Constant Velocity

It works.  I enjoy trying different combinations - but I just can't seem to find the one that works on this motor.   UPDATE !  I'm now running a 42 pilot with a smaller(factory stock) Linkert 4-bolt manifold with a rubber flange adapted for the CV spigot.  I think the S&S manifold was too large, and it was killing my velocity on starts especially....

Jay Springsteen

In his early years, Jay Springsteen and his brother Charles raced short tracks. "Chuck" ran a 360cc or bigger - and the younger brother Jay raced a smaller 250cc.  The lack of power to most racers would be a disadvantage, but Jay learned to make up seconds/lap with corner speed !  Holding the throttle wide open all the way around the track, steering with the rear wheel under full power - and pitching the bike sideways to scrub speed when necessary.  It helped hone his skills - soon becoming a top ranked Junior - and then Expert status.  The poster above celebrates his 1977 National Championship.  He won the previous year (1976) and won again in 1978 - A 3 time national champion.  Jay had a mysterious ailment that plagued him during his prime - causing him to miss races and forfeit points.  It was years until a smart physician finally diagnosed his problem - and he came back strong as ever !  Scott Parker is the king - but Springsteen (in my opinion) is the greatest flat track racer ever - due to his skill, stamina, longevity and promotion of the sport.  He's still goes fast as heck too . . . 

Baker Drivetrain

One of the best investments you can make for your kick-start Harley 4 speed !  They operate smooth as silk - and I've tested these gears for 5 straight years on my kicker panhead.  It's a one kick bike on most occasions, and this Baker set up is a big part of it.  Not cheap - but nothin' good ever is . . .

Above: I got my first set of gears from Bert Baker himself.  I won a bike show, and received a Baker gift certificate as a prize.  James Simonelli, me, and Bert Baker in Sturgis, SD.  I run their heavy forged kicker pedal with chrome moly shaft too.  Maybe someday afford a complete transmission?  

Harley K Model Head Gaskets

They don't use head gaskets.  Just spray the head and cylinder with a couple coats of Harley Hi-Heat Barrel Paint, let dry - and bolt 'em on !

Cedar River Harley-Davidson Shop

Yes...it's January.  Probably another 2-3 months of cold to deal with here in Iowa.  This is an excellent time to get started on your "customizing" or service on your summer ride.  Maybe a trade is in order???  Our local dealership has customers from all over North Iowa and beyond.  If you need parts, service or otherwise - Call 641-228-2192 and ask for Bill (Parts and Service) - and there's a good chance he can help you out, get you a fair price - and ship your parts if needed.

Plenty of new and barely used Harley-Davidson (and other brands too) on hand at all times.

In business since the early 1970s...the Minert family still has some old iron sittin' around . . .

Buddy Stubbs

I talked to Buddy Stubbs awhile back when I visited Arizona.  These are his personal race bikes he ran short tracks, TTs, desert races, 1/2 miles - a couple KRs and an XLR.  He beat the factory riders many times - and won the Daytona 100 (250cc class).  I think he said he's 80 now !

 The best museum in Phoenix (off Cave Creek). 
Buddy Stubbs' Harley-Davidson

Since 1966

Above: Someone please reprint these !

Above: Sprint CR

That's me with the helmet....

, , , makin' noise like an ironhead Sportster. 

I was pretty good at it my mom says . . .

Time Waits For No One . . .

A couple more months before we can do this again . . .

1948 - Fresh Again

This 1948 FL is a done deal. Real bad shape when it came in many moons ago, but now it should be a runner !  Runs a stock "H" grind Victory camshaft with fresh lower end, cylinders and heads.  In 1948, they didn't have pan cover D-rings or nothing.  Just these screws !  All pretty correct 1948 parts.  The 1st year of the Panhead for the motor company.

May as well do the transmission while yer at it, right?

Correct date code case.

One-piece kick arm (don't break a spring)

Super Nut !  Check your clutch hub fitment.  Needs an 11T speedo drive.  I leave the top loose so the owner can pour some oil over the gears.  I recommend Bel-Ray Hypoid 85w-140.

For the clutch hub nut: I pressed in a new rubber seal, then put the old-style washers, 

spring and snap ring on top to keep it original looking . . . Still runs '48 style oem pushrod with throw-out bearing.  The tank-shift-rod-lever was welded up and redrilled proper diameter.

'52-'53 K Model Flywheel Assembly

I bought these (all rusty and locked up) at the Sturgis Swap Meet years ago.  I carried them all the way on my bike - restored them with new shafts, etc.  I tried to sell them, nobody wanted 'em . . . so I just found a set of cases (that need some welding) . . . so I may as well build a little motor.  I got cylinders, heads, transmission parts, all the special parts that are 52-53 only, like clutch hub clutch basket, kicker shaft and gear, transmission shafts . . . on and on.  There's hardly one part that will fit on a 52-53 K Model AND an ironhead Sportster.  The cylinder base nuts !  That's about it . . .

