May 26, 2012
Tune-In and take Flight
Keeping on the theme of Radio Flyer here’s a custom v-twin in resplendent red enamel and white forks paying homage to every American boys first ‘vehicle’.
A lot of work goes into these special builds and in this case it certainly shows. Long straight roads, SoCal sun and a twist of the wrist & off you go!
May 3, 2012
BBC NEWS May 3rd 2012
The owner has been found of a Harley-Davidson that drifted to Canada after being swept out to sea in the 2011 Japanese tsunami. Details from the motorcycle’s licence plate helped to locate Ikuo Yokoyama.
According to CBC News, Mr Yokoyama lost his home and three family members in the tsunami. The shop that sold the motorcycle to Mr Yokoyama is now hoping to ship the Harley-Davidson back to Japan and restore it.
The Harley-Davidson motorcycle was discovered by Peter Mark on 18 April on the coast of an island in British Columbia. Mr Mark said it was caked with “a lot of corrosion, a lot of rust”, but that he could see the manufacturer’s distinctive logo.
Ikuo Yokoyama told Japanese TV he had bought the bike five years ago
The Canadian realised that the bike could be part of the tsunami debris after he noticed that licence plate was from Miyagi prefecture, the area hardest hit by the March 2011 disaster.
Mr Yokoyama’s bike was inside a large white container he was using as a storage shed, which eventually washed away, leaving the bike partially buried in sand.
“This is unmistakably mine,” Mr Yokoyama told Nippon TV when shown photos of the motorcycle. “It’s miraculous.”
He told the Japanese TV station NHK that he wished to thank the man who found it personally.
In February, US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) officials said currents would carry much of the debris 4,000 miles (6,400km) to the coasts of Alaska, Canada, Washington and Oregon between March 2013 and 2014.
Lighter items, such as buoys and bottles, have been among the first to wash ashore on the continent. Last month a football found in Alaska was returned to its owner and a derelict fishing boat was sunk by USCG due to its endangering shipping lanes off Alaska.
April 22, 2012
Springfield MA to Milwaukee WI
American Iron: The swap meet was well represented with Harleys; about 80 percent was glitzy fittings for your Hydra-King-Fat-Glide, not my cup of tea; but a few older pieces caught my eye. This old tank with suicide gear knob is mechanical art to some eyes.
Elsewhere an eye-catching Indian in gloss black sat proudly. A true classic whose lines still hold their beauty. A Garbo, Grable or Gish from the age of the first talkies.
This tank shows off the shiny controls and dials, the Indian Head medallion completes the delicious detail.
Finally, there was an old Knucklehead Harley Davidson, in original condition sitting by itself drawing many onlookers. In this condition these are worth a good $45k; some would say a further $20k to restore. Me? I would get the engine running, all controls greased, new tires, an ‘oily rag’ polish and ride it the way it is; a time-worn patina that looks perfect. This is a ’39 EL. A rugged Clark Gable to match the Hollywood belle’s mentioned above.
August 8, 2011
Custom Bobber Bonnie Indiana style
On weekend trip to Fort Wayne Indiana we stoped in at Pierceton, a small town on Route 30. A couple rode in on a pair of bikes; one with a distinctive twin sound, parallel rather than 45 degree V. Here’s the well built chopper with Bonnie engine; hard tail, forward controls and nice hefty (but not too big) forks and well valanced fenders. The split harley tank with green flame set it off.
Seperate octagon oil tank, long brake rod and low-slung battery box, typical details for this chopperization of a Brit Iron.
July 17, 2011
Wheels Through Time: the museum that keeps on runnin’
Last couple of fun items from the museum: the Coca Cola Chopper, customized in true sixties style as well as a gas tank with cool looking ice cubes built into the metal…
A ride sitting out in the sun, where it should be, looking road weary; it certainly should be after the thousands on miles from its ride across the US in the Cannonball Run last year. Bikes had to be older than 1920 to run. Dedicated bikers indeed! This was Dave Walkslers 1915 Harley Davidson, he came in 11th after 3292 memorable miles.
July 16, 2011
Hardly Dee at the Musee
A large selection of HD’s from the last hundred years or so filled the museum, the waft of engine fumes tinged the air. They still fired many of these up! One racing specimen was kicked into life while I was there, a hearty roar and pungent gasoline smell. Heart thumpin’ stuff!
An early forties WLA, 45 cu. inches WWII machine (80,000+ built)
1928 JD, here in fetching blue trim.
Model F (1915 on) Early 61 cu. inches (1000cc) V-Twin configuration; this one with original patina: marvellous!
Flathead engine (side valve) used in HD’s between the 30’s and 50’s. Here a U model with recirculating lubrication; the Squirt logo adorning the oil pump! Ribbed side cover aids cooling.
1933 VLE 74 cu. inches. Beautiful bird tank graphic for this year only.
XR750: Dirt-Track racer extraordinaire!
July 15, 2011
Wheels through Time
Whilst driving through North Carolina we stopped at Maggie Valley where a little gem of a place resides: the Wheels Through Time Museum. A building filled with American Motorcycles from the teens of last century up through to the seventies. Harleys mostly, but well worth a visit to see the set up they have. Biking paraphenalia also colours the exhibit. Lovely machines. I’ll start a few days run with this Evel Knievel XR stunt bike…
Don’t forget your lunchbox boy!
geordiebiker.com 