Yvon Duhamel

One of the most versatile racers of all time.  If not "The Best" . . . on pavement, dirt, ice(sleds and cycles) and NASCAR.  The more track conditions changed or worsened, the faster he got.  Duhamel still participates and rides with vigor.

 . . . still competitive well into modern times !

 Heck . . . give him a chance, he's still competitive this weekend !

Allen's 1934 VLD Motor

Kevin was side-swiped by a cage, and it broke the original gear cover.  He furnished a later VL cover, and we got it all fitted, with updated engine breathing.  Dad spent a lot of time on this motor, fixing all the worn and loose connections(time consuming, but necessary).  A running engine, but loose and worn in most aspects.  It's high compression iron heads are being blasted of carbon, and a fresh coat of hi-heat engine enamel applied.  This model was a "hot-rod version" of the VLs.  It's all timed, intake aligned, tappets adjusted . . . and yes it's nice to look at, with all it's "gizmo-ness" . . . drinking hot coffee from an Official National Motorcycle Museum ceramic mug.

FL Fork Legs

The blasted look was too dull(and fake lookin'), the buffed look would be too show.  I want the satin, shined up barn-find look.  The internals had bottomed out, damaging a couple parts.  I'll make new parts and drill the lower legs for drain plugs (1/8" pipe thread) as stock. 

Hurst Shims

I see you can buy these new - I believe that's the problem?

#M20 #Hurst #Supershifter #Muncie

( PS. I'm practicing for Instagram )
I put a tablet on my Christmas List (or a fancy phone)

Geo Roeder

 I like the Mega Cycle leathers, and the two-stroke.  I always remember that Geo Roeder and Chris Carr are about my own age . . .

Vinyl and a Mood Light

My very first record was Nazareth Hair of The Dog.  I didn't really like it.(should have kept it too)  The store lady let me exchange it for Deep Purple Machine Head (which you see here, original album).  American Pie sounds more real and personal on vinyl.  Tommy Bolin's bluesy rock licks . .a true master.  Every listen you hear something different. All original pressings.

A long long time . . .

Sometimes . . .
I realize how long my dad has been working in the garage.

Top Photo by: Mom

Bottom Photo by: Jeff Wright

Cardio Heart Exploder

I got this thing moving in a circle on Saturday (grass field) and soon my heart was pounding like a speed-metal band bass riff . . . I think I need some cardio training ?  The motor's still kinda puffin' out the pipes, and now it don't want to come down off mid-throttle again????  A couple weird little glitches.  I'll figure it out - but hey, it's fun to ride and has a great sound !

 . . .  and it just looks cool.

Late Model Star Hub

The (late model) star hubs have a heavier, machined flange.  These came out around 1957 and lasted until 1966.  Heavier duty for the new hydraulic brake I assume?  They also added a grease zerk (through the star cover).  I'll rebuild this one and run it on the rear wheel.  Races are good.

Lots o' parts to these suckers . . . over 50+ parts.  About 6 parts for a Timken hub.

Star thrust plate and cover (with zerk) 1957-1966.

Go Go Boots & Fringe

 Love those long lower legs . . .

It's 52

#52 for Ronnie Rall

He's had a long career . . .
and recently won a vintage race for Enfield Racing.
Ron's son Chad, races with the old #52 too !

(Above) Ronnie Rall racing with George Roeder !

 Rall in that "famous drift" which has been copied 

and repop'd with different captions and number plates.

1966 XLCH Ironhead

I've worked on this(off and on again) for over a year. 

1949 Harley Riser Repair

I bought these new riser bushings to replace the old rubber ones that fell out.  What I didn't realize is that the original bushing just came apart - the bonded rubber separated from the steel center. 

 The outside steel part is still stuck in the riser - fart !

Rusted solid . . .

This looks like a good job for my machinist guru McFarland? . . . big lathe, indicate the piece, bore old sleeve to a slight press fit diameter . . . fit new bushing. 

Harley-Davidson WR750

The rear-exhaust lower tappet cover gave me fits of frustration.  The lowers are reproduction, and may be thicker than the originals?  The covers are tight and close tolerance.  I had to remove the rear cylinder a couple times, and fit everything.  I used a 26" X 1.75 bicycle tire tube, and sectioned it for the rubber center dust covers . . . just like the old days of dirt racing !

