Markel made it look easy . .

He always made flat track motorcycle racing look easy for me.  Just put your left foot down, hard and locked.  You don't need gloves.  You don't need much of a helmet.  A light shield, no goggles.  Here, he doesn't even need an air filter on this clean, blue-groove.  What Bart Markel doesn't show . . . is that you need a really stocky build, strong arms, strong hands(with a vise-like grip), strong legs and nerves of steel to win multiple championships on heavy Harley KRs and XRs - on all types of tracks under every type of track condition imaginable.  A former golden gloves boxer . . . Markel was known to just move you right over if you weren't fast enough to get away from him. 

Stroker Power

This sucker looks tall don't it ?  

If it runs as good as it looks . . . hold on !

 

How to HOTROD Small-Block CHEVYS TECH:

If you like the small block Chevrolet, this book is great for building stock, warm or really hot motors. Technical information, graphs, specs. and lots of photos.  I have 4 different books for this 283 project . . . and I keep referring to this book most often.

FTWCO & COC Shirts

I have a total of 29 shirts from FTWCO and/or Church of Choppers.  (I was wearing one, and a couple more in the wash) They've held up quite well.  My oldest is the Swazi shirt(6th & Boston).  Latest is Hannah !

Front End Dreams

I was so pumped about gettin' my front end all done . . . I took it to bed with me so I could stare at it while I fell asleep.  I may have a problem no doctor can diagnose ?

Cal "You Do It" Custom

It's a neat pan, agreed.  Like all aftermarket products - it usually requires modifications.

- Fastener alignment

- End Seal alignment (shaping pan arches)

- Oil pump pickup clearance

- Windage tray modification

- Lots of little stuff . . .

Plus, they can be easy to damage from rocks, railroad tracks, big racoons, deer antlers . . . and difficult to repair (on the car anyway), and you don't really see all my detail work
unless you crawl under the vehicle.

They sure look cool !

Fiberglass Trackmaster

I'm breathing weird dust . . . Safer than a Camel or Marlboro ?

Seat Mount

Please excuse my welding ability.  It's on.  It's straight . . . 

and the seat and powder coat will cover it.

R.F. - Retro Flics

No easy way for these . . .

STRAIGHT HEX (3 different lengths)

BALL END

Whoever invented these Ratchet Wrenches gets a pat-on-the-back.

Good Job Dude !
(I needed all (5 ways), and some time to get these buggers on)

One o' the best motors H-D ever made (I know)

The Ironhead Sportster.  1957-1985.  The later ones get a little weird, but still a solid motor that will get you anywhere you want to go.  As fast or easy as you want to go.  A thrill a minute !

Pushrod Blues . . .

Why do these aftermarket companies make their pushrod diameters so big they hit on everything.  They touch and rub on the inside of the covers, they can hit the rocker boxes . . . They should just make a nice, thin set of pushrods that expand and contract properly (like H-D intended).  What's wrong with some light, steel rods?  These things are moving like a 1/2" . .  if that.  I don't believe we're gaining that much horsepower advantage, for the pain-in-the-ass these oversize push-rods cause. 

Double

Are two better than one?
via: Advanced Cycle Machine

After the rider falls off . . .

. . .  the second thing to fall off - is usually the carburetor (on these sidevalves)

Homemade steel bracket might help ?

Gasket Check: 3756519 Corvette Block

Gasket mock-up . . .
They just don't make gaskets like they used to...
One size fits all years - Crap.

Progressive 412 Shocks TECH:

If you want to lower your Ironhead (or K-Model) using 13 1/2" shocks . . . 

 The best way to mount them is to tighten up the top where you want them, and leave the bottom loose and see where it wants to locate on the lower shock stud.  Then make spacers and shim it, so you don't pull your shocks one way or the other.  No Binding.  I had to design a spacer the correct width to be just about in-line with the step, and then I use a heavy washer.  These shock ends were a bit narrower than the stock -52 OEM shocks I still had on the bike.

The first problem I noticed after I tried setting the spring tension was . . . These 75/120 Rated Springs are way, way, way too soft.  On the stiffest setting, I could bottom the fender on the tire with my hands.  Shit.
This sucks.  Of coarse, Progressive tech support will tell you "these really aren't the correct application" but, running 13 1/2" shocks on your ironhead is one of the most common things to do to these bikes since the early 60's . . .  Back then they just used panhead shocks.   I think they just send these so you have to buy another set of springs (so search for a great deal on your 412s, preferably with 120/170 springs).

 Too Weak (above)

This is what you want (or stiffer) 120/170

One thing that's kinda cool . . . you can shit-can the ugly, top spring covers since the springs have a beehive
type wind at the top to hold the spring retainer.  I think they look best with all that spring showing.

 Now I want to lower the front about 3/4-1" by maybe cutting down the springs, shortening the tubes, or maybe the Progressive Forks Springs . . .

Get this thing down . . . a bit 'n da weeds

Low for Go Bro

K Model Rear Hub

Still missing that little center washer between the 2 bearings . . .

Anybody got a spare one ?

Rockers & Rollers

These funky rocker boxes were slightly warped (especially on the little center boss) from most likely a variety of causes, ie; heat, sanding, polishing, etc.  You want them flat against the gasket surface so you aren't binding or pulling when torquing the rocker bolts.  After fly cutting, a fine burr was removed.

