I found this in a box of stuff at a swap meet - paid a quarter for it. I researched this - and some old duffer told me it was from Santee Manufacturing Company. All that is Art Deco is cool.
Santee Shift Knob
I found this in a box of stuff at a swap meet - paid a quarter for it. I researched this - and some old duffer told me it was from Santee Manufacturing Company. All that is Art Deco is cool.
Dry Clutch
The early Sportster-style dry clutch set up is one of the best in motorcycling. It's design is basically still common on the XR750 race bikes. This clutch works great as long as you keep it dry. The plates are housed in a sealed clutch basket, the tranny mainshaft is hollow - and it's disengaged by a series of pushrods. Until very recently, many top fuel drag bikes still used this clutch. However, if it gets wet(and you're using Raybestos Dry Plates)you're screwed.The K Model needed a refresher . . . it was wet and it had been 2 years since it was serviced. With the cover off, you can see the internals. The red springs are heavier Barnett springs - to help it hold under the massive torque of 40 horsepower ! The front compensating sprocket is about as vintage as you can get. It's in good shape - so I keep running it. Goth Girl gave me the Devil Doll sticky about 3 years ago.
NOS, New Old Stock
I really dig new old stock parts. Spankin' new parts, left over from bygone eras. I just received my WLA, Non-Vented "Eaton" Oil Tank Cap in the mail. Nice. Original olive drab paint with decal. It came in the original package, with cosmoline wrapping. A part over 50 years old, still in the package - NEW !
Shovelhead Stroker
Mike Brass had this motorcycle for sale. It was on the Noot's Custom Cycles billboard for about a year with no takers. I don't think there was anyone man-enough to start it? It was bad ass. Wonder where it went? I heard some young punk bought it and crashed soon after - figures. Young punks are usually fearless and . . . stupid. $8000, not a bad price for thrills. Bike is bitchin'. Cool is good. (you know it's been awhile due to the "instant" camera print)
Diggers are coolest . . .
I stole this photo from the blog: Blue Collar Moto. I can't believe I've actually been considering selling my digger . . .I must need counseling too? Diggers fucking rock !
I've got magazines with thousands of photos so I'd better start posting some . . .
Scenes from Slimey Crud . . . .
Dodgeville, Hollandale, New Glarus, Verona, Black Earth, Spring Green . . . ever been there? Twisty roads, dairy farms, beer signs, PBR(in a can), limburger cheese sandwiches, Betsy, Tom, Old Sauk Road, Fat Squirrel, Thruxtons and the movie Sunshine Cleaning (go see it). All from a weekend in Wisconsin !
Slimey Crud Cafe Run
I always wanted to ride the Slimey Crud Cafe Run - wish fulfilled. The run was originally started by a group of motorcycle enthusiasts who attacked the curves, hills and banking of the Wisconsin backroads. Peter Egan (award winning moto-journalist from Cycle World Magazine is a founding "Cruds" member. I've read most all his books and articles from the last 15 years. This ride started small, but has mushroomed into about 600-700 motorcycles (not a lot of Harleys - very refreshing) running from the Red Mouse to Sprecher's in Leland, WI. It was a beautiful day with plenty to see. The last couple miles of the run - we cranked it up and tried to double all the "recommended curve speeds" - and almost got busted by an unmarked cop car . . . he just gave a stink eye, and let us pass. The '64 ran well the entire 550 mile trip. A little tired - but a great way to get summer started . . .
Flat Track Season is Now Open !
This old timer was doing exhibition laps on his WR at the Sturgis 1/2 Mile last year when his chain came off and he coasted to a stop - right in front of me. He was riding the same motorcycle, on the same track - where he had won the race some 50 years earlier. Quite an accomplishment if I say so myself. Hope he's back this year.
There can be only one - Triumph
Maybe we should all just get rid of every Harley, Honda, Yammy, Kaw, Susie . . . every bike we own and just all - everyone - get a Triumph. And not a new one - an old one, like 1970 or older. You can do whatever you want with a Triumph. Drag race, dirt track, road race, hill climb, tour (well maybe not tour). They make great chops. Then we'd all be in the same boat. Wouldn't that be wonderful? The motorcycle above is Scott's (official contributor to churchofchoppers.com) It's the most bitchin'est Triumph I've ever seen and exactly the way I like mine!
Ladies Iver Johnson
I sold my Iver Johnson today. It was purchased by a bicycle artist from Colorado who has something to do with New Belgium Brewing Co. (Fat Tire Ale) Iver Johnson was an arms, motorcycle and bicycle manufacturer in Fitchburg, MA. A good ol' USA bicycle plant ! This bike is so cool. Skirt guard(still intact), chain-link treads, Mesenger No.1 saddle, stainless fenders, golden ring bell, wise-lock, Iver truss frame. There is a men's version in the National Bicycle Museum in Sparta, WI that matches this one. I purchased it about 15 years ago in Mercer, WI. They said it was from a wealthy family around Milwaukee. Iver Johnson made quality arms. An Iver Johnson pistol shot William McKinley and Robert Kennedy. Maybe we'll see it someday in a Fat Tire Advertisement? I'll miss her. But I'll always have the photos and the memories. Sad day . . . money isn't everything - but I need it for the military bike !!!!!
En Guard !
I traveled to the University of Iowa on Saturday to see my son Eric in a fencing tournament. He took a bronze medal in foil and the silver in sabre. The competition was fairly tough. The sport of Fencing appears easy . . . however, there's quite a bit of technique involved. It's fast paced (everyone was sweating after 3 minute bouts). There seems to be no real advantage of size or arm length. It's all about the ability to perry(block) and score on your opponent. Last week in Des Moines, he qualified for the national tournament in San Antonio. I watched about 60 bouts, and never once did I see any unsportsmanlike conduct from any competitor. . . . . and nobody lost an eye either. Amen.
Hail !
We had some pretty large hail come tumbling down Friday early evening. Bang, bang, bop, bop, bop on the glass and my new roof(1 week old). The shingles look ok - but, it left a few dents in my new aluminum roof vents. When it was all over - it left behind the brightest rainbow I'd ever seen. Surely a pot of gold somewhere below.
A Tribute to Royal McNeese
Today's posting is a special one. It pays tribute to McNeese Motorcycles in Britt, Iowa. Royal McNeese was a Harley-Davidson Dealer when my father(Noot Sr.) first started working on his '62 CH. Noot and Carter would go over to Britt to see Royal. When dad had B&N Cycle, they went and traded Royal a truckload of parts for cash and more parts in return. I bought an original, new, still in the package, trip return cable for my speedo from Royal in about 1990 (see it on my speedo above). I still have the package with Royal's hand written price on it. In his final years, we went to buy some parts - we also wanted a price on all the Sportster inventory. Royal still had his "Grey Ghost", Indian Chief, KHK, Panhead, 80" Flathead and a 1971 Sportster(pink) in the window. A JD was parked in the back(Royal said that was the best bike Harley ever made). A Schwinn Cycle-Truck sat next to the wall with "McNeese Cycle" on the frame. Orange & black boxes everywhere. Fuel tanks of all shapes surrounded the walls. It was awesome. When the Harley big wigs came around with marketing plans and big ideas . . . Royal said "Nope" and closed her up for awhile. He later reopened with a plethra of "New Old Stock." Royal passed away a few years back, however his legend will live on and on. I stopped by on my way back from Sturgis last year. You can see the history, maybe hear the bikes - and definitely feel the aura of McNeese.Jack Dale
Jack Dale went 123mph on his Harley-Davidson "45" running 81 octane fuel. Who says flatheads can't be fast? That was a long time ago. Is technology going backwards? Thanks for the photo from Beauty of Speed - Excellent site for WR racers and information !
Jesse & The Donald
Every Sunday night I've been watching Donald Trump's Celebrity Apprentice. Jesse James is still in it - hasn't been fired yet. I think he's doing a great job. Most of the time, Jesse is the only one who's making any sense on the show. He was the winning "project manager" on the last task - and the bottom line is - he raised $20,000 for the Long Beach youth industrial arts programs. Pictured is the Trump Hotel in Vegas. When I walk to Spina's shop from the strip - this is the way I go. I've watched this area evolve from the New Frontier parking lot - construction and completion of this big, tall gold bar of Trump's wealth. I stepped inside the entry way (but I was way underdressed for the occasion). So, don't forget to watch Jesse on TV . . . cool dude. Next Sunday night - Be there.Jay Springsteen #25
Jay Springsteen (shown as National No. 25, orange & black helmet behind #31 Beauchamp) in 1976. On his way to winning the San Jose Mile. Now retired, he qualified for almost 400 nationals (a record) and won the title in '76, '77 and '78 - and would have won a lot more, but he had some health problems which hurt him for a few years. I saw him first race at the Indy Mile in '76 or '77. In his last race at Springfield a little over a year ago - his bike broke (it totally sucked). I miss seeing Springsteen race - he was a class act. He'd get busted up and always come back. A true legend of motorcycle racing. Hell of a road racer too . . . Other rides shown that I can remember are #44 "Jorgy", #2 King Kenny, #3 Burrito, #46 Crabbe, who's #84x ? ___________________.Money Money Money Maaaaa Naaaaay
A little leak, on a little house, with a little time, and a little work, to fix the little roof . . . . takes a lot of money !Art via Mathewson & Fonzy
Top Photo: Airbrush art from Dennis Mathewson (owner of Comic Airbrush of Hawaii). Dennis is a longtime friend of Bob Spina of Las Vegas. Depicted is a "Spina Tiki" rendition of "Uncle Bob" . . . very cool and very Dennis. Nobody does a tiki like DM. Bottom Photo: Original airbrush art by Fonzy. Fonzy is known heavily in the lowrider scene and his art is easily distinguished. He has a style all his own. Both original artworks were hangin' in Spina's office for only the priviliged to enjoy. I musta been priviliged that day???? Huh?
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