Santa ( by Mark Patrick )

Every year around the holidays . . . I forget to take Santa out of the box and display him.  No shit, when I take him out of the box, and look at his face - he's got a scowl, mad face.  After he warms up in the dry heat of this old house . . . his face lightens to a warm smile. 

Only 5 days 'til Christmas !
You just got to believe . . .

Modern Motorcycle Superstars: Springer

I bought this at a book sale years ago.  I see it was once property of the Neenah Library.

It has stories on many great riders, like Jay Springsteen . . .

The story on Springsteen focuses on his 1978 season where he battled (the late and great) Steve Eklund for the title . . .

Steve Eklund was also a talented flat tracker, and won the National Championship himself later . . . I didn't know that another rider accused Springsteen of drug usage during his career - or that any time he was "Boo'd by the crowd." 

Gradually . . . the boos stopped - and Jay Springsteen went on to become one of our top champions of the sport, with one of the longest careers of any rider, before or since. 



I took this very book with me to Springfield one year to try and get autographs.  I carried it around with me after I went in the grandstands.  It was sort of a pain-in-the-ass carrying this book with me.  I went under the track (through the tunnel) and found Springsteen talking with, none other than Parker and Carr and Atherton, sitting on the tail gate of a truck.  I listened to all these stories they were telling (me and a couple others) . . . and I handed my book to Jay and asked him if he could sign it? He said something like, "Hey, this is neat, I've never seen this one before."   . . . and this is the page he signed for me . . . winning again in 1978 !  Just like the story goes . . . .







Rowe USA ( Out of Business )

Rowe has been closed for a couple years now.  They manufactured great products.  Excellent quality.  I'm a 2nd generation family member (user) of Rowe products.  We've installed hundreds of valves and guides.  The parts were plentiful, but now they're becoming scarce.  I have these cast iron Intake guides for Ironhead XLs . . . and (2) of them will be used in Eric's build - then I'm down to 3 . . . then 1 . . . then none.  Even their name etched on the guides is Quality. 
Quality in the Name: Rowe USA

Mr. Rowe graciously retired . . . and he couldn't find anyone to buy the business, so he closed.  Crap, for the rest of us . . . but please enjoy your retirement - you earned it.

'66 Flywheels

Eric's sprocket-shaft side flywheel was wrecked.  Broken taper lip.  His center rod was ate.  We replaced the parts (found an excellent OEM center rod in our stash), new wrist pin bushings, honed the races for new oversize rollers . . . checked the shafts, trued up the assembly - ready to roll again ! 

Motion Pro

I received my "Custom Manufactured" throttle cable today from Motion Pro of California.  Years ago I attended the Cincinnati Motorcycle Dealer's Show, and chatted with a guy from Motion Pro at their booth about racing, etc.  Towards the end of the conversation, I asked how long he had been with the company?  He said "I'm the owner . . . I started it."  Nice fella.

They included a sticker !  Just like the one's you see on the flat tracker seat cowls, forks and number plates of the XRs . . . all tucked in on the mile . . .

Tom Fugle @ Mooneyes Japan 2014 REPOST with added paragraph:

I just wanted to say(for 2014) it's pretty cool Tom built a bike for Born Free, went to Japan, got recognized for all his talent and work he's done in his life.  His close friends already knew this - they already knew Tom was a special guy, but we wouldn't have known (or at least I wouldn't have known it) I just knew Tom from the swap meets and bike shows as a kid, that knew Tator - who bought and sold parts and had a chopper, etc.  Then, Jeff Wright met Tom and showed us all pictures of Tom and his talent - and it just kinda snowballed for the rest of us.  I mean Tom is really an artist who does his own thing, and does it uniquely well.  All that practice and fine tuning of his skills takes work and dedication. - Heck, by the time we get to be his age - we might not even be into bikes, or have so many aches and pains we won't feel like doin' nothin'..... but, Tom is still goin' and it gives me inspiration to do something and keep creating things - and keep building stuff - and honing my own talents. 

Well, the above post of mine was a couple years ago - and time just keeps going on.  People don't change much, but times do.  Tom is heading down life's road, and nearing it's end.  He's been sick for a bit, but he just keeps changing lanes and passing all the exits.  His tank is on reserve now, but that panhead just keeps pulling . . . flying down the highway of life.  You got to take your hat off to a man who did it his own way, and tried his best, and influenced 2 or 3 generations(so far) of motorcycle enthusiasts who just wanted to chop and customize and build badass motorcycles, that shined in the moonlight and blasted in the wind.  Your inspiration and motivation didn't go unnoticed - and you'll still be an influence for many many years to come.  Thanks again Tom Fugle.  My warmest wishes for little pain and lots of good memories in your final run in high gear . . . left foot on the tin primary, right foot on the case, tone of the pipes in your ears.  Respectfully, -Noot

Classic Photo

The K Model (center) has a weird speedometer set-up - I've never seen one before.  Cables and it seems (a calibrator?)  Also a different front fender and knobby thread.  I'd say they're more into off-road riding, than street cruising?  Tough gals. 

