Florida Backroads . . .

It's no secret I like Florida . . . (and Vegas and Mexico).  Florida backroads are the best.  I hate resorts and all-inclusive bullshit.  Get out and see the locals.  Meet the cool gray beard with the '40 Ford Coupe with original flathead power.  Drink beer with good people.  Eat good food.  Heck, they even got mermaids ! 
I mean "Ya'll gotta git on donn here again - ya hear ????" 
Wish I could take ya'll wid me next time . . .
Soooooo sweet a trip . . .

Scrap Aluminum

Tator sent me this last week . . . he just wondered what the goin' rate for scrap was in my area. 

Hey, times are tough . . .

Markel Man . . .

Bart Markel.  No gloves.  Open face.  Smooth treads.  True grit and determination . . . 
National Flat Track Champion in 1962, 1965 and 1966.  A former amateur boxer, Markel worked for General Motors and was the leading force in the formation of the "Michigan Mafia" . . . an elite group of riders from Michigan which still dominate the tracks today on any given weekend. 

Custom Superglide

. . . from Janesville, Wisconsin.  Very cool.

K Model Coolness . . .

Air Compressor

This air compressor was once used to power machines in the Allis-Chalmers factory.  It is now housed at the Thresher's Reunion Grounds near my home.  This thing is like Captain Nemo meets Steampunk. 
Totally crazy with steam and oil squirting - heat rising - smoke, grease . . . wow.  It makes you take a step back when it's in operation - like it's gonna blow and we're all gonna die . . . The industrial age in the 1920s, 30s . . . is quite remarkable. 

Terry Poovey

Lots of great motorcycle flat-track racers from Texas.  Poovey included . . . Terry raced right up until a career ending crash really hurt him.  From what I've heard, he fought his way back - and he's doin' real well now with that great ol' Terry smile and humor everybody loved about the guy who was one of the fastest racers to ever come through the ranks.  Terry (and engine builder brother, Teddy Poovey) were quite the team in the glory years. He preferred those Hondas (but, I show him on the XR750 my favorite race bike of all time . . . )

Break it in . . .

I've been trying to dial this thing in with my trusty CV carburetor.  It runs so nice, but the carb will hit my leg and interfere with a comfortable riding position.  I have a DellOrto PHM38 (like John Copeland runs) that eventually will be my mainstay source of fuel atomization.  The pipes sound like a flat-head Ford - which is kinda cool . . .

Elmer Trett (Hall of Famer)

" Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed from a tube . .  "
        -Hunter S. Thompson

40X ( Scott Parker )

Parker chases Springsteen at the 1979 DuQuoin Mile.  As this race progressed, these two pulled away from the field - Parker eventually caught and passed Springer to become the youngest rookie to ever win a national event at 17 yrs, 8 months and 8 days. 

Jeff is a little Crazy . . .

It was fun working at Church of Choppers . . .

Get Yer Motor Runnin' . . .

Head onto the Highway . . .

Lookin' for Adventure . . .

 . . . To be honest, I'm really not lookin' for adventure - I just want to make sure Jeff's motor is pumpin' oil and dialed in when we do the initial start up.  Retorque the heads and base nuts, maybe check the jetting.  I got my trusty Church of Choppers backpack (they are really nice) packed with my toothbrush and map of Des Moines (in case I get lost).  I'm really excited . . .
this is fun for me to hang with Jeff.  

To be continued . . .
(what the heck . . . maybe a little adventure?)

I know where there is one of these . . .

Round Girder, Sporty neck . . . about 10" over . . .

Flat Track Discussion

Mert Lawwill and Rex Beauchamp discuss factory sponsorships, track conditions, Dick O'Brien, who knows . .  ?  ( More on Beauchamp from my July 2009 post )

Stumble Inn End-of-the-Season Party

I just had to go see my friends and check out the rods in Millville, Minnesota for the final street party of the year.  The leaves are really nice this time of year . . . lots of flea markets, produce stands . . . and the fall harvest is in full swing.  These huge clouds of dust pop up from farmers combining corn and bean fields.  Cheryl came along - so I had to stop at Susie's Roadhouse in Ostander for some ribs, fish (great baked potatoes) and a cold Miller High Life.  Outside was a creative usage of the old salad bar . . .
only in Minnesota !

Kenny Baker's Coloring Book

Negotiable Tim just sent me a pic of the coloring book we were talkin' about at Sturgis.  This art is really super cool - and the inspiration on Tim's logo.  Art by Kenny Baker.  Sharpen your Crayolas . . .

Rigid Destruction

I found out a while back ago that rigid frames are more destructive to the motor mount boss than a swing-arm frame.  The flexing and pulling of the frame loosens the bolts and starts twisting and breaking the bosses.  1958 and up cases are usually in better condition due to this.  The cam bushing cracks are very common.  Some look like spider webs they are so bad . . .  I will grind out the cracks a bit, clean it fully (propane torch and brake-clean spray), get all the oil out so it's not poppin' at him  . . . and take it to a new welding guy I found  - see if he can repair this case ?

I can't figure out . . .

. . . exactly what those U-shaped deals are hangin' over the top frame tubes???  Maybe Kryptonite bike locks? . .  big magnets? or some kind of high tech gadget?  They come in different colors apparently.  If you want to get around in NYC and don't use the public trans systems . .  better bring your wheels with you.

I just happen to know these guys and think they are super cool.  Super nice people.  Can't wait to see them again - I just been so busy, but need to make time.  I was surfin' for Brooklyn photos . .  and found this. 

The Factory wanted to win . . .

There were some times in the late 1960s and early 1970s that Harley-Davidson wanted to win everything.  They wanted the road races, dirt tracks, scrambles, desert . . . and yes, the drags and Bonneville.  They basically did it with the same unitized engine design in the KR, XR and XLCH.  The XLCH was not a success to the HD race engineers . . . but, it was the privateers that made this engine win races.  They called upon men like Warner Riley, George Smith and Leo Payne to come visit them in Milwaukee and show them their tricks . . . Smith and Payne are gone now . . . but, Riley is still around. 

Let's See . . . Daytona 1971 ?

Jim Rice

David Aldana

Dick Mann

Mike Hailwood

Don Emde

Mert Lawwill

Mark Brelsford

Roger Reiman
(then maybe Cal Rayborn)

I believe Bugsy went on to win this race on that BSA Rocket III . . .

Sweet CH

Those were the days . . .

Lost Art

Barrels turned and hexed, X motor mount (Perewitz?). . . and that custom cast primary cover.  First, I thought it was an XLH cover all smoothed out, but they only have 3 screws - unless they machined and countersunk extra screw locations for the XLCH case 1/2?  Huh?  Lots of work on this one.  I don't believe hex head cap screws are a good way to bolt down cylinders, but who knows . . .
I love modified "stock" parts.