Arizona: A little bit of everything . . .

I did my yearly trip to Arizona to visit my son and his wife. . . see some sights, eat some food, drink a couple beers and fit in some "bike stuff" . . . fun times.

Eric at Phoenix International Raceway (just down the street)

From the Phoenix Police Museum (not good on a hot day in Phoenix)

Sunday we took a road trip to Tombstone & Bisbee . . .

Monday, I gave Eric a break, and went to work for Jeremiah.

 These heads had never been apart . . . for his Born Free build.

Plenty of projects . . .so he put me to work !

He machined and pressed steel seats on Andre's ironheads.

I got to install new guides !  I could work here !

Move to Arizona . . . hmmmmm? 

 Plenty of projects all around . . .

He's got "the muscle" for all your vintage motorcycle needs.

  . . . then Joel came by to help too.  
You may have seen his supercharged BSA at this
year's 'Builders' show in Texas ? 
______________
A lifetime of projects awaits !

 Ice cold water - always - at Love Cycles 
It's the . . .
"The Hottest Shop in the Country" 

KR engine numbers ( and Fred Nix )

I found these pages(here's one in particular) from AMA pro racing programs, whereas in the earlier days, racers noted their engine serial numbers upon entry for each class.  Maybe you'd find a set of cases, and could determine the racer who rode that particular machine . . . ?  Fred Nix 53KR1982: I wonder where that motor is today?  Fred was flyin' that day.

 This might be the bike?  
Fred Nix was one of the best Mile racers ever, winning mile events in only his 2nd year of pro competition - and taking victories in professional road racing nationals too.  

Tombstone, Arizona

I've stood the same ground location of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, Civil War Battlefields(are the heaviest), Evel Knievel jump sites, Sebring (famous crashes, famous victories) The Apollo lift offs . . .  The original location of Saloon 10 . . . Specific places where important events in American history took place - they have that certain aura surrounding them.  Events that happened - not really that long ago.  Tombstone, Arizona has such a place. 

The Bigots

I would just assume a certain viewpoint from opinions of others (to fit in, to be cool) but when I truly understood the facts, the subject and the situation, I understood the truth of the matter, formed empathy and confidence to do my own thing, to lead not follow.  The facts.  A wise, elderly lady who worked in a neighborhood store in small town Iowa(Cedar Falls) once told me the word Bigot came from two words . . . Big Idiot.  She said if you're a bigot, you miss out on a lot of good life.  I'm sure she's gone now, but her advice has served me well.  I've met incredible people, who shared incredible stories, advice and received gifts, love and friendship no amount of money, tangible items or fame could ever replace. 

XLR? Or an imposter ?

Do you suppose that's an aluminum fender, and fender braces?
Are those real XLR "thin wall" exhaust pipes?
The shocks look to be correct.
It needs one more clamp on each exhaust pipe.
It's got notched rocker boxes, which are later . . . but, it still could be an XLR.
Anybody know where this motorcycle is?  The decal is a bit high on the tank.
Still - a way cool bike . . .

Tillotson

Did you know these carburetors don't have a float bowl ?
I think this engine is an Iron XR ?  The top end looks short.

KRs = Dirt, Road, Speedway or Drags

Clean Machine

 Washed up Ricky's stroker cases in hot, sudsy water.  Hot water rinse and blow dry is best.

Cases have been machined to clear the connecting rods.  The breather holes were beveled for possible improved air flow.  It can't hurt . . .

1966 Malibu engine case transport.  If I visit Malibu, I'll drive the Malibu . . . too.

Early Super B Single Cable

I got this from Rattlecan . . . it was pretty rough, and the float must have stuck all the time and the guy carried a hammer, 'cause it was all beat to shit.  I sanded, and sanded, and sanded some more.  Gave it a blasting and washing.  Somebody did a nice job on installing the steel throttle bushings (I don't think they had them originally) the throttle shaft is nice and tight.  In process restoration . . .

Bill Mize & Mollie

Bill and Mollie came over and picked up the '48FL.  It's ready to be a runner !  We walked down and had lunch at The Pub . . . and since they're "cat people" - they were anxious to maybe get to meet Morty "The Official Shop Cat."  Well, long story short . . . Morty was in a piss-head mood (more like Morty Hyde) and he didn't want anything to do with anybody that day.  Morty, you little snarky fart ! 

 . . . of coarse, a few hours later, The Mort shows up and it's like . . . "Hey, where'd your friends go?"  They leave already?????  He's all nicey nice and fluffy . . . What the heck ?

STURGIS 2016 " A Possible BUST "

Bummed Out Editorial:

I just can't find anything to do at Sturgis this year.  I know how "to do" the rally about as good as it can get.  There just isn't any good races.  The drags (but, last year it was marginally ok, with long down times between runs and too many intermissions).  The Sturgis Half Mile might be gone? (I guess there's Rapid for the Pro AMA?) The Gypsie Short Track maybe? But, half the races are the kids on PW50s.  I see there's wheelbarrow races? WTF?  Mayor's Ride? yawn.  The bands are kinda sucky this time . . . I just don't get it.  I want to run out for a couple days and check out something - but, I can't find anything yet.  Maybe use my vacation time for the AMCA Wauseon or The Meltdown Drags in Byron, Illinois . . . ?  Kinda sucks, I love the rally, the riding, and the run out and back - but, this time it's just leaving me cold.  I could care less about Hairball . . . and Lynch Mob is like Thursday before the rally even starts - hell, there ain't gonna be nobody there ? !  I gotta figure something out . . . Suggestions?

