"It's all there . . .

 It wasn't all there - It was missing many pieces like:

(2) thrust washers, all the loose rollers (needs .001 over), the lower case studs, the kicker cover studs, the main sealed roller bearing and spacer, all the kicker gears, spring, stud, nuts, plugs, counter shaft bushings . .  Oh, and the wrong thrust washer behind the kicker shaft . . .  " It's all there " - famous words of somebody trying to sell you something.

XR Girl

It was everywhere . . .

Everywhere I turned this year at Sturgis . . . there was this panhead - again.  He did a few shows, rode the hills, down Main Street . . . he got around.  Had a-bunch-o-fun I'll bet . . .
Neat bike - and he rode it.   (forgot I had the pic)

Paul Tracy's Charger . . .

1978 Texas Biker Bash

Official Dark Beer Test (STB)

We tested some Dissent (the dark brew from Steel Toe Brewing Co.) with our high powered Mag Lite. 
No light was visible through the glass - nothing.  Total Darkness.  Very Good. 
A+ . . . it's what you want in a dark beer. 
(Chopper Dave's business card for added satisfaction)

Banana Caliper

You have to buy at least 6 each of these at the swap meets to make one good one - if you're lucky.

Early CCI

" I never wanted to be anybody else . . . "

 . . . maybe Robin Zander?

Half & Half (a post for your brain)

Early small diameter EL flywheels.  After installing the shafts correctly, always true each 1/2 and check for run-out on the flat side of the OD.  .007 or less is acceptable.  Sometimes it's tough to get it.  Then mark them so you know where the high spot is when truing the finished assembly.  High spots near the crank pin aren't so bad - since when the motor fires and pushes the rod down - it's kinda like truing it up perfect for a brief moment - That's my thinkin' and I'm stickin' with it . . . Gordy will be proud !

Bad Deal

Cinema is not always pretty . . .

Arizona last week . . .

Hangin' with my kid Eric, his wife Adrienne, Cheryl, Johnny Gold, Lewis, Ken (from Highway Chops) and many other locals that shall remain nameless . . .

I just hate these guys . . .

For some reason that dude on the right kinda bugs me.  I guess he was just being "free" too . . . voicing his own opinion on the situation.  Wonder where he is now?  Not actors - they found these locals to play the part.

1961 XLCH

Around 1990-93 . . . you couldn't find these decals anywhere.  I had to make the 3 color lay-overs with graphics pens in black.  I drew out the lettering, used a straight edge, etc.  All by hand.  The silver circle around the outside is supposed to be the same diameter all the way around.  I thought it looked better like a "Ring of Saturn" . . . The place that printed the decal for me was to make me about 10 sets - they made (1) and destroyed my originals.  You assholes !  Oh well . . . .

Windjammer

Alva and his Yamaha 750 with Windjammer. 

Gettin' it dialed . . .

S&S B is jetted with 32 Intermediate and 70 Main.  52 air bleed (in the side).  Baffles in the 1 3/4 drags now.
Heavier springs on the advance weights.  Readjusted the throttle cable - time for another Test !

Ride yer vintage Schwinn to work today . . .

1948 Schwinn DX (B6 style) frame with early stem, 1" pitch, coke cap pedals, ND hubs, canvas saddle, truss rods, partially restored - paint is crackin' . . . Goodyear treads . . . pure early 50's teen rebel bike !

I Need - Wanted - Do You Have Some?

900 Sporty heads with these funny looking " big built up spark plug bosses. "  They take a special long reach plug.  Thanks for looking.

Can't put it off any longer . . .

. . . and need to drop this load !

The 'bastard stepchild' of all 4-speeds . . . 

The Cowpie Top !

Reed's Pan

Got this pan all done - finally.  1950 with goodies from KB, Andrews and S&S Cycle.  It blew up years ago at the Sturgis 50th . . . and it ain't run since.  It shall be "King of the Highway" once again !

3/8" Square Drive Extensions

These things are the total shit for knuckle, pan or shovel head bolts.  They were in the tool box and I never used them before . . . learn somethin' new every day - huh?

Jeremiah's Dirt Bag Bash III (It ain't easy)

Just want to thank Jeremiah and all all the vendors and friends that showed for the show and party.  I really dig all my friends from Cedar Rapids who always show me a good time.  You guys rule.

Photos from the top:

The trophies for the show were the best I'd ever seen.

This radical pan took the title.

XLs from hell . . .

This Trumpet lives again !
Everyone gets some second-hand-smoke.
If you go with Zac (get gas first !)

This shovel needs a Crazy Frank . . .

Jeremiah ponders the future?

Black Hills 'Vette

I'm riding through the hills of So. Dakota - and stop for a break.  Get some gas . . . and this guy pulls his garage door open and this very early (1953 I think?) Corvette is sitting in there.  I thought maybe he didn't know what he had . . . He gave me a price and I about fell over - I rode away on my creeky ol' Sporty.

Harley Terminology

Harley Terms:

Learn It - Know It - Live It !

Slabside = A large piece of pork or beef

Genny = My grandma's friend

Jockey Shift = A jockey top tranny (old tank shift top) with a shifter arm attached directly to the shifter shaft - NOT a ratchet top where your shifter returns to it's original position everytime.

Ratchet Hand Shift = Now you know what it is.

Suicide Clutch(actually no such thing as Suicide Shift) = NOT a tank shift OR a foot rocker clutch.  Or just because it has a hand shift of some type.  It's an old WR type foot clutch set up that releases as soon as you take your foot off - away you go mother fawker !

Jugs = Containers you store shine in.

Toad Stools = things you store your hydraulic or solid lifters in (don't eat them)

The Cat's Ass = Morty says, "Any motorcycle built by John Copeland."

Air Jet Mod

 

Quite beneficial when you find the right one for your 

particular combination of intermediate jet, main jet and
atmospheric conditions . . .

Lamborghini

When he said he had a Lamborghini, wanna take a ride?  

This is not what I thought . . . ?

Didn't go to Brooklyn . . .

For those of us who didn't (or have never been to, the Brooklyn Invitational) I know we are missing out on a really neat event. Possibly historical.  We all appreciate the pics from Jeff Wright and all the other blogs that give us a taste, but - no smells, no sound, no mechanical or human element of the event.  It's a bit scary going to NYC.  Where do you sleep?  Where do you park?  I know some folks who are in their 70s and live in the Bronx (in an apartment) - other than that - I don't know anyone there.  I'd like to go next year - it's like getting ready to jump off a cliff into the water - I feel hesitant.  Do you ride?  Do we drive?  Quit your whining (I say to myself) - just get there.  I've been to the Coba rainforest of the Yucatan - but not New York?  What the fuck am I waiting for?  I want to go to California too.  At least once. (I'm thinking maybe a van (with a bike worthy of being seen there -  and a place to park it for a couple days - or just ride the '64 Sportster . . . hmmmmm)