Ladies Love The 80s . . .

These 80 inchers are now +.040 with +.0015 clearance.  I got my 60 degree cross-hatch - and they turned out nice . . . for a local, gray haired ruffian.

V.C.S. (Cross Hatch) = Variable Controlled Scratching

Best Seats in the House

My dad(retired) enjoys working in the garage everyday.  He spent considerable time cutting my valve seats.  The seats were a bit deep, so we went old-school, and cut down some shovelhead intake valves(which are larger) in the lathe and relocated the valve seat farther out.  It works . . . sometimes.  Other times it's best just to machine out the old bronze seats, and press in new steel seats.

These late-model valves have an improved shape too which should help flow.  I'm thinking maybe an Andrews AB grind camshaft?  Mild with a slight boost where I want it . . .

Social Media and other Bullcrap

These famous people of Instagram post photos with a caption, then all the fans respond with comments, which are never answered back (since there is so many of them) It seems like a waste of time of your life to me.  Who reads it?  Who cares what you said?  You may as well dig a hole and bury that thought(comment) - since apparently the person you envy doesn't care about your thoughts(unless you stop buying their shit)  Most of the comments are just blabber anyway (not a intellectual response to the post) just immediate blabber 'cause they have the ability to comment within seconds. 

My land-line phone is crystal clear.  And the cell phone of my friend (at my house) loses contact all the time - and they tell the person to call back on my land line . . . "Uh, what's your land line number so he can call me back?"

After I made my reservation at The Best Western, the receptionist asked for my phone number and email.  I told her I don't have an email (I lied), but I could tell she was surprised.  I told her I just had a flip-phone, and I could give her that number, or my home phone number.  She asked what a home phone number was?  Then she went on and on how much she missed her flip-phone, and how much time she spends on her new phone, talking to all these people who don't even live by her, or that she only knows from her social media.  I guess I just enjoy my quiet.  If I want to talk with one of my local friends, I never bother to call them - I just go over to their house and knock on the door . . . and they're always happy I stopped by to see their projects or chat.  It's something that sure is being lost in today's world.  That . . . and the kick-start motorcycle !

I still like writing letters - and sending messages with a stamp on it.  It's more fulfilling to me than seeing it on a screen.  I write condolences on a letter, and drop it in the mail (or in the box at the funeral home).  Sending a condolence (via email to the funeral website doesn't carry much feeling - almost none)  Especially, when someone who always lived in Iowa (still does in the summertime) lists their address(winter time only) as Palm Springs, California)  It's like "look at me" I'm not dead, I'm doing great - too bad your family member is dead, but by the way . . . I'm still here - living it up."  Oh screw you.
(not you the reader) I love my readers !

Clapper Restoration

I really like my trips to this shop.  He's always got multiple projects "in process" and has a diverse set of skills.  From Jeeps, GTOs or Jet Skis . . . but mostly classic Harley-Davidsons with a 1912 Excelsior thrown in, parked between vintage Coca Cola soda machines.  All things of the past, in the process of restoration to their former glory.  He's spraying some gloss black for my own project, and like I've said before - there's nothing better than picking up your newly painted parts ! 

Iron goin' Right

He's still using his brake . . . must be a Class C racer?  Nice goggles.  Must be after 1964?  A Mustang and a Chevelle in the background.  You see a lot of "white pants" at 1960s motorcycle races being worn by more than just the flagman.  I wonder what those white pants actually were?  I need to get a set of White Dickies so I fit in at Davenport.

XLR or Iron XR ???

 

Which models have that extra bolt in the top center of the primary cover?  KRs, XRs?  Some left side cases do, while others don't . . . does anyone know when they had that - and when they didn't ?  This one doesn't have it . . . and what frame is that ?  XRTT?  Lowboy or Highboy?

Above: See how this "Racing KR" cover has the extra provision for the bolt in the center top?  All the K-Models and KRs have a flange on the left case for this screw.  Not always tapped 1/4-20, but it's there.  The Sportsters don't have it - unless maybe an XLR has it?

Harley Part -62

We had this rim in our stash, so I had it blasted and checked for straightness.  She's a beauty . . I had it powdercoated - and it'll guide my new panhead road bike as the front wheel, with rebuilt star hub and cadmium spokes.  Does anyone know . . . is this a Kelsey Hays rim then ?  It's got some kind of symbol with an "H" on it . .  but doesn't actually say, Kelsey Hays.  It does have that extra curly outside rim edge.  I'm trying to use all oem Harley parts if I can.

