The Zen of Neato

Tri-Glide

2012-01-30T14:04:00.000-05:00

This photo makes my heart warm and fuzzy inside.

Cycle Porn #219

2012-01-30T10:00:00.000-05:00

Ace.

Invert

2012-01-29T20:23:00.000-05:00

Invercargill via Fabricator Kevin

2012-01-28T11:55:00.003-05:00

After I ran the pic with Burt Munro and a couple of the neighborhood kids (originally thought to be his daughters) and his Velocette I recived this great note from Fab Kevin containing pics he took on a trip to Invercargill. The lovely lady in the pics is Margaret, one Burt's daughters. Kevin also got to visit Burts grave and hold one of his legendary hand poured pistons! Great stuff. Thanks again Kevin! I've also included the note Kevin sent along with the pics. Enjoy.

Brad,

Great pic of Burt. I've attached a couple of shots of his daughter, Margaret. One is at Burt's grave in Invercargill, and one is next to the movie prop of the Munro Special. She is a wonderful women, and told us that her childhood was very fun with Burt as a father. He would give them motorcycle rides and pull them on sleds behind his motorcycles in the winter. As he aged, he became so focused on the bikes that his family life disappeared completely. His kids had no idea whatsoever what their Dad has accomplished until after he was gone. Sad, but his son and two daughters that we met were very witty and loved to talk about their Dad.

I also included a snap of one of Burt's piston's, as well as a shelf (One of many I was able to inspect) of cast off parts that Burt had made. I left that pic large so you could zoom in. (Kevin, I did not receive this pic btw).

I have many more, including some racing shots of some vintage brit bikes (Rudge's and Vincents), as well as Andrew Stroud riding a wheelie on a Britten, I just about broke down in tears when he took it out on the track....

Take care!

Zen Moment #5

2012-01-27T14:39:00.000-05:00

Zen Moment #4

2012-01-26T16:33:00.000-05:00

Sister Golden Hair #52

2012-01-26T13:28:00.002-05:00

Thanks Joe!

Cat Found

2012-01-25T17:44:00.000-05:00

Sans Fairing?

2012-01-24T15:02:00.000-05:00

Don't think so. This pic has been described in the past as Joe's land speed knuck sans fairing and front body work. Although there is no question that that is the tail section from the knuck, and that this pic is from that epic day in Daytona in 1937, the bike in the background is a 45. Joe rode two bike's that day and received two world records - one on the big twin and the other on this 45inch bobber which ran no bodywork whatsoever.

Once a Year...

2012-01-23T22:05:00.019-05:00

..it happens. Thanks to everyone that showed up including Ry with whom I share the same date of manufacture. Didn't get to bed till 5am and smiled the entire time. Thanks to Shahin for the pics!

The Right Profile

2012-01-23T18:03:00.001-05:00

...and attitude.

Dave Roll's

2012-01-21T00:17:00.001-05:00

Another one from Greasy Dave's epic collection of period kodachrome. This is Dave at the porno bank in Rochester Mi - late 70's.

Cycle Porn #218

2012-01-20T19:37:00.000-05:00

Beach Boys

2012-01-20T19:18:00.000-05:00

Zen Moment #3

2012-01-19T17:05:00.000-05:00

Farm Fresh Flow

2012-01-18T11:22:00.000-05:00

Greasy Dave gets his Ohio cornfield Free Former flow going circa '76.

Our Daily Sled #256

2012-01-17T10:56:00.000-05:00

Playin' it Straight

2012-01-16T23:06:00.001-05:00

Somewhere along the way from 1955 to 2012 my winter build frame received it's share of bends, tweaks, random holes and modifications. At some point the clutch side down tube got a good whacking causing a twist in the neck. But that's all in the past now thanks to Fab Kevin and his big twin frame table. I was originally going to attempt to straighten it all up with the generous help of my good friend and all-around stand-up guy Dwayne (thanks anyway my friend) who has graciously donated so much of his time and expertise to me in the past. But the more I studied the frame the more I knew it would be a beast of a job without the right big twin motor/trans jigs. So I called up Kevin and went over and checked out his shop and dropped off the frame. Yesterday I got the call from Kevin that it was done. He had performed a couple miracle's with my frame saving me a ton of time and money. I can't say enough good things about my experience with Kevin. If you need any frame or fab work give him a call. Or click the post title for the jump to his website. Thanks Kevin!

Zen Moment #2

2012-01-15T18:27:00.000-05:00

Flying the Flag

2012-01-14T12:59:00.000-05:00

Hippie Dave illustrates the proper stoke at all times.

Welcome Home

2012-01-13T18:54:00.001-05:00

If your a factory XR/KR with good history, and you make it to heaven, this is what you'll find when you arrive - Gene and his well cared for stable of Milwaukee racing iron. One of the coziest museum/shops I have ever had the pleasure of standing in. Welcome home - your in good company.

Kick It!

2012-01-12T16:54:00.000-05:00

Rosemary gets some late summer spur.

First Gen

2012-01-11T22:18:00.000-05:00

Your grandfather was rad.

Our Daily Sled #255

2012-01-10T14:45:00.000-05:00

A rare shot of the Joe Petrelli land speed knuck sans tail section. Cool!

Yesterday...

2012-01-09T17:21:00.002-05:00

...I split my ULH cases and began the tedious job of cleaning EVERYTHING. Slojo was kind enough to let me use his parts washer and various tools of destruction. I found a ton of rogue steel hanging out in various places throughout my motor. Strangely enough only the one piston, one cylinder and one rod were shot. Everything else was in good shape. The gods of antique speed were shining their light on my old flatty.

Why We Ride #1

2012-01-07T20:28:00.003-05:00

This pic from Louie - our man from the south - kicks off a new post series. He snapped it on his way up to the arctic cirlce a few years back. This was taken in Alaska on his way - way up north. Got a good 2-wheeled travel pic to share? Don't be bashful.

Thank You Walter!

2012-01-06T17:30:00.000-05:00

Winter build starts NOW!

Hmmmm......#68

2012-01-06T11:27:00.001-05:00

Greg says "this one is for you Denny...."

Our Daily Sled #254

2012-01-04T22:24:00.002-05:00

Greasy Dave's SOON TO BE FINISHED big twin flatty.

Gifting

2012-01-03T23:09:00.000-05:00

The other night at Dave's I traded some art for a new point of view.

Nare Oh!

2012-01-03T13:57:00.000-05:00

The Purpose #50

2012-01-02T17:51:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!!!

2012-01-01T16:01:00.001-05:00

Let it Rip Tonight...

2011-12-31T18:00:00.000-05:00

You don't need an over rated meaningless holiday to cut loose do you? Here's to everyone that stopped by this blog, bought me a drink, loaned me a tool , gave me a hand, offered advice, bought a shirt, sold me a part, gave me a lift, dropped me off, let me ride, said hello, sent me stickers, gave directions, patted me on the back, kicked me in the ass, or let me sleep on their floor (or in their tent). Happy New Year! We've all been good all year long so let's have some fun tonight. See you at Marcel's.

One Thing...

2011-12-31T17:16:00.002-05:00

...leads to another. What started out as a smoking rear cylinder and just a broken ring repair has turned into a total rebuild. Check both pics of the pistons, notice the top one is missing the cross brace inside it that the second one has. Also notice all the chipping on the undersides of both pistons. It looks like the cross brace broke off and fell into the crankcase. The flywheels probably shot the random pieces of the brace up into the bottom of the pistons from time to time badly chipping them. So now it's out with the cases so they can be split to look for more damage. The rear cylinder also took a beating due to the piston losing it's cross brace, it's actually funnel shaped (20 over at the base 40 over at the top) as is the top of the cylinder which explains the smoking rear cylinder. Fun stuff. Thanks to Greasy Dave for the spare set of hands and the giant brain this afternoon. Happy New Year.

Makin' Stuff...

2011-12-31T10:45:00.001-05:00

I had a chance to run up north and spend a little time with Gene this holiday season. Of course we ended up in his cozy little shop for two days filled with all that cool old racing hardware talking bikes, life and women. Great times. I also got a chance to build a little shift bracket for the rear sets on the Bonnepan. There is just about nothing better in this world then makin' stuff - and spending time with good friends.

