Good Plugs for Panheads . . . L92YC

The Champion L92YC has just a bit longer reach with a few more threads - it gets your spark in the combustion chamber a little better.  The stock-style plugs are slightly shrouded.  I think it starts better with these - others say it too.  If you have the heads off, you can screw one in and kinda see where you're at . . . ok with standard compression pistons, but you should double check anything with big domes. 

Applications include: 

Points w/5 ohm coil (standard coil)

Magnetos

get this . . .

I remember it well.  It was Sturgis 1998.  I had taken my '61 CH out in the van that year (with my XL500) and I met a guy from Ironworks Magazine to shoot my bike early in the week at the Black Hills National Cemetery.  It was my only Harley back then. After dual sporting the fire roads on the Honda, I took a day at the end of the week and set out on the Sportster.  I rode the back way to Spearfish (through the canyon) and stopped at the trout hatchery to cool off - it was very hot that day.  I went down and waded in that spring fed water, and almost froze my feet off ! My rear brake was sticking (not returning) so I went to the local Ace Hardware store and bought a nut to put on the front side of the rear brake rod so I could pull up on the pedal and back it off while riding.  I ended up on the side road to Whitewood, running with a guy wearing a bright yellow Hamster shirt on an FXR - all the while working my rear brake off and on - dead man throttle, etc.  There's no way he was gonna let that little Sportster pass, so when he heard those pipes coming, he really wicked it up to stay ahead.  When we came into Sturgis, I pulled up next to him at the light.  He wouldn't even look at me.  I just wanted to say, "Hey, that was fun !"  What a dick.  I should have just laid down on the tank, WFO, passed close up the left-side draft, etc.  He had all the stereo-typical bike gear on, kool daddy's, white tennis shoes, gold watch . . . I rode alongside with Arlen Ness once for about 6 blocks in Sturgis one year on my '64 Sportster, and he asked what year, neat bike - and I did the same.  Boys will be boys.

RPMs . . . Redline . . .

Revolutions Per Minute . . . Revs . . .

Evel XXX

I believe it's an XLR, since the barrels aren't short enough . . .

Blown

Jack wondered where that little snap ring went . . .

Bill and his bike storage system . . .

Wes Rowlett

I finally got to meet Wes after all these years.  He was the only guy (besides Pat) that seemed interested in talking about flywheel run-out and truing up rotating assemblies.  Wes' blog is "Junk with Wheels" but, he builds some solid motorcycles.  Next time I'm down in the 'hollars' of southern Indiana . . . I'll be calling Wes to drink some beers and count some calories.  Keep in touch dude . . .

V.R. 46

A grand prix racer such as Valentino Rossi only comes around about once every 25 years or so . . . He's already one of the fastest in pre-season testing - even on new tire compounds.  2014 could see another title.  Continued flashes of brilliance are almost guaranteed.
( photo courtesy of the Motorcyclist blog )

Paul Smith and Harley-Davidson

Some of the most iconic (and now highly sought after) 

graphics were designed by Paul Smith.

Bit's & Pieces - MAMA TRIED

VIP - Tours - Archives - Food & Friends - Milwaukee, Wisconsin ! MAMA TRIED

Scott was nice enough to grant us VIP tours of the H-D Factory (Powertrain Plant) and the H-D Archives at the museum.  Photos were not allowed at the factory, but it was interesting to see how the new Twin-Cam engine is built . . . even if we don't give a shit about anything made after the 1970's.  The x-rays are of a guy named Robert Craig Knievel.  The "Sturgis Softail" is the only one ever built by H-D.  Turkey Burgers,  Mac & Wisconsin Cheese . . . & Kruse . . . round it out.   
Quote of the week:   
"I miss you - love you . . . but, I love choppers more."

Fast Mothers ! - MAMA TRIED

One aspect that made this show unique was the variety of motorcycles on display.
- Real Race Bikes (not just wanna-be race bikes)

There's a lot of customs out there with race parts - which is cool . . . but, it's easy to get confused with a real race bike, or a retired race bike.  Real race bikes serve only one purpose - to go fast.  To go fast in a certain direction for a fixed amount of time.