A Long Way to Go....

 

Mini Shop

Back in the day I converted part of our garage into a small motorcycle shop.  It was small but clean, but well laid out .  It held one bike on the bench and two more in a pinch against the walls.

Everyone needs a private space like this, even the ladies.

The bike is a 1928 Indian 101 Scout.

 

Chopper Affliction

I have been afflicted with choppers since I cracked my first Easyriders Magazine in my junior year of High School back in 1975.  I couldn't believe that anything could be so perfect.  The lines and the colors totally blew me away.  Not long after that I built the Death Trap BSA three times before I was happy with it. I really wish I still had it, maybe it could be built so it was safe to ride? 

I liked the early Arlen Ness bikes and most anything British.  Early Sportsters make nice skinny lane splitters and might be reliable in the right hands.  I have had a few Honda choppers but they are a bit wide for my taste, there were a few nice ones out there at one time.

Bobbers are cool but the laid back chopper feel was really something.  Hardtail frames and bell bottom jeans....................

1946 Harley Davidson Knucklehead...Easyriders July 1975

It Takes Time To Do It Right

 

Freedom....

Guitars and Motorcycles

 Guitars and motorcycles just go together.  Going all the way into our deep pasts we can hear those amazing guitar riffs as we ride down the road.  Every shop needs a good sound system so we can listen to Eric Clapton, Mark Knofler, Joni Mitchel or Carlos Santana as we puzzle out some electrical mystery.

I have been wrenching on motorcycles most of my life and am now working at being a decent guitar player.....
 

Hendee Indian Racing Frame

 I just received the 8 valve OHV Hendee racing frame. I bought it from Ziggy in Canada. The tank that I got from him fit perfectly. 

1912 Hendee Indian Frame Wanted

I am looking for an original Hendee Indian frame for my 1912 single 4 valve motor.  I want the type with the leaf-spring rear suspension.  I saw a single built that way years ago and have wanted one ever since.  

I think I that I will build the 8 valve OHV engine as a pure track bike but I have it from someone who actually rode one that it's a fearsome experience!  A pure track bike has no brakes, no clutch and no throttle control.  When they set their carb at the beginning of a race to goo 100 MPH and beyond, they had no throttle control.  Only the retard on the magneto and the ignition kill button to slow down with...pretty amazing stuff,  but I'm not 20 anymore.

You can reach me at classicmotocycles@gmail.com or 951-992-9839

 

I did take these pictures from Yesterdays site.. Dankjewel

Indian

 

I Love Wiring Schematics

   I do admit that wiring up a motorcycle can be a bit daunting but I'm thankful for a good wiring diagram.  If someone hasn't already cut the old harness up too badly it can be figured out.  

    A lot of the older diagrams are black and white so I make a copy and add color...much simpler that way.

   With old motorcycle wiring the usual culprit is dirty or corroded connections.  Clean every connection down to bare metal and apply dielectric grease when plugging the wire back in.  All splices and new crimp connectors have to be carefully silver soldered together and covered with shrink wrap.  

   Even old Lucas, Prince of Darkness can function pretty well if you take your time.  

   My dad went to mechanics school back in the 1960's and he had an instructor that he called "clean and tight", I always think of that when doing wiring.

 

Fun with British Electrics!

LIGHTS !!

Everything is wired up.  The owner went with a Pazon electronic ignition.  I was not able to check for spark at this point because the kick start lever froze up !  Gotta love it ?

These positive ground systems are interesting.  If you're at all like me , label everything so you do not forget.

Never, ever forget to put a fuse in between your power source and circuits AND never use a fuse that is rated too high.

With Good Advise......

 I did not write the following but it is pretty good advise to those of us who are getting older....

Between 60 and death. It's time to use the money you saved up. Use it and enjoy it. Don't just keep it for those who may have no notion of the sacrifices you made to get it. Remember there is nothing more dangerous than a son or daughter-in-law with big ideas for your hard-earned capital.

Warning: This is also a bad time for investments, even if it seems wonderful or foolproof. They only bring problems and worries. This is a time for you to enjoy some peace and quiet.

Stop worrying about the financial situation of your children and grandchildren, and don't feel bad spending your money on yourself. You've taken care of them for many years, and you've taught them what you could. You gave them an education, food, shelter, and support. The responsibility is now theirs to earn their own money.

