Thursday, November 30, 2017

Smokey at Indy

From the mind of Smokey Yunick, testing for Indianapolis in 1964 with Bobby John. Smokey wasn't afraid to try anything.

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

1928 Miller Indy

1928 was the first year Eddie Rickenbacker presided over the Indy 500. Leon Duray's stunning supercharged front wheel drive Miller dominated the first half of the race with a blistering 122 mph average lap. Sadly the car was later force out of the race with overheating problems.


I remember checking an Indy 500 book out of the school library in 2nd grade and starring at the 1928 page for days. If I was forced to pick a single most beautiful car of all time I'm pretty confident it would be a Miller.

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Monday, November 27, 2017

Norley Davidton

Hmm. Someone decided it was time to make their Knucklehead handle. The fabrication and engineering it actually pretty impressive.

Sunday, November 26, 2017

Michael Breeding Update

I was pleased to hear from my old friend Michael Breeding the other day, second friend from my old stomping grounds in a week. Awesome people, I miss those guys.

Michael had some beautiful photos shot of his shop and motorcycles recently. Too good not to share.

Mike's 1938 HD U is one of my favorite bikes on the planet. Perfect year in a fantastic color combination. Same year and model as my brother's Cossack Team bike.
I was with Mike at a show a handful and his 1939 Chief was parked next to the U above. You don't get to compare the same vintage HD and Indian side-by-side like that often, it was a pretty cool experience. Had I been trying to decide which to buy in early 1939 I'm not sure I know which why to go...
Mike's 1933 VLD is an incredibly rare and original beauty. 
Michael's Yellow Dog '51 Chief Bobber hot rod, like a lot of his bikes, has been the test bed for a lot of the parts he develops, manufactures sells. I can say from spending some time around his shop his stuff better than stock and thoroughly tested. If his parts last multiple seasons on a Cossack bike you know they are good.
I've actually ridden Michael's 1951 Vincent Black Shadow. I generally live by the rule that I will not ride a vintage motorcycle I can't afford to replace. When Michael generously offered to let me ride his Vincent it was simply impossible to say no. I gotta say... I thought it was worth the hype. It is a fantastic motorcycle. 
Michael built the Brampton fork on this bike. He mentioned he's currently on fork #7 of his last lot of 20. Again, these are a part that is better than new and require an almost unfathomable amount of labor. I suspect that's why this is his last batch. 

It was really good to hear from you Michael. Come up for the AMCA Tenino Swap Meet some time and Rob and I will give you the old motorcycle tour up here.

Saturday, November 25, 2017

Dayton 1970

Inside the Triumph garage for the 1970 Daytona 200. 
Dick Mann, (in the Honda shirt stops by for a visit) Gary Nixon, Percy Tait, Gene Romero and Mike Hailwood..



Friday, November 24, 2017

Thursday, November 16, 2017

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Ace Classics

A couple of weeks ago I had a 9 hour layover at Heathrow and made crazy call to jump five trains down to Ace Classics. I'd never been to Europe before and don't know if I'll ever be back so.... I had hoped to chat with Cliff or Kev a bit (I've talked to them on the phone a good bit placing orders) and that didn't really play out. I only had about 30 minutes or so at the shop but it was probably worth it.


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