47 FL - Another Day - Headlight Install and 80's Pics

Today

October 1984 - 

There's my old white Buco helmet on the headlight that I still wear (in certain states)

October 31, 1987...with the Ex-Elvira...I still have both bikes...

There are those saddle bags on the Knuckle I just re-installed...25 years later

Head light and bracket getting fitted up...

Headlight profile...

Still debating... Riser Set Up or Hollywood Speedster bars

I rummaged through some old photo albums last night looking for pictures of the 47 knuckle and came up with the two above. One from October 1984 (about 7 months after I finished the initial build) and one from Halloween 1987 after she was rode hard and had some additions. I was happy to get a picture with those saddle bags that I just put back on her. The other bike in the pic is my 47 Flathead in one of it's many configurations Black with Apes and a 21 up front.  I'm till debating whether to re-install the Hollywood Speedster bars (I had on the Knuckle in the 80's) or keep the riser set up...

47 Transformation - Little Bit Each Day...

Fitted the newly Parkerized hardware, saddle bags, rack and the top rear fender trim pieces. Also installed the rear stand catch.

Hot Rod Hoedown Sept 8 & 9 - Bucks County PA

http://hotrodhoedown.com/main.htm

Beach Racing in Jersey!

This looks nuts!

LOOSE DETAILS,

Pre party on the beach night before race.
Big top tent in the sand, bonfire too.
Live bands to set this race off right!
Booze on beach provided by Fire Co.
*No outside alcohol is permitted into pits or on beach area*

RACE DETAILS,

Pre registraion required!!! Email at, theraceofgentlemen@yahoo.com
Pre/post war autos, hop ups, and motorcycles. Oh, and a P-38 Tank.
Non Sanctioned 1 mile race between beach jettys
Award ceremony with pretty ladies, hand shakes by our two mayors, and flower wreaths.
More details to come as I get them.

Freemansburg PA Hillclimb Sept 9th

Parkerizing - in the comfort of your own kitchen...

Parts blasted ready to go...

Meat thermometer and microwaveable measuring cup...

Parts a cookin'...

Coming along nicely...

Rinsed and dipped in old Knucklehead drain oil...

Ready for install...Just like Mama used to make!

I was sitting at the kitchen table sorting out my saddlebag hardware and realized I needed to clean this stuff up so I can install it on the White '47. I had read one time that a guy Parkerized a small part in the microwave...I did a little research on line and found that (among gun collectors) it is not uncommon to do this.
All you need is a microwave, a meat thermometer, a microwavable measuring cup, some clean wire and some old motor oil or WD-40 or something like that. Of course you will also need the Parkerize solution and a glass bead cabinet for part prep.
1. Prep the parts (bead blast) and then wire them up for dipping. DO NOT PUT THE PARTS IN YET.
2. Pour enough solution into the measuring cup so that the parts will be completely submerged when you  drop them in. Heat it up for about a minute or so in the microwave. DO NOT PUT THE PARTS IN YET.
There are acidic fumes involved so don't smell it to see if it's done...you might wanna make sure the kitchen is well ventilated...(I didn't)
3.  Remove the measuring cup from the microwave and stick the thermometer in to make sure it's about 180-190 degrees.
4.  Submerge the parts with the end of the wire hanging over the cup for easy removal.
5.  Leave them in the solution until they stop bubbling and the desired color is achieved...5 to 10 minutes.
6. Take them out and dip them into a plastic cup of water and then into the motor oil.
7.  Let them soak in the oil for a few minutes and them wipe them down with a paper towel. I also sprayed them with penetrating oil real good to make sure all the solution was gone from the nooks and crannies.

They look just as good as when I do it with the hot plate and stainless tub but with a lot less BS. Of course this is only good for small stuff and only if you are the "Master Of All You Survey"...
...you other guys can ask your wives if it's OK to cook metal parts in caustic chemicals in the microwave in the kitchen and see where that gets you...

47 FL Transformation - As some goes together, More comes apart...

As some goes together, More comes apart...

(I love it when I catch myself taking the pic in the reflection...photographer I am not!)

Found the crossover shaft was worn on the one side....

Replaced it and the bottom fitting on the oil pump....

Well it's off anyway, may as well get rid of more chrome parts...

Fitting the dash...need to install the Gen/Oil glass...

Front fender trim complete...

Gonna loose the chrome brake drum and baking plate...

I'm slowly but surely getting this done. Working on it in little bits, as time allows, between fixing other stuff, riding and life in general...

57 FL Fixed Up...

Old Drum (bad rivets)...

New (to this bike) Drum...

All patched up...

...and on the road...

57 FL Fire Up and Check Out

She still has a nice profile...

Too many hole shots...

Need to replace borrowed parts...

I had an extra 20 minutes yesterday so I decided it had been too long since I had the 57 FL on the road. I haven't ridden it all year! Battery, Fuel and oil. It started right up. I noticed something felt loose when I rolled it back and forth to get it outta gear. The rear sprocket was one clutch dump away from a full spin off...only one or two rivets left and loose as a goose... I also noticed that I stole the rely cover for my 41 (I think). I'll correct that stuff this morning and take it out for a cruise today.

And now for something completely different...kinda

I was checking out some artwork (fantastic Stuff!) that Mitch posted on the "Kemosabe and The Lodge" blog  http://kemosabeandthelodge.blogspot.com/  last month which prompted me to dig out this old Superglide tank that I picked up in a load of parts many years ago. It depicts an artist's rendition of Frank Frazetta's "Death Dealer" (thanks Mitch).
This tank brings me back to the late '70's - early '80's ...(is that Molly Hatchet I hear?). Guys I knew would spend a small fortune getting tanks painted up like this... meanwhile I was in the backyard with a Krylon can, masking tape and newspaper...over spray was my specialty....my friend's dad referred to my work as a "Demolition Derby Paint Job"...

47 FL Transformation - Back On It

Early 47 dash nears completion

Rid myself of the red inner primary

The swing arm to rigid oil tank conversion is perfect, still a loose fit until I align everything 

Getting back on the 47 conversion project. Now that the pressure of trying to get it done and  ride it to Brookfield has past, I can take my time and get it the way I want it...

My cell phone pics are a bit blurry...

Brookfield Goodies Arrived...

A small cache of parts I picked up at Brookfield was just delivered...

Decent rigid drum in need of sprocket...$15

Crusted Knuckle (superior) high rise dual pipes...$10 each

...with mounting bracket (to front oil tank mount)

Other side of drum

A well made tool pouch...$5

Made in USA

Not sure who made it but it seems very well made with thick leather, rivets, buckles and flaps to keep your stuff in...the old Army bag had it's last tour of duty on this trip...

Brookfield Silhouette

The silhouette of the Knuckle seat as seen from inside my tent at Brookfield...