Noot

Did you know Skip was born in Orange City, Iowa? (a huge Dutch population) His family moved to Southern California and Skip took up motorcycles. His early days were spent racing with his friend Dick Hammer. Both riders improved and soon became top expert racers.

Skip appears in On Any Sunday and On Any Sunday Part 2. Skip's mother hated that he raced motorcycles, and he told her, he'd quit once he made the "Expert" ranking. Van won his first expert race against all his heros . . and was hooked. He won at Castle Rock and Ascot. A favorite among riders due to his friendly on (and off) the track personality.

Van Leeuwen preferred TTs, Short Tracks, Scrambles and the tight turns of a road race over dirt miles. He went on to form his own motorcycle parts company.

Skip was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

Thin is Still In . . .

Kenda Challenger 18"

Way back when I decided to build a real chopper . . . I had "old biker dudes" selling me parts (at reasonable rates) and giving me stuff. One guy donated a rear fender to my project - the trailer style flat fender off his old chopper. I had a 16" wheel all set up to go, until I realized the arc of the fender fit an 18" wheel. If you run a 16" rear wheel, you have a choice of around 150 different tires. If you run an 18" rear, you have a choice of about 3 good tires. I first ran a Continental ($150.00 Retail) - and the last two tires have been these Kenda Challengers ($85.00 Retail) and they work great ! I get more miles, they grip, they're a heavy 4 ply with a good 3 ply sidewall. I've run air pressure from 15 to 35lbs. and these tires hold up, decent ride all around.

This latest tire I just received looks to be manufactured just last month ! They're a popular tire, so they sell well, and you should always get a fairly fresh one . . .

Steve G.

Steve is a local guy(and friend of ours) who's been around for as long as I can remember. Back in the late 70s, early 80s, he'd come up to our house and my dad (Noot)would help with his motorcycle, the same bike he's still riding in the photo I took a couple weeks ago. After the early years, Steve did all his own work. Built his own bike and ran it hard. Rebuilt things, and ran it hard again. I've seen him spin this big FLH around like a dirt bike. You see, he found out he had the cancer, over a year ago, the doc gave him months, and Steve went almost a couple years. Tough dude with a strong will, but always generous and ready to help. He had the best stories that you just can't make up. We'll all miss him around town - on his front fender-less, rebel ride shovelhead with loud pipes, wide bars, all black, gangster whites . . . In the wind forever & ever - never stopping again . . .

Terry Poovey #18

Poovey rode XR750s for a few years and actually did pretty darn good on 'em . . . but he had his biggest wins on Hondas. Ride Red.

A few miles 'o gravel . . .

I don't think my '61 has ever been this dusty? Had some fun at Chad's in Clear Lake, then after a car wash - I took the long way home. Beautiful day and my bike was rippin' . . .

Karata Pressure Plate

If you have an aluminum pressure plate with a steel, threaded insert (for the clutch adjuster screw), you may want to run a washer under the center lock-nut. This will keep the insert from pulling through. Just in case it spins or comes loose from the aluminum plate . . .

Algona, Iowa Flat Track - by Brandon Ree

Brandon did a great job organizing his first flat track race. I heard lots of positive feedback from many racers about the track. "Great track !" Great food, cold beverages, plenty of places to watch the races . . . awesome event !

Corbin Erickson (below) was fast all day. For a young kid, he had style - and walked away from a violent "head shake - tank slapper" crash on the back straight to come back and win his class.

Patterson is over to have a chat with da man . . .

Clint Erickson won the TWINS heat on his '68 XLCH
. . . Itchy a distance 3rd . . . but,

Michael Bickerton was a "late" entry (on his way from Fort Dodge) where he was dyno tuning his newly built half-miler. Me and dad helped him with gear changes and a soft Maxxis rear tire - he then went out and won the Main going away ! Whoo Hooo - Go Itchy !!!!

My favorite classes to watch are still the old WRs and flatheads . . .

Ed Sater lookin' good and smooth all day.

Ol' No. 7 was sideways more than once.

He saved it everytime, throwin' dirt and gettin' it on !

Go fast Eddie . . . Home of the Wolf Pack !

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See ya'll next year . . .

Have a Glorius Weekend Everyone !

Happy 4th of July . . .

My next frame . . .

Kalex Engineering

K head LEFT - KR head RIGHT

The head (on the right) is a KR head(No. 7 late style). The spark plug is located over the intake valve. You can see where material has been removed at an angle, making the space above the valve larger(more area for air) and it improves the flow and power. Originally, builders kept the combustion area "tighter" and smaller to increase compression, thinking it would add power. Later testing proved where "improved air flow" gained power over higher compression ratios. Matching the aluminum head to the cylinder eliminated "lips and steps" . . . interrupting air flow. Jerry Branch(there's that name again) did extensive testing, as did Tom Sifton. I read a story about the H-D Racing department paying Sifton $1000 per horsepower gain he could squeeze from the Harley KR engines. You can see the deeper pockets allowing more flow over the top of the valve heads. The idea is to get the most fuel and air in there - get it to mix and burn rapidly - then get the exhaust out - and be ready for the next batch of fuel and air - and hopefully the exhaust with help you along the way creating a favorable environment to make it all happen quickly and efficiently. One wrong part of the equation (carb size, jetting, air cleaner, exhaust pipe diameter and length, valve size, intake/exhaust port size, compression ratio, fuel quality, air quality, combustion chamber shape/size, spark timing, valve timing, valve seat shape, valve angle, valve timing (you get the idea) can contribute to the difference in poor performance or improved performance . . . or " that sucker really runs !"