Noot Sr. completely disassembled the original WICO Magneto, replaced the fiber drive block, tested it, tuned it - and now she throws violent, but controlled spark.  These Wicos have a rotor, and function similar to an auto distributor - and spark single-fire.  You need to hook the plugs wires on the correct cylinder, or she'll run really funny. 

When our President rode a motorcycle . . .

Jimmy Carter liked his Heritage. 
You know you can trust a president that rides a motorcycle
and drinks a Billy Beer . . .

Motorcycle Storage

Can be "motorcycle abuse" - if not done correctly.

Sunday Dirt Runner

The closest thing I have to a dirt bike at the moment.  I saw rooster(pheasants) in the fields, hen(pheasants) in the ditches, deer in the woods and bass in the rivers and streams.  The roads were all empty.  No hunters or fishers?  I rode up trails, grassland and checked all the campgrounds, all empty.  All to myself.  A beautiful day, but folks put their stuff away a bit early this year.  The WLA was comfortable and ran flawlessly. Whoever designed these 45s did their homework.

The brand that made Milwaukee famous . . .

 ( they were out of Pabst . . . )

Bill does a great job, and he's cool to hang out with . . . wished I lived closer.  This CH will rip up Milwaukee soon.  Thanks again for the fun !

# 94 George Roeder

George won the Springfield Mile.  George won Kansas City.  George set a Bonneville Record.  George ran his own Harley-Davidson Dealership.  George was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.  The photo above is one of my favorite motorcycle racing photos.  He's barely on the bike, on the edge of the seat, cocked sideways.  There ain't much holding him on !  The motor appears to be right at the power curve, just hooking the tread to the track.  Throttle control with the bike in a drift.  It depicts so much about racing in those glory days.  Thin leathers, thin tires, lace-up work boots, no gloves, open face helmet, thin shield, thin front end, thin frame, tiny rear fender, lightweight at all cost.  The number plates are smaller . . . everything to make the bike faster.  Nobody can beat George Roeder on this day.  Nobody.

Trackmaster Fiberglass Fuel Tank

I lined the old, white flake Trackmaster fiberglass race tank with Caswell sealer (as per Mike Stodolka) and it's holding up so far.  I drain the tank after 24 hours anyway (not taking any chances).  I'm testing it for leaks before I get it painted for good.  The Caswell is supposedly "fuel proof" to all the modern gasoline additives.  The tank is rubber and foam mounted, and I made a special support for the bottom to keep it from rockin' side-to-side.  Mounts with a single stud in the middle, as factory, and secured with more rubber and a nylon insert lock nut.  I've got some neato retro H-D race decals for the sides too. The Champion plug decal is NOS from the 60s. This fresh engine starts kinda hard, but when she's running . . . sounds tough.  The Delorto PHM is responsive.  I feel fortunate to get to build some of these bikes, and have fun with them, but it ain't always easy, and sometimes I get so frustrated I about quit.  Then the sun comes up and I get going - and everything is cool again. 

Special K

Must be a little fat on the jetting?? - It loves this colder morning air.  Throttle response and it just runs better.  Progressive shorties give it da brat-style look.  Halogen beam and Cycle Electric light the way for after dark shenanigans.

The Knuckle Sandwich & FTWCO

(and the kicker gift from Bert Baker)

 Vintage Small Town Screamer !

Hangin' around with John Eiden - His spirit lives on . . .

I heard that John passed away this last August . . . I wanted to resubmit this blog post I did about him after our meeting at the AMCA Meet a few years ago . . . John's obit can be searched and you'll see he was quite a fella.