Keep a healthy life, without great physical effort. Do moderate exercise (like walking every day), eat well, and get your sleep. It's easy to become sick, and it gets harder to remain healthy. That is why you need to keep yourself in good shape and be aware of your medical and physical needs. Keep in touch with your doctor, and do tests even when you're feeling well. Stay informed.

The key goal is to enjoy your money with your partner. One day one of you will miss the other, and the money will not provide any comfort then, enjoy it together.

Don't stress over the little things. You've already overcome so much in your life. You have good memories and bad ones, but the important thing is the present. Don't let the past drag you down and don't let the future frighten you. Feel good in the now. Small issues will soon be forgotten.

Regardless of age, always keep love alive. Love your partner, love life, love your family, love your neighbor and remember: "A man is not old as long as he has intelligence and affection."

Be proud, both inside and out. Don't stop going to your hair salon or barber, do your nails, go to the dermatologist and the dentist, and keep your perfumes and creams well stocked. When you are well-maintained on the outside, it seeps in, making you feel proud and strong.

ALWAYS stay up-to-date. Read newspapers, and watch the news. Go online and read what people are saying. Make sure you have an active email account and try to use some of those social networks. You'll be surprised at what old friends you'll meet.

Respect the younger generation and their opinions. They may not have the same ideas as you, but they are the future and will take the world in their direction. Give advice, not criticism, and try to remind them that yesterday's wisdom still applies today.

Never use the phrase: “In my time.” Your time is now. As long as you’re alive, you are part of this time.

Some people embrace their golden years, while others become bitter and surly. Life is too short to waste your days on the latter. Spend your time with positive, cheerful people, it'll rub off on you and your days will seem that much better. Spending your time with bitter people will make you feel older and harder to be around.

Do not surrender to the temptation of living with your children or grandchildren (if you have a financial choice, that is). Sure, being surrounded by family sounds great, but we all need our privacy. They need theirs and you need yours. Even then, do so only if you feel you really need the help or do not want to live by yourself

Don't abandon your hobbies. If you don't have any, make new ones. You can travel, hike, cook, read, and dance. You can adopt a cat or a dog, grow a kitchen garden, play cards, checkers, chess, dominoes, and golf.

Try to go. Get out of the house, meet people you haven't seen in a while, and experience something new (or something old). The important thing is to leave the house from time to time. Go to museums, go walk through a park. Get out there.

Speak in courteous tones and try not to complain or criticize too much unless you really need to. Try to accept situations as they are.

Pains and discomfort go hand in hand with getting older. Try not to dwell on them but accept them as a part of life.

If you've been offended by someone – forgive them. If you've offended someone apologizes. Don't drag around resentment with you. It only serves to make you sad and bitter. It doesn't matter who was right. Someone once said: "Holding a grudge is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die." Don't take that poison. Forgive, forget, and move on with your life.

Laugh. Laugh away your worries Remember, you are one of the lucky ones. You managed to have a life, a long one. Many never get to this age, and never get to experience a full life.

My valued friends, enjoy peaceful life at this point in your life ...

Try to be happy......

A Tale of Two Cats

 A Tail of Two Cats

We have two cats. The black and white cat is named Mommasita or Mommas and the grey cat is named Miah with an "h"  .

I found Mommasita when we lived in town,  she was walking across our driveway with her baby kitten in her mouth.  I made her a bed and gave her some food and water...just an act of kindness.   The baby disappeared during the night but Mommas still remained. 

After a quick  trip and snip at the vets we took her out to the ranch where she has lived ever since. I'm guessing that she is around 9 now.

She used to feed herself on mice and whatever she caught but I feed her now. She has survived  inclement weather, coyotes, dogs and just life in general.   She is a very kind cat and has never raised a paw to any of us.

Miah with an "h" lives in our home.  She never goes outside and only hunts flies and insects.

We found her about 2 1/2 years ago..on Craigslist.   She appeared to be calm and friendly..until we got her home where she raised havoc for several weeks. 

Probably not her fault, but this was during the pandemic and a seeing a veterinarian was not a simple thing. Finally a visit and a snip and she settled down..some.  

Miaha is an interesting cat. At times she is gentle and at other times she thinks she is a lioness and you are the gazelle. She will hide around the corner and wait for you to come by...

She frantically races through the house and attacks her scratching post or much to Laurie's dismay, her favorite chair.

She is slightly overweight,  well fed and has everything?  Mommasita lives in the barn and appears to have nothing.

