20 Years on this Ironhead

I registered this motorcycle in the late Summer of 1996 . . and it's been my main ride ever since.  The last (2)years I rode a panhead on long trips, and the trusty '64 saw a couple 700+ miles trips, but mostly it just sat under a sheet.  Originally built from swap meet parts, backroom parts and a few NOS goodies . . . it was great to be back in the saddle of the Black Sportster last weekend.
I prefer the Delco points (with fiber bushing)
and the Blue Streak condensers
I run the 18" Metzeler ME77 Perfect on stock Borrani Aluminum Rim with stainless spokes.  Just check them periodically and keep them tight. I like the 13 1/2" FLH shocks . . . gets it low for windbreak, and they're heavy-duty for carrying heavy loads for traveling.  

The early staggered mufflers sound great . . . and it's an easy exhaust system to service or remove when out on the road.
I modified a Super B air cleaner backing plate - to fit my Super E.  The air cleaner is thinner (more leg room) and it works well.  I prefer the standard, foam UNI-type filters.  Wash it and spray it down with a lil' filter oil. They are a bit lighter too.  This ironhead has the early 4 gallon (H-Tank) fuel tank for 140+ mile runs.  A Pingel fuel valve keeps fuel flowing for those 80+ mph semi-trailer passing lane bursts of speed.  Lead, Follow or Get-The-F&%K Out of The Way Moves . . .
 
A 19" Borrani with my preferred Avon 3.50 leads the way.  I've never had any issues with the Avon Speedmaster tires.  I can change it easily with common tire tools.  I can carry (1)ea 19" tube with metal center valve (which could work on the rear too).  Cycle Electric generator and Lockhart oil cooler(with cover for temps under 75 degrees F) keeps things safe and reliable.  I run Autolite 4316 plugs almost exclusively.  Many miles I've gone on my ironhead Sportster.  I just love this thing.  It's a testament to H-D engineers, H-D service manuals . . and American-Made motorcycle parts of the 1960s. For short trips, bar hoppin' or traveling . . . it's a great combination.

The Big, Wet Freeze-Out . . .


Me & Hux (FXRT) rode down in the freezing cold wind.  We camped with Pete & Matt & The '32 on the hill . . .



Always a great selection of activities at Vintage Torquefest.  Flat track motorcycles, hot rods, great music . . . decent food & drink prices.  If the weather gets bad - go inside.  More stuff awaits !


 Minnesota gang . . . Keokuk gang . . . and don't forget the Wisconsin gang . . . party on . . .

Michael split the scene . . . " in my Chevy Van and that's alright with me . . . "

Nashty . . . described the weekend.


Call in sick tomorrow on your way to Vintage Torque . . .APRIL 29-30

 " . . . . Uhhhh, (in a quiet, raspy voice, talking through a shop towel) this is Robert.  Uh, I don't feel real good today - started last nite. (fake cough)  I think I'm stayin' home today, thank you.  See you Monday."  Then shut the flip-fone and crank the throttle to Vintage Torquefest in Dubuque, Iowa for 2 days of hot rods, custom vintage choppers, flakes, flames, pin-up chics, dirt track rods and bikes, chain racing, swap meet . . . and this eclectic array of killer tunes on multiple stages . . . all for the price of big order of Micky Dees drive up . . . so, skip Mickeys and hit the Dubuque Fairgrounds and have yourself a ball !

Hux's FXRT

Darrel builds some nice FXRs.  Stock with a modified flare . . .

Atomic Trent's Panhead

I like this bike I'd have to move the seat back a bit, or maybe one of those older, flat (with a nose) dual seats you see ?  I like the pipes too.  I want to build something like this for long trips.  Maybe run an older hydraulic front end, with no tins, just a headlight.  I have some 4 1/2" S&S flywheels.  I have a Super B.  A stock lookin' kinda bobbed, with a little stroker, 16" wheels . . . just use up some of the parts I have, and maybe some classic H-D do-dads here and there.  Maybe an old, crusty windshield?  Leather bags . . . I'd fit right in with all this gray hair I'm accumulating !

Police

How many years did police motorcycles have black lower front fork legs after 1949 ?

1941 ?


Betor

 . . . on for good.  Just add oil.  These front-ends are kinda cool.  The 7/8" bars need a Gunner Gasser and maybe a pair of real Italian Natural Rubber Grips for creature comforts ?  Frame and rear loop powder-coated satin black with all threaded holes and splines left bare steel (Thanks Woody).  Looks great and it's very durable.

Carlisle Treads . . .

For sandy tracks.  This tire is a FULL BORE (dated 1960s).  We'll see if the knobs fly off?

