Noot

Stock XLCH Dry Clutch

Hopefully this clutch works a bit better, and stays dry? I set everything to factory specs, and upgraded to a nice set of (stock tension) springs. NOS Raybestos plates from my stash . . .

These things are funky lookin' . . . originally about 28 1/2" long and chrome. I cut it in half to see what was inside, and found it pretty stuffed up. After some careful consideration of air flow and back pressure, I modified the guts, cut it shorter and had it welded back up. Acid etched it, roughed it up with 80 grit and painted it black. Then gave it some patina. Hope it works like it should????
More '54 build photos coming soon . . .

The Uncommon: K-Model Chopper

The only Harley model more scarce may be the XA Chopper?

Or the Sprint, Hummer or Scat Chopper?

Early Sportster Primary Drive

First, I installed the kicker shaft and gear. The new "square style" black rubber kicker shaft seals are too tight and too square. You can easily cut the seal when installing the shaft. I turn the seal inside-out and bevel the sharp edge, so it doesn't get cut upon installation. Grease it up good, don't forget the thrust washer (with flat side up). New seal in the clutch basket, and lithium grease on the needle bearing. It still had the original-style brass clutch hub nut lock (which kinda serves as a seal too). The lock was in good shape, so I reused it. Heavy washers under the adjuster bolt heads. Now, it has the correct chain tensioner with NOS shoe and retainer. My last one. I installed the whole business with original, factory dealership issued Harley-Davidson tools - ie: gear locks, and hub to basket lock. I tightened everything by hand to facilitate removal "on the road." No air impacts. It's the way our H-D founders intended.

The Diamond brand primary chain is a good choice. I also like the Tsubaki chain. Do yourself a favor and stay away from all the other ones.

Steve Aseltine Nat'l No. 36

I was talking to a guy from Colorado, and the name Steve Aseltine came up. I guess he still lives in Colorado? He was a great flat track racer in his younger days. He beat all the greatest riders when they were at their best . . . from Scott Parker to Chris Carr to Ricky Graham. Steve won Daytona, won $10,000 Camel Challenges . . . he really flew on his Rotax. Aseltine was a very smooth and consistent racer. One of the best short trackers from the late 1980's and early 1990s.
Above: Here's Aseltine hiding behind his big check, being interviewed by Dave Despain.

Two Strokes Not Dead Yet

In the 250cc class . . . In about 2 laps, this guy had his 2-cycle just a gettin' it on . . . totally pulling away from everyone else. His jetting was perfect - on the pipe - checkin' out . . . bye bye !
250s are still pretty darn fast on a half mile.

Davenport Meet 2017

The races on Friday night are fun. The track looked a bit rough, but most of the riders I talked to said it was great ! The stands were about full.

Ed was riding the best I'd ever seen him . . . he was fast and smooth on the groove all day. After a slow start, he battled through the pack and ol' #7 slowly reeled 'em in . . . finishing a solid 2nd place - On the box !

Your pit pass is also good for grandstand seating . . . it's best to get down there early and check out the riders and the motorcycles. Some fast riders like to race at Davenport. Names like Baber, Kasten, Vestal, Bickerton . . . and Tibben !

Terry (wrench) and Jordan (rider) get on their race faces . . .

Davis checks out the WR . . .

Itchy (above) looked way fast in practice, but during the race something was a bit off . . ?

Hey, if it was always easy, everybody would do it. Right?

(Above) Erickson and Patterson duke'n it out.

The track officials have the "intermission" as the sun goes down (to keep the sun out of the rider's faces on the front shoot . . . good idea)

The guy on that yellow Yamaha (above) has been doin' this a long time.

yes, that's his original Sprint, still being raced by John Tibben.
Mike Connell of Decorah, Iowa was running it this weekend . . .
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Pabst Blue Ribbon ! Tobie went to buy a "few" beers and came back with a 30 pack on my seat . . . Holy shit, nobody left thirsty !

Danny Howe came riding up on his sweet, panhead stocker.
He always looks the part.

Chris burped around the fairgrounds, breakin' in his fresh 45 custom build. It was covered with dust from rippin' through the pits, around the swap . . a very cool bike ! Thanks to everyone who showed me a great time: McCoy, Al, Tobie, Steve, Drew, Ryan, Michael, Pete, Chris, Klein, Emerson, Nathan, Will, Kurpius, D.A., Bromie . . . and the whole Hee Haw gang . . . see ya'll soon. -Noot

Your First Big Bike Trip . . .

