I kinda like Finlan's style.
-60 Part Number Aluminum Rims
I bought very rough set of wheels. 18" rear, 19" front with 1/2 brake. Disassembled the rusty mess. Straighten'd out the front rim (the best I could). Both rims were wet sanded and buffed. Hubs were blasted, washed, powder coated, fitted with new greased bearings and assembled. Spokes and nuts were acid washed (in my special recipe solution), rinsed, wired together in a string and cadmium plated. Ready for assembly with correct offset, etc. (Now I have to think !) They make the sweetest set of wheels Harley ever had . . .Mr. Borrani would be proud.
An FLH . . .Traditional Build
My friend is building an FLH. The motorcycle was cashed in when he got it. He owned one and rode the wind for many years . . . he then fell on some hard times. Was away for many years . . . Now, in the fad of all these customs, choppers, flake paint and disco shit . . . he just wants that ol' FL again. An 80 incher. Rattlecan laid down some black basecoat, smoothed out the tin - we'll wet sand it - and pull a traditional flame job. Bury it with clearcoat and buff to a high luster. On the road again. In the wind . . . again. Soon.
1975 Bell Star II - A Restored Historical Helmet
A Racer ! Jim Boland - Fort Dodge, Iowa
He stripped his panhead of un-needed parts. You can see, Jimmy had "his shit together" with his machine built for speed and agility. Knobby and tin fender. A proud member of the club . . . and well respected among his peers. From: The Iowan Magazine.
Race People Are Cool . . .
I bought some parts from Scott & Eleanor Guthrie (talked to Ellen) today. Real nice lady who knows all about race motorcycles. Scott held numerous Bonneville records over the years. Top photo shows his '57 XL at 140mph+ back in the very early 1970s.
Bottom: The specially equipped Race Van !
High on the boards . . . 95+ mph.
The tracks are wood, but still create large amounts of dust. The build-up of oils leads to a slippery track.
In extreme cases, fallen riders have 2 foot slivers of wood driven into their flesh. Jim Davis(header pic) was to survive the Motordrome Era (often known as "murderdromes") after deaths at major tracks soon lead to the closing of motordromes everywhere, one by one. Davis went on to win at dirt track events across the country - winning the very first crowning of the national championship.
Ricky will be proud . . .
Schwinn Klunker
Schwinn forged crank
Bendix Red Ring
105s
Goodyear Threads
Torco & Phil Wood Grease
. . . can't find my seat & post ?????
Jim Davis
I met Jim Davis once (he was 100 years old at the time) He raced for the Harley Factory Team (and Indian). Pictured, Jim is congratulated on a race win by William Harley himself. William was an accomplished racer too. Both men very fast and fearless on two wheels. Davis took it to another level.
Dan & DC Choppers Latest
He won at "The Horse" Daytona. It reminds me of those tough Easyriders-Style builds that were the style of the 80s. They run hard, stop . . . it's got neat forks, brakes, wheels, enough fuel to get away and keep on going - and leave the old-time chops behind.
DC Choppers goin' strong !
DC Choppers goin' strong !
JW's FXR Oil Tank
He fabricated this oil tank (which will be hidden under his specially designed fuel tank). This free'd up the former oil tank area for a custom exhaust system. Innovative !
1959 XLCH - TT Street Racer
So far, so good.
- Rebuilt shocks ($5 / ea.) swap meet
with powder coated springs
-New swing arm races & bearings
- New headset ball bearings w/ cad bearing cups
- XRTT steering damper
- K&N Dirt Track Bars
- 23" modified fork tubes (in progress)
1959 XLCH Oil Tank
I bought this rusty, chrome tank in Deland, Florida at a swap meet. It was dirty with a 1/2 quart of black oil inside. The ladies at the La Quinta Inn boxed it up all nice (and shipped it Next Day Air - Holy Shit ! WTF? to Iowa) I did not tell them to do that. When I got my bill, I about fell over. I paid $80 for the tank, $80 shipping, $20 Powdercoat, $20 for steel & labor to make the mount plates, $10 for special bolts I made - and another $10 for carb cleaner, etc. $220.00 - I see why they get good money for these things.
Now I'm gonna put a couple vintage stickers on it.
Magoo Pinstriping Redo . . . .
A couple years ago I spot this custom striped Dodge in our little town. I'm checkin' out the striping and I see it's signed by "Magoo" . . . Hey, I know that guy. Magoo was from Las Vegas. An old-time striper and painter - he's been around forever. 1,800 miles away - how'd this truck get here???? I guess the guy liked Iowa (not so hot) and he moved his business here. Well, I guess he crashed the truck a little, the local body shop repainted sections - and they needed the stripes redone. I have to "Redoo Magoo." Big shoes to fill.
I trace the flames with pencil.
Pounce the pattern (with pounce wheel)
Flip the design and affix to area for flames
Powder with my (sock-n-powder)
Remove pattern and stripe it in !
Just Like Uncle Bob Spina taught me . . .
Magoo Lives On !
Me & Magoo at Spina's many moons ago . . .
Schwinn Heavyweight Frame circa: 1950
Donnie Bargmann
A big steel shoe to fill !
My condolences to his entire family and friends.
' 59 XLCH Headlight Eyebrow
This was picked up last fall at Davenport. Somebody chopped it. It was very beat-up and abused. The choppin' wasn't even straight. Hacksaw. I smoothed, filed, sanded, and buffed. Ready for my project.
Just don't see these much anymore . . . and it don't look right without it.
Just don't see these much anymore . . . and it don't look right without it.
Mako Shark II
This 1965 concept car was a huge success and the forerunner of Corvette design for years to come. It featured a 427ci motor . . . and I think a square steering wheel ?
92 - 27 - 21 Remembering Heros
For a few years there . . . it was becoming tragic on the AMA Grand National circuit. #92 Rodney Farris, #27 Davey Camlin and #21 Will Davis all passed away from racing injuries. They were top riders too. Pros. There were a few others like Andy Tresser, Toby Jorgenson, Jimmy Sumner . . . some amateur riders. Flat track has always been a dangerous way to make a living, but when the riders are personable and your heros . . . you forget how dangerous a sport this is - in reality. We can all hope 2014 is a safe year with Daytona starting the schedule this weekend. Go fast, but ride smart - so we can all be doing this for years to come. Keep 'em on 2 wheels boys . . .
Chevrolet 283 Draft Tube - PCV Valve
The Chevy 283 has a "draft tube" which vents the motor. It just runs from the back of the block, to the outside atmosphere (to the ground). No valving. I took a standard freeze plug and modified the inside diameter to accept a valve cover grommet. Press in the freeze plug, install grommet . . . and you can use a PCV valve (one way) to run a hose under your carb and keep that negative block pressure we all love so dear . . .
1965 FLH w/ Sidecar - Electra Glide
The sidecar version still runs 3 1/2 gallon tanks
to utilize the tank shift.
to utilize the tank shift.
Jockey top transmission w/Reverse gear
Three Speed.
1:1 final drive ratio - same as a 4 speed.
Bart Markel
. . . at the (possibly) Peoria TT. The back pipe kinked up so it won't drag when the suspension bottoms on the right-hander. This just may be an Iron XR since it's got Ceriani forks, small rear sprocket & ham can, and the XR frame neck?
Runnin' a 20 or 25T engine sprocket !
Runnin' a 20 or 25T engine sprocket !
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)