Mommasita is gentle and kind and Miah is gentle when she wants to be,  but she's a bit unpredictable and will scratch and bite. 

Which is better ?  The animal or person with freedom and a job to do are always happier and more well adjusted.

As a side note it is extremely cruel to declaw your cat !

Bulls and the Grey Bucking Horse

 

I was reminiscing about some things and remembered a certain grey horse.  Most of the injuries that still pain me were not given by riding motorcycles. They came from riding horses. Anybody who rides much at all is coming off eventually. 

Years ago my wife worked with a girl who had a grey horse that was unridden. I had some success with horses as a kid and I told her that I work with her horse.

I don't remember the Grey's name but I'll call him Grey for the purposes of this adventure. Grey was turned out in a large pasture with two large Charolais bulls.  Not ideal, but that how it was.

I started Grey from the ground and got him used to the lunge line and saddle. I had the lunge whip to get him to move forward (never striking him with the whip), but I would also use it to chase the bulls off when they became too aggressive. 

Everything was just splendid...up until I actually tried to ride him.  I got him used to everything and would put weight on his back by laying across him. I even got him used to me sitting on him. I got a bit ahead of myself when the day came to move him forward with me in the saddle. 

I mounted him next to the fence and just sat on him for a few minutes. I then asked him to moved forward...which he did in a very big way!  He took a few steps at the walk and then proceeded to take off at full gallop with a few good bucks thrown in to makes things interesting!  He was bucking so hard that I was launched into the air so high that I was flying upside down and saw him between my legs as he bucked the saddle clean off his back. Well, I had to come down and come down I did... on my face and shoulder.

I layed there dazed and hurting.  Of course the bulls were the only spectators that day and they decided to get even with me for chasing them off with the whip.  They were coming pretty fast and I was pretty busted up but I knew it could get worse!  I struggled to my feet and I guess that surprised them because they ran off...

My shoulder still hurts and I can still remember that day vividly after 40 years!

I Hate Californios

Don't Miss Them Blizzards Much !

I hate Californios....well not me personally, I am one !

That is the battle cry from the Dakotas down to Texas and beyond, I hate them and all their ideas !  They don't hate our money though.  We went on an expensive vacation a couple of years ago and you could feel the animosity as soon as we entered Wyoming.  I didn't feel like telling them that my wife and I are from the Dakota Territories, her from Montana and me from North Dakota.  We both grew up in Montana.  I never noticed it before but it was felt in many places from the shops and stores where we left our hard earned money to just interactions with people.  What happened to all the "friendly" mid-west folk.  Maybe they were never that friendly if you weren't exactly like them.

When I lived in Albuquerque we were having an expensive door installed .  After I told the installer where we were from he said "you can just head back West where you came from"!  I told that  would be fine and we would take our checkbook with us.  He quieted down some...

It used to be that it didn't matter where you lived but I guess it does now?

Excuse me, I have to go !  A truckload of cowboys with shootin' irons just pulled up to the house.....
 

Keep JoAnn Bortles On Your Mind.......

JoAnn Bortles, owner of Crazy Horse Custom Paint

Please keep JoAnn Bortles on your mind , she took a fall and hurt herself pretty badly.  She is a great lady and has been a huge asset in the custom motorcycle and car industry for a long time.  We look forward to her rapid recovery.

She painted this custom motorcycle for me a few years back and it's in one of her many books.

Get some rest and get well........................
 

Spanish Fighting Bulls

Spanish Fighting Bulls of Miura are no ordinary cattle.  They are bred to fight in the bullrings of Pamplona.  The are very intelligent and very quick. Unlike other breeds, they don't close their eyes when they are in the muleta...they are always looking for the man.

Some say that bullfighting is cruel and is not "fair" to the bull.  Maybe so, but the old saying that to fight a bull is in the feet...they keep wanting to run.  You try it or at the very least run with the bulls in Pamplona...you most likely won't die, but you might ?

Bulls are mostly slaughtered at the end of the fight, either by the sword of the matador or in the pens.  I did not realize this but they can only be allowed to fight one time.  It is the newness of the arena and the crowds that confuse the bull, otherwise the man would be killed every time.

Some of the poorer villages in Spain used to close off the square and introduce the novellas to the bulls.  The villages were poor and could not afford new bulls and so used the same bulls over again.  One bull who was a great favorite killed 16 men and boys and wounded over 60 others during his five year career.