Crazy Weather

This is no shit . . . One day it was almost 80 degrees, riding motorcycles with my Church of Choppers shirt and Oakley Monster Dogs.  Had a refreshing fountain Coca-Cola on ice. 

About 24 hours later, a long sleeved sweatshirt, with a Dickies coat, Kinco gloves, Arctic Cat hat and Georgia Boots walking in 8" deep snow . . . waving at my buddy driving a city snow plow.
Snow blowing . . . ice everywhere . . .
Had a hot Aroma's coffee with extra sugar . . .

Elvis

This photo is so cool.  Suppose that's his dad?  He's got quite the kickin' style going on there !  Elvis is right up on it . . . givin' it all he's got.  That had to be easy to start - but, when you're not used to it . . . He did get the hang of it as we all know Elvis had lots o' motorcycles, and hits, and chics, and guitars, and pills.
He was only 42 when he passed - he'd be 78 today and still riding that bike if he would've taken care of himself better . . . all that money doesn't really matter if you don't use it right.

Power Robbing Automatic Transmissions

I'm attempting to rebuild a vintage Hurst Super Shifter.  What a mess.  I got it painted black and cast gray and have to test it each time.  In my research, I found an old transmission article on "Power Robbing Automatics" and the benefits of the manual gear box in racing.

Did you know it takes quite a bit of horsepower to 
spin these automatics???

General Motors

Powerglide = 17 to 18 hp

Turbo 350 = 35 hp

Turbo 400 = 45 hp (holy shit)

Ford

C4 = 27 hp

C6 = 55 hp (damn)

Dodge/Chrysler

904 = 25 hp

727 = 45 hp (what the?)

Manual Muncie / Borg Warner =  I can spin it through all the 
gears with my hand . . .  

With this baby 283 build - I need all the help I can get !

Flake & Flames . . . with Bob Spina and many more . . .

Hey -  all you mere mortals . . . The documentary Flake & Flames has now been released . . . go get your copy and check out a way cool movie.

Shoot at the sky . . .

These pipes are starting to grow on me.  I like the sound of them.  It reminds me of a flat-head Ford at certain pitches.  At highway speeds they are a bit loud - so, I tried some ear-plugs - better.  They are still tight (possibly due to balanced motor).  I get lots of compliments on them . . . like, "Hey, I like the pipes . . .
"Where'd you get those extensions?" . . . I say, from Freedom Machine . . . and they're SOLD OUT . . . sorry dude . . . I'm still unique on my block !

45 Lower End - To be continued . . .

This will be a very nice motor for Chad's buddy . . .

American Original

I toured the SPAM Museum on Saturday in Austin, Minnesota.  Funny, Huh?  It's a free tour about the history of the Hormel Co. (founded by George Hormel - and Austin resident.) Actually, it did something for me - which was unexpected.  This tour opened my eyes to what makes this country so great - and what we've lost too.  Hormel supported this nation through depressions, wars, thru good and bad times.  Their stock has split like 6 or 7 times.  They just purchased Skippy - and it went up again.  They have over 4000 employees.  The company reminds me of Harley-Davidson Motor Co.  Hormel has diversified over the years, where Harley - not as much.  I think Harley needs to take a look at Hormel . . . and diversify a bit more.  To remain "an American Original" . . . you have to come up with something "original" - your own idea, not just what everyone else is doing.  We made some Spam for breakfast.  I bought the Spam Lite, and it's still rather high in cholesterol and fat - and sodium.  But - delicious !  Fried !  It's American !

NOTE:  Above Cheryl is timed to package 6 cans of SPAM . . . and then it let's you know how many cans are produced in production in the same time period.  532 cans to her 6 . . . Did you know that SPAM comes from the two words Spiced and Ham?  See Wikipedia for more information on the Hormel Co.

Rims & Tint . . .

I'm thinkin' this look sometime . . . 

He told me the size, offset and all that jazz.

Harley 45 Motor

Clapper's Restoration did the chassis, paint . . . the hard part.  I'm just doing the motor (easy part).  Big Noot trued up the flywheels so perfecto - nary a wiggle in needle.  Line Lapping the races - this baby will be smooth.  Another WL will soon bring joy and happiness to it's owner. 

HOT DATES . . . (on my Too-Doo List)

May 4th

Vintage Iron Show & Swap

see: vintageironshow.blogspot.com

I call it Ricky's Show . . .

Platte City, Mo (@ old Fairgrounds - so cool)

May 26th

The Memorial Day Weekend Running

of the

Springfield Mile

Springfield, IL

June 8th

J&P Cycles Vintage Motorcycle

Show & Swap

Anamosa, Iowa

. . . . then keep on truckin' to the

KNUCKLE SHUFFLE

Yuba, Wisconsin

for camping, fellowship and to party !

June 14th and 15th

Viking Chapter Swap Meet and Show

St. Paul Fairgrounds

St. Paul, Minnesota

June 29th
BORN FREE
in Sunny So. Cal
This would be a dream for me to go to this . . .
but, I just don't have enough vacation this year.
If I keep doing motors, and work really hard -
It's definitely in my future -
Plus, CD said he'd give me the full tour !

July 13th

Full Tilt Chopper Show

at the Tavern on the Avenue

St. Paul, Minnesota

July 27th

Hood Bush

Milwaukee, WI

(I'm a little scared to go to this)

Colorado Tribute Ride !

For Rich, Part-Timer Steve and all other motorcycle enthusiast from the great state of Colorado . . . I saw your weather (major snow) on the news this morning - so, (even at 34 degrees in Iowa) - I rode my bike to work - just because you can't or shouldn't . . . . But, you probably did anyway . . .

Destroy & Rebuild . . .

The kicker cover for our '59CH Project is repaired.  Pat did the excellent welding and MFMCo, McFarland Machine & Co. aligned and bored for a perfect fitment.  This is actually a 1952 / early 1953 K Model sprocket cover identified by the extra "boss" on the backside of the worm, and a few casting numbers.  Now, it's ready to kick-through those (minus minus cams) . . . .

Old 4 Speed . . .

The Cycle Nazi runs one of the older 4 speed cases I seen . . . it's been to hell and back over the years with aluminum and JB welds everywhere.  His kicker might have been slipping due to the fact his bushing was incorrectly installed (gears couldn't mesh) and the pin was sheared.  It needs new kicker gears, a little more welding, some glyptal and gasket kit - and it will match his rebuilt '49 mill . . .
Ahhhhh, the smell of old gear lube !

Busy as a Beaver on Kenyan Coffee

From the top . . .

Mac's 40th was fun !  Mitch rocked, saw a lot o' old friends. 

Cedar Rapids Swap was cold, but lot's o' cool stuff !

I'm legal !  Got my license plate !

(I feel like the guy from the Choppertown Movie !)

Down to a solid 196 from a flabby 213 !

283 Build proceeding as planned.

Talked to John Wells (Prez of Torque) One cool cat . . .

Go see Torquefest if you never have . . . 

Benassi's Cat-Eyes - Clapper did a nice job !

Morty says, Yeah, it shifts - Now go to bed . . .

Oil pump redo . . . looks good to me.  High volume would

just make it leak and smoke anyways . . .

Sifton 412 for $10.00 

Schwinn part - saved from the crusher

Cheryl learning the 6 string !

(Art by Pacman - One of my favorite pinstripers and lettermen)

Gotta stripe her guitar like this !

Do Yourself a Favor . . .

. . . and go see a flat track motorcycle race this Summer.  It doesn't have to be a pro event.  Go see an amateur event.  Pay for a ticket and pay tribute to anyone brave and talented enough to prepare their own machine and strap on a steel shoe to go fast in a circle.  You'll be glad you did !

Cedar Rapids Swap Meet

Here in Iowa every Spring and Fall - The auto swap meet at Hawkeye Downs is a good place to find cheap "motorcycle parts" . . . Yes, just like Jefferson last year.  I find some of my best deals at auto swap meets.  They have parts in two rows all the way around this asphalt track . . . and all over the grounds.  Bring your stocking hat and gloves - it's only gonna be 40, maybe 50?

Not Bad . . .

I mean . . . this is freakin' Bad Ass !

Scrambles

Every time I consider selling one of my motorcycles, I see a photo that makes me shake my head no again . . How did I get so attached to this sum of parts which make noise and take my money?????

They are just too fun and cool to have around . . .