Tank You...

2011-12-30T13:43:00.000-05:00

...whoever painted this back in the 70's! Every now and then ebay comes in handy.

Tipsy is Top Shelf

2011-12-29T11:27:00.000-05:00

Love that guy.

Zen Den

2011-12-29T01:15:00.000-05:00

Ready the Seed

2011-12-29T00:21:00.000-05:00

The Wind Up

2011-12-28T00:50:00.000-05:00

Hope You Got Everything You Wanted

2011-12-26T00:29:00.000-05:00

Get Your Jolly On!!!

2011-12-24T12:41:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

2 Up 2 Down

2011-12-23T12:26:00.000-05:00

1 Up 1 Down.

2011-12-22T21:05:00.000-05:00

Our Daily Sled #253

2011-12-21T22:03:00.000-05:00

One from Gene's epic collection of HD racing hardware.

Manlove...

2011-12-21T21:58:00.000-05:00

...it's not for the faint of heart. Meant to post this pic from Greasy Dave's B-day party a while back but lost it in the shuffle. Happy B-day brother.

Ode to Bronson

2011-12-20T10:29:00.000-05:00

Watched T.C.B again last night with a little Thai food and a some Burnett's. A good watch even the second time around. The only issue with the accuracy of the recreation above is the Grand Teton backdrop. Having said that the only local that can give Nor-cal a run for it's money is Jackson Wyoming. In my opinion two of the most beautiful places on earth.

Sister Golden Hair #51

2011-12-19T15:35:00.000-05:00

Cycle Porn #217

2011-12-18T12:46:00.001-05:00

Bike by Ace. Pic by Jack Rindow. Cropped and PS by me.

Professor Potter

2011-12-17T13:50:00.000-05:00

"Ignorance is a powerful tool if applied at the right time, even usually surpassing knowledge." - E.J.Potter

Cycle Porn #216

2011-12-16T22:40:00.001-05:00

Blockhead vs. Flathead

2011-12-16T17:06:00.002-05:00

The Purpose #49

2011-12-15T23:13:00.001-05:00

Wheel Lust

2011-12-15T11:43:00.003-05:00

Not on ebay...

ERRRRR.....

2011-12-15T00:23:00.000-05:00

Sister Hazel Hair #96

2011-12-13T22:25:00.001-05:00

Single Style

2011-12-12T23:32:00.002-05:00

Sunday Wheelie #2

2011-12-11T19:40:00.003-05:00

Dave on the Moveeeeeeee

2011-12-10T14:02:00.003-05:00

T Plus 1

2011-12-09T15:34:00.002-05:00

Pre-Flight

2011-12-08T20:28:00.004-05:00

Staging at Walter's place in NJ for the ride into the Invitational. About as much fun as I've had in a 48 hour period.

Zen Moment

2011-12-08T11:56:00.001-05:00

3 4 32G

2011-12-07T16:42:00.004-05:00

Beyond the Box...

2011-12-06T13:38:00.005-05:00

...lie strange things like single cylinder Knuckle's. It a good place, a fresh place. Click the post tittle for more goodness from the Daikoube blog.

Our Daily Sled #252

2011-12-06T09:07:00.002-05:00

The three most important things in motorcycle building - proportions, proportions, proportions.

Sister Golden Hair #50

2011-12-05T19:23:00.001-05:00

165mph / 9 Seconds

2011-12-05T06:33:00.001-05:00

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Sunday Wheelie

2011-12-04T13:32:00.004-05:00

Rio Grande

2011-12-03T18:59:00.007-05:00

One of my favorite places on earth. I took these two shots on the Rio Grande gorge bridge about 2 seconds apart, one facing West the other East. There are only a few places that I have been to that instantly felt like home the moment I put foot to ground. Jackson, Wyoming - Northern California and Taos, New Mexico above.

T Minus

2011-12-03T12:59:00.009-05:00

Our Daily Sled #251

2011-12-02T19:34:00.000-05:00

JonesN

2011-12-02T10:49:00.003-05:00

The snow has only been here 1 day and I'm already craving a road trip. Gonna have to do something about that...

Our Daily Sled #250!!!

