Michael Lichter's "What's The Skinny" Show

A good place to meet up with all your bros . . . see what's goin' on the rest of the week.  The motorcycles in the show are some of the best builds of rally week. 

Above:  This custom was built by Dave Perewitz and took home top honors at the 2nd big custom show ever held at Daytona Beach.  Arlen won the 1st year of the show, the year before . . .

Jordan's bike (back from Germany) is one of my favorites . . .

 and being an "engine guy" this show had an incredible group of tricked out mills . . . wow !

Lots of great artwork adorns the walls . . . all the while each builder is interviewed by Lichter himself on each box (with their build or art).  Servers with tray of fancy finger foods are paraded around just like a real show opening.  Very professional, and good times had by all . . . !

 
 

FXR Show at Buffalo Chip Crossroads

I've attended this show the last few years....and it brings a good mix of hot stock to full-out-customs. 

Scenic, South Dakota

My ride in for a delicious Buffalo Burger and a Budweiser !
They are sooooo good.

Served from this old church . . .

The Tanaka Trading Post

I told the rancher(owner) who runs the place, he should have the movie loop of Dances with Wolves playin' all day - and he replied, "That's a good idea !" 

Head Onto The Highway - Lookin' For Adventure....

After gettin' through Iowa (sunshine) . . . the minute I hit South Dakota on Hwy 46(Beresford,SD) you could see the rain ahead.  Rats.

Above: The Dug Out Bar in Tripp, SD has ice cold _______.

Never seen it this muddy up here . . .

 

My rain suit went on at the Lake Francis Case lookout over the Missouri River.  I've rode up through those hills before when it looked like this - and you can't see crap.  I had this all shined up when I left . . .

Fog cleared . . . Sunny skies ahead !  Top gear - 75mph, leanin' back on the pack, one hand, panhead up sweeps in your ears singin' the sweet sounds - Nothin' better.  Hwy 44 thru Pine Ridge . . . . nobody out here but me . . . and the real native Americans. 

SD44 is well marked - and one of the most beautiful roads in America.  Rolling hills (and all is green this year from solid rainfall).  I stopped at every gas pump.  Never had to use my aluminum(reserve bottle) - and most fills took 1.5 to 1.7 gals.  Ave 40+mpg.   This was my 6th trip on this bike - and it runs strong as ever - No chain adjustments needed - and I think "it made oil" ???? as it seemed to be a bit higher than when I left home???  What the heck ?

I've been to The Wagon Wheel 20 times now . . . my 20th Run through this area.  It feels like home, and the friends I've met, I see every year, from bar owners to station owners.  Many locals who've helped me out over the years - great to see everyone again. My old panhead in a sea of dressers really gathers attention with other travelers.  Small gas tank, rigid - I get lots of respect, and meet so many good folks riding this motorcycle - I feel fortunate to travel on the old school customs of years ago, and be healthy enough to ride the damn thing ! 

This little area in the bottom of the Badlands is my spot.  There's no place like it on the planet.  I like to stop every year and just sit.  The earth is a beautiful place to live - I just wish more people would appreciate and respect mother earth.....

My trip to the rally every year is much more than the party, bikes, etc . . . but after a few of these stops - I'm ready to get down - Only about 100 miles to go . . . (gone 500 miles now)

What the heck, Let's Party !

. . . and party I did - right after I hooked up with these two crazy bloods.  The Dungeon Bar is where shit gets done.  The girls didn't know what to think of us . . .

 

 

Rear Pipe "Kink"

I think the factory bent the last 15" of rear pipe inward to keep it from hitting the dirt on right-handers, when leaned way over....and the shocks would compress, bumps, etc. 

The Supersuckers

I like this song.  It's about a guy Goin' Back To Tucson and he doesn't really want to go back - but he does anyway.  Then he leaves again.  They've recorded with Willie Nelson, Steve Earle and many others - and toured with Motorhead, The Ramones, New York Dolls and they even played on The Tonite Show. 
Great band . . .

Gaskets

I buy 10 packs of REAR panhead baskets - and make them into FRONTS !  I use this old, original (white cardboard-type) front panhead base gasket as a guide.  I lay it on a rear gasket, and trace the edge - then cut off the edge.  Saves me money buying (2) 10 packs of fronts & rears . . .

I like the thick D-Ring cover gaskets, the "firm.dense" style for the dampening pads, Fire-Ring style for the head gaskets, and the heavier Athena brand base gaskets.  You can adjust your base/head gasket thickness when determining your piston height at TDC in the cylinder.  I try to keep a variety on hand.  I have a "gasket addiction" and I've saved all types of gaskets over the years.

I have multiple, flat containers (as above) with all types of gaskets for 900 Sportsters, K Models, 45s and Panheads . . . and a quite extensive collection of 4 speed transmission gaskets, seals, etc. Also extra bushings of all types.  It's really sickening . . .

I've got gaskets they don't even make anymore - and when I'm down to my last one, I get all worried and panic . . . The extra-thick XLCH tin cover primary gaskets are awesome.  I gave a couple away to a buddy this summer for payment of a shared booth space - and I still have like 7 left . . . but I'm still thinking about it !  I've got problems . . .  But hey, those old-time, super thin oil pump gaskets that shrink up over the years (and you have to put them in water to expand them) are the best.  The new ones are too thick - and those white mylar plastic things are junk.  Sometimes I just open up everything and take a mental inventory again.  I have gaskets all over the living room floor and my wife thinks I'm a kook with all this stuff.  But I just love it . . . Anyone need a gasket? 

Short Stroke

Wrench & Repair

On side valve motors, it's easy to see how cam/valve timing and ignition timing work, and understand what's actually happening in the motor (with the heads off) What position the piston is in - Where the valves are on each cylinder, in relation to which cylinder is firing.  The Harley 45s are a great learning tool to educate a person how engines work, and what makes them work.  A mechanic has to understand how a motor works in order to correctly diagnose issues.  Myself, personally, after all this education, and thinking, etc . . . I still have a difficult time troubleshooting problems, which is the true test of a good Wrench.  You can be a great engine builder, a great machinist, etc., but a good Wrench is a difficult title to achieve.  It's probably the reason most of the oldest mechanics are the best Wrenches . . . they've seen it all and 'been doin' it the longest.

Orange & Black

Morris Mags

Are these real magnesium?  Some are - some aren't I believe?  A couple different versions.  The can make any bike look good - especially the "ready for a street fight" lookin' shovelheads !
(Click Photo for LARGE View)

Preparation

I've decided to run this bike to Sturgis this year.  It will be it's 6th trip in 7 years.  Fuel every 50-70 miles (depending on towns with gas stations).  If I'm in a hurry, I just leave it running, swipe a card, and 1.5 or 1.6 or 1.7 gallons later . . . I'm rollin' outta there !

I checked all the fluids (really clean !), did a "nut & bolt" check with all the wrenches on the entire bike.  I took the primary cover off (no belt dust) and just looked over the belt, checked a couple things, everything good.  I run a Diamond chain, and I shot 3 kinds of lube all over it - then chain wax at the end.  Don't really like chain wax 'cause it's white, and looks like shit - so I wiped most of it back off.  They throw out little cans of chain lube at the bike shows (I don't know why, since most run belts anyway?) so I usually get one for the trip home.

I just ride this thing pretty normal - and nice.  It runs the old style "roller" lower end (no Timken) and it's just been a great engine.  No burnouts, No poppin' the clutch, No powershifts.  It'll do a steady 75mph all day long - and last time I went on this trip I rode it almost 750miles in one day.  Pretty good for a '52 rigid frame chopper. 

Brake fluid is full and clean.  It's my only brake, so it'd better work, right?  Tires good, check the spokes, axle nuts, brake nut, axle adjusters . . . and my chain guard is spring/bolt mounted (like factory) so my oil tank don't crack, and stuff doesn't break - it's worked good so far.

This Super E has just been the best.  I can't even remember what jets I run, but a suspect a 29.5 and a 70 or 72 Main?  I've had the carb for years.  I sanded the body for polishing, but then left it as is...since it looks cool.  We've been through a lot together, on multiple bikes, multiple miles.

My ol' friend Lil' Joe (from Las Vegas) molded the frame, tank, everything . . . and painted it.  It has took direct hits from the biggest rocks, and some huge bugs - and never chipped.  The bondo has not cracked (partially due to Jeff Wiley's dynamic balancing of my stock flywheels).  Lil' Joe PAINT with Noot WRENCH . . . Wish me luck - but with the good Lord on my side, and a smile on my face, I'll try to see some sights and have some fun - and share it with you later.  Not everyone has the time or money to go on a trip like this - and each year I dedicate my run to those we've lost, and to those less fortunate - and try to spread some cheer to all I meet.  Respectfully, -Noot