Noot

Can I do this ?

Can I hook my brake-return-spring way over on that "other" hole? This NOS spring just doesn't have enough pull to return my shoes away from the drum when attached in the stock location. It drags for a few wheel rotations. If I ride like 2 miles and decelerate, and slow down without really using my rear brake, and feel the drum, it's cold. But if I whip it in the driveway, hard braking, shut off the bike - and push it, I can feel it drag kinda on the rear for about 10-20 feet. I've determined the spring can't hit anything . . . and it's got more pulling pressure. Hmmmm?

Joe Hunt Magneto Products: My Opinion

I read a comment recently from a "fairly reputable" custom bike builder's reference to all Joe Hunt Magneto Products being "totally junk" . . . and I disagree with him. It made me think a bit less of his abilities. I mean, the products are good - from my experience. Maybe not idiot-proof, but what aftermarket part isn't? Hunt has a niceand solid, aluminum bearing top plate(with bigger screw bosses so you can't strip the threads as easy), I've used their long(FL type) base on many Fairbanks Morse heads . . . the points are decent. The condensers have great MF ratings (which we tested) at 25mf (whereas the Morris only had 21) . . . but, I guess if you're a good wrench, and know about timing and spark and look at what you're doing. I've got many many miles on Joe Hunt products. All my bikes get ridden. I own 6+ motorcycles with magnetos - and all have some different type of Joe Hunt Product. My buddy has a Morris wind-up "cheater" auto-mag deal on his bike, and it's sorta big. It works, but it don't start like my stuff. I'll soon help him get it better, but it's just big - and the original Fairbanks Morse head looks cleaner, and not so billet lookin'.. A Joe Hunt mag on this project Iron XR works perfectly. The Sifton (I know, "quality again") copper core plug wires were checked for continuity and are 100% perfect . . . I guess the more you wrench, the better you get, and you can make anything work if you know how to set it up. You call Joe Hunt and get a voice on the phone, they'll get you a "tech" guy if needed, and they ship fast. I like their Buzz-Box too. I think his comments were a bit harsh . . . maybe he should just run a Dyna S ? Unless he can't get that to work - and they'll soon be "junk" too . . . My positive just canceled out his negative.

A little play . . . a little work . . .

Just me, my truck, my bike and my tent. AMCA Viking Chapter - Minnesota Meet. Hangin' with Bromie and Pole Cat. Parts deliveries. Then back home and work on ironheads . . . Ricky's motor comin' along just great.

AMA Pro Flat Track Battle

Mees has the plate . . . Smith wants it. Another battle for 2016 !

Ironhead Mania . . .

Ride your Ironhead to work day . . . heck, ride any bike to work day. Cool mornings and warm afternoons. Perfect weather for vintage scoots. She's running smooth & sweet. I get all hooked on these things and just want to keep going and going . . .

Full Moon Nate: Anamosa, Iowa Vintage Meet

It was a real slice hangin' with Nate, drinking exotic tea, a couple beers, selling some 45 parts . . .
Full Moon Cycle had the coolest set up. Tunes all day, sunshine . . . Thanks dude !

That "Guy from Wichita" tried to beat-him-up on price . . . but, Nate held steady. Wichita got the parts, the crate, the whole 45 farm . . . Wheelin' & Dealin' . . . Nice seeing him again, all the way from the great state of Kansas !

. . . on the Dytch powered early ironhead makin' a run for more ice and refreshments !

Gas Pump Boogie

Small fuel tanks mean you spend time at gas pumps. $5.25, $5.50, $5.10, $4.98 . . . talking with people next to you . . . "Where you headed?" "What year?" "Nice Day . . .Beautiful Day . . . Rain Coming." The panhead was runnin' so fine last Saturday . . . 269 miles of Iowa blacktops with vintage Bell R/T open face.

Collectible Crap

Why do people collect stuff ? I heard a guy on American Pickers tell his wife, "I like lookin' at it . . . it makes me happy." I just keep collecting, but I sell some stuff so other people can enjoy it for awhile too. Then I look all over the place, trying to find it, because I forgot I sold it, or traded it. Trading is the best, since I'd rather have something else instead of the money.

Many Irons in the Fire

Washing, cleaning, polishing . . .

8 Fin Gear Cover

Fitment. This case half is from Panama. It needs major renovation. The cover has been welded, and still needs more work. If you want an old Harley Panhead . . . it takes commitment..

Storage

Ricky's Ironhead

Big Noot got Ricky's stroker cams(V9 Andrews) all dialed in with the right case 1/2. He accurately checked all the end-play on each camshaft from the inside with a dial indicator. As he was goin' through the transmission, he noticed a dog missin' . . . and the missing gear dog was wedged down low, near the pawl carrier . . . this dog almost bit him ! . . . That would have been like "Ouch !"

Lucky Day: Bell Moto 3

I went with my wife to a junk-fest in small town Iowa (yawn) . . . but, I started finding cool stuff like this helmet(fits me perfect) and weird motorcycle toys . . . Kinda fun !

Haifley Brothers

I didn't know these boys are originally from Keota, Iowa. They have a new shop (next door to Jeremiah's Love Cycles) and it's probably one of the coolest and best-set-up custom shops I've ever seen. I'm sorry I didn't get a picture, but I was too busy checking out all the neat hot rod builds, bikes, frame straightening, jigs, equipment . . . just the perfect shop. I was impressed with the quality of their work . . . and their knowledge on all aspects of welding, metal shaping and customization. Search their website, and just remember to get your work in ASAP . . . 'cause all shops that do great work, are busy, busy, busy.
Thanks again for the tour fellas . . . Respectfully, -Noot

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 . . .