1952 K Model: Save Money, Ride Small Displacement

It's been a cold Spring in Iowa.  Rain, cold, very little sun, wet, clouds, rain, cold, wet, cold, more clouds - I feel like I live in England or Ireland . . . 

Don't drink beer and buy parts . . .

I purchased this case when I was drinking beer at a swap meet.  It appeared to be a good deal, at a good price.  Then, with proper eye-focus . . . I noticed cracks, bad threads after a good cleaning.  Lucky for me, Pat welded up the breaks and cracks, and McFarland machined, drilled and tapped for the new stud.  A couple more adjustments and it's almost perfect.  Everything I ride pretty much started out as someone else's "put back" or the part you pick up, see it's bad, and set it back down.

Time Consuming Projects

These K Model tappet covers need to slide together easily (no binding) to function properly.  They must be almost perfect.  These were "far from perfect."  The smallest dent can render them sticky, almost useless.  The threads must be perfect too.  The smooth, inside covers are installed under the valve guide flanges, with a fiber gasket between the cover and the cylinder.  I've got a few hours in these.  They are nice.  Painted with a light coating of Hi-Heat H-D Barrel Paint Silver.  I prefer the original H-D parts.  It's worth it to repair them.  Aftermarket covers would probably need to be worked to fit anyway . . . so just use the real deal.

Panhead Dreams

360+ Miles of Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin

I didn't have a whole lot of time to take my hands off the handlebars . . . but, I had a great ride.  After blowin' through the Canadian fire smoke on Saturday morning (near Kenyon, MN), the sky cleared off and I made it to White Bear Lake and hooked up with a couple old panheads for a river run.

Dave had to tighten one bolt . . . then lunch near Diamond Bluff.

Pat & Rebecca(Did I spell it right?) gave me the grand tour . . . 

we rode into the night.

Over winding blacktops, through the woods, down dirt roads . . . 

even over sidewalks !

We kept it movin' . . .

We came rippin' into Bellechester . . . fashionably late.

The Chubs rocked it . . . bottles passed around.

Was I worried?  Nah, my tent was out back.

Me & Whitey shut it down . . . Where'd that Crown go ?
The crazy kids even met me for breakfast in Zumbro Falls,
 makin' sure I was ready for the ride back . . .
Thanks for the fun . . . see you soon.  -Noot

 PS. Mac's is a neat place (unless the dam breaks)

Bubba Shobert

Shobert let his riding ability do the talkin' . . . Texas-style.  One of the fastest, most versatile professional motorcycle racers ever.  Always a fan favorite, Bubba can still be spotted signing autographs and greeting old fans at the track.

Chopper Dave's Hooded Sweatshirt

My favorite sweatshirt:  It's kept me warm and dry through this shitty Iowa spring.  Washed about 3 or 4 times . . . it's usually covered with cat hairs.  It's been splatted with gasoline, parts solvent, brake kleen, carb cleaner and bugs.  It still looks great.  The zipper has never failed or jammed (put wax on 'em).  "They Forced Me To Hate" on the front . . . not really sure what all the hate is about (I assumed all the big tire, fake crap bikes I guess - I could always just ask him) - but, I really like the sweatshirt !

75 & Sunny Today !

I just really dig my Andrews No.1 Series Camshaft.  It's got torque, response . . . and gets going.  I also went with the Yost Powertube.  Standard compression.  Great combination.  Jockey jammin' with pipes at the sky . . .Old bikes are just in my blood - I just love old iron. 

20 Years on this Ironhead

I registered this motorcycle in the late Summer of 1996 . . and it's been my main ride ever since.  The last (2)years I rode a panhead on long trips, and the trusty '64 saw a couple 700+ miles trips, but mostly it just sat under a sheet.  Originally built from swap meet parts, backroom parts and a few NOS goodies . . . it was great to be back in the saddle of the Black Sportster last weekend.

I prefer the Delco points (with fiber bushing)

and the Blue Streak condensers

I run the 18" Metzeler ME77 Perfect on stock Borrani Aluminum Rim with stainless spokes.  Just check them periodically and keep them tight. I like the 13 1/2" FLH shocks . . . gets it low for windbreak, and they're heavy-duty for carrying heavy loads for traveling.  

The early staggered mufflers sound great . . . and it's an easy exhaust system to service or remove when out on the road.

I modified a Super B air cleaner backing plate - to fit my Super E.  The air cleaner is thinner (more leg room) and it works well.  I prefer the standard, foam UNI-type filters.  Wash it and spray it down with a lil' filter oil. They are a bit lighter too.  This ironhead has the early 4 gallon (H-Tank) fuel tank for 140+ mile runs.  A Pingel fuel valve keeps fuel flowing for those 80+ mph semi-trailer passing lane bursts of speed.  Lead, Follow or Get-The-F&%K Out of The Way Moves . . .

 

A 19" Borrani with my preferred Avon 3.50 leads the way.  I've never had any issues with the Avon Speedmaster tires.  I can change it easily with common tire tools.  I can carry (1)ea 19" tube with metal center valve (which could work on the rear too).  Cycle Electric generator and Lockhart oil cooler(with cover for temps under 75 degrees F) keeps things safe and reliable.  I run Autolite 4316 plugs almost exclusively.  Many miles I've gone on my ironhead Sportster.  I just love this thing.  It's a testament to H-D engineers, H-D service manuals . . and American-Made motorcycle parts of the 1960s. For short trips, bar hoppin' or traveling . . . it's a great combination.