Billy Huber

Huber had a rather unorthodox racing style....but it worked for him.  He was voted "Most Popular Rider" by the racing community in 1946, and raced Harley-Davidsons most of his career.  Huber won multiple 100 Mile national events, and could be a real-pain-in-the-ass to the Indian Factory Team. 

That one day . . .

 . .  me and Anchor Moto rode side valves all over this darn town.

#wildwood park (way in the back)

Speed King

 In 1954 . . . Black is beautiful.

Cool Bike - Cool Boots

I don't know the situation (since there's lots o' pictures of women, with motorcycles, who don't really ride the bike they're photographed with)   However, I just have a feeling this is her Sportster . . . she owns it . . . it's registered in her name, and she rides the shit out of it? 
I'd like to tell her, "Hey, I really like your bike !"

The Winner's Circle

Team photos . . . you don't see them as much anymore for some reason?  Now, it's usually just the driver, maybe a flagman, and his car or bike.  There's plenty of podium photos.  If you've ever actually been a part of a race team - you know it takes many hands to be successful every week. 
This DRAGBIKE 4246 took a team effort - and some of the best-in-the-business lined up for this photo to be recognized.  Dan Baisley (3rd from left - most likely the rider)

PS. (I know 2nd from left is Ron Dickey from Axtell), then Baisley, then Fitzmaurice?, and maybe we could ask Jeff Wiley who the others are????  He'd know. 

TECH: How to Wrinkle Paint

The key to perfect wrinkle paint is "uniformity" - consistency.  If applied too heavy, it wrinkles and leaves lines, and the wrinkles in the paint are larger in places.  If applied too light(thin paint) it doesn't wrinkle at all, or appears rough.  Temperature of the part(and room temp) is important.  I've found about 60-70 degrees F works best.  It dries a bit slower, and your wrinkle paint job will be more consistent and uniform.  Application is very important.  You don't "recoat" wrinkle paint.  I give it a very light (stick coat) to give the surface some grip - let dry 4-5 mins., then apply a medium/heavy main coat of paint, careful to apply a uniform depth.  You don't want any runs !  I try to apply the paint on the surfaces of the part YOU SEE WHEN IT'S ON THE BIKE in the best way possible.  Cross your fingers. 

Now that the paint has wrinkled and is completely dry, I spray a flat (or semi flat) coat of black over the top to even out any shiny spots, or imperfections.  This is the step that really gives your black wrinkle job the professional appearance over wrinkle alone.  Highlight with chrome, polished or spun aluminum(as above) accessories for contrast.  Chrome socket-head screws with small OD stainless washers to mount the covers. 

PJ-1 Wrinkle Paint is the brand I prefer.  Problem is, it's expensive.  Plus, the tip likes to clog (once you get going, don't stop).   I use any low-cost semi flat black for top coat. 

NOTE: (High Heat Flat Black, engine and/or header paint is too dull - yuk)

Axtell Sales

1047 TF ( TF = Top Fuel )

Ivan Mauger RIP 4-16-2018

6 Time World Speedway Champion Ivan Mauger(pronounced 'major') recently died in Australia.  Highly regarded as the greatest and most consistent speedway circle track racer ever.  He devoted his life to the sport.  Ivan won world titles over 10 years apart. 

He saved his money (as a 16yr old) to buy his own speedway racing motorcycle.  (skipping ice cream and candy purchases)

Mauger consistently beat the world's best speedway racers.  His riding style was smooth and calculated.  A natural in the sport.  You can search: Ivan Mauger (Wikipedia) and read the full story on Mauger's incredible life and career . . .
Speedway fans the world over will truly miss "MR. SPEEDWAY"

Torquefest 2018

A Torrid Tale of Loose Lug Nuts and Ground Gears . . . (it's the truth)  John Wells really knows how to throw a party.  Cool hot rods, choppers, lead sleds, chics, rock-n-roll, it's a happenin' scene for sure. 
A pure event of exhibitionism at it's very finest ! 

Dubuque, Iowa (Fairgrounds Road)

May 4th and May 5th Only . . .

(If you show up May 6th, you missed it)

Rotax Fast

Lonnie Pauley, James Hart, Toby Jorgensen . . . just a few names of racers who were so fast on the big tracks - all riding the Rotax 600 power plants.  On many occasions, their lap times would have put them in the 750cc Pro feature.  The light, high powered Rotax is a dominating machine in the hands of a capable rider.  I never rode one - and I see you can get one for a reasonable price now.  Hmmmm? 

