RealSchool

Dud's Crew

2010-04-20T14:40:00.000-07:00

Dudley Perkins Hillclimb Team in 1931. Bike in center is 1930 DAH 509 (9th of 20 built), currently on display at WTT. Don't know if the hats were a mandatory part of the unis, but man do they look sharp.

Whoops

2010-04-20T14:38:00.000-07:00

Floyd Emde going over backwards at west coast hillclimb in 1948.
Machine is 1928 Indian Altoona 61" Serial Number 1 on display at Wheels Through Time

Cutdown!

2010-04-18T06:56:00.000-07:00

Left Tank......check.

Right Tank.....Check.

They fit, real nice.

Everyone loves a 3/4 rear. Got to get the seat tee welded up, then the seat goes off to Chuck at the Saddle Shop. John.....get your ass up here and lets finish these tanks. T-minus 31 days till big mountain. Its gonna be a push.

Cutdown Tank Progress

2010-04-08T08:11:00.000-07:00

Measure, remeasure, then measure again

Cut out the shaded sections.......

4 inches cut out on top and bottom, with a line connecting the two sections (front and back). Imagine the rear part of the tank just sliding forward. This keeps the gas cap and the bend of the top of the tank the same.

A few tack welds to hold it together

Perfect fit. Check out the pockets in the tank around the intake rockers. No interference. I hope the left tank fits this nice. I just finished cleaning it out and I think John's coming up on Sunday to go another round.

New Apparel For 2010 At Wheels Through Time

2010-03-26T12:16:00.000-07:00

The Crocker Burnout Tee.........awesome.

The Twin Cam Board Track Racer Tee..... If you thought they just started making twin cams over the last decade, you're in for a surprise.

Order these and lots of other new great stuff at the Wheels Through Time Online Store.

Cutdown Tanks

2010-03-26T12:06:00.000-07:00

Been working on the cutdown tanks with John. Cleaning them was hell. We cut 3.5 inches out of the right tank so far, and have them lined up to be welded back together.

Things are going nicely

the Con....

2010-03-18T12:30:00.000-07:00

We're moving right along on this one. General mock-up is complete. adjustable rake sidecar front end is permanently on and raked out as much as itll go. I'm thinking 21" in the front and a big 16" drag slick on the back. I rebuilt the transmission yesterday and plan on setting up the foot controls soon. Still LOTS of motorwork to do. We're running 80" wheels and my buddy Moe is hooking me up with a radical Sifton cam. Who's got high compression 80" stroker pistons?

Breaking ground on "The Con"

2010-03-17T07:47:00.000-07:00

I hope to finish the transmission today. I'll post some pics when I get a chance.

George Wills

2010-03-15T06:39:00.000-07:00

14-time (in a row) Vintage Flat Track National Champion, on his KR.

His WR gas tank

Patriotism...

2010-03-11T07:11:00.000-08:00

Long before Evel, Harry Molenaar rode this 41 "Stars n Stripes" WLDR to 1/2-mile glory.

Drivin' from the sidecar

2010-03-10T12:47:00.000-08:00

Appropriately parked in the Handicapped spot

Unique, to say the least

Throttle, spark advance, brakes, clutch, and kicker....all accessible from inside the sidecar.

Tire Tossin'

2010-03-10T12:33:00.000-08:00

Good form.....

Cutdown!

2010-03-06T09:11:00.000-08:00

Light enough?

2010-03-03T09:22:00.000-08:00

More from Death Valley 2008

2010-03-03T06:08:00.000-08:00

Drag racing at Bonnie Claire Dry Lake. Nobody beats The Big Fish.

After the races, you're burning fumes to get the 50 miles back to Beatty.

...Not in Death Valley. Somewhere in Bryce or Zion NP in Utah.

Old dirty primary cover....Check.

2010-03-01T15:10:00.000-08:00

The Cutdown is coming along nicely...

Why Death Valley is one of the best places to ride in the world.....

2010-03-01T11:08:00.000-08:00

Dry lakes racing. Where else can you jump out onto a dry lake any day of the week and put old bikes to their limits. This particular stretch is about 4 miles by 4 miles and about as smooth as glass.

The world coasting championships......kind of. This particluar stretch of road is just past Panamint Springs when leaving Death Valley. Imagine cutting off your ignition, then coasting for about 45 minutes. Nothing but the sound of wind and tires. Its way too much fun, a little dangerous, and a great way to save gas. Hell, half of your riding is up hill, and the other half is downhill, so you almost do about 200 miles a tank. Not bad for 3.5 gallon tanks and a linkert. The best part.....at the bottom of the hill is Panamint Springs. Coast in, have a couple of beers, then ride out.

The Road to Darwin

2010-03-01T10:59:00.000-08:00

50 miles from nowhere, deep inside Death Valley National Park, lies Darwin, CA. Once California's largest city, today you'd never know its there. This photo was taken about 10 miles from Darwin, on a 40 mile dirt road through the desert. Our buddy Napa Dave has a "winter home" there. Actually, its more of a remote party spot way back in the boonies.

The Holy Grail

2010-03-01T10:50:00.000-08:00

Wish I knew where this one went.

Springer

2010-03-01T10:12:00.000-08:00

The pops teaching Jay Springsteen how to ride a tank shift back in 1976.

Adjusta-glide

2010-02-22T11:22:00.000-08:00

There's something about the adjustable rake hydraglide fork...... Its a great way to give a little bit more attitude to any stock bike or hydraglide bobber. I spent an hour or so digging up parts for this one...old black tins, original paint trees, raw legs.

Destination -- dual carb pan bobber.

The Brick Wall Bike

2010-02-19T13:29:00.000-08:00

Found behind a brick wall in a Chicago apartment building in 1967........the one and only Traub. Dated to 1916, no evidence of exactly when/where it was built or who built it. 80-inch sidevalve w/ a 3 speed (HDs first sidevalve, 3spd, 80" was in 1936!!!)

The bike is an inspiration. If you haven't seen it....stop on by.

Then and Now......

2010-02-15T11:40:00.000-08:00

Circa 1950, after being donated to The Henry Ford Museum by W.F. Thomas.

Circa 1990, after sitting idle in the Ford museum's basement for 50 years.

Circa 1992, this time in color, at Wheels Through Time.

Now, in its present form....the 1909 Reading Standard 1000cc Factory Boardtrack Racer.

One of one in existance. Perhaps the most rare and intricate early American racing motorcycle on the planet. I've heard it run only twice...once in 1994 and once in 2009. Its guaranteed to give you hearing loss and will send chills throughout. One of my favorite motorcycles ever built.

I've been getting into putting kickstands on teens bikes lately

2010-02-12T11:22:00.000-08:00

Dominator

2010-02-11T10:36:00.000-08:00

The Bluegrass Stash

2010-02-09T14:33:00.000-08:00

PARTS FOR SALE!!!

Just went and picked up a pile of old stuff from my dads buddy in Kentucky. 3 VLs, a JD, sidecars, more fenders than you can imagine, oem springer forks....the list goes on.

If you're looking for parts call me anytime at the museum -- (828) 926-6266

Harley CAC

2010-02-04T12:04:00.000-08:00

This time....with a helmet.

2010 AMCA Southern National -- May 14-16,

2010-02-04T11:53:00.000-08:00

Be there!

Sidestand!

2010-02-04T11:36:00.000-08:00

Found this old accessory Sidestand today. So bitchin. I stared at it for about 15 minutes trying to figure out how it mounts. Hooks over the front floorboard loop on the frame and clamps around the dpwntube. Purdy sturdy.

Its going on my Dad's 1915 HD Cannonball bike. You don't see a '15 on a kickstand much. Its got a whole new attitude.

Since we've been talking about Harry Molenaar......

2010-02-03T08:23:00.000-08:00

The Molenaar Special

This little jewel was built by Harry's guys in the service department sometime in the late 40s early 50s. XA boxer type engine, shaft drive.

Today.....

From the cockpit...

Going Up?

2010-01-28T09:04:00.000-08:00

Harry Molenaars DAH. Bought from the factory in 1933.

For Sale: '38 and '47 Knucklehead

2010-01-27T06:54:00.000-08:00

1938 Stroker Knucklehead. OG Early Knuck frame, fork, fenders. Lots of nice little parts on this one. Right dash and speedo, right toolbox, etc. Call (828) 926-6266 or email me at mattw@wheelsthroughtime.com

1947 Knucklehead. Period modified machine. Bike was in Mexico for some time in the '70s, then bought and stored in US since 1979.

Kerry's New KR Lowboy

2010-01-20T10:04:00.000-08:00

This is my friend Kerry Piggots, new 68 KR Lowboy that he got at the Las Vegas Auction. Kerry plans on racing it in New Zealand and Australia later this year. Good Luck Kerry!

Can you imagine coming of turn 4 in Daytona at about 150 on one of these?

Dual Carbs, Frame built by the famous Ralph Bernt on the same frame table we're building the cutdown on.

Harry Molenaar -- Mid 1930s

2010-01-20T08:52:00.000-08:00

Illiana Speedway -- Harley CAC

Davenport 1/2 Day Knucklehead Build

2010-01-20T06:59:00.000-08:00

Davenport might be the only place you can round up the right guys to build a knucklehead in a 1/2 day.

Original paint '46 in a barn since '52

3 hours in....

Crank it up

Mystery Motor #1

2010-01-20T06:44:00.000-08:00

Any history on this motor would be appreciated. Koslow OHV Heads, unknown cylinders, VL bottom end with unmachined timer boss on the cam cover.

The Legends Ride, Sturgis 2009

2010-01-20T06:38:00.000-08:00

Thanks Mike!

His name is Tater.....

2010-01-06T09:06:00.000-08:00

...In full armor

Big Moe and the Big Fish

2010-01-06T08:59:00.000-08:00

Moe's been helping out around the museum for as long as anyone can remember. Dudes about as cool as it gets, and has more than a few stories that'll blow your mind. As for the Big Fish.....nasty Knuckle stroker with a homemade swingarm frame. You couldn't tell by the looks, but its the fastest old bike I've ever seen.

It Fits!

2010-01-04T10:36:00.000-08:00

Fit the motor temporarily. Everything lines up nice. I'm already dreaming about riding it.

Oh...my...god....

2010-01-01T13:03:00.000-08:00

Quite possibly the most baddass thing I've ever seen.

8-valve heads, mated to an altoona bottom end. I've never seen removable 8 valve heads. Look at those pipes.

I know....its hard to believe. Wheelies? Are you kidding me? Clocked at 158 mph during a race last year.

I love this bike

2010-01-01T07:28:00.000-08:00

'29 H-D JDH Stroker Cutdown. If you can start it, you can ride it!

1940 Daytona Winner

2009-12-30T06:10:00.000-08:00

Babe Tancrede from Woonsocket, RI on a '39 WLDR

As it sits today....

For Sale: '47 Knucklehead Chopper

2009-12-29T08:57:00.000-08:00

Ok.....here it is. It don't get much better than a period 60s/70s Knucklehead Chopper.

Freshly rebuilt motor, OEM HD Springer stretched out to about 6 over. We got it running last night for the first time in who knows how long.

Nice and clean, with a 30-40 year old period paint job to boot.

It could be yours for $16,500! Give me a shout at mattw@wheelsthroughtime.com.

The Chout and the Skief

2009-12-29T07:27:00.000-08:00

Our buddy Earl in Indiana turned us on to these two beauties. Both owned by the same guy.

The Chout

Chief motor in a scout frame. Can't wait to get this thing running.

The Skief

Scout motor in the Chief chassis. There is no doubt that the old fella cared more about going fast on the track than he did on the road.

All you need is 10 bucks!

2009-12-29T07:17:00.000-08:00

And you can win this 1947 Knucklehead this coming November 2010. Built right here in the Wheels Through Time Restoration shop by myself and my dad. Painted by our good brother John Dills. Check out http://www.wheelsthroughtime.com/ to get your tickets!

Upcoming Projects....

2009-12-28T10:53:00.000-08:00

A few months back, I started building a 1916 Harley Cutdown. A chopper from the teens/twenties you might say. Progress is coming along well.

Read about it in CycleSