Canada Checking in...Tropical

Rick from Canada checking in. For the first time in 20 years he is able to go for a ride on New Year's Eve. Global warming...Hog Wash! The VL seems to like it...
Rick writes: "The Great White North is on her way out,we are growing banana's and pineapples now."
Happy New Year!

1952 Panhead For Sale (Jersey Style)

Motorcycle Mike from Jersey is selling this 1952 "Jersey" Pan.  This is the style of bike that I grew up with in Jersey...Black, chrome, 21in wheel, stripped wide glide, rigid frame, solo seat...This was the shit (and still is in my book!) This '52 is almost a twin of my 57 "Jersey Pan"(except mine has Apes and no sissy bar).
He is asking $12,500. and can be reached at motorheadmike@comcast.net,

Mystery Saddle Bags...Help?

I was thumbing through the latest GKM issue (24) and noticed the saddle bag on the Swedish UL Bob Job. It kinda looked familiar and I gazed across the room at a set of bags I've had for about 28 years.
I picked them up at an AMCA meet in Valley Forge Pennsylvania (Pre Oley). I just thought they were cool at the time. They were stuffed with newspaper from Minneapolis MN dated March 28 1969. The bags are obviously unused...the design and material would indicate that they are much older then the news paper used to hold their shape. It appears they would fit a smaller bike based on their size and mounting configuration...they would be great on a Bob Job with a narrow rear fender.
Can anyone one help me identify these bags??????

47 Knuck-20 years ago

Found these pics of my 47 FL from 20 years ago (back in Jersey) when I changed it from the stock configuration into a Bob Job. Top one is fresh outta the basement and heading toward the Geeerage for final assembly (notice the opened Bilco doors to the right). It was always a challenge getting bikes outta the basement. The second shot is in the geeerage with the tanks on...that paint looks just as good today! Oh and there is my oldest (now 23) hamming it up for the camera. In the back ground are the white tanks from when the bike was "Un-Bobbed". The kid is sitting on my 65/59 Pan...I was T-Boned on that sucker a couple of years later...ouch... the screw in my ankle tingles just thinking about it....

Jefferson PA - Mid '90's Hillclimber line Up

 Hillclimber Line Up

Close Up: Motorcycle Mike Throws 'em High Wide and Handsome!

Some time between '96 and '99 at the Jefferson PA meet. Dave Minerva on his Indian Climber,Wayne on his H-D "J" Climber, Motorcycle Mike on Charlie Jacobs H-D Climber, me on Larry Franz's H-D Climber and Charlie Chihuahua on my combo Sam Kakabar/Larry Franz H-D Climber.

Wauseon 2007 - Hummer (165) Class

I stumbled across this pic of when I raced my 1952 Model 165 at Wauseon Ohio in 2007. There was a professional photographer there taking and selling pics. I also raced my Hand Shift WLDR that year. The 165 "shit the bed" on the track that day and hasn't run since...Back Burner...

Christmas Eve... Eve

Out on the 47 FL

Deep and Dark December

December 21st. The shortest day of the year. I really hate the days leading up to this "shortest day of the year" but from here on out they are getting longer! Spring is right around the corner! My son took this picture as I headed out for a ride today. I think it was (not even) 5 PM... but seemed like midnight.

Happy for the Holidays?

The youngest of "The Spawn" and my official photographer seems quite Happy for the Holidays...must be the Sponge Bob Xmas paints...or maybe the 23 degree weather...

Frosty Balls Ride 2011

Heading out for the "Frosty Balls" Ride





I arrived early at Mike's shop

I headed out for the anual "Frosty Balls" ride today around noon. It was much less eventful then last year with the snow storm (see last year's post), but it was a great time. The temp was in the low 20's and there were about 40 bikes that left Mike Wells' shop this afternoon. We got up to the Wagon Wheel Tavern and after a while a few of us headed to The Raven's Nest. I headed out from there and was out riding for about 7 hours today on the old "Dirty Nine". She ran like a dream in the cold as usual!

Jersey Pan Coming Back to Life...

 Stagnant since 1982

55 Pan Motor in an early wishbone frame

Here is a typical early 80's style "Jersey Pan" that has been sitting since '82. It is on it's way to Resurrection.

"Bolt On's" 57 Pan Motor

Stopped in at "Bolt On's" place over in Jersey yesterday and he was getting his 57 pan motor back in after a complete rebuild!

1948 Springer Fork

Fork lock hole

Sverre from Norway (American Motorcycles Norway Blog) asked me to provide some dimensions on a 1948 Springer Fork to help him in repairing the one off his pan. In an effort to provide him with the details I dug one out and measured and photographed it. I figured I would share the pics.

"The Gathering"

OK... so I watched "Highlander" (1986) the other night...but "The Gathering" seemed to fit since it only happens maybe once a year and they come together from near and far. The Brood (sorry a 1979 horror movie reference) is as jovial as ever! The holiday season must be upon us...

Panhead Maintenance for Winter Service

Chains adjusted, clutch plate "de-oiling", linkage adjustment, primary chain oiler adjustment. All I need is a new rear tire and I'm ready for another winter riding season.

Greasy Kulture - GKM 24

Cal and Joe...Father and son from Jersey

Brooklyn Invitational

If you don't subscribe, you should. Here's a taste of what's inside.

And here's where to go to get it...

http://greasykulture.bigcartel.com/category/magazines

A Hill Climbers History - Brothers Reunited

I finally got around to setting these two "estranged brothers" side by side. It's been 40 years since these two have been under the same roof let alone side by side! Larry Franz Sr.'s first Harley Hillclimber and his last Harley Hillclimber reunited for the holidays and from here on out...

Christmas '93

My buddy John over in Jersey used to do these life size ice sculptures every Christmas Eve. This pic was taken on Christmas Day 1993.

Winter '85 and a White '47 Knucklehead....

My 47 FL winter 1985

Still have the plate

I found this picture of my 47 FL from the winter of 1985. This was my sole (soul) transportation in those days. I rode this knuckle everywhere! I always thought the plate was cool...it looked like A 1947....I ran this plate until 1988 and then went with Historic plates to avoid inspection in New Jersey. I still have the plate...it's pretty beat up and well used...

Pearl Harbor Day 2011

Bumber sticker thats been on my WWII Military U sidecar rig for 20 years.

Big Smile...

Got the radiator, generator and regulator back into the 51 Buick Special and took her out for a cruise. No over heating and she's chargin' up nice!

Servi-Car Wheelies...How he do dat...?

That's either one powerful Sevi-Car engine or there is a trick to it...

I found these pics from 2003 of me doing wheelies on my '52 Servi-Car. This shot was actually taken on the way down from a much higher wheelie.

The trick is to go in reverse as fast as you can and jam on the rear brakes! I almost flipped it one time...good thing those fenders double as wheelie bars...It looks cool though...

Thrills and Cash for Motorcyclists!- 1932 - Larry Franz Sr Collection

I found this great article from 1932 by Ted Hodgdon in my Larry Franz Sr collection. Larry pulled it out of a 1932 Modern Mechanics and Inventions magazine. Larry was about 14 years old in 1932. Ted makes it sound easy to convert your bike and win big at the Hillclimbs!

I love his "Hints on Riding the Hill Climber"! Check it out...