Hurry Hurry !

If I quick run home at lunch today, I may have time to try out these new Autolite 386 spark plugs in my 45 before it starts snowing again tonight.  It's been RIDE, then SHOVEL, RIDE, then SHOVEL . . .
This snow fukin' blows ! 

Tappet Roller Replacement

1. I drilled and punched out the old pins 

(w/ tappet roller tool from JIMS)

2. Deburred tappets

3. Checked fitment of new pin

4. Installed new pin and roller

5. Utilized JIMS tool for staking pins.

6. Further staked each pin-end with hammer on vise anvil.

7. Soaked in motor oil to lube rollers.

These tappets and rollers are for Dave's KHK motor rebuild.  I bead honed the tappet blocks. Washed and cleaned, and fitted to each tappet.  His tappet adjusters (long style for KHK) had their valve faces surface ground too.  A decent set of parts now.  Next the case bore or tappet block OD may need polished for proper press fit in the case.  This shit takes a lot of my time !  Oh well . . .

Lawwill

Ready For The Road

I got turn signals mounted under the seat.  Everything works.  The last time I rode it (before we started gettin' all this snow again) my first impression wasn't real positive.  The brakes don't work real good, but it probably takes a few miles to get the new shoes all lapped into the drums?  The thing just seems kinda junky (like a big ol' pile o' bolts shakin' around under you).  I built it right, it's just different from the other ones.  It takes miles to get the rhythm on any rebuild.  A few adjustments, a few tweeks, a nice sunny day, a back road, maybe a brew . . ?  I'm not building any more motorcycles, so I'm trying not to rush it.  Good things take time.

Rider Down

CCE

Here I am . . .

You know where I-15 cuts that tiny northwest corner of Arizona?  It's the Virgin River valley and you race your way through these passes at 90mph alongside huge truck rigs barreling like there's no tomorrow.  I whip it over and take a driving break.

Here's a view you get at Angel's Landing going down.  You can see how far down you'd fall off to the right . . . Bottom line is . . . watch what you're doing and don't look down.  Hand over hand on the chain, don't let go.  Zion National Park.

Here's a couple weeks ago, hiking with Eric in Arizona (west of Phoenix).  This time of the year - I get burnt on this motorcycle stuff.  I like doing it - but sometimes it starts to suck.  I've got trips planned for the summer, just get away for awhile.  As you get older, you start to realize you're running out of time.  There's a lot of places I want to go, and see and do.  It's time to start doing them.  I've been a lot of places already . . . and I'm fortunate I have the spirit to venture out.  Don't wait - plan it and go.  What are we waitin' for . . . ?

Flathead Sportster

That's what some people call 'em . . . and it looks kinda weird when you're used to lookin' at Ironhead Sportsters.  These motors are simple to double-check your coil bind.  When the valves are 100% open, take some kind of tool and very carefully lift up the valve a bit more . . . you should be able to move it up a bit more. 

I ran the pistons up to the top and scraped off the carbon, then wire-brushed the valve heads.  I razor-bladed the ridge, ran a fine file around the gasket surface, and wiped it all down real good with contact cleaner.  I'll do the same with the heads, tape 'em off and spray the gasket surface with High Head H-D Barrel Paint - then bolt 'em on - No head gasket needed on these.  Ready for my polished heads !

BSA Hornet

Gary Hickle a former racer, and dealership owner for BSA, Sno-Jet, Kawasaki and Yamaha - raced one of these Hornets.  They were a competitive race bike in their day.  A big motor stuffed in a tiny frame . . . My dad said Hickle let him run the Hornet for a few laps in Nashua, Iowa at the fairgrounds track.  Gary is still riding motorcycles after all these years.  He's had a lot wins on motorcycles and snowmobiles, and the trophies to show for it.  Youth don't last forever . . . but don't tell him that !  Hickle's racing saying to me was usually . . . "Boy, you got to put the hammer down !"

KK (special model for 1953 . . . The KK)

A Sure Fire Hit !  and it was . . .

Cool Bike

 . . that motor (below) would look good bolted into something like this.

