Cossack Family HIstory

I lifted this photo of Zach off the Seattle Cossack's FB page and couldn't resist re-posting it (sorry Zach).

 Zach, the present Team Captain's son, just turned 18 and has been riding with the team for a couple of years now. There 75+ years of these sorts of family stories around the Cossacks. The team has pretty compelling legacy from a load of different angles besides just motorcycle history.

Happy Birthday, Zach.

South Prairie Fly-In - 2015

I have gushed here several times before about Cawley's South Prairie Fly-In. Vintage airplanes, cars motorcycles all in a beautiful, informal and neighborly setting, it's like the world's coolest block party. It's easily the show I most look forward to every year.

With Jim Cawley's passing this past year I was worried the event might not take place this year. I was extremely pleased to hear the event is scheduled for May 9, 2015. Be there!

This video gives a better feel for the aviation component than still photos can.

Washington License Plates

I love to see a vintage bike with with the correct year vintage plate. That said, I'm thankful I've never had much an urge to collect vintage motorcycle license plates...

I paid less than most of these for my entire present running project bike.

Dirt Quake USA 2015

June 20-21 2015. Pretty damn good time last year. I have to go again. Castle Rock Raceway WA.

State Trooper on Indian Motorcycle

Another gem fed from Flathead Rob's Shorpy habit.

New York - circa 1920

Entombed Norton

Ever stumble across a bike project you can't get out of your head? This 1935 Norton Model 20 is one I'm kind of obsessing over. It's one of several Nortons owned by a friend of mine's late father. I can't give up where the bikes are located so no need to bother asking.

End To End

Pretty interesting photo in my personal opinion. Pictured below are the very first and latest motorcycle projects completed by my brother and I.

The 1974 Yamaha GTMX 80 is the first motorcycle Flathead Rob and I brought home. It was a non-runner at the time. Rob loaned me the $130 to buy it through a newspaper classified ad. I've owned it damn near 40 years. The photo below is the earliest one I could find. The subjects are my grandparents. I'd guess photo was taken in the late 1970's. I rode that bike until late 1981. I just got it running again and cleaned up for my 10 year old to ride last week.

The 1948 Indian Chief is the most recent bike completed by the "Root Brothers." I found the bike through a business associate in 2011. It had been hidden away in a shed since 1985.

 The bike came with some really cool documentation. We have some reason to suspect the bike came came from Rudolph Indian in Tulsa Oklahoma.

Rob was careful to preserve some of the legacy. We were even able to track down a Rudolph Bros Indian family member.

Triumph in The USA

1911 Fiat - Beast of Turin

The video has been everywhere recently but I'm posting it anyway as several of my friends have not seen it. The engine in this Fiat S76 is 1729 c.i. (28.5 liters). The Old Motor has a very nice writeup on it. Yet one more reason the Goodwood Festival Speed has been top of motorsports event bucket list for the last several years.

Baby Chop

The minute the "Baby Bike" is done I'm gonna steal and chop it.

Daredevil

When was the last time you prepared for a wall of fire stunt on your $45,000 Knucklehead?

Dealer Decals

I spotted this in the upcoming Bonhams auction. Too cool.