Farmington
I still call it Farmington. The antique meet and show that takes place in Minnesota every year in June. It was great ! The caliber of motorcycles that were at the event were better than Davenport (or at least equal to) the "big one." Those boys from the Viking Chapter of the AMCA did a really great job. Hats off. I counted 5 or 6 Vincents at the event . . . "Competition motorcycles" were featured - and they had a great turnout. We met some cool people like: Phil (his Indian pictured), Bromie, the Benassi bros., Billy Hofmeister, Kav, the dude from Iowa City, the ol' guy that lent us his radio with fresh batteries, Kevin and his beemer - just to name a few. AND kind of a dickweed, "Dutch" - ah hell - it takes all kinds to make it fun. The ride to Porky's Drive In Friday night was awesome. Like turning back the clock to 1962. Next stop - Davenport, Labor Day weekend. (PS. Question of the day: How do you carry beer on your motorcycle when you forgot your bungee?)
Marty Dickerson
I'm going to see Marty Dickerson this weekend at the Antique Motorcycle Club of America Viking Chapter Meet in St. Paul, MN. Marty is a west coast racer who set many records in the 1950s aboard his trusty Vincent. He's making an appearance - and it's good to go meet the legends of the sport. The theme for this year's event is "classic racers" and that can mean only one thing - plenty of old KRs, XRs, XLRs, CRs . . . they'll all be there with a classic ride to Porky's Drive-In on Friday night. Can't wait ! (PS. Remember - Marty was portrayed in World's Fastest Indian . . .)
Walt
Noot's CH
Noot's '65 with Sprint tank and Bates seat with white leather. XLR exhaust pipes (before they had aftermarket) and you had to send them in to get chromed. The "Header Photo" shows Bob Heft's WILD THING with XLR pipes and cylinder heads. I guess it ran pretty hard - but, he couldn't really tune the thing. So he was fast depending on the weather and humidity. Those were the days . . . (I would climb all over the apple tree - and it's just a runt shown here)
a '57 . . . and a '67
I like the way this guy thinks . . . a 1957 XL Sportster. No rail on the seat? Pretty darn correct restoration. The 18" rims, long rear fender, tins . . I wonder if it still has the original "small valve" heads? Shifter is a little high and the paint - orange/red, maybe an option? The '67 Malibu . . . in case it rains.
(Photo stolen from the XL Forum)
(Photo stolen from the XL Forum)
1929
Don Castro
Former Yamaha factory rider Don Castro raced this custom Triumph motorcycle (only one time I believe) at the 1972 running of the San Jose Mile. The bodywork was to help streamline the bike and cut the wind - for faster mph. I guess the AMA didn't like it - so, they outlawed bodywork of any kind for good. Hey, it's dirt track, not road racing.
This racer was equipped with a lap counter so Castro could help keep track what lap he was on . . .
This racer was equipped with a lap counter so Castro could help keep track what lap he was on . . .
Law Enforcement
The other night I was racin' around in our little town - bored as shit. I ran it hard through the gears on all my smooth backroads on the edge of the city. The place was dead. No cruising scene - no motorcycles - no action. Then out of the blue, about a 1/2 mile ahead, I see a motorcycle tail-light. I crank on the throttle to catch up. Run a couple red lights, roll through a few stop signs. XLR pipes were cack'lin. I catch the guy (maybe someone I know?) and guess what? It's a cop on a Harley ! Whoops. Luckily, it was the one I know best. Actually before he was an officer, we were both drunk once, and put my Chevelle in the river with a car load of girls. So I cruised with the cop on patrol for awhile. "Hey fella, just where do you think you're goin'? . . . "Anywhere but here man !"
Old Box Art
I've been carrying this piece of cardboard around for years. Every time I clean, I just can't bring myself to throw it away. Even though it's only a piece of bent up cardboard - the motorcycle pictured was a huge inspiration for me to build a scooter like it. I had never seen the actual bike - just the pic on this box. I can't even remember which company called themselves "The Motorcycle People" or what originally came in the box? It doesn't matter - I'm still keeping it - probably forever.
Run to the River . . .
WLA Exhaust Installed !
Roeder Harley-Davidson Closes
You've probably seen this famous photo of George Roeder from 1965. He set the world speed record for a 250cc motorcycle. George did a lot of things. He was an expert racer at flat track and road racing. George raced the Daytona 200 - he is also in the Hall of Fame. He started his very own Harley-Davidson Dealership in Monroeville, Ohio in 1972. George passed away in 2003 at the age of 66 (too young).
Noth Style
In the Quad Cities area of Iowa (around Davenport, Moline, etc) there is this style of early Sportster that's popular. I call it "Noth-Style" after Terry Noth. Noth is a Harley engine builder from "the old days." He's an expert on KRs, XLRs, strokers, ironheads - all types of things - HARLEY. This style of custom usually has short, drag bars, thin 19" or 21" front wheel, struts, low, thin and mean. This bike has 4 hrs left on ebay and it's up to $8600.00. If you go hang out at the Poor House (in Davenport) on Locust long enough - you may just see some radical ironheads like this !
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