I really have to tell everyone about John Eiden.  He's only owned one motorcycle his entire life.  This 1942WLA which was all green when he bought it at a military surplus auction.  His buddy had one and got more girls to talk to him, and they'd look at John's bike and say, "What's with the green? - kinda ugly", so he stripped and painted and chromed some stuff - then met a fine young gal and got married.  They are still married.  Everywhere I went at the meet, I'd turn around and here'd be John again.  "Hey John", now we'd strike up another conversation.  There was a moment during the day when he was wheeling his machine from the indoor show-bike area.  All these people were gathering around him like a movie star or something.  He moves pretty slow.  (WWII veteran by the way) . . . Anyway, he starts priming, kicking it through, messing with his timing, gas on, gas off, gas on again.  The motor has stains and oil everywhere.  It's dripping fuel out the air cleaner.  He kick starts the motorcycle facing the right side with his left foot.  It looks kinda weird - and the motor makes very faint pops, poops, pups, boops, pips . . . all those weird little sounds.  His kicking is very weak, and you can just see it barely going a 1/2 revolution each time.  A 90 yr old veteran kicking his bike and it ain't starting.  You can just feel the tension in the air of all who are standing, watching.  Waiting for something to happen.  Wishing it would just start.  You want to help - but, not yet.  It's hard to hold back and not help, but you know this is a very experienced audience here.  It's a vintage event.  It's not like an old bike not starting in the company of a pack of Evo and Twin Cam riders.  Since I was the closest, and he knew me - I barely leaned over to John and whispered to him(as his leg was high on the pedal) . . . "She gonna go?"  John whispered back, "You know this thing has always been hard startin' . . "  And with the next kick - IT STARTED !   Everyone was so happy.  John then straddled his trusty WLA, jammed it about 3 or 4 different gears(???????), rocker the foot clutch a few times, check the gas and oil caps, put the choke handle to full run position, and started moving into a crowd of people.  He made his way though pretty good.  The bike's engine sounded so sweet.  Music to my ears.  All our hearts were singing.

The story of this star hub . . .

It all started with a bent up, bone stock, early 1954 wishbone frame.  Should I sell it?  Should I fix it and sell it?  Should I fix it and keep it?  I had the frame repaired. The wheels were set in motion - and This hub was the very next part I purchased from Les (of the Waterloo, Iowa variety). The hub was all greased, and upon dis-assembly, I discovered the smaller race was all pitted, and worn to the point that +.002 oversize rollers were still too loose - AND the flange was bent.  Shit. Should I scrap it?  Fix it?
1. I decide to try and straighten the flange in a press.  After a lot of messin' around - I successfully straightened the flange !
2. Now I decide to attempt a procedure where you machine out the
1 1/2" bearing surface, and press in a 1 1/2" rod bearing race from a center 45" connecting rod.  After careful measuring, I estimate I'll have enough "meat metal" remaining for this procedure to work.  McFarland indicated the hub in his big lathe, turned out the bearing surface, and gave me the proper press fit for the new race.  I utilized my Sunnen hone to size the race - and now it's all assembled, end play set, new rollers and ready for spokes.   I saved this hub.  An original star hub is a beautiful thing on the front of an old panhead. 

Fall Ride

I was feeling overwhelmed about all this shit I have to get done . . . and I just decided to say Fu&# It
The Panhead started the 3rd kick.  I hit the road and did a short run.  The fall air was perfect, and I musta dodged every Asian beetle, 'cause I never hit a one !

 Morty said, "Where'd ya go ?"

Chink Racing

This WR is ready for pistons and cylinders.  Chink Racing:  Who needs a trophy when you can have a beer and a cigarette ?

The Flat Tracker

I've had this thing runnin' about 6 times now.  I've rode it 3 times.  It's gettin' closer to completion.  It sounds great, and at 50+ years old now - the idea in my head to ride around a dirt track (and ride ice again) is fresh in my mind, but I just don't want to get hurt again.  I enjoy riding my street bikes so much, that twisting my knee, breaking a leg, etc. becomes more of a factor after you get older.  The thought of needing an electric starter on a motorcycle is what scares me the most.  I just need to hear this thing at revs, up against a wall on a dirt track somewhere - chest and leathers down on that low tank.  Rollin on - rollin off.  The slowest bike on the track 
That's my goal.

Maschek's Truing Stand

Ed Maschek sold me this "Schwinn" truing stand in 1990.  He was selling out his 50+ year old Schwinn parts dealership of tools, frames and spares.  I've seen pictures of a stand like this in old, factory photos of bicycle factories and shops . . . but, I still don't know the actual brand-name of the stand.  This is the first time I've trued a motorcycle wheel with it.  This 28" wheel was too tall for our original H-D stand.

Ed had about 100 of these brass head badges made up.  This one is NOS.  I have a few more, and you still see one every once in awhile on a rummage sale bicycle.  I've bought an entire bicycle just to get another head badge.  MASCHEK CYCLE