These Strociek rocker arms were touching the upper collars slightly on the exhaust.  I first checked without the gaskets . . . we'll be ok with that extra gasket height.  Assemble, check, disassemble, clearance, reassemble, check, disassemble, clearance, reassemble, check, disassemble . . . etc etc . . . . I'm buying common stock in the Sharpie Marker Company (which I use instead of bluing)

Lemmy

Motorhead in the player last night and didn't even know it. 

Blizzard of Ozz

There are thousands of different types of snow.  This was the blowing, "sting your face" snow.  It was already a foot deep, late into the night.  I had a beer . . . and needed to pee outside.  Well, here goes.  I was facing the wrong way a little - and that snow was stinging !  Nice to have a heated shop with a couple projects.

I fired up some CDs.  Nebula, Fu, Motorhead, Faster Pussycat, Great White, Bullet Boys, LA Guns and some Blizzard of Ozz.  An old friend came by and we chatted & jammed while I worked.

 I got some cylinders bored +.060 over. Piston Size was 3.4965.  It was dark and windy, but not real cold.  Probably around 27F.  Real life Star Wars type shit out here . . . Nebula vibes . . .

Worked on my frame too . . . Vintage Flat Track 

I was up this morning at 4:45am with the sound of local trucks with blades pushing snow.  My street always gets plowed first by the city, usually done by 6:00am.  My driveway was drifted shut big time (almost got stuck), but the Super Dodge broke free.  I had to park at the local Kwik Star station since no vehicles on the streets during "snow alerts."  I walked down this morning and got my coffee while my truck warmed up.  A couple tired travelers (license Arkansas) were sleeping in their idling Lexus.  I walked home and fired up my vintage, early 70s dual stage snow blower with it's tired 6hp motor.  2nd pull it was running so I did the whole block, drive and walkways - went into the house and did this post.  I feel energized from this morning outdoor winter workout.  Fresh air gets that heart pumpin' . . .

No. 1 Jacket

. . .  on Ebay

My "Arthur Davidson Ride"

Arthur Davidson died on December 30th, 1950.  In the Winter, not really that long ago actually.  He was there to see the very first Hydra-Glide . . . but, never really saw rear suspension. When I see pictures of Arthur (in particular) riding his motorcycles year-round in Milwaukee, Wisconsin . . . I'm impressed.  Arthur was a founder, but even more than that . . . he was a racer, and a full blown, addicted motorcycle rider - for all seasons.  I've read where all the top brass (whether they thought of themselves as brass or not) rode Harley-Davidson motorcycles to their jobs at the H-D factory - Year 'Round . . . even in the Winter.  On brutally cold days.  So, here's to Arthur Davidson . . .  and anybody else who doesn't have a car right now, and has no choice, but to ride their bike all Winter . . . those slippery spots . . . ahhhh, whoa !

1952-1953-Early 1954 TECH:

This is the first K-Model Rear Hub.  19" Rear Rim(non drop center).  Stock on 1952 and 1953 K Models (some say early '54 too)  It has a weird, extra-wide double ball bearing, short spacer and cork seal on the drive side (which was used until '62 actually).  If my measurements are correct, I could replace the wide bearing with 2ea thinner ball bearings (like the -54 part number hub)?  I'd run the 2 bearings with the small ring spacer on the bearing IDs - and the left side has the same bearing on all years.  This hub is unique since it's steel, with a larger flange on the drive-side - and a smaller flange on the left (which the spoke head hook into the hub, like a front 1/2 brake hub).  The left-hand-thread bearing retainer and dust shield,  is also the same part number as the 1/2 brake hub.  Confused now?  How about inside spokes opposite directions, outside spokes opposite directions, cross three, cross two . . . Where's my Sudoku ?

December Ride

Watch for slippery spots . . . (and use 5W-20)

Did I mention . . . I needed socks ?

Wow, this is awesome . . . maybe see me in Vans, high socks and Dickies shorts soon ! ?

Christmas Day Paint-A-Thon

While everyone was out either Christmas caroling, playing cards, conversation and puzzle building . . .
I decided to paint some stuff.  " 45s Spoken Here" for my buddy Rattlecan . . . and working on a Shoei for the Lady of Rochester . . . Paint, Mistake, Wipe Off, Paint, Mistake, Etc, Repeat.  Spina told me part of it - is being able to fix your mistakes.

Happy Holidays to All of You

Best Wishes to all of you . . . who I know personally, who are in my phone, who are in my email . . . who contact me in one way or another - family and friends and close acquaintances and people who read my blog from Iowa, to Minnesota, to Wisconsin, to Colorado, to Oregon, to Phoenix, to Vegas, to Utah, to DC too and to Florida and Mexico and my dudes from Canada . . . and you can't forget Keokuk, Kansas City, Coggon, Cedar Rapids,   . . . we all have a lot to appreciate in our lives.  Merry Christmas to you . . . . and may the spirit of the season be with you.

Safe travels and restful sleep for this giving season . . . 'cause then it's "back to work !"
 . . . . . AND "til we meet again" . . . . Merry Christmas and a Party'n Great New Year to the Great State of California !

TECH: 1948 Panhead FL Cylinders

I don't really notice the difference.  One cylinder has a -48 part number.  The guys that know will point to fins and a weird, little boss.  One thing for sure, these were pitted from "bad storage."  The gasket surface was very rough and pitted.  MFM (McFarland Machine I call him) . . . indicated, and utilized a live-center cone and turned these cylinders -.010 off the head gasket, and -.007 off the base to clean 'em up.  I had to check the fire-ring flange vs. the cylinder head chamber depth -  to verify depth to compress the head gasket fully . .  and we do - all ok . . . Now we have equal lengths and flat, true surfaces for our head and base gaskets.