Iced Coffee Today

Here I am riding around town on my "racing tires" getting all the sharp edges off . . . duh.

Where did they all go ?

I guess these Rotax race bikes are just "new enough" they're not considered vintage. They don't really have a good class for these right now . . . but it's coming. At the Viking meet a guy had a complete Rotax with Knight frame with wide 35mm front (motor was out). You got the whole bike, 2 spare wheels, a spare engine(that just quit one year, electrical he said?) and a running motor(tired)with a Scott head - all 600cc with an extra carb and a couple tires. $1,500

Motorcycle Interest: Peaks and Valleys

My Army bike (1952WLA) gets ridden a lot. Maybe not the most miles, but the most start-ups and shut-offs, and daily commutes. I like it 'cause I'm not so fussy about gettin' it dirty or dusty. I don't think I've ever power washed it, and it shows. I just wipe it off with rags. The air cleaner oils gets dirty, so I clean it periodically as directed. Sometimes I look at the bike and see nothing special - and other times I'm "way into Harley WLAs" and can't get enough. I'm weird.

TECH: Dry Clutch

I've run dry clutches in 4 early Sportsters for many years. When the fibers stay dry, they work excellent with no drag, no slip, and can handle stroker power. When wet, they slip, drag, etc.
Besides new gaskets and seals (all the obvious things) . . . the best way to keep them dry for a few years I've found is:
1. Use 2 cups(or approx. a heavy 1/2 qt.) of oil in primary/transmission. I lean the bike slightly to the LEFT of center and fill until the oil just starts to run out the oil-level-check-bolt.
2. I use Bel-Ray 85W Gear Saver. Good for gears, and doesn't seem to get in your plates as bad as thin, hot H-D oil or primary oil. When it does, your dry plates still kinda work too.
3. PARK YOUR BIKE (especially over long periods more "upright" with a board, etc. under the jiffy stand. That way your clutch basket cover isn't just sitting in oil at the bottom where the oil can eventually work it's way into your basket.
4. Make sure the (4ea) holes in the back of your basket are clear, so the needle bearing oil can get in - and get out (while it's in motion.
5. I like the Raybestos plates best, but I've run the Vesrah and V-Twin dry plates too.
6. Before installing new dry plates, I use a square file to "deburr" the slots of extra fuzz and fiber so they slide free on the clutch dogs. If they get a little wet sometime, they're less likely to stick. Wear a mask - don't breathe the dust.
7. Make sure the basket is super clean. Scrape all the solid, hard oil deposits around the dogs, and clean with brake kleen. The cleaner and drier the better.

Tail Dragger

"Snowman" following me into the night . . . Des Moines run and back.

10-4 good buddy, bears in the air, got the hammer down !

. . . and I can breathe in a small town."

by ; John Mellencamp. It's Ride-your-race-bike-to-coffee-day. I do have a title, valid registration and proof of insurance in my pocket . . .

Kenny Farrell

Late Models of yesterday . . . these were the best cars.

Totally Spectactular ! I'm Goin' Again . . .

Meet Ed Iskenderian ? Holy shit ! This event is so freakin' cool, it's just the best thing since the Hemi, straight axles, slicks, magnesium, real butter and canned sardines ! Cars running two-up, one race after another with a vintage announcer . . . and the best part, You can stand right up next to the starting line . . . whiffin' fumes and tire smoke !

Cheap Paint over Chrome anyday . . .

Big Block Corvette in North St. Paul . . .

427 had painted steel valve covers (396 had chrome steel?)

I'm a Chevrolet guy mostly . . . but this Dart door-slammer was cool.
North St. Paul, MN on Friday Nites (cars everywhere)

Nat'l No. 55

'gonna try 'n win a race on this XLR . . .

Close Inspections . . . Hmmm?

The left-side case bolt threads into this boss on the right case across the front cylinder base. It's already been heli-coiled down in the hole farther. The threads look solid and good. I'll probably leave (as is) since trying to fix it may create a mess? The case needs clearance for the connecting rod anyway. (that's why it's so thin in the first place) I'll just be careful with the case bolt tension on reassembly. I may smear it with some red glyptal or The Right Stuff . . . .

Harley Oil Swap Meet Score

. . . but it's 10W-40. For early spring, late fall and winter.

#38 Mike Wilson - Peoria TT

He was the last man to win a 74" class before it was discontinued.

(Wilson racing his panhead flat track bike)

KRTT

In 1963 a factory H-D KRTT was tested - and achieved a top speed of 142mph at Daytona International Speedway. 45 cubic inches with 7.25 compression. KRTTs won at Daytona a total of 12 victories in 15 years during their realm of racing - competing with overhead valve (and a few overhead cam) engines.
Mert Lawwill credited the success due to "soft power" which kept the tires from spinning and allowing the motorcycle to be more consistently m o v I n g f o r w a r d .

Paul Goldsmith 1953

Brad Andres 1955

John Gibson 1956

Joe Leonard 1957

Joe Leonard 1958

Brad Andres 1959

Brad Andres 1960

Roger Reiman 1961

Ralph White 1963

Roger Reiman 1964

Roger Reiman 1965

Calvin Rayborn 1968

Calvin Rayborn 1969

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A special note . . . Paul Goldsmith is still alive (he's 91 yrs. old)

I shouldn't tell you this . . .

Jerry Branch ironheads have a small number stamped on the bottom near the intake port. This helped identify your heads when you sent them to be ported and flowed. At swap meets, I find myself looking for these numbers - even before looking at the ports - or what the heads fit. I've never found a set yet . . . and I've looked at hundreds of heads. If you ever see the beautiful porting on a set of these, you'll say - Wow !