Badlands Nat'l Park - Interior, South Dakota Aug. 2017

Zac Starkey went on his first "Sturgis Run" this year. He sent me some photos from the trip. When a guy takes his first long motorcycle trips, you always like to capture the moment. After so many years, I just whiz through and past all the unique scenes and views, so sometimes it brings back some excitement when a new-kid goes along. It brings back the memories of your youth, as time waits for no one.

Field of Sunflowers - near Winner, South Dakota Aug. 2017

National No. 91

I believe this is Mikey Martin of California lettin' it hang WFO on the cushion . . . ? When I first started following professional flat track racing, Scott Drake had the #91 on his leathers. After his retirement, the late (and great) TT and short track racer Andy Tresser wore the #91.

There they go . . .

Chris and Sarah hittin' the road on Warren's reliable panhead. The motor was leakin' (I should say gushing) oil out the top of the gear cover. We met at O'Reilly Auto Parts and bought a can of brake kleen. After spraying down the oil, wiping clean . . . we used The Right Stuff sealer (in silver) to smear over the leak . . . let it dry a couple hours in the sun while we strutted around - came back, started the bike, and it wasn't leaking anymore! It sealed. The Right Stuff should be in every workin' man's tool arsenal. No more oil on her boot. . .

Oil Tank Mounting Hardware

The feed line and battery tray are original H-D pieces. The rest is reproduction. To me, when I hear the words "reproduction" I get ready FOR A FIGHT ! 'Cause many times it sucks with these parts.

Hi-Fi Blue

TECH: Main Drive Gear Seal Modification

Have you ever used the "fully enclosed - with metal Front and Backside" Main Drive Gear Seals????? They press in really hard, and they're almost impossible to remove with sheet metal screws. I think it's because the backside is enclosed, and they can't crush a bit.

I chucked it in the lathe and cut the back side out . . . now it should press in with a reasonable amount of press fit, and I can still get it back out with "a reasonable amount of effort." It's like the old style stock seals now. Remember: Always install your seal with the inner seal spring towards the oil, or on the same side as the oil you're trying to keep from coming out . . .

Magneto? YES or NO

The "Magic Box" is what a local kid called my magneto when he couldn't think of what it was called . . . He stated, "My electronic junk is toast and I just want points again, or one of those magic box things." Here's the best way to explain magnetos for your application: from my own personal experience: Assuming your carburetor, engine timing and valves are correctly adjusted, set your magneto timing in the same manner as you would a common points & condenser system.

Harley 45 (WL), UL, ULH, K Models, Knuckleheads and Panheads: Magneto in solid "advanced position" at all times. It will cold start and hot start. I bolt my magneto solid in the "fully advanced position" and don't mess with it. The points last 5 times longer in a magneto than a conventional system. (don't ask me why, they just do) When you're cold kick starting, if the engine is poppin' through the carb periodically(not all the time) you're probably ok. You could barely retard your spark to help, but once it's running and hot, these engines like a little extra advance timing I've found for performance, mileage and "it just runs better."

Harley XLCH Ironheads and Shovelheads: You need the capability to retard (for cold starts) and advance (for running position) for best results. Kick starting a fully advanced magneto on an XLCH can be difficult with popping, kick backs, slips, and feeling the need to sell this thing . . .

Above: I've utilized a "solid mount" factory stock magneto base plate from an XLCH on my Harley WLA. This magneto has been in the bike for about 6 years. The bike gets ridden (starts and stops) more than any of my other motorcycles. I've never had the cap off since I put it together (I should probably lube the points cam) but it still runs perfect. Fairbanks Morse magneto head and shaft with Morris points and condenser. FM cap painted olive drab.

Born 30 Years Too Late . . .

Trying to convince her to sit on the fender . . .

The Original Pacman

This guy got really excited about my "Pacman Symbol" on my frame. Original H-D frames with all the markings can transform a relatively calm, bearded, slightly over-weight, 6'3" tall H-D motorcycle enthusiast into a salivating little kid, giddy with excitement ! Jeeezzzzz!

Robbie Knievel on CHiPs

I just happened to catch the episode where he jumped the airplane. That was a few years ago (showin' my age) since I watched CHiPs as a kid . .