Cold Water Observations

Did you know that Mr. Celsius originally had water freezing at 100, and boiling at 0 ? I watched these ice sheets floating down and rolling over the dam this morning, swiggin' my coffee and waving at people driving by in their toasty warm vehicles on their way to work.

I wonder how much these sheets weigh?  In kilograms of coarse . . . The water is just crystal clear.  I think I could see Walleye Pike schooling in a small pool?

If you'd fall in today . . . you wouldn't last any longer than an experienced "Polar Bear Club" member.  However, your body would be very well preserved.

Ice water is good for drinking on a very hot day - but not real great for swimming.

Gettin' off the couch . . .

Most of the time, working on bike stuff isn't very glamorous . . . but it gets you off your ass.

 

We're cutting the seats on these panheads for my 84" stroker project.  The combustion chambers look like someone filled 'em with salt water and let them sit for years.  They surfaced nice, the seats are solid, spigots all good - I'm runnin' 'em !

Kevin's 1955 KH oil pump is a one-or-two-year-only pump.  You need all the correct parts to make it work - so I came up with all the correct parts !  The breather is timed, oil pump and pinion gears installed correctly.

I got these cases disassembled (for Ricky at Anchor Moto).  His plan is to cut the transmission portion of the cases off - and run a 4 speed big twin tranny.  I'll do the lower end (what's left of it).

Last night, I bored these cylinders for my friend Eric from Portland.  It's another 1966 XLCH motor, and he wants to keep it "all krusty lookin" to match the rest of it's barn-find, old school chopper chassis.  No paint, no polish - just wash and assemble - leave the patina.  We'll use these +.010 NOS H-D pistons . . .





 

Eric's cases all washed and dry, carbon blasted off the heads, one new flywheel, new forked rod, races honed, all other crucial dimensions being checked and sized.  Time to quit for the night, go home . . . and relax on the couch.

80" Wrinkle Motor

Restoring this 80 incher for a local.  Harley "Texture Black" looks so nice.  Freshened up the heads too . . .

We held it together with old hex nuts.  Everything gone through on this build.  A stock, solid runner it will be . . . The flywheels were full of holes?  The counter weights may have been shaved slightly, so they needed to remove weight on the opposite end.  Maybe this was done at the factory on 80" wheels?  Not sure . . . A new sprocket shaft, and each side was checked for run-out and adjusted accordingly.  Still a matching set - Ready for assembly.

Cam Repair: Baas Racing

This KHK camshaft was heavily pitted on each end from corrosion.  The cams ride in bushings on these motors, so a small amount of pitting is still usable.  These were bad.  I had McFarland machine down the pitted end, and make a new sleeve that pressed on, giving us a smooth surface again.  We fixed 3 of the cams, made a complete shaft for one (since these shafts can be pressed out) - and now Kevin has a fresh set of cams (which are hard to find) for his '55KH.

Rock Town

I traveled to Rockford, Illinois over the weekend and met up with Ryan, Josh and Drew . . . and hung around with some talented dudes for 24 hours.  This is me and Derby . . . and he didn't bite me.

Coffee Martinis woke us up . . .  The food at the Irish Rose Saloon was excellent. 
Nice meeting all of you . . . Thanks for the fun !

I like Drew's ironhead the best . . . He let me sleep on Dolly Parton's couch and tucked me in with grampa Dick Allen's sleeping bag while visions of chrome moly springers danced in my head . . .

 . . . See ya'll soon dudes - Respectfully, -Noot

1980's Flat Track on VHS

I bought a Sony VCR(VHS) from an electronics guru.  He "hopped up" this VCR with a different gear-drive so it fast forwards, and reverses lightning fast.  It's quiet, and it's hooked up to my new Samsung with my Bose (201) surround sound.  I have an incredible library of recorded flat track races from the 1980s . . . and it's great to watch them all again. 

Springsteen gets down !

PS. the picture quality is much better than my camera can capture . . .
It's like I'm sitting in the stands ! 

OPEC Oil Study

This is one of the (if not "the") dirtiest set of cases I've ever seen.  They are black, with burnt oil on the outside - and the inside.  Degreaser soak - then power wash and see what flies off ????

Utilizing chemical solvents to break apart the molecular structure of a petroleum product.

Buy it cheap - Just add sweat

This oem, chrome(and heavily dented) rigid frame tank was modified to fit in a swingarm frame.  I'll use it, as H-D intended,(in my early '54 wishbone frame).  I cut off the cobbled mount, blasted off the chrome - and had lots of help from skilled craftsman . . . welding and fabricating the correct mounts.  It leaked oil, and had JB Weld all over, trying to seal the leaks..  It didn't work.  I've got many hours in this thing . . . and it still has a few dents.  Adds character.  Ready for paint.