Sonny Barger

 Sonny Barger 

Oct. 8, 1938 - June 29, 2022

 

I remember back in the day blasting down the road with no helmet..

I loved the feeling of the wind on my head.  The sounds, the smells and the sensation of freedom.  It was like flying...

California had no helmet laws in the 1970's and even into the 80's. I never even owned a helmet.

On January 1, 1992 it became the law to wear a helmet.   We fought hard against it, but....

Later in life I saw more than a few motorcycle accidents while working in the Fire Service.   I believe that a good helmet can save your life.

 

Flat Tank Norton by George Cohen

I have had this book for awhile but had not really read it other than perusing through it.  I have always been a big fan of Norton singles but haven't owned one that ran.

From what I understand George Cohen was a bit of a character.  He was a medical doctor but it seems that his true passion was Norton's.  He passed away due to cancer in 2016.  Individuals like this sure make the world a more colorful place......

Read his book-you will like it

It's kind of a limited edition book and copies can be pricey.  It's well worth the money though.

 Model 18 OHV single..too cool for school!

4 Hour Kill Switch

It's amazing how much time it takes to build a really nice motorcycle.  I recently listed this bike for sale at a price of $26,500.00   Right away I got all kinds of comments on how over priced it is.  I have that much in parts, paint and engine work alone.  Of course the labor is that of love!  In this case it actually was.............

First thing this morning I started on the kill switch installation.  I installed the magneto yesterday- but alas- every magneto needs a kill switch!

I decided to use an old horn button that I had stashed away...problem is- the aftermarket bars were not drilled for a switch of any kind or for wiring.

I removed the bars and drilled and tapped them for the switch.  While I was at it, I cleaned up the bars for a more sanitary look. I like it....

One little wire....4 hours later!

 A cleaner look with the coins back in place.  

Joe Hunt Magneto on the Harley Davidson 45"

I apologize for not taking more pictures but on the other hand I didn't want this to be a tutorial.  I have installed a few over the years but it's been awhile!

I had traded for a brand new  Joe Hunt Magneto for a unit twin Triumph a few months back and have since sold my Triumph project.  I don't like these mags on Triumph unit twin engines anyway, they stick out too far. 

So I was sitting on a brand new Triumph magneto with all the bells and whistles-a little over a grand- but I really needed one for our Harley flathead.  I was thinking about it one day and it occurred to me that it's just a magneto- why not convert it to a Harley flathead set up?

I called Joe Hunt and was told," it's just a magneto-of course it can be converted"!  Long story short- I sent it to them and a few months later had a beautiful flathead magneto...very cool!  It only cost $200 including the mounting base.  It was originally a keyed magneto with a polished case but they suggested not having a key because of clearance issues.  The just switched everything over to a new case with no key.  I was very happy with my experience dealing with this company and would use them again.

Getting started, I hadn't moved the bike out to the garage after Rods and Rails.  No muss..no fuss

I had to remove the stock timer but before I removed it I set the motor on the correct timing mark.  A little easier that way.

Show bikes can be a pain.  I always wrap my tools in tape so I don't scuff the finish on the cad plating.

 

 Here is the finished install.  I may need to remove the magneto again to get the timing right, we'll see...........I think it's close though ?  I have to install a kill switch and a few other things before i fire it up.
 

Kenny Roberts

 

Peter Hickman Wins the Senior at the I.O.M. TT

 Peter Hickman takes the Milwakee Senior race at the TT

Second place went to Dean Harrison with Conor Cummins taking a third place podium

Roger's 1940 Harley Davidson UH Flattie

We were setting up at the car show and I was feeling pretty good about our chances when a sweaty old 1940 Harley Flathead pulled in next to us.  This bike was as cool as it gets-dripping oil and hadn't seen a wash up in a fair bit.  It's not a trailer queen and not even 100% 1940 correct...who cares?

It belongs to a guy named Roger and he has owned it since he was 20 years old- he's now 61!

That is so very cool.  I absolutely loved this motorcycle and he rides it everywhere.

 

Rods and Rails Car Show

We took our 1946 Harley Davidson WL to the Rods and Rails show today and had an enjoyable day.  Thank you Rachel and all of the City of Perris staff who assisted everyone.  It was very hot but everyone worked together.
 

The WL parked next to a very cool 1940 Harley UH

Grace's Harley WL won a 1st place Peoples Choice and a BEST of Show in the motorcycle class

Father and Son Become the 4th and 5th Casualties in 2022 IOM TT

Roger Stockton and his son Bradley Stockton both died following an accident in Fridays sidecar race. The accident occurred on the second lap- at the exact location where Cesar Chanel was killed last Saturday.

Roger was an experienced TT competitor and raced there between 2000 to 2008 and returned in 2010 and 2017.  His son Bradley was a newcomer.  

Very sad...........................

 

Triumph Motorcycles Still Winners at the TT

TTriumph Still Winning

Its really interesting that Triumph motorcycles are still winning at the TT.  Peter Hickman rides a 675R and as you know he is winning on them!

God save the Queen!

Jack Marshal won on a Triumph in 1908.  The race was run on the old St. John's course.

Ernie Lyons won on a 493cc machine in 1946.

bruce Anstay took the flag in 2003 in the Junior TT followed by two other Triumph riders.

Gary Johnson won on a Triumph in 2014

And then Peter Hickman started winning big in 2017 on Triumphs.

 Peter Hickman has really showcased these machines..as an old triumph guy-it's good to see!

Dunlop Wins his 21st IOM TT

The Senior has been cancelled due to rain.  I'm glad that they don't race in really bad weather-it's dangerous enough in the dry.  Hopefully it will take place tomorrow?

Ed Lebelle 1958

 

Michael Dunlop wins his 21st IOM TT Race

Michael Dunlop has taken his 21st IOM TT with the Supersport 2 race-he won by 3 seconds in a 2 lap race. He was leading in the Supertwin over Hickman by 4/10 of a second when he retired due to mechanical issues.

2022 Supersport 2 Results

Michael Dunlop   Yamaha YZF-R6                         35:29.15

Peter Hickman      Triumph Daytona 765                35:32.45

Dean Harrison       Kawasaki ZX-6R                       35:43.80

Davey Todd           Honda CBR600RR                    36:11.36

Jamie Coward        Yamaha YZF-R6                       36:17.82

Conor Cummins    Honda CBR600RR                    36:23.01

Norton International Pendine Racer

 

When I think of the I.O.M. TT I always think of Norton singles...I guess I'm old!

 

Peter Hickman Wins the Supertwin Race at the TT

Peter Hickman is having a good TT this year, he just finished first in the Supertwin race.  He and Michael Dunlop had a very close race until Dunlop had mechanical issues.  They were within 4/10 of a second for most of the race with Dunlop leading more often than not.  That's racing!

The big winner was Paul Jordan with is 1st TT podium...congratulations!

#1 Peter Hickman on a Paton S1-R

#2 Lee Johnston on an Aprilla RS660

#3 Paul Jordan on a Kawasaki Z650

 

View From My Desk

 

It's Show Time !

It's show time!

We plan on taking the 1946 Harley Davidson WL Racer to a couple of shows this summer.

This Saturday June 11th we plan on attending the Rods and Rails Car Show in Perris, California

The show takes place between 9am - 3pm

Rods and Rails Car Show

Southern California Railway Museum

2201 South A Street

Perris, CA

 

Isle of Man TT Mix Up.....................................

 In a news press release this morning Isle of Man TT race officials have made a correction on the crash on June 4th in the TT sidecar races.  

Cesar Chanel and Olivier Lavorel crashed at Ago's Leap and it was reported that Olivier Lavorel had died of injuries.   IN FACT- it was Cesar Chanel who died and Olivier Lavorel who in the hospital in critical condition!

I have said before that the concern shown by race officials has been troubling and this confirms it!  It took 4 days for them to get this right.....................

Our condolences to the families.

MICHAEL DUNLOP TAKES HIS 20th TT VICTORY

 Michael Dunlop takes his 20th TT victory in the 600 Supersport race on his Yamaha YZF-R6. He set a 600 lap record of 129.47 mph and won by a slim margin over Dean Harrison  He took the lead early and rode it like the pro that he is!  

His family has won 51 TT races over the years.  His uncle Joey won 26 TT's, his dad Robert won 5 and now he has 20 to date.

Michael Dunlop @ 53:3.953 with an average speed of 126.865 mph for 3 laps total

Dean Harrison @ 53:37.571

Peter Hutchinson @ 54:07.008

Davy Morgan Killed in the Supersport 600 Race

Northern Ireland native Davy Morgan had 27 years experience as a road racer..  He lost his life in the 600cc Supersport race this morning.

In a statement made in 2020, he said " being away from racing has given me the chance to reflect on what motorbike racing means to me, so I've no desire to retire from the sport for a while yet".

This is the third rider who has been killed this years.  

I was not impressed by the way the TT officials handled the incident. I saw no coverage of the accident at all during their coverage.  These guys are riding the most dangerous road race course in the world and they deserve all the respect!

 

Conor Cummins Places 2nd in the TT Superstock Race

The 2022 Isle of Man TT Superstock race has been run and Conor Cummins took 2nd place.  Conor is a local and I'm happy to see him doing well.  He earned it

He had a bad accident in 2010 on the Verandah and he has come back with an air of grace.  Today he set a fastest Superstock at at 133.1 mph....very cool!

Peter Hickman took 1st place 

Conor Cummins 2nd 

Davey Todd 3rd

Dean Harrison 4th

 

Olivier Lavorel Killed in 2022 TT Sidecar Races

French sidecar passenger Olivier Lavorel was killed following a crash at Ago's Leap.  The first sidecar race of the 2022 TT race was red flagged and later abandoned.  The driver, Cesar Chanel is in critical condition.

This is the second death in this years Isle of Man TT races.