Noot

Ride the Black Hills

After a ride to Whitewood for a hearty breakfast . . . Al, Chad and myself went to beat-the-heat with a ride through Spearfish and Icebox Canyon, Cheyenne Crossing and a cool-off at Roughlock Falls. The bikes were running sweet as we snaked our way to Nemo - then off to Boondocks Diner for onion rings. Al had one of their famous "real" strawberry shakes . . . then back through Vanocker Canyon with winding roads and fast 10% downhill grades . . . whooeeee on a ridged chop with no front brakes !

Nemo, SD Guest Ranch

One-Eyed Jacks

After the ride out, I took a hot shower, shined up my scoot . . . and went down to park on Main at One-Eyed Jacks . . . for rock and roll, check the hot chics and get all pissed up !

She remembered me from last year . . . is that a good thing?

Guild of Ages - They Rock !

He was lovin' it.

Sturgis 1/2 Mile Monday at the Fairgrounds

This race gets better every year. Steve Nace puts on this race with Gypsie Vintage Cycle. Brad "The Bullet" Baker checked out on the factory H-D 750 to win the main. Halbert, Rob Pearson, Mees and Rich King all had great showings. These guys were the fastest on the track, all on different motorcycles. The groove was narrow, but . . . two and three wide in the corners was a common sight.

Brad Baker pulled a big wheelie off every corner (turns 2 and 4) . . . that Harley was hookin' up !

Rich King's Rotax is the same motorcycle he "Won a national on . . . in I think '96 ?" If I'm not mistaken, I believe he won the LaSalle, Illinois Short Track.

____________________________________________

Jared Mees just couldn't get to Baker . . . The Bullet got a great start and he was gone. Mees settled into 2nd, but then Halbert (trying low and high lines, he was all over the place) finally caught Mees and passed him for 2nd place. Halbert never gives up . . . the announcer said it was a battle between "The Slammer" and "The Jammer"

Sturgis 2016

Finally got to ride with another vintage bike this year. Me and Rattlecan loaded up the panheads and hit the road to Sturgis. 3rd year in a row for my '52 motor and tranny. A great trip. Here's more . . .

Stopped in Alton, Iowa where my grandfather is buried. I've now outlived him. Never met him, but I will someday. Damn, where'd that gray come from ?????

The nerves were gone now - Chad started having some fun. This was his first time out to the rally - he needed a break from the riff-raff.

Crossing the Missouri . . .

Badlands pit stop . . .

Of all places . . . it was 55 degrees with cold drops of rain through the Badlands. I've rode through there about 15 times - and never this cold. It was weird.

_____________________

The FXR Show on Sunday was very well received.

Met up with Hux & Jessi . . . Darrel's FXRT is as good a rider or show bike as any at the show. It's one of my favorites. Now it was time to party a little . . . Yee Haa !

I stopped at the sight of the old Full Throttle Saloon. I knew that place in-and-out. Even though many kinda make fun of that place, I had some of the best times there. The Horse Chopper Shows, concerts from Shooter, The Reverend, KWS, Cinderella, Heart . . . and the first Jackyl show, backstage with Goldberg, drinkin' with McCoy and Kike on the bridge, Me, Spina and Lil' Joe hangin' out, the School Bus Bar, servicing bikes with Bacon, storms, hail, VIP, all things fun - all at the FTS. It made me sad - and I can't believe how hot a fire can get. Even the semi tractors way up high had their big 10 ply tires burnt completely off !

Michael Lichter Show was fun, from what I remember ?

Update for a VLD Sprocket Shaft Seal

The "reverse thread" sprocket shaft seals are designed to continually force escaping oil back-into-the-engine.
A few racers have told me this method also can force dust and dirt into your engine a little bit. My new "junior machinist" Randy, turned me a step inside the oem steel seal . . . so we can lightly press-in the updated Colony lip-type seal.

This seal fits in the left case (from the inside) and locates on that small dowel pin to keep it from spinning. The actual Left Case Race presses against this seal (the small slot to lube the seal). I found a sleeve that just fit inside our new counterbore, heated the steel a bit, and lightly pressed in the seal (with the seal spring out, towards the oil) . . . and then dropped the whole business in some cool water, so I didn't melt the rubber seal.

Now it won't leak so bad . . . and it'll help keep out the dirt.

1912 Motorbike Wheels

Did they call 'em motorcycles back then? In 1912 it was maybe just a "fad" many thought wouldn't last long, but it sure did. 1912 wheels for a Henderson or Indian or Sears, can't remember. A new stainless spoke kit, and I'll have to do some hole modification on the hubs and rims (I have the rear too) . . . It will be a cross 3 pattern, inside spokes opposite directions . . . I hate having to think too hard - use my brain. It's easier to just sit, drink beer and look at the walls, but that gets you no glory . . .

New Skid Lid: Bell Vortec

I've now tested this helmet in all types of weather. Hot sun, cold, wind and rain. I really like it.

The Positive:

- Air vents actually work !

- Provision for headphones, etc.

- "Arai-type" interior liner

- Webbing on top keeps air flowing over your head

- Secure strap Thru 2 - Back Thru 1 ring-type neck strap.

(no weird restraint method like some helmets)

- Tear-Off Posts on dark smoke shield (not too dark either)

- Tough outside graphic and paint job

(I dropped it and the scratches wiped right off)

- Fits your size - Accurate sizing.

The Negative:

- Kinda noisy (so I stuffed dense foam in the I-Pod ear ports)

- Physically big (I look a bit like a cartoon character as

it makes my head look even bigger, I wear a 61mm XL)

Possibly due to it's ability to

meet the Snell, etc. ratings for safety . . ?

Bugs wipe off easy !

Looks even better with some COC, FTW & SM stickies . . .

A view of courage . . .

You can see the differential (pumpkin) is offset to the right . . . so his right leg is kinked over it. Then I wondered if the engines had a special oil pump (or baffle/sump) system to keep oil in the high-side of the blocks and heads ???? Those tires - up in smoke big time ! Chris Karamesines "The Golden Greek"

Chopper Challenges

I took a gallon milk jug and filled it with water. I poured it into this stainless water container, and it left about 1 1/2" in the jug. It holds a bit less than a gallon of fuel. I've had to use it a couple times. Tiny Tank Club.

What to bring ?

1. Tools (most important)

2. Spares (2nd most important)

3. Leather Jacket

4. Sleeping Bag & Tent

5. Rain Suit

6. Creature Comforts (last)

Chopper Travel is an adventure. It's one of the more challenging methods of travel next to hiking, or long range bicycling. Very little suspension. No wind-breaks. No rain protection.

Foot clutch. Hand shift. Minimal fuel range.

65+ year old engine and transmission design.

Steel footpegs. Solid mount handlebars.

50+ year old rider getting physically (and mentally) prepared for a 1600+ mile trip.
Wish you were going with me . . .

It's really a lot of fun !