2011-11-30T21:48:00.005-05:00

I was saving a special one for the 250 mark and the '37 Joe Petrali 61" Knucklehead Daytona record breaker is most definitely that. Probably my favorite bike of all time now that I really think about it. Joe pushed it to a two-way average of 136.183 on the sand - but without the tail section which was thought to have been aerodynamically unstable at the time, but in all reality the instability was probably due to it's heavy weight - being made of sheet metal, led and rivets the tail weighed over 40 pounds!

Sister Golden Hair #49

2011-11-30T11:34:00.001-05:00

WANTED! - FOUND! Thanks Walter!!!!

2011-11-29T13:11:00.004-05:00

I could really use a decent big twin frame for my winter build. Will consider anything that has an OEM-ish neck. Post a comment and I will be in touch if you have something to sell.

Damn it!

2011-11-29T10:49:00.003-05:00

I lost another camera. This bloggin' is a rough business...

Our Daily Sled #249

2011-11-28T21:23:00.003-05:00

Barber Vintage Festival - PT5

2011-11-27T17:57:00.000-05:00

Our Daily Sled #248

2011-11-27T15:58:00.001-05:00

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Cycle Porn #215

2011-11-26T23:35:00.001-05:00

Maldwin Jones

2011-11-25T22:43:00.000-05:00

Looking Forward...

2011-11-25T22:41:00.003-05:00

...to next year. Once more to Brooklyn.

Get Your Gizzard On

2011-11-23T23:29:00.004-05:00

May your turkey be juicy and your gravy deep. Have a great Thanksgiving everyone.

Kick It!

2011-11-23T14:42:00.000-05:00

Our Daily Sled #247

2011-11-23T10:54:00.001-05:00

The Purpose #46,47,48

2011-11-22T09:18:00.002-05:00

There Went Bronson

2011-11-21T11:13:00.004-05:00

Finally saw this one last night. Some of the best nor cal riding footage I have ever seen. Loved it, but that girl should have been left in the dust just south of Big Sur.

Eastbound

2011-11-20T14:45:00.005-05:00

I took this shot of Shinya as he was staging just in front of us on the short course at speedweek in 2009. Caleb is that Niki?

Trike #5

2011-11-19T19:25:00.002-05:00

JD

2011-11-18T23:34:00.000-05:00

Cycle Porn #214

2011-11-18T23:09:00.000-05:00

Detroit Bicycle Company

2011-11-17T18:00:00.006-05:00

A while back one of my best buddies from my heavy skateboarding years started making beautiful track inspired frame sets in his spare time just for fun. While he was brazing and welding away he decided to name his little venture The Detroit Bicycle Company. He was shocked to find out that no one else had already taken the tag. The launch of his website and the images of his bikes ripped through the interwebs like a virus. Next month his creations will be featured in Playboy. Already the que is LONG for one of his bikes. Congrats Steve! Click the post title for a jump to his lovely site and all the bikes.

Our Daily Sled #246

2011-11-17T11:48:00.003-05:00

Lust lust lust lust....

Sister Hazel Hair #95

2011-11-17T09:45:00.002-05:00

Pic of Niki on her way to the first Born Free show by our good friend from the West - Caleb Owens (hopefully this will keep me out of a hideously expensive lawsuit.)

Tsubaki Masterlink VS. Greg

2011-11-16T10:27:00.006-05:00

Greg wins! The other day I cut down my new Tsubaki race chain by 5 links to run with the tiny high speed sprocket. The chain is made of the same stuff they make battleships out of. It took me 30 minutes with a chain breaker and a die grinder to get the right fit. But when it came to "snapping" the masterlink on I was beat. That thing would NOT budge. Then Greg stopped by with some Tsubaki secrets. I love you my brother.

Winter Build

2011-11-15T22:32:00.003-05:00

Ended up with this the other night...it's all there plus two extra front tires/rims, one extra drag slick/rim, two frames and an extra set of drag pipes. Glue not included.

Hey Joe!

2011-11-14T21:56:00.002-05:00

Still Killing 'Em

2011-11-14T01:30:00.002-05:00

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Home

2011-11-14T00:37:00.004-05:00