Parts Chase

What a past week! I have been chasing and gathering parts like a Fox squirrel getting ready for winter. Last year at the Barber Vintage Antique Motorcycle weekend, I was surprised to find some of my buddies had planned a little roasting for me at the Saturday night dinner. Ed Dacus, Shane Dorton, Bob Collie and a few others convinced the musical legend, "Rusty McFarland" to rewrite the words to a Johnny Cash song named, "One Piece at a Time" into a story of the trials and tribulations of building a 1919 Harley Davidson, One piece at a time. . It was well written and perfectly described the past couple of years with this project. Someone recorded the presentation and put it on YouTube. (How does everything today end up on YouTube?) "One Piece at a Time" Written and performed by Rusty McFarland

All of my new wheels are at the Powercoat shop, Spoke kits are on the way, engine pistons and cylinders are getting fitted at Dale Spooner's Motion Machine Shop in Virginia. Motion Machine Shop - Harley JD Boring Cylinders.

Parts have been arriving everyday, meeting new folk’s everyday. There are many guys who are helping and coaching me through the steps to make this journey a success.

Jon Neuman, Dale Walksler, Tom Fesser, Michael Breeding, David Morrill, George Hood, Chuck Vogel and Calvin Burnett are just a few of the many people helping supply the parts chasing list.

Regarding Riding Gear, the collection of goodies include an Arlen Ness 3 layer all weather lightweight riding jacket. Decided to go with the Shoei Neotec modular helmet with the Uclear Bluetooth wireless communication system.

Mocking-up the VL front end for the JD frame. Installed Timken Tapered roller bearings in the frame neck
Have received all springer bushings and springs.

Gathering up all of my Harley VL wheel hubs for cleaning and lacing to the rims, when the spoke kits arrive.

Michael Breeding's Jiffy Kick stand is a must! After a full day of riding, trying to park a JD Harley on the rear stand will prove to be a total disaster to a tried rider. Money well spent!!!

A fresh start out of the gate

Little did I know, when making the statement, "Drop the Plow" what an impact that would actually have on progress toward getting ready. I knew there were several topics written in my Cannonball workbook, that needed attention in order to move forward. My topic titled "Parts Needed" had some very hard to find early Harley Davidson parts listed, that would help me assembly a spare engine. Saturday, a very good friend, Calvin Burnett invited me to his shop to pick up some Harley J pieces he wanted to donate to the project. When I arrived, he had this yellow plastic box, full of Old Harley pieces. It was a little treasure chest!

There were JD Rod sets, a shifter lever, a perfect J intake manifold, and many other very cool parts.

(That blue pen is NOT from 1919) :)

Calvin also gave me 2 very old original Harley rear wheels. The rims and spokes were trash, but the hubs and brake parts will help me build a spare rear wheel for my bike while running a 3,500 mile journey.

We used bolt cutters and cut the spokes loose to get the hubs.

Another topic in the workbook is my physical condition. It has been a few years since I have been involved in any real physical training. This morning, I started with walking one of our dogs around the neighborhood. That was interesting, so at 5am, my Boston terrier had to pee on every mail box in the neighborhood.

Other accomplishments included yesterday were:

Dropped off 4 new motorcycle rims at Rick's Powdercoat shop

Had new engine pistons shipped from Venolia in California to Dale Spooner's machine shop in Virginia.

Secured a Great all purpose riding Jacket from a Great buddy, Shane Dorton

(He says it’s too small for him)

Another very close friend, Jon Neuman, owner of Sagebrush Cycles in Texas, is sending me new spoke kits for my wheels and spare wheels. He is also digging me up a Harley camshaft, retainer bearing cages and a few other small parts for the spare engine I will have for the trip.

Spent a little time studying about helmets, and blue tooth communication systems. If you are going to spend 8 to 10 hours per day, and 16 days wearing a helmet, better make sure it is comfortable, and has some useful options. So far, I really like the Shoei Neotec - They are proud of that helmet!!!

Shoei NeoTec Helmet

Back Home - Time to drop the plow!!

Back home from our Florida vacation - had a great time with family and especially, Grandkids!!

My blog post is titled, "Time to drop the plow". I envision the past two weeks as a country farmer sitting on his tractor surveying his field. The task is Huge!! He has to plan his route, analyze his strategy, and prepare his equipment in order to reap the harvest. After he has a plan, there comes the important moment that he must drop the plow in the dirt and get after it.

The past 2 weeks for me have been similar. Moments to dream, collect my thoughts, analyze where I stand, at this point in time, and come to the reality that this "Trip of a Lifetime" can really happen. I have actually been listed in the 2014 Cannonball Run, longer than my short list in the 2012 event! I have started taking notes about the next years journey across America on a 1919 Harley Davidson. What started out as a few notes has now become a Blue Folder with many topic groups and detail notes concerning that topic. Things like, spare parts list, tool list, "to-do list, chasing parts list, you get the idea. As of today, that book has about 30 pages of notes, and growing everyday.

So after a week on vacation, I come home with a clear head, a direct plan of action, and willingness to achieve it. I call this moment, “Time to Drop the Plow”

 

                               

One of my deepest concerns has become what changes to the motorcycle do I make that will ensure a safe, dependable drive across America. A 1919 Harley Davidson did not have any front brakes, and riding one today on the streets would require good brakes. Since I have accumulated a vast supply of VL Harley parts, I decided to install a complete VL Harley front end. That would allow me a very strong front end with a nice front drum brake. So, out to the parts shed and dig out any extra VL front end parts. Wow, I nearly already have a complete front end.

                               

At the Beach

Trying really hard to enjoy the Beach!!