W L A (A is for Army)

A rebuilt, solid 45"   
-Basically stock with original (NOS) H-D rod roller kit(+.001 rollers), NOS H-D Intake and Exhaust Valves, a couple new cast iron valve guides, New +.040 overbore piston kit, all the seats ground, springs set up.  I even sourced a new key for his magneto(since it was locked in the OFF position).  Maybe never as good as the day it rolled off the assembly line, but I try my best.  A nice, original, late generation 42WLA ready for another round . . . and he wanted it left with some patina -"kinda crusty."

Where The Heck Is It . . ?

I just had a terrible thought.  Where is my Evel Knievel lunch box?  I put it somewhere - and I can't find it.  When's the last time I used it?  I think somebody stole the SOB ?  How am I gonna take my lunch to work now?  I'm not goin' back to sack lunch, no way Jose.  I could use my Batman set ?(but not as cool)  This really blows.  (Monday humor to cheer up your day !)

Tranny "Go Thru"

 . . . and like your surgeon, we'll seal up all your leaks too.

Bell 500TX

Pride of Ownership

Panhead Case Repair

I got a local aluminum welder who does a little work for me . . . then I go and smooth everything and make it look factory fresh again.  This relay boss was a challenge.  It had been removed years ago - and Michael had a different one, so I shaped it and fit the thing by tapping the case and bolting it in position.  Then Dustin welded it all up nice for me to finish and blend. 

Same goes for this rear motor mount boss.  All busted to shit, now fixed.

The lower case dowel boss - now repaired too . . . and a bunch of other little stuff.  This 1948 FL case was a mess.

We removed the old race, measured multiple times, set up a case support, heated the case, applied Sunnen press-fit lube to the new race . .  and pressed it in.  Now to bolt the cases together, measure the pinion and case race - and lap to size.  Fun stuff for a Sunday afternoon !

The Best Harley Buy on Ebay NOW

For $2600, you'd probably end up riding this more than all your other motorcycles??
A great one to have around the shop !  Cool bike !

I can just hear my friends . . . "Hey Noot, can I take the 165 for a lap?"

1952 Model K

This motorcycle has more miles on it than most baggers runnin' around here.  It's been together for 12 years now, and the head has been cracked for 10 . . . the extra air keeps my mixture a bit cleaner on the rear cylinder, and evens out the jetting.  If I remember correctly, this cylinder has a +.006 tapered spot in it too.  The pistons are +.070 (last hurrah on this one) and I just decided to run it.  It's my own bike, so I have the authority to do that . . .

The plugs always read the same.  A little more oil detonation(that's what I call it) on the rear, but not bad.  The head is cracked so bad, the blow-by oil wicks it's way around the outside of the sparkplug insert, so I run a big, copper washer under the plug to help stop it - and seal the plug.  When the motor gets hot, it kinda seals it up.  I have some different heads, so I'll try those.  You know that K-Models don't use head gaskets - precision engineering !  Try that on your Evo !
(PS. 6.5:1 compression may have something to do with it?)

Broken Cylinder Base Repair

The stud hole of this cast iron K-Model cylinder was broken through.  Hawbaker researched what material (Tig rod) would be best for the repair.  I bead blasted and prepared the cylinder, then 'Bake Tig'd it in with fill . . . Next, we'll either use a live-center and chuck it up in the lathe and true the base, or use a mill?  Hmmmm?  A gasket will mark the stud hole location, and it will get milled through for a complete repair !  It's got a missing cooling fin too.  I have a donor head, so I'll score and break off a fin, then shape for this cylinder.  Chad Clapper will affix the new fin.  Just fixing and preserving these vintage engines for future generations ?. . . Hell with that - I'm runnin' it for MY generation !

He did a nice job.  The piston oiler plug is still functional.

When I think of an XLCH . . .

I've had a couple of these seats.  Original for my '61CH.  Both seats were kinda deteriorating, since when you'd get back from riding, there'd be this yellowish dust(from the dry seat foam) all over my oil tank and motor.  I guess if I had the high-pipe AND the seat, and maybe some Grasshoppers, the bike would look correct?  I just prefer the XLR straight pipes and solo seat.

One Fast Kid !

Wayne Rainey in the winner's circle . . . "He checked his ring gaps !"
Miss Winston - Hot Damn !

Check Your Ring Gaps !

I've had quite a few sets of rings lately with incorrect gaps !  Don't just assume they're right - even if everything is new, in the box.  The rings butting against each other will eat your cylinder, gall, wear and just ruin your day.  Then you'll be doing it all over again.  Read your specification, take your time and do-it-right !