I'm going to see Marty Dickerson this weekend at the Antique Motorcycle Club of America Viking Chapter Meet in St. Paul, MN. Marty is a west coast racer who set many records in the 1950s aboard his trusty Vincent. He's making an appearance - and it's good to go meet the legends of the sport. The theme for this year's event is "classic racers" and that can mean only one thing - plenty of old KRs, XRs, XLRs, CRs . . . they'll all be there with a classic ride to Porky's Drive-In on Friday night. Can't wait ! (PS. Remember - Marty was portrayed in World's Fastest Indian . . .)Marty Dickerson
I'm going to see Marty Dickerson this weekend at the Antique Motorcycle Club of America Viking Chapter Meet in St. Paul, MN. Marty is a west coast racer who set many records in the 1950s aboard his trusty Vincent. He's making an appearance - and it's good to go meet the legends of the sport. The theme for this year's event is "classic racers" and that can mean only one thing - plenty of old KRs, XRs, XLRs, CRs . . . they'll all be there with a classic ride to Porky's Drive-In on Friday night. Can't wait ! (PS. Remember - Marty was portrayed in World's Fastest Indian . . .)
Walt
"You ever notice how every once in awhile you come across somebody you probably shouldn't have fucked with? . . . . . . . . . . . That's me !
The first XL
Whoever restored this Sportster to "original custom" condition did a hell of a nice job. I would lose the fishtail, but the rest of the bike - I can dig it man - cool !Noot's CH
Noot's '65 with Sprint tank and Bates seat with white leather. XLR exhaust pipes (before they had aftermarket) and you had to send them in to get chromed. The "Header Photo" shows Bob Heft's WILD THING with XLR pipes and cylinder heads. I guess it ran pretty hard - but, he couldn't really tune the thing. So he was fast depending on the weather and humidity. Those were the days . . . (I would climb all over the apple tree - and it's just a runt shown here)
a '57 . . . and a '67
I like the way this guy thinks . . . a 1957 XL Sportster. No rail on the seat? Pretty darn correct restoration. The 18" rims, long rear fender, tins . . I wonder if it still has the original "small valve" heads? Shifter is a little high and the paint - orange/red, maybe an option? The '67 Malibu . . . in case it rains.(Photo stolen from the XL Forum)
1929
A guy from work named Rich is usually pretty quiet. He don't talk too much. Just a hello, or a "hey there." Today he drove his Ford Model A. Owned it for years and years. Never knew he had it. 4 door sedan - all original. Way cool.Now we got something to talk about !
Don Castro
Former Yamaha factory rider Don Castro raced this custom Triumph motorcycle (only one time I believe) at the 1972 running of the San Jose Mile. The bodywork was to help streamline the bike and cut the wind - for faster mph. I guess the AMA didn't like it - so, they outlawed bodywork of any kind for good. Hey, it's dirt track, not road racing.This racer was equipped with a lap counter so Castro could help keep track what lap he was on . . .
Law Enforcement
The other night I was racin' around in our little town - bored as shit. I ran it hard through the gears on all my smooth backroads on the edge of the city. The place was dead. No cruising scene - no motorcycles - no action. Then out of the blue, about a 1/2 mile ahead, I see a motorcycle tail-light. I crank on the throttle to catch up. Run a couple red lights, roll through a few stop signs. XLR pipes were cack'lin. I catch the guy (maybe someone I know?) and guess what? It's a cop on a Harley ! Whoops. Luckily, it was the one I know best. Actually before he was an officer, we were both drunk once, and put my Chevelle in the river with a car load of girls. So I cruised with the cop on patrol for awhile. "Hey fella, just where do you think you're goin'? . . . "Anywhere but here man !"
What's Wrong?
Can anyone tell me the obvious thing that's wrong with this picture? (PS. I'm going to see Fonzie's leather jacket this fall in the Smithsonian Institute)Old Box Art
I've been carrying this piece of cardboard around for years. Every time I clean, I just can't bring myself to throw it away. Even though it's only a piece of bent up cardboard - the motorcycle pictured was a huge inspiration for me to build a scooter like it. I had never seen the actual bike - just the pic on this box. I can't even remember which company called themselves "The Motorcycle People" or what originally came in the box? It doesn't matter - I'm still keeping it - probably forever.
Run to the River . . .
A perfect day for a quick run through 3 states, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Stops in Lime Springs(for a cold Hamms), a buffalo burger at Stumpy's in Rushford, MN . . . through LaCrosse, WI and back again. 260 miles.
'tis the season . . .
A pretty good find this week - all cooked up with butter and the fixin's - Mmmmmmmmmmmmm
WLA Exhaust Installed !
What a son-of-a-bitch trying to get the exhaust installed. More weird exhaust clamps, special bends, special bolts, spacing . . and try to do it without scratchin' up everything. It ain't coming off that's fer sure . . . HD made sure the pipes weren't fallin' off in the heat of battle ! 
Roeder Harley-Davidson Closes
You've probably seen this famous photo of George Roeder from 1965. He set the world speed record for a 250cc motorcycle. George did a lot of things. He was an expert racer at flat track and road racing. George raced the Daytona 200 - he is also in the Hall of Fame. He started his very own Harley-Davidson Dealership in Monroeville, Ohio in 1972. George passed away in 2003 at the age of 66 (too young).
Noth Style
In the Quad Cities area of Iowa (around Davenport, Moline, etc) there is this style of early Sportster that's popular. I call it "Noth-Style" after Terry Noth. Noth is a Harley engine builder from "the old days." He's an expert on KRs, XLRs, strokers, ironheads - all types of things - HARLEY. This style of custom usually has short, drag bars, thin 19" or 21" front wheel, struts, low, thin and mean. This bike has 4 hrs left on ebay and it's up to $8600.00. If you go hang out at the Poor House (in Davenport) on Locust long enough - you may just see some radical ironheads like this !
Old Sparky
How a 40 year old ignition system can still function almost perfectly with only minimal maintenance is beyond me? The key lock is long gone (now an aluminum plug) and the clear "Drag Specialties of Minneapolis" cap is stained from years of sun and fuel spills. Just keep the points cam greased. Hell of a system.Sunshine Cleaning
It's been Kate Winslet for quite awhile now. Any movie with her in it is a must see. Well, Kate's out . . . now it's Amy Adams. I paid big money to see Sunshine Cleaning in Madison - and it was worth it. Hot chics cleaning up blood. It's much deeper than that - but, who cares? Go see it - good flick.
Rich King
This photo is from a poster I ripped off the wall at Rapid City HD (old location downtown). We were on our way to the 1/2 mile on Hwy 44. King won it that night. He raced for Team Corbin on a Honda RS750. Rich King is from Waterloo, Iowa and he was our local dirt track star. Now retired. He can still be found promoting the sport - and I hope he puts on another race this summer. His son Aaron King will give 'em hell at the Springfield TT, Saturday Night May 23rd. Should be a great race as always !
STD. (Standard) Bore
S&S stroker cylinders and pistons for a panhead. Freshly honed for fitment - ready to go ! Got 'em done last nite !Civil War
There is a civil war reenactment near Bradford (Nashua), Iowa this Saturday. I believe I'll go witness the battle. The photo above is from around 1863 near Hagerstown, Maryland. Dead soldiers. Not a pretty sight. Hope the boys in Nashua use blanks?
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