Bruce Penhall (far far right) zoom in . . .

Robbie is a damn good motorcycle rider who didn't seem to get a whole lot of credit, but he made some incredible jumps, set all the records - and drank whiskey and kicked ass like his ol' man.

Z Bars in Spearfish Canyon

Fact . . .

Heck, Darrel Huxsol built one of these things over 20 years ago . . .

Kurpius capturing the moment . . .

. . . brother Ives snatched the cash from Sarah !

The Ives Brothers travel all over the country performing their own Wall of Death Show with dad as the announcer . . . it's a full family show. They're almost done building and testing another horse in the stable . . . a vintage Harley 45 twin - high on the wall soon.

It's Not Any Different Now

You should read all the bitchin' on the Harley Instagram site about the new 2018 models . . . it's really kinda gross. People's thumbs start typing before anything else (like a brain) kicks in . . . I was always brought up, like if you can't say anything constructive, don't say shit. But, in today's world, you know what I'm talkin' about . . . no disrespect, just saying.....

Here's why I might know something, 'cause I grew up with a dad who is one of the most respected mechanics in the area. Where you were maybe around 1,2 or 10 Harley riders back-in-the-day . . . I was around hundreds. Riders who needed work. You got major feedback. They were from all aspects of Harley-Davidson riders: Long distance, drag racers, dirt trackers, clubbers, touring, customizers, do-it-yourselfers . . . all of them.

I remember when the FXR came out. Rubber mount. A rubber mounted shovelhead with a 5 speed transmission? (too much shifting) Belt drive (biker's called it "rubber band drive") What a joke. "That belt won't hold." "Now Harley took away "the mystique" and the vibration of what makes a Harley a Harley . . . bitch bitch bitch. The FXR wasn't an immediate success. It was kinda a "sissy bike" No shit. Wide Glide? YES - FXR? (not for real bikers). The only dudes riding those silly FXRTs were guys who didn't want the BMW. It was built to compete with the Windjammer equipped Honda's and Kawasaki's . . . no shit. They didn't make a whole lot of 'em (that's why there ain't a lot of 'em around . . . A lighter weight (single guy rider) traveling Harley. Before the FXRT your choice for light weight was a full dressed Sportster XLH (like my black one). Soon the FXR got ridden, word got around. The "old bikers" liked the cushion. They liked low-maintenance. Away went the choppers, here came the FXRs and the rest is history. Just like the history of the JD, the history of the VL, the 45, the history of the Knuckle, the Pan, the XLCH, the Softail, the Dyna, the Buell, the FLHX . . . it's just more history. The history of Harley-Davidson Motor Co.
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"Times Don't Change - Men Do." I don't know who originally said that, but it's a solid statement. If you like Harley-Davidson Motorcycles, and have a lifetime commitment towards them (like I do) different models come and go, and it's interesting to see what factory design changes happen every model year. I see a lot of bitching, but you can't compare a sportbike to a Harley to a CRF to a Ural to a ???? They are different animals made for different purposes. Half these bitchin' dudes can't even change their own head gaskets or know where the bolts go, so they have no idea what it takes to build a machine. I say, ride one, strip it, jam it, stroke it, paint it . . . do whatever you want, but it's still a new H-D design with their latest engine, attempting to improve power and handling. Fail or not, I'd like to see them succeed on the track and on the street. I don't own a new Harley, but feel I help the company through promotion and feedback towards riders I talk with, who ride new Harleys. I attend events where 95% of the motorcycles are Harley-Davidsons. I still buy genuine Harley oil and run it in all my bikes. I frequent the local Harley dealership, and refer them to potential customers for sales and service. I'll keep riding my old iron 'cause it's what I know and it's a tribute to the motorcycles Harley-Davidson once manufactured in Milwaukee, Wisconsin - and prove to the younger generations that you can ride old Harley iron and have a hell of a lot of fun.

I wouldn't hesitate in a minute to pack this thing up, fill it with fuel, gear up . . and hit the road for a multi-state tour of super slabs and back roads. The headlight is ugly, but I'll bet it lights up the road through fog and darkness. The bags look solid. I'd ditch the reflectors - The blacked out lower windshield is neat. Maybe a short sissybar . . . I'll bet it'd go 100,000 miles.

But, I still like panheads.