back from Japan

We just got back from another amazing trip to Japan for the Mooneyes Hot Rod & Custom Show. I dusted off my old Olympus OM-2 35mm camera to take since another "new" digital SLR was in need of repair, out of date, and worthless. Picked up prints from Costco last night. Feels good to hold em in your hands...more to come. All Fuji 800 through a 50mm 1.8 lens, handheld, no flash.

Thanks again Shige and everyone involved!

No phone, no pool, no pets...Analog Run

We were happy to join in and support our friend Caleb of Cro Customs and his much needed Analog Run idea. More info than that might be pushing it, but i am really looking forward to a weekend of riding, camping, and no phones...the blackout starts friday...

UL Motor and trans are done!

Picked up my '37 UL motor from Smokey's the other day and couldn't be happier! Nothing crazy here, just some reliable old side valve power. Factory aluminum heads, relieved 11-fin 74" cylinders, 0.040"-over pistons, stock cams and bottom end, 1965 XL auto advance timer.
I cut most the fins off the cam cover, cleaned up one of the heads from a past fin repair, redid the rough old  relieving job in the cylinders and ported the runners and the intake. Thanks Righteous Joe for the hook up on the cylinders! Thanks Paul for the exhaust valves in a heavy pinch! Thanks to Jeff in Oregon for the timer and possibly the last set of new chrome early valve covers that came through at the 11th hour. 
Anyway, it's done!

Spent the weekend working on my trans over at Domenic's garage under his watchful, knowledgeable, and helpful eyes. couple of parts hiccups, but i got it done. Put oversize kicker shaft bushings in yesterday and had Smokey hone them to fit the HD one-piece kick arm.

I do love spending time with either Domenic or Smokey because they are both highly experienced and very willing to teach those willing to learn. Thanks guys! Since i was a teenager i have tried to surround myself with people smarter than i am for this reason. 
Now i gotta get on finishing my frame!