Riding with Dad . . .

650 miles home - riding your chopper with your dad following on his FLHTCU (a lot of letters, if I got all of 'em?) Pretty classic times over the last 20 some years.  One last kick before pulling in my driveway.... I look pretty dapper, but I was glad to be home !

Rollin' Thru The Black Hills

Spearfish Canyon
Whitewood

Nemo
Vanocker Canyon
Rochford

Custer

Deadwood

Johnson Siding

Old Side Car

TECH: Return Oil Passage Leak

You ever hear of a panhead leaking between the fins (on the 3rd fin near the exhaust ports - directly on the return oil passage) ??  

I roughed up the area after cleaning and scrubbing, and using a propane torch to get all the oil out.  Then, I applied JB Weld with a Q-Tip up between the cooling fins - let it dry and coated with a couple shots of H-D Silver Bead Blast paint.  Previously, I noticed it was leaking a bit, so when I had the heads off - I ran some red glyptal down the passages to coat the inside oil return passages - it worked on the front head, not the rear.  Must be a casting flaw?

I kept gettin' drips of oil on my trans ratchet, and running down the fins in the back.  What the hell?  I'd dry it all off, go for a ride, and discovered it was seeping out between the fins.  Hope it stops the seeping.  My goal is to have a well ridden panhead, with a clean engine - and look like I only get the thing out a couple times a year. (smiley face here)

Fulton Street Car Show

Live Music, Food, Beer and plenty of hot rods. 

They block off the street and have at it !

Sturgis, SD

I like to hang around and watch 'em leave the party . . .

Varrooomnbaaa !  Screech !

The state of South Dakota doesn't use much salt on the roadways in winter months - they never have.  The classics are all pretty much rust free.

I go to it every year.  I just get in town for a bike deal -

.....and I go to a car show party.

...what the heck?

 

Jordan Dickinson at Union Speed & Style

He's a wizard at doing things correctly, and trying new techniques and methods - and twisting the norm with vintage components.  That's the best way to describe it . . .

Neato: The Sting

They just don't build customs like this anymore . . .

 

Even the guys that originally built these things, don't build 'em like this anymore.

Stunt Guys . . .

They're hard on brakes, tires, rear fenders . . . and clutches. 

Now THAT'S a Bumper

Bear in The Lodge

This area of the Cheyenne River Valley is where you could still get water in times of drought.  This summer has been extra wet, so all the prairie grasses are untypically green with growth.  It was Crazy Horse who was "wanted for capture" and a small group of lawmen wasted 2 days with no sign of him in this very valley.  It's called Bear in The Lodge . . .

Full Throttle Saloon

Puddle of Mudd (dumb band name I always thought) has a few popular party anthems, and some decent jams.  I dig their tunes - and Wes Scantlin is a very good singer, player and songwriter - but can be a real dork when he's drinkin' . . . and a rap sheet a mile long to prove it.  But ol' Wes and his band were spot on tonite and gave an excellent live performance.  We were all quite impressed . . .

From side stage . . . once they started the show, here came the crowd and it filled up fast.  I'm havin' fun now choking down my roast beef and chuggin' those complimentary Corona Extras (I'll never learn).

After the Mudd . . . it got dark and Foghat banged out their string of hits.  The place was packed with headliner Cheap Trick coming up.  In between the regular "hot chic dance team deal" warmed up the crowd with plenty of flesh, fire and sex (and it was actually pretty awesome) as I was so zoned on all the babes - I forgot to take any pics for you - whoops !   Just tattoo'd on my memory !

You get all the Left, and all the Right, at the Sturgis.

Rockford, Illinois' Finest

Rick's traveling arsenal of axes.....whoa

Some bands aren't very good live - Not the case here . . .

Gilby Clarke jumped on stage for a guest jam session . . .

Robin Zander

One of the best singers in rock, for all these years. 

I wonder if he and Tom still have their XLCHs ?

I didn't get a guitar pick . . . which is pretty miraculous since hundreds get thrown out during every Cheap Trick Show . . . but R.N. made sure I didn't go home empty handed.  Thanks fellas.

 

Ride in the Hills: Spearfish Canyon

I met up with my old friend from town, Keith Olson and his wife and friends - and we took a run thru Spearfish Canyon, Roughlock Falls and Cheyenne Crossing.  A motorcycle mishap jammed traffic for a bit, so I went back and splashed around in the freezing Spearfish Creek - wet boots never felt so good.

I branched off through Lead and then to Deadwood and Jerry Greer's Indian.

 A whole lot of Indians . . . and only 2 Harleys - I was a bit nervous.

 This shop is insane.  Todd said he now has 30+ outside machine shops making parts....

It was a great day for a ride . . . now I need to find Bill again - He's got the Easyriders VIP Cheap Trick Tickets !  Where's he at ????

The Spirit of Sturgis

I went right over to George's pit and he gladly showed me all the tricks to these WRs and KRs we had talked about the day before.  The guy is alright.  Always helping and lending advice to any racer that wants to listen.  But, he might not let all the cats out, since he won going away !

Milwaukee was well represented by Dave Kilkenny and JJ Flattery.  Jordan Baber and his top wrench Terry Baber(the 'ol man) don't miss many races either - especially if it's a Hooligan.  All three like these big, fast tracks.

#35 and #45 had the hottest battles on the track all day . . . and their team-mates !  Slicing and dicing through all the dust and ruts - and rocks ! 

This BSA gets the "best sounding at high rpms" Award in my book . . .

These KRs are the best looking (and sounding) dirt track engines.  Unfortunately nobody showed in this class - so this beautiful KR just ran practice.  I have to say, Brittney and Matt Olsen get a hats off for keeping this track alive (with 2 races per year) - and more riders this year than last - and the stands were full - The 80th Rally is now less than a year away . . . come on out - make plans now.