Noot

Bryan Smith wound tight . . .

. . . with a full straight lead in his heat race. Springfield 2015 Labor Day Weekend.
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2015 Labor Day Weekend Springfield Mile

The Stadium Bar & Grill - Across from the track

Bryan Smith has a good horse . . . he calls' it Old Reliable since that Kawasaki has taken him to victory more than once. But, he's also probably one of the best Mile racers to come along in awhile. He's paid his dues. Smith was just 15 or 16 years old when Parker raced his final season before retirement. After 24 and a half miles (in 90 degree heat) into the last turn, we all thought Johnson had outfoxed 'em with a bold, outside move . . . then the crowd went wild when Smith went from 3 to 1. That "Green" really shows up - you can see it plain as day streakin' down the backshoot !

A Non-Stop Ride Weekend . . .
It felt good to ride the 1964 ironhead sportster again. Get on the road in that 90+ heat and hit the interstates and backroads - on Labor Day weekend, when it's busy-as-shit . . . and hot. To ride 750 miles with that Ironhead Harley - all 55 cubic inches - hammer down. I left at 6:30am, but it soon got hot. A stop at Davenport to see that '39 Knuckle Motor the Noot's built (which runs great) and see all my old-bike friends.
I hooked up with my 70 year old dad, who's a pretty hard road rider - and we set off for Springfield - and the Saturday Nite Short Track. On the way, a couple Chicago Outlaws blew past. It looked like a scene from The Bikeriders. Their Labor Day Weekend Club Run to Springfield. This town is just so cool. The night-life. It's kinda a run-down old town, but the people are so gung-ho for that "MILE" - and they all know the reason you're in town. The morning cafes are all full. People waiting. Race shirts everyone. Big, Welcome Racers signs everywhere. The Cove. Rockin' Robins. The Truck Stop. The Stadium. All the places I like to go. We took a different, new back way home, through mid-Illinois rolling hills, then flat country, then hills again. Over, then up thru Macomb - and on to Hamilton, Illinois - across the mighty Miss into Keokuk. The sun goin' down - we just kept going - into the dark. Cooling off the 90s . . . now into the 70s. The old ironhead just soundin' so sweet. I've become this rare rider, in a handful of riders with so many many miles of listening to those ironhead pipes over so many miles. It's one of the best sounds in the whole world. I can still hear it.

TECH TIP: Harley 45 Spark Plugs and Wrench

I run Autolite spark plugs in my Harleys. I always check resistance with my ohm meter, and make sure they have 0.00 resistance from the plug tip to the center electrode (small tip in the plug center). You want 0.00 resistance with breaker points or magneto ignition. I use the Autolite 45 plugs which have a 13/16" socket hex in all the Harley 45 engines. They just happen to be a "Number 45 plug" and work in the Harley 45 WLs . . . a unique coincidence.

The Autolite 45 must be the perfect heat range, since they rarely foul, and usually burn perfect. A common plug you can find at your local auto parts store. But, here's the problem: A standard 13/16" plug socket is too tall to get them out with stock oil tank - if you ever need to change plugs, check jetting, etc. . . .

You need an offset 13/16" wrench like the one pictured above

It works.

Now you can run a modern-type spark plug,

and service if need be . . .

Aromas Coffee Shop - Hot Coffee in a Cool Place

The local coffee shop's old location was kinda being nudged out by new construction . . . so the owners bought a different building, and fixed it up into a really neato "New Aromas" . . . and they were only closed for like a few days . . . wow - crazy fast ! It's got big, cushy sofas, wood tables, plenty of places to sit, great jazz tunes . . . and Bryan and Cara make the best coffee I've ever had - It's just a great new morning hangout. Awesome job folks - Street light out front . . . newspaper machine is back - Perfect.
The best part, there's like a half dozen more places to potentially park your motorcycle !

