Lathe 2.0

I've been looking everywhere for a Pre-Unit front wheel bearing sleeve/spacer (part #37-0761) for my '61. Sourcing some Pre-Unit parts has gotten a lot more challenging since Keith Moore passed away. Having a lathe does however open a door or two. Sourcing 1" cold rolled stock on a weekend is apparently the new problem. The big end is actually 1.0625" so not even 1" stock would work. I worked around that. I found a 1" x 8" bolt at Ace Hardware. The sleeve I "borrowed" as a pattern from English Stephen's parts stash is on the right (Shhh, don't tell him).



Fast forward a few hours... My shiny new part #37-0761 is on the left. What-do-you-know. I did learn something at Highland High School after all.



If I ever start building bikes for a living I just jumped from $2.00 and hour to about $1.25 once you factor in my rusty machinist chops and cleanup time.



That said, the added capability is priceless. It's cool to finally make a part that doesn't has some obvious flaw like you get making crap with hacksaws and files. Hell, it was kinda fun. Thanks again Mike!

Speed-Bird Update

English Stephen's project is coming along nicely. These photos of his head should give some indication of how cool this bike is going to be. I suspect Lurker Tom might recognize that head.




That twin carb intake manifold is too rad. Below is an original catalog listing. Something tells me Stephen's intake was more than $12.15.



All he needs is a pair of 175/041 Amal TT's and he's good to go.




One of my favorite aspects of Stephen's approach to things is how meticulously he plans everything. The following is just an example. He and Flathead Rob share some personality traits in a serious way.



I can't wait to see more.
SpeedBird.

Motorcycle Cannonball 2012

The Motorcycle Cannonball starts today. I sure wish they were still coming through my neck of the woods. The previous Cannonball was one of the coolest motorcycle experiences I've ever had.

Ran Hard When Parked

1954 Harley KH (Belen, New Mexico)

1954 K H Harley, it is in very poor condition. It would be a good project to do. It has set for over 45 years now, this was my dad's. He raced it back in the 50's and 60's with the AMA. Harley gave this bike to him to race for them, then they gave him the title to it in 1963 . I have: bike, title, leathers boots, skid plate, pictures, trophies, AMA card to show for this bike. Complete history. Please only interested callers (505) 859-1100 Kathryn. Thanks for looking.



It's a pretty cool bike with cool history that needs to be rescued.

Lathe Update

I spent some time cleaning up and lubricating the new Atlas. Once it was clean the obvious next step was to get it dirty.



A short while later that night I had a replacement petcock bung. Not a very exciting first part but it is SO cool to have the new capability. I was worried about the space it takes but I suspect it will be easily justified before long. Too cool.

Photos

There's a great photo post over at BubbleVisor, some I have seen before and some I have not. Check 'em out.

Orbited When Parked

1922 Harley Davidson twin jet engine powered "board tracker."

Suzuki GT750S Vallelunga

I remember seeing a Suzuki GT 750 pull into gas station while my parents were filling up when I was about 8. Frankly it was probably the sound that really made the impression. I have loved them ever since. The only flaw is that lovely engine is in a pretty homely chassis. I've thought for quite some time a Featherbed framed "Water Buffalo" would make a pretty cool project.



Italian designers may well have shared my view. The Suzuki GT750S Vallelunga was based on the regular Suzuki GT750 triple introduced in 1971. The Vallelunga limited edition was based on the disc-braked GT750K created by SAIAD, Suzuki’s Italian importer. Less than 200 units were made (possibly as few as 85) just so the bike could run in the 1973 Italian championship races. It may not be a Featherbed based bike but it certainly has the classic Dunstall look about it.

Ran When Parked

1940 Indian 440 four cylinder

Ran When Parked

This is the bike that started it all for me. It's still as beautiful to me now as it was then.



My Dad took my into the local Honda dealership because he was shopping for a lawn mower. I saw this and thought "Holy crap! They make real live motorcycles for kids! Why didn't anyone tell me?!" I'd seen minibikes and never cared about them, they weren't real motorcycles. From that point on it's all I ever thought about. I'm a lucky guy to have Flathead Rob for a big brother. He loaned my the money to buy my first non-runner and in very short order with his help it became a runner I rode the tire off of. Without him I doubt I ever would have found the means to actually buy a bike or learned how to keep one running. It's still just as true today.

I can't thank you enough Rob. You influenced many of the absolute best aspects in my life. In turn we have Dad to thank for a lot of what you taught me.

Atlas 618

I had something new follow me home this weekend, an Atlas No. 618 6" lathe. I spent a good part of the day yesterday cleaning off some of the crud and lubing everything. I also located an operator's manual. The 618 was offered in a special Armature Lathe configuration with a Commutator Kit and an Undercutter Attachment. I'm pretty confident that's how this one was born because in addition to having the above mentioned accessories the ways are are inscribed with "Herb's Auto Service."



There are a handful of miscellaneous small parts I'll need to chase down, the first being a tool post rocker but as a whole it seems like a nice little lathe. I did get far enough to fire it up and play with it a little last night. I don't think I've done anything on a lathe since 1988. I already have two parts for the '61 in the fab queue. It sure is going to be nice to have the option to make odds and ends occasionally. Thanks again Mike!

Davenport

There are some nice Davenport photos over at the Zon.