Side Valve Tappet Covers - Late Model


If you look closely - there are small "ears" that stick out
on the inner covers.
You use this special tool (Noot had an original H-D one)
and lift up the cover, remove clip, and the ears
fit in notches to hold up the covers, so you
can adjust your tappets !
Then you pop the clips in (with square holes)
and undo the ears and the spring tension holds
the covers - and seals in the engine oil.

No Kansas City . . .

Cheryl could see how sad I was not being able to go hang out with my friends Shea (his wedding and party was Saturday - Congrats !) and see Ricky & crew again . . . . So, she made me up a KC dinner with all the BBQ fixins !  My wife is the coolest. 
PS. We had high water in CC, and I had my pumps ready, but luckily Mother Nature spared me from any water - Thank You !

If it's makin' noise . . . better find out what's wrong.


His rod rollers are square now.  Finally after a huge build-up of shavings in all the other bearings, scored cylinders, cam bearings all loaded it . . . it quit.  Now he's gonna spend some money. 

Tacos !

Cheryl makes the best . . .
They look plain - but the flavors !  So delicious.

Falling in love with your own reflection . . .

When I was in college (BFA, U of Northern Iowa)  I learned lessons early on from Greek gods I had to study, and the mistakes they made.  If you find yourself leaning towards destruction, there's usually a story in Greek myth to set an example for you to follow.  All types of conditions and diseases are named after Greek gods.  The ancient Greeks were around for 2000 years, so they know what they're talking about.  I never finished my masters - and I never got a teaching position.  I became interested in motorcycles again, and never really looked back.  So now I have this body-of-work, of motorcycles. But, I did get a lesson early on from Narcissus.  Try not to get hooked like Narcissus did in the "Look at Me" syndrome.  It's a bitter pill to swallow, and you will miss out on all types of creativity to further your own ideas.  Don't forget to tell people the good job they did and how impressed you are with their builds.
It will benefit you in ways you never thought possible.

High Aqua

Creeping closer up my street . . . sucks
It's like 15-20 steps down to normal river levels . . .
No fishing today - Hang on Main Street Bridge !
A lot of Minnesota water coming through . . .
we had like 6 inches of rain ourselves,
plus everything up north, it will be high for awhile.
( Morning mist makes foggy photos )
 Hopefully back to normal soon ?

DICE: Clip n Save

Sunday after Davenport . . . Hmmmmm?

Tasteful Paint - Daring Carburetion

This paint is what it was . . . it's simple and the colors compliment each other.  A great layout done with a buzz can - always trumps a high gloss goofy paint scheme.  Some paint is so weird you miss the cool shit about the bike all together.  This cat ain't afraid to run his Tillotson either . . . you see S&S E or B or L or Two Throat, or Linkert . . . an SU maybe . . . possible Mikuni . . . but not many Tillotsons

Timing Light

The only true way to really know where you're at . . . sometimes it matters, sometimes it don't really matter. But it does really matter -  if you're serious about your engine.

Swell Fellas . . .



Thanks for the conversations and lettin' me hang out.  It was nice meeting you all again.  Everyone is so talented - I'm always blown away by the builds these guys come up with . . . A really great day for buying parts . . . and checking out Dave's chopper (Ricky, he noticed my Anchor hat . . . and said, "Hey, that guy was just at my shop !"  pretty cool . . .)

Hwy 56 North

Minnesota 56 is a nice road again.  Over the last 10 years it got bad, then 3 years of road construction - and my back way to St. Paul is fun again Photo: Kenyon, Minnesota
Vintage Shasta camper ! 
The guy needs to pull it with a '66 C-20 . . .

Dick Allen's Pan

This bike is clean . . . sano

UL Valve & Spring Check

These motors are nice since you can slip on a cylinder and check for possible coil bind, etc. Make sure all your measurements and calculations are correct.  You can simulate the motor running and listen for clicks and ticks - listen for incorrect gear lash.  I had to turn off Molly Hatchet for a minute . . .

Bummin' around Anamosa . . .

It always interests me the different ways people attempt to go fast on a motorcycle.  Car engines, drag bikes, streamliners, multi-engines, minimalism . . .
- Joe checks out the sidecar rig
- Noot & Frankie discuss their meeting in Sturgis

Aftermarket UL Late Model Covers . . .


Trying to get reproduction parts to function as the original parts can be challenging.  Many times you can end up with actually a better performing product . . . but, special tools and/or modifications are almost always required.

GM - Bright Headlights ! M.A.D. Enterprises

Mark Hamilton is a genius.  His wiring kits for 1965-1972 Chevrolets are the best.  Full instructions and the finest quality wiring available.  Fuse-able links, Bosch relays. soldering advice . . . complete wiring kits to supplement and replace your "faulty engineered GM wiring system."  You are not replacing the entire harness - you are just adding and replacing and upgrading to your existing system.  My '66 has great headlights now and I've had the kit for about 10 years with no problems ever.  Call Mark at the number above - or go to his website and read about his upgrades.  These kits work !

Nice Rides . . . 1966



Viking Chapter - St. Paul, MN - Fairgrounds Meet

Very good meet and fun to see everyone . . . there aren't many like this anymore.  Small meet, but you get a little of everything . . . motorcycles, parts, show bikes, history, food & drinks !

Side Valve Rumbl'r

Me & Joe stopped by Pat's garage he's been workin' on . . . drywall, electrical and all that it takes to have a workable place to work.  I always liked his WLD stroker he built.  The sound from my camera video is crappy at best - but, this thing sure sounds cool in person. 

Good Times Saloon Renovation

Not sure what they'll call it now . .  ?  Any suggestions ?

UL Pinion & Breather Timing

Big twin side-valves locate pinion face 7/16" from gasket surface - different than overhead valve motors.
Time your breather, and always rotate motor in operating direction and check it again with timing mark.  The top hat "ears" were interfering with the splines on this new pinion shaft, so I modified it to fit properly.

Minnesota





Morty says, "There's an owl on the roof . . .


"and . . . I don't mess with owls by the way . . ."

Gunder, Iowa

Wish someone would make this into a neat bike shop.  Then I could ride over, have a Gunderburger, and check out the scene.  Do engine work, restorations, parts, internet sales, race gas, t-shirts, tires, propane(for grillin') . . . all with low taxes and Iowa hospitality.  Hmmmm?

Sketches & Thumbs

Trying to come up with a flyin' eye (from the side).  
An old timer from out west moved to town.
He drives this totally bitchin' '64 Buick LeSabre . . .
He wants these on lower front fenders.  
Will paint 'em in reverse - on opposite side.
Maybe with cowboy hat ?

Hey Chad . . .

It ain't rained since I installed my fender !  My bro Rattlecan fixed up my old chopped CH fender I've had since 1990 . . . no more hi-fi red - now high gloss black and free of dents.  It fit perfect.

Jackyl Will Kick Yo Ass

Blues & Southern Metal !
Friday Nite @ The famous Surf Ballroom - Clear Lake, Iowa
Support Rock n Roll to save your souls . . .

The Harley-Davidson Model: UL


Chasing threads, checking bores, grinding and lapping, cutting seats, measuring and reading and double checking . . . many times parts don't fit after chroming.   I see so many 45 cylinders, but then these things seem like big bores !   This is fun, man.

A good year for 'shrooms . . .



Fry 'em up . . . from our secret patch !