Vintage Pirelli MT

My new Dunlop DT2 was too fat . .  shit.  Well, we'll just run this Pirelli.  Looks better and pushin' the front will keep your attention !

Takes a lot of my time . . .

 . . . but, what else do I have to do ? 

Torquefest Dubuque: On My List

Friday, April 29th
5:00pm  Flat Track Motorcycles (Minnesota)
8:30pm  Superchief - Heavy Rock-n-Roll
9:45pm  Koffin Kats - High Energy Psycho

Saturday, April 30th
9:30am  Vintage Flat Track Motorcycles (practice session)
12.45pm  Vintage Flat Track Motorcycles
4:00pm  Dallas Moore Band - Good 'ol Rock (for whiskey drinkin')

750cc

The first Harley-Davidson with rear suspension . . .

Gilles Villeneuve

Testing:
It's always interesting to see drivers in the cockpit with body work removed, parts disassembled, the car basically in a non-operational condition . . . with driver in the seat.  Most likely indicating the driver is testing pedal movement, gearbox, steering . .  or just getting the "feel" of a new chassis or innovation.  What is that big box in the front (or the appearing insulated) canisters?   A battery? 

They were tearin' the garage down . . .


The Kansas City Flash

Ricky's 4 5/8" S&S Flywheels.  Updated with heavy-duty S&S Sprocket Shaft (big taper)

XLCH Oil Tank for the KHK Racer

1. It's the early version
2. I paid a very handsome price for it (don't even ask)
3. It was chrome with a sticker on it.
4. I washed it in solvent and gasoline (it was full of metal shavings)
5. I took it to the car wash and stuck the sprayer inside (on soap and rinse)
6  I blew it dry, it air dried for 2 weeks.
7. Then I had it bead blasted (with 150+ psi special beads to strip chrome)
8. Blasting revealed "chrome paint" over areas - and a shotgun slug hole, and buckshot holes hidden under bondo and chrome paint - SHIT !
9. Hawbaker made a special chain plate and tig welded the tank. Fixed all the holes, nice and solid.

After all that . . . I started sanding (80 grit) and applying filler - and sanding and smoothing - and adding more filler. It's starting to look good.  I'd like to have Chad Clapper spray it with sealer, primer - and paint it high gloss black. It will all be worth it . . . so cool are these tanks.
But, it takes a team of technicians !

Baas Dirt Track Racing

Long stroker . . . look how far the rods stick out . . .
Lower end is together for good.  Solid KH.

S&S B Series (refurbished)


Modified this one for adjustable air-bleed jet.
Bake fixed my float.
Fixed the throttle plate and shaft.
New bowl gasket and o-ring.

Anybody got an Enrichener???

Chicago - Surfin' with Aliens







Hangin' in Old Town with The Second City & Satch.  The Unsers were my heros of racing, and here it was (a 900hp go-cart for the 1970s)  Chicago pie.  Grant Park is one of my favorite parks.  Big city life for a long weekend. I felt like I was spinnin' my wheels, NOW BACK TO WORK !

1957 XL

Ready for assembly. 

1948 Panhead Short Block

 . . . Now I'm addicted !
Gotta dig Parkerized fasteners.

Pat likes to weld . . .

but. not when he's feeling sick.  
Thanks for the help - and I hope you're feeling better today . . .
See you soon.  -Noot

Bill's '48

Bill Mize has an addiction.  This is helping fulfill his addiction . . .

TECH: Wrist Pin Spiral Lock Tool

This tool will install spiral-style lock rings in the proper manner.  
I use the butt-end of a deep socket to get the spiral keeper ring centered, and down farther inside the sleeve. A small amount of oil smeared on the inside of the sleeve will help the spiral slide a bit better.
Insert the sleeve into the piston: 
(you can see my spiral keeper pushed down in there)
Next, Insert the Driver Piston and use your palm to press the spiral all the way - The sleeve is tapered down, so the spiral with wind up and pop into the wrist pin groove.

 I usually insert a spiral keeper in each piston first.  Then heat the piston a bit, this helps the wrist pin slip right through with ease . . . Don't forget to lube the wrist pin bushing.
 I install the piston with "indented dot on top" (or if it doesn't have the dot) 
with small "fin" on the inside wrist pin boss . . . .
TOWARDS THE PINION / CAM-SIDE of the motor.
 Install Pin, and Piston - Repeat Procedure.
Using a small, flat blade screwdriver, press down around the top of each keeper, and make sure it's down in the groove.  Since I can't see as good anymore, I take a lighted magnifier and make sure my keeper is fully seated.  This tool works slick - I've installed hundreds of spiral keepers over the years.  They stay in better than snap rings if installed correctly.

All Motor !


20X (is that Michigan?)