Cool Tools

I really like when you have a cool tool that will do the job for you.  You see more broken ears on tappet blocks (from careless mechanics with screw drivers).  McFarland made this neat tool a few years back that threads on the block - and then a bolt presses on the adjuster (with a cam installed under the roller lifter) and pulls the block out.  You can use the tool to install the block too.  Just thread on the tappet block all the way down, remove bolt from tool, and tap in with a rubber mallet.  You might get it close to the case and then thread in some screws and check it - make sure it's straight. 

Here's to you . . .

Elaine Robinson

Berkeley Graduate

Married a track star in the "Plastics" industry . . .

Make it two yards . . . Mother * * * * * r

and we got us an automobile race !

( The best line in the movie ) 

Primary Chain Shoe

If you need a new Primary Chain Shoe for your Sporty . . . Get the ones from your local Harley-Davidson shop.  The black ones are better.  They are a bit longer than the aftermarket "white" ones (which are too short).  The short, white ones don't have enough length - and the steel, clamp deal that holds them on can't quite grab enough meat to adequately hold it on.  I still kinda glue the shoe on with some "Right Stuff" before I clamp it for extra insurance.  Don't run your chain too tight either (especially with a new shoe), since the plastic shavings will just clog up the oil passages in your counter shaft and door bearings.  I run the 75W Bel-Ray Gear Oil.  It's a nice red color (and when it turns black, time to change it !)

Clip & Save

Both these swaps are real good.  Great organization, great people . . . the way a swap should be . . .

More Parts - Less Crap

Ham Can to Linkert Adapter

Minimalism

Trying to make a "I call them Tom Fugle Front Ends" is more work than it looks.  

First you have to hack all the mounts off the lower legs.

Then make a fixture to turn them down in a lathe.

Then sand and polish.

Turn the axle for 5/8" bearings.

Hack up the lower tree.

Have your buddy mill a flat for headlight bracket.

Hack Up sand and polish upper tree.

Make wheel spacers.

Assemble and Disassemble about 4 or 5 times.

More fuckin' around.

Then fuck around some more.

Now you have no brake - and no place to put a fender.

WTF?

I like it !

Does Howdy Doody got wooden balls, man . . ?

Up in Smoke was on . . . so I . . . 

Lapped some races . . . 

Worked some cases . . .
Teeth ain't got braces . . .

Got green shoe laces . . .

Harley JD

I was having a discussion with Royal McNeese in Britt, Iowa . . . and he told me, "You want to know the best Harley-Davidson? . . . that model JD is the best motorcycle they ever made."  He told me to get rid of that kickin' back, too fast XLCH and go find myself a JD.  I just don't listen very well. 

JB's new wheels . . . Tight & True

I'll play wid da cases dis week . . .

Name it . . .

Ain't that jargon for an early narrow, steel legged Sporty front ?

No. 1

They know it's one of the first Harley-Davidsons produced.  It has the No. 1 inside the cases.  So did a few others - they know that for fact.  It's the oldest HD frame known.  One thing is for "sure" - it's the oldest Harley-Davidson known to man.  It started the trends.  As transportation, style, for racing, for sport, for customization . . . everything.  It's the first - and the name remains the same.  It made the hairs on my neck stand up.  It's in a dark room with a faux wood flooring.  Oil soaked.  The floor creaks. There are lights on the floor that depict the 10' X 15' shed where it all started.  Old photos of the founders.  Interesting facts, factory photos, family photos.  It all happened in Milwaukee, Wisconsin - US of A.

Jim Davis

Davis was a member of the Indian and Harley-Davidson factory racing teams.  At the Springfield Mile awhile back, Dave Despain gave me a job to do.  "Make sure Jim Davis (He was 100 years old in a wheelchair) has enough ice water today . . . it's hot."  They interviewed Jim during the Hall of Fame festivities.  At the HD Museum on New Year's Eve day . . . when I read that these were Davis' medallions - it made me smile - and feel proud that I got to spend some time with the last surviving member of the original Wrecking Crew. 

Bosch Regulators

My generator guy from St. Paul, MN picks up these Bosch regulators cheap . . . then tests them and gets them adjusted to a good 13.2 volts.  The solid state regulators always puke on me. 

I really dig vintage electrical components.  

Mechanical over Solid State any day !  

Chains over belts.

Grease over hairspray.