Mick's Town Pump - Mitchell, Iowa

Mick is really cool. He bought this place after his original bar in Osage, Iowa had a fire. Mick knows the bar business very well. The Town Pump has great burgers and fries, the beer is always ice cold, and people from this area enjoy stopping in for a chat, games, billiards, cards, whatever. Mick has got the cancer again,
but he's tough and always has a good outlook on life. My thoughts are with him and everybody that just wishes he'd keep on going and get healthy. Like the sign says in his bar . . . something about everyone sticking together - and the human race and where we all live will be a better place. That's Mick himself, behind the bar, keeping the place going, with great service, and good advice if you need some.

Linkert DC and S&S GBL

Linkert DC-7
Circa 1966

Main Jet: No. 4 (standard issue)

Venturi Diameter = (standard issue)
Bowl Spacer

55 cu. in engine

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S&S GBL Series
Circa 1975

Main Jet: 70

Intermediate Jet: 31

Venturi Diameter = 1 3/4"

65 cu. in. engine

Dad had a car like this in 1961 . . .

Hobo Racing

Bacon's Build

Knucklehead pictured above:

Bacon's Motortechnic Engine

Complete with parts manufactured by Motortechnic, Mfg.

- Aluminum Cylinder Heads

- Engine Cases

- Tappet Blocks

- Oil Pump

- Gear Cover

A showcase engine of what you can build with parts available from:

DC Choppers - Spicewood, Texas

Grand National Current Points Leader

Jared Mees - Can he retain his #1 Plate ?
He's looking real good so far . . .

K Model Night Rider

I worked on bike stuff 'til 7:30pm last night . . . then headed out to the small town of Floyd, Iowa to a truck stop called Rick's Wagon Wheel for chicken & potatoes. I watch truckers and tired travelers come in off the road. A good tip for the waitress. I leave in the dark with my Cycle Electric lighting my way. It's was a beautiful, cool evening ride.

KHK 4 Speed

AMF

Bendix is ready. Primary is ready. Waiting for paint.

Noot Sr. 1975 XLH

Review: Simpson Street Bandit

I bought this new helmet at Sturgis this year direct from the California Simpson Distributor. I have tested it through various conditions - and I like it so far. Size: XL (61mm) and it fits like it should. The helmets come with narrower cheek pads if it's too tight(which I liked better). The shield can be removed with a dime or small flat blade. There's more room between the mouth guard so you can get your hand up in the front to adjust your glasses, itch your nose, whatever (I like that option) without opening the shield. There's an cam-type adjustment for the shield closure (I like that too) - so you can change the pressure required to open and close the shield. The shields are extra thick, and they are very scratch proof (since I clean the bugs with the windshield squeegee at many stops). Light weight too. The true test with any helmet is how it does in wind and rain. This thing is almost unaffected by wind. I think the small "lip" on the bottom front has something to do with it . . . it keeps your head down - similar to a downward ground effects spoiler. I can look around and it don't get ripped off my head. I really like it. Snell Approved.

Stickers from Jeff, Denver Dan
and Scott Sjovall (S&S) . . .

My rating: 9.1 of possible 10

I've noticed people see me a bit sooner with the White Helmet too . . .

Shop Time . . . Then Harleys & Hot-Rod Drags

After Dave's last nite . . . (and a few cocktails with the locals), I got up early Sat am and did some work on Harley stuff . . . Chink's UL cylinders and valves are set up and ready. Diamond Dave's flywheels ready for the polished cases. Poole aluminum cylinders need some adjustment . . . but, we're on it !

4 5/8" Stroke with S&S Components

Stroker oil modifications completed

These cylinders are neat . . . However, not a bolt-on part Mr. Poole.

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After a little work, we hit the road into a 40mph headwind and rode panheads to the

Harleys & Hot-Rods Event at Cedar Falls Raceway

A $10 Admission got you all the smoked pork you could eat and a wrist band for $2.00 tall cans all freakin' day long. A small swap meet, car show, bikes and drag racing - Band at night.