Noot

Old Timer

This guy came up and politely asked me some early ironhead questions, which I answered for him. As usual, we got to talkin' . . . and he built this bike himself. It's got all types of neato modifications. He was a customer of the Harley Hospital (Leo Payne's venture performance business) and Payne had his hands on this very engine.

It always kinda blows my mind that I can meet someone 25+ years my senior, and we get into the same stuff on this very day. We've had all the same failures with these bikes, and know what works and what doesn't - and it never fails . . . I learn something new from all this. These ol' timers that still own their original bikes are the total shit. The guy and his trusty old bike were just the coolest . . . right down to the boxed Camel pack, still in his front pocket.

(that's him in the old framed photo, deerskin vest, same bike)

Terrible with names, but I remember faces....

Iggy Pop on CBS Good Morning Show

Old rockers are the best - and they always seem so normal, and make perfect sense, but they're often portrayed very differently by the media. A true classic.
Great story and interview - Well done.

Factory Harley-Davidson Leathers

Eric owns King's old leathers, complete with dirt.

(I'm sure Rich remembers the spill, or maybe not!?)

Retro Rewind - Dubuque, Iowa

. . . is Up in Smoke !

If you missed it, you'd better go next year for sure - It's Fun !

Dave Barr is Riding the Edge

The first time I read this book, I somehow got Dave Barr's email, and he called me at work. Holy Crap . . . it's Dave Barr on the phone ! We chatted, and it was way cool for him to call me(some nobody) and talk about his trip. Now I'm reading it again. (every morning for 1/2 hr. before work) . . . and like any great book - it's better the second time (since I'm a shitty reader anyway).

I've been inspired, and educated by Dave Barr in many ways. Because of Mr. Barr, I've become more Active - and less Stagnant. Life is short, and if you're sitting on your ass, you can't get that day back. I'm more careful with money. I exercise more. Small, problem issues don't bother Dave Barr(he may disagree) - and I try not to let them bother me. It's a great book.

Before I knew the book existed, I saw him talking at a dealer show one year, not knowing who he was. Dave Barr is a fighter and stands up for what he believes in . . . and a really nice dude too, just to call me up that day. Thanks again Dave. I'm at the paragraph where you're riding through Iowa right now . . . which I know was 'cake' compared to rest of the trip. Incredible Reading !

As done in Iowa and in Russia . . .

Russian ice racers . . . probably, the best in the world.

Sergey Tarabanko - One of my favorite Motorcycle racers !

One thing hasn't changed . . . the engines still burn alcohol . . .

The fastest form of motorcycle circle-track racing - pure traction.

150lbs / 80hp

You can find a 7 Minute Trailer on this movie (on You Tube) It features a 60 yr. old racer who's working on the upcoming season with his tuner. It's quite interesting if you know anything about bike building and/or racing. This documentary is well respected in the ice racing world, and it's garnered many awards. -Noot

I think it's safe to say . . .

INDIAN IS BACK !

Down on the Broomsticks

. . . tach needle is outta sight !

#HarleyKR #SmithsTach #Daytona100 #beachracing

80mph and thin rims . . .

One of the oldest known paintings of motorcycle racing in existence.

80" Sturgis Mill

Big Noot has been meticulously building this shovelhead motor the last month. About 4 different kinds of black finish . . and now we gotta do the heads, and highlight the fins.

McFarland surfaced the heads, and cut down the steel inserts. This allows the head gasket to squeeze and seal a bit better, and if the inserts pull a bit, we're still good. A fresh valve job and guides - and we had the broken(and boogered up) exhaust thread welded and fixed, ready to be tapped for a stud. She'll run a J-grind Andrews with 8.5:1 pistons, bored and fitted by, Your's Truly.

Bruce & Cal

In many of the film scenes . . . The helmet-cam (on one side) was counter balanced with a big weight on the opposite side. Bruce Brown got these guys to trust him, and all the racers worked with him to make, really . . . a hell of a movie. It's never been equaled to this very day.