Linkerts over EFI . . . etc etc etc.

 

Handy?

. . . . still need a wrench to get it off ?

Crazy shit . . .

I like the Crazy Frank stuff . . . but, I hope there ain't a lot of this one floatin' around out there ?

A Question for "Old Timers . . "

I had a gray beard tell me when he ran his jockey shift transmission, he ground a small notch (where I have highlighted the White Dot) so when he was in-between gears, his false neutral would stay there - and not accidentlly slip out and send him forward.  Will this work?  Seems like it would?

1938 EL

. . .  with one-year-only pump and re-sleeved 4 fins.
Ready to go back in the rat bike.
 

It's all about your tools . . .

I've decided that my blog entries for 2012 will be a bit more insightful.  A friend gave me some HOG Magazines from 2010 . . . and I see that Josh K. had basically the same tool kit I carry with me on my Sportster too.  We could probably trade kits and not have any problems.  The 530 chain 1/2 link was the kicker.  Nobody has a 1/2 link.  How about a primary chain link? (I carry one).  I like my tire irons better, but I've heard those Ty Davis-style irons are the trick.  I run Autolight 4316 plugs, try 'em. The year 2012 should be the year that you get out your tools and get down to business.  Get some things built, get some things done.  Get out on the road and see some things different - some things you always wanted to see, but haven't had the time.  Make some time in 2012 to just do it.  I know you got the tools . . .

Save for future reference . . .

Kinda Cool . . .

Husqvarna gets it right . . .

" Flake & Flames " Coming Soon 2012

Jesper Bram and crew did up a way cool deal with some paint, flake & rods . . . featuring everyone from Cole Foster, Von Franco, shit . . . there's a bunch-a-dudes in this one.  Oh, and Spina's in it too . . . of coarse.  Good job boyz . . . can't wait to buy it !  ( Czech out the teasers on You Tube )

Sidecar Hearse

from "Stone" 1974

Jordan's '59

Flywheels blasted, tapers checked, new rod races, new pin bushings, everything honed and slip fitted, rods surfaced for straightness . . .  yada yada yada . . . . locked & loaded.

Happy Holidays Tator

from Noot Jr.

This digger needs . . .

a fiberglass Ness rear fender . . .

The kind that breaks when your girlfriend sits on it . . .
( paint by McCann )

XLCH

 XLR Pipes sound best . . .

Back by Popular Demand

What's it to ya . . ?

That's just the way it is.

Swedes, Danes, Finns?????

Who claims this style?  Northern Europeans have claimed this as their own . . . and I believe them.

. . . we couldn't get much higher.

Freedom of Speech.  Freedom to Ride.  America welcomes you . . .

Little Tricks . . .

You'll Never Wear Out . . . An Indian Scout

Art by: Mark Patrick

The old Noot's shop had plenty of Mark Patrick's sculpture around.  Big Noot bought the original "Drifter" from Mark himself at Sturgis one year.  He gave this one ("Santa's Sled") to me, and every year I forget to bring the thing up from the basement for Christmas.  I didn't forget this year . . . but, he looks a little pissed off from being in that box all these years????!!!!  I could have swore Santa was in a more jolly position? 

Winter is here . . .

Art by: David Mann

Ice Bikes Ready ?

Only one block from my house . . . perfect ice conditions this morning.  2 inches of fresh is better than 1 foot of old ice.  I'd fall and break like a twig now.  In my youth it was wide open on the TT.  Some just get rusty with age.  Confidence lost.

1971

The last tank on the best motor Harley ever made . . .
the 900 (883cc) Ironhead.  Those suckers won a hell-of-a-lot-a-races !

I liked it . . .

The best part was how JJ pretty much let 'em have it . . . it's kinda what everybody knows already.  I liked the comments about Jr's 3/4 gal fuel tank, rivets and copper.  I always thought they should call the show "American Theme Bike" . . . What happened to riding 300, 400, 500 miles to a destination?  It was clearly a Discovery Channel deal to promote the show.  If I could choose - definitely James' chop.  A few things - Those rotors, will they warp (pretty thin).  And maybe if the springer was a bit narrower?  You'd lose some more rigidity . . . but, hey - maybe a sissybar?  Needs something back there?  Maybe Kat?  That's a Jim's 131" in there, so it's got power.  Way way way cool to see Bacon on there . . . Talk to you soon !

Dean Jeffries