIDE of the motor.
Install Pin, and Piston - Repeat Procedure.
Using a small, flat blade screwdriver, press down around the top of each keeper, and make sure it's down in the groove. Since I can't see as good anymore, I take a lighted magnifier and make sure my keeper is fully seated. This tool works slick - I've installed hundreds of spiral keepers over the years. They stay in better than snap rings if installed correctly.
Always run Ethyl in your KR
Top Photo: His jacket is like "The Californian"
Lower Photo: Is that Paul Goldsmith?
I like the gentlemen (back right) with their riding caps.
1955 KH
Righty
No cracks . . . but,
Needs many heli-coils, pump shaft bushing, case race, cam bushing
Now I need a Lefty . .
One Sweet Knuck'
Thanks Big Noot
Thanks Wiley
Thanks Gordy
It'll be a one-kick runner . . . another one down the road !
'38 and '48
XLCR
I hate to see it go . . .
1977 XLCR = Awesome Motorcycle.
52K Model Test Flight
Ricky Graham
"When he was at his best,
he was the best that's ever been." -Chris Carr
I know Ricky Graham would be retired by now. Or would he??? But seriously, I've got to tell you, I really miss R.G. I was lucky enough to see him race quite a few times, especially on The Mile at Springfield, Illinois. If his life wasn't cut short by a stupid house fire, I'm almost sure he had more racing years left in him. His career was up and down, trials and tribulations with all kinds of drama in between . . . however, as many of us already know . . . R.G. would try stuff, outside the ordinary, run it in harder, different lines, different combinations - he had that drive to win, with the skills to match. I would cuss Graham after he cut-off Parker, dammit ! Just beat that Honda ! The other riders had to "up" their game when Graham was in that 25 lap main event. It didn't really matter if Graham was racing that Honda or whatever. He just needed a fairly competitive motorcycle, and what it lacked, he made up for it. I'd be so pissed after Ricky would work a slightly dangerous and risky move to win (the other rider thinking he had it won), but then you'd hear Graham and his victory speech, he wore his heart on his sleeve. Ricky just wanted to win, and be on that box. On top of the box. Other times Graham was so far ahead it didn't matter. Fastest time of the day, holeshot . . . 1st to Turn 1 . . . and he did what we all call "checked out" to a half-track lead at the checkered flags. I study how Ricky Graham sits on a motorcycle, in racing situations, and I try to emulate him. Right shoulder up, Left elbow down. Keep left leg in, close. Right knee hard against the bike to make it turn. Head cocked. Slide back on the seat, down the shoot ! It's the perfect stance for a taller rider - and it works. Picture Perfect.
PS. I know Graham would be really surprised how many fans would show up at these banquets, legends events, autograph sessions, trade shows, etc . . . just to see Ricky Graham again and get a signed shirt or picture?
Stripper Money
I went to the local farm store and bought my favorite kind of stripper. The first can didn't work, the second can just dribbled . . . and this can has almost TOO MUCH PRESSURE. It is eatin' off the VHT wrinkle black and (under that) the black Imron, and I got a little on the house siding, whoops.
We missed the big storm. My friends Bill (Sioux City) and Pat (Plainview, MN) took a direct hit with 12"+ . . . we got 1.5" and it melted by the afternoon.
Strip it, hose it off, blow dry, tape & plug, press out a couple more things
Machine it, then blast it . . . onward.
A man and his PAN . . .
Toby Davis
Toby comes up from Montrose, Iowa to pick up his rebuilt '48 motor. 74 cu.in. with STD heads and Andrews camshaft. New lifters, blocks, new bore, new shaft, new crank pin - she's fresh - it'll be a runner. Each time he comes up, we run down to The Pub, get some food and cold PBRs. We talk choppers and history. Toby is pretty darn sharp about all the vintage H-D motors . . . and actually started ridin' Harleys before he could get a valid driver's license.
Built to the smooth sounds of Daredevil
I took Ricky's advice . . .
I like the gloves !
Ricky (Anchor Moto) drove up from KC (through blinding snow at times) to bring up his cherished 1979 Ironhead Sportster Motor. He's always wanted a stroker motor - and it's time to just do it. A properly built ironhead stroker is a wonderful thing under you . . . with so much racing history from Leo Payne, Tony Daya, Warner Riley, Dave Campos, Dan Baisley . . . stories from Big Noot and Jeff Wiley - it's just something that every ironhead maniac needs to have in their stable of hot bikes.
Hey dude, it was fun hangin' out, Comet Bowl . . . and I ate the remainder of your Ben & Jerrys !
S&S & NOS?
Original S&S backing plates are getting scarce. $10 manifold was a no-brainer.
Longest Trip for Ricky Noot
For 2016 . . . I'd like to try a few new things. One particular, is a long motorcycle trip. I wrote up some destinations on small pieces of paper on about January 2nd, and put them in a hat. All 12 pieces of paper had places like Yellowstone, Bonneville, Florida, Maine, New York, Texas, California and Arizona. I'm lucky enough to know people, and/or have some sort of relative or friend in about every place - on each piece of destination. I feel the trip needs at least 3 full days of riding, a couple 1/2 day rides, a couple days rest in the middle, and back again. 3000 miles is a number. Far enough on a motorcycle to let you feel it - and see some places I've never ridden through. Like mountains, desert and differing climate change. If it was easy, why do it? Right? I reached in the hat, and pulled out ARIZONA. I was kinda excited since my son Eric and his wife live there - and so does Jeremiah (Love Cycles) and Sean . . . and Ricky, Amber, Dave & Shea & Co. on the way. Actually 7 states in one week . . .
I decided to make the trip on my 1964 XLH. It's been a proven motorcycle on many trips, and it deserves to make the trek. I started preparing the Sporty in January, in the cold garage. I've since geared it up, new chain and sprocket, new clutch plates(dry), lubed, checked wiring, checked spokes, it will get a new front Avon, bearings checked, brakes checked . . . new fluids. I know there's not many 50 year old men who travel long distances on '64 Iron Sportsters . . . they'll be at least one. I figure it might be best to travel early Spring or late Fall due to that Arizona heat . . but, Hey - I got an oil cooler and a water bottle !
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