King Leo

Jeff Wiley could tell us a lot about this photo . . . but, he has a "regular job" now. Boo. It's like Einstein workin' at 7-Eleven.

Fuel Efficient

Gift Card Book Ideas . . .

If you received a gift card for Christmas, and you want to buy a great H-D history book . . . get this one by Wolfgang Wiesner. I've had this very book for over 20+ years.

It's probably the best book on Harley-Davidson history I've ever seen. I don't believe there's one better, and Wiesner (a German) did a spectacular job. Wiesner had help from Vaughn Beals and Willie G. The photos and information (especially on early models) is very good. The cover doesn't really offer a good insight on what's inside. Here's the author visiting the USA, on Wisconsin backroads . . .

In it's day, this JDH Model was the most powerful motorcycle engine.

There are period photos of many familiar faces (in their younger years), from Bud Ekins, Knievel, the founding fathers, etc..... Here's the late, great collector/historian: Mr. Mike Parti.

The book is full of factory photos - excellent for knowledge and reference.

If you watched the short series "Harley and the Davidsons" . . . Here is a photo of the actual race where Shrimp Burns made a name for himself !

Another, fresh-off-the-assembly-line 1966 XLCH, going through a battery of tests before being shipped off to a dealership. One word: Tillotson ! . . . with the new Ham Can.

Speaking of the XLCH, here's a promo shot of Clyde Denzer showing the off road potential of these ironhead beasts. My dad used to call Denzer with questions back in the old days.

You can tell Wiesner is a true enthusiast, he wrenches on his own machines (below) and is a buff on all aspects of Harley-Davidson from antiques, racing, history - and the modern era. An excellent book that can make you an expert on all things H-D. I don't know if it's still in print, but I'm just saying . . . Hope you enjoyed this post? Happy Holidays !

The Dragons M/C (below) Wonder if these guys are still around? That's a row of the best lookin' choppers. Perfect. The way I like 'em personally.

AEE = $$$$$

A Double E musta had a lot o' bucks?

Ride an ironhead = Get hot chics !

Baas Racing

Kevin's motor . . . oh brother . . . everything, almost every part has some sort of defect. I've been working on the gear cover. The clutch cable boss was broken off. Dustin did a really nice job fixing the boss, and blending it back in as original to fit the stock cable.

A couple cam bushings were undersize, so they need a reamer. I just happened to have the correct reamer (reamer was purchased at The Red Barn Antique Flea Market in Florida about 10 years ago) The reamer was one of those purchases that were like, "Maybe I'll need this someday?"

I might mix up a runny, slurry lapping compound and lap in all the cams and gears? What do you think? It makes a mess, but with mis-matched cams, it may be necessary for a smoother running gear case. Quiet, more power, less breakage. I've never done it before, this would be a good test, since I just have bushings(no needle rollers). Maybe do it without the oil pump installed, to keep compound out of that . . . Hmmmmm?

The bottom, left corner was broken off, so I smoothed it out a bit. I'll install (and hone if necessary) a new(NOS) shifter shaft bushing. Bass Racing ! Go Kevin Go !

Retro Rewind Dubuque: SAT, Jan. 7th

Huh ? I musta searched wrong . . .??

Retro Rewind . . .

______________________________________________

Morning Coffee & DICE

The last quiet moment before a walk to work . . .

Holidays over . . . back to work boys !

Over the River and Through the Woods . . .

. . . to Pat's House we go !

Pat is restoring his sister's 1979 Sportster. He's polished all the covers and rocker boxes. Rebuilt the flywheels and set it all up by the book. Looking really nice so far.....

I drove up early, with a 40mph wind pushing me north.

Pat has the "45" . . . sitting outside, decorated with Christmas Lights ! Lil' Joe is hangin' out 'til he can break ground on his new shop (with two bedroom living quarters). We had a beer and talked about the old days - Thanks fellas. -Noot

The drive back was kinda ugly.

Dupli-Color Spray Gun

I bought this in Paducah, Kentucky. Cuban Tan for your 40s Packard ! I cleaned it out and it's ready for a test. This could be the beginning of a whole new career . . . probably not.