Harley Davidson K Model Drag Bike

I found this picture on the internet ...very cool !

Start Them Young

From Classic Moto-Cycles to BlackThorn International

After operating as Classic Moto-Cycles for the last 15 years I have decided to change the name of my business to BlackThorn International.  The name Classic Motorcycles and Motorcycle Classics has been used way too much so I needed to distance myself from these other operations to avoid confusion.  The name of the blog will remain unchanged...thank you for your support !

The services I will be offering going forward are in areas that I have gained some experience over the years. 

: Buying and selling interesting motorcycles
: Custom builds and restorations as I see fit. 
: Exporting and crating of motorcycles for overseas shipment and crating for domestic sales
: Appraisals of collections and individual motorcycles.  Pre-purchase inspections
: Consignment sales. 

I know that most people don't need any assistance with the sale of their collections but there are some who would appreciate an honest appraisal and the benefit of selling a collection without dealing with individual sales and auction houses.  Auction houses charge a premium and sometimes your expectations and the companies expectations are not the same.

I have quite a bit of experience with antique motorcycles but I am now reevaluating what a vintage motorcycle may be.

The bikes built in 1980's and 90's are now coming into their own and the Suzuki GSX-R's and Ducati 916's and 996's as well as racing motorcycles by Honda, Yamaha and others are very interesting so I am educating myself on some of these classics.

If I can be of assistance please give me a call.

Tim Drennen
BlackThorn International
951-992-9839

Race of Gentlemen Harley Davidson Flathead 45 For Sale

I recently picked this little Harley Davidson 45 up and got it ready to race.  The new genre of Vintage Motorcycle Racing has really changed the antique motorcycle world.  I read an article recently where a motorcycle enthusiast was ready to give up on motorcycles and then he was invited to the Race of gentlemen event which completely changed his view point on old bikes.

A person (yes guys and gals) can now get into these old machines and actually use them.  With the advent of such events as The Cannonball, Race of Gentlemen and the Sons of Speed event put on by the Lane brothers these bikes are taking a good second breath.

The pictured motorcycle is for sale and is located in SOCAL

This is a nearly complete race ready Harley 45" flathead motorcycle that needs very little to have up and running. Would make a cool Race of Gentlemen motorcycle.
You are welcome to come look at it BUT please don't come with low ball offers. NO TITLE

Rebuilt Harley 45" engine with .30 over pistons Serial #57G1245
Rebuilt 3 speed transmission
Rebuilt primary drive
Original Linkery M88 carb ( was told it was rebuilt)
Original 3 bolt frame, missing dash mount
18" front wheel with new 18 X 4.50 Coker tire
5 X 16 rear wheel with old Goodyear tire
The original pre-40 tanks are sealed and prepped
Original Harley WLA rear fender
The handlebars are Indian and I do have some internal parts and cables that will work with these bars. You will need to purchase the  grips.  If you prefer I will change the bars out to a new set of period correct bars but the spirals will not work with them. 
A new set of WR style exhaust pipes  If you are local and pick the bike up I will include a set of custom pipes but they do need some adjustment.
Original Harley RL front fork and brake. They are chrome but still nice.
The bike is wired for a distributor ignition only set up. You may need to play with it as well as set timing.
Includes the oil lines,battery box lid, fuel shutoff,and I will install the foot boards with new Colony hardware. I believe the footboards are original but don't hold me to it.

NEEDS:
Battery
Hook up the oil lines, missing the tank nipples and banjo bolt
Gas line not included
Front brake cable
Clutch pedal return spring
Brake return spring

For around $300 in parts and a few hours you will have a running motorcycle. If you think my price is too high please check the prices on Harley Davidson 45 parts.

SOLD

You can call me at 951-992-9839

1934 VL Restoration on Adventure Rider Site

If you are interested in old Harley VL restoration info check this site out.  It's a very detailed account of a restoration on a 1934 VLD .  After the bike was restored he rode it across the country, very cool !

http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/1934-harley-vld-rebuild.929371/#post-22617846

The Harley Davidson VL had a rather rocky start in 1930  There were numerous oiling and overheating problems that sent The Company back to the drawing board until it became a fairly reliable bike with good power for it's time.

I never liked the VL's until the last couple of years and they have kind of grown on me.  I had the makings of a 1934 VLD but sold everything when I got sick.  Here are some specs I gathered out of Steve Slocombes' book...

29 hp for the high compression (ok...relatively speaking) VLD
529 pound dry weight
A "Y" manifold was introduced for the 1934 model
Drop forged steel I-beam forks
Removable Ricardo designed cylinder heads (more on this later )
Dow metal pistons
Drop center rims for safety
Lower seat height than the J Model Harleys

Arguably, the VLD was faster than the JDH Model that it replaced.  I still want a JDH however !
This is not a blindingly fast motorcycle but who cares... I'm not either
Hmmm.....would it go from sea to shining sea ?

Good to be Back

SPRING of 2017.. IT'S BEEN INTERESTING BUT STILL HERE !!

I have been off line for quite a while due to unforeseen life events.  I had been sick off and on all during 2015 and couldn't figure out what was going on.  I saw multiple doctors but was not diagnosed until the spring of 2016.  It turns out that I had been battling cancer for that whole time.  After it was determined that I had Hodgkins Lymphomia.  We went through a year of chemotherapy and recovery and I am thankful to still be alive.  Anyway, enough about all of that.

I will be heading to Phoenix, AZ on Wednesday to pick up the start of a 1935 Harley Davidson VLD flathead project.  The plan is to build it and do some fund raising rides to support cancer survivors and those afflicted with the most horrible disease... Alzheimer's and Dementia.  I know this is a site dedicated to motorcycles but it is the people that make life worth living.

I will keep you updated on the project and on motorcycle history as time goes by...  stay tunes for more musings of a motorcycle aficionado .  I'll try to make it interesting and I appreciate all the support and prayer over the last few years.