Wait:  The connecting rods are the same, wrist pins and clips.  If you think of something else, let me know and I'll explain why it won't work.

Wiley: No. 70

Yes, that's #70 at Bonneville Speed Week in 1970.  Jeff Wiley (not pictured) was attempting a record run.  I believe he went over 150mph - (too fast for me !)  Ironheads Forever !

750cc It's All You Need . . .

Warmer days are ahead . . hopefully???  These past pics I remember well.  Racing around town on an iron XR with no lights - but the local authorities know me well enough to not worry about me.  When you get so old, with a bit of gray hair - you don't drink and ride - and you have proof-of-insurance...they've got bigger fish to fry.

This thing rips pretty hard...and it'll pull the front wheel kinda easy.  The smooth-bend straight pipes really echo between the buildings.  Race bike on the street !

_____________________________________________________

The ol' 1952 K has pretty much the same chassis - with 1/2 the power.  It's my favorite motorcycle.  The K and KH were only made a few years for street use - but H-D pumped out the KRs all the way through 1969.  The KRs were successful 'cause the flat power band kept the rear tire from spinning.  They stayed hooked up and moving forward.  

The Delorto "Pumper" carbs work great on side-valves . . .

Firestone (Coker) repop tire with stock muffler and shocks.  Early XLCH rims.

Harley K Model Gear Cover

-52 Casting Number (NOT -52A)  It won't work on a Sportster with one-piece shaft/generator idler gear.  This is for the K Model engine only (maybe a 1957 XL still had an idler shaft (like a 45 or a big twin)?

White Boy in Mexico

Above and Below: Ek Balam and the Mayan world . . .

Valladolid

Last month I went to the Yucatan and stayed in Valladolid for a few days, then hiked Ek Balam and went to few cenotes.  I like to stay near Punta Sur (on the south end)of Isla Mujeres too.  This gal at Playa Norte was doing maintenance on her scooter in the street.  Fixing corroded connections, making sure the lights worked, etc.  She bought it new, it was stolen a few times, lost for almost 6 months on one occasion, but she always got it back.  Nice gal.  Everyone I meet in Quintana Roo and Yucatan are nice.  Someday I'll take my WLA down there and get lost for a few years.  I love it there.

RIX '64: Sportster Factory Luggage Rack

These racks are hard-to-find...and when you do find one, they go for $200-$300 bucks.  Thanks to my friend Dennis for selling me a rack. (I sold him my own rack about 5 years ago, then wished I had it back) I modified an H-D Hummer seat (I like them since they have no seat tee bar) but they're the same shape and steel pan as the original XLCH solo seat.  McFarland helped me make special brackets to mount the seat (which was restored by: Heathers Leathers of South Carolina).

I have a restored, original 1960s Tour Pak that quick attaches to the rack.  It works slick - and I can now carry more stuff !  We reinforced the stock fender struts too (just for insurance).
All parts are moved back about 1.5" for added leg room - and "lean back" room.  It rides and handles awesome - and I just need a long trip for a test . . . Where we goin'????

Mothership - City Nights

I've seen this band live about 4 times - and I like them.  A good "biker music" kinda vibe.  They are playing in Iowa City on Saturday night, but I go to bed by 10pm anymore - and I'm old - so I probably won't go.  I met 'em through my friend Shea, and it's the kinda crowd I like to hang with . . . so maybe I'll crank a few on their videos, run 'em thru home theatre Bose - and rock out Saturday night before bed - and drink a couple beers to Mothership !

TECH: Pushrod Modifications

LEFT: Stock H-D Panhead

CENTER: Aftermarket Colony

RIGHT: Aftermarket Colony (modified end)

__________________

I got this weird sound on my '54 panhead engine.  It's coming from the pushrod/rocker arm area, under the pan covers.  It's not spring collars hitting, loose rocker arm bores or springs rubbing together.  However, I did make a comparison with the fitment of the stock pushrod end ball fitment in the rocker arm versus my aftermarket pushrod ball end. 



The aftermarket makes a little "click" sound . . . and that's when it's not even under pressure.  The aftermarket ball doesn't have that flat on top,(or it's really small) and it kinda catches on the oil hole area in the center of that ball rocker socket.

I belt sanded a flat on it - now it doesn't do it... Maybe that was it???  The oem H-D pushrod didn't do it - now the aftermarket aluminum doesn't either.  Hope that was it - or at least I did something - Gotta really check this shit....  These aftermarket aluminum pushrods are so big in diameter, they want to hit on the inside of your tubes, etc.  I like the narrower aluminum ones...but nothing is as good as the oem H-D parts.