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Thanks for the WLA photos for reference, and I'm glad you had a great trip to Australia. You represent our country well - Long Live the USA !
Since about 80,000 Harley-Davidson WLAs were manufactured between 1941 and 1952, they are found in almost every country of the world. This photo shows a group of bikes destined for Greece. My brother was just in Australia on business and saw a WLA proudly displayed in museum. The British and Soviet government used WLAs extensively during the war. The 1950-1952 WLAs were manufactured for the Korean War and military police. The Lend-Lease program basically had the US Gov't giving motorcycles to other countries (for cash and other services). The Greeks must have sent a ship full of gyros for this shipment!
No matter what age you are - 5 to 95 . . . if you like motorcycles - you like mini bikes. The top photo is from Brat of Japan. The lower photo(Super Brute) is from Mason City, Iowa. The "Brute" is the only motorcycle I really liked at the MC Show. Not much there - but the Super Brute was worth the price of admission (I got in Free !)
I agree with Chopper Dave - this is how Harley should have done it. A modern day cafe racer style with fiberglass seat section and fairing. The cafe bar-and-shield on the tank adds the finishing touch. Nice job whoever did it - and a mopar nut ta boot !
Every night around 9:30-10:30pm . . . and then in the morning about 6am - we hear this hooty hoot, hooty hoot . . . then a cap cap cap cap. I searched the net and found a website that had the calls of owls. What we have in our neighborhood are Great Horned Owls. I believe a pair of them - possibly more? They've never been here before. I looked out the other morning - and it looked like a small boy sitting in the tree in the backyard. Then he took off in flight. The branch he was on bowed - and bent as he flew away. A big sucker. When they hoot - you can hear it though the entire neighborhood - kinda neat - kinda spooky. They eat rabbits, squirrels, rats, mice, bats, birds, chickens(they walk right in the chicken coop and grab 'em) fish, ducks, crows and small dogs and cats ! (Look Out Morty !) The owl might be sorry trying to tangle with Morty. The Great Horned Owl has 500 lbs of crushing power in it's talons. Whoa. Since I like all animals, it's neat to have them around.
You meet the nicest people at the Full Throttle Saloon . . .
A couple more pics of the JD for "Old Timer" - Hope they help? This motorcycle was displayed last weekend at the Donnie Smith Show in St. Paul, MN. Wish it was mine !
'Bout a month back, a bro from Rochester giv me his lid. Wanted some paint. Jazz'd it up a bit - you dig? Now he ain't square no mo. He be kool now. Git it on - Ride Free - Live to Ride - Ride to Live - Drink Guinness !
This neat little ironhead Sportster chopper was spotted at the Sturgis 1/2 mile. A bit dusty - it looked the part. This bike had a cool Paughco-style tank with nice paint and leather work. Chopper fender, customized frame, cool pipes, springer . . . "Can you dig it?" I'm diggin' it - you dig?
J. Mees - Nat'l No. 21 - 2008 Gypsie 1/2 Mile - Sturgis, SD - Final Lap !
Morty says it's about time Rick gets this car running again !
Pictured is Bruce Penhall, former professional speedway champion. Speedway bikes run on alcohol and make tons of horsepower - in a light chassis - these things are brutal. Crossed up and sliding, they make quick work of 1/4 or 3/8 mile indoor tracks and coliseums. Penhall cleaned up in the USA, then went to Europe and kicked ass. Then he was on C.H.I.P.S. with John and Ponch for a few episodes. Speedway is still hot - especially in So. Cal. But, it's hard to read the sponsers on the rear wheel when they're racing.
Two friends at Davenport just before goin' in to see the flat-track. Bromie let us park at his swap booth and he'd watch the bikes. We sat in the stands with Noot, Dave T, DA, Cyn, Miller & Co., Wezie and Frost. We watched Bake race - he kicked ass and got 2nd behind that fucking Jawa. It was fun. I plan on doing it again this year. If you never been to the Chief Blackhawk Chapter AMCA Swap Meet and Races in Davenport, Iowa over Labor Day weekend . . . get your plane ticket or gas up your scoot and go check it out. Camping at the event. Spring has sprung !
I saw a commercial finally for the new Yamaha V-Max. They had one on display at Sturgis . . . and Cycle City in Rochester has one in the window. I think the new ones are kinda ugly - too gawdy. Our little town has like 10 registered V-Max motorcycles running around town (for only 7,000 people - that's a lot) They should get together and start a club. The V-Max above apparantly wasn't fast enough - needed nitrous oxide (and a now a new back tire).
Photo: Courtesy of Noot's Custom Cycles archives
When Harley-Davidson introduced the Sportster for 1972, it now had a 1000cc engine. Same stroke of 3 13/16, just a little bigger bore and slightly redesigned heads. A lot of guys went and bought one or traded their older "900" bikes. However, the '72 just didn't have the power for some reason. The clutch was now a wet system. Just not the same.
Well, Noot went and got himself one, tweaked it a little with some porting and carb work, played with the gearing - and the thing ran low 13s. Not too bad. 1973 saw a disc brake up front and the 1000 Sporty was here to stay. Check the custom manual bike lift and sissy bar - must be getting ready for Indy or Sturgis??? (Note: Noot sold this particular bike to a family friend in Clear Lake - and I worked on it and got the thing running again last year)
Once upon a time, a racer proudly picked up his new 1952 Harley-Davidson KR race bike. His hopes of countless wins and the glory that comes with it were his goal. The history of this motorcycle and it's rider are unknown to me. But, here are the original engines cases. Badly burned from fire. Aluminum melts at 1200 degrees F. You can see the cases are now ruined. Hopefully this engine got to see the winner's circle at least once. It would be a shame if it didn't - KRs are beautiful machines. A few parts may be salvageable - maybe not. It's for sale now on ebay. If you want it, you'd better get it while it's hot ! (Note: Did you remember that '52 and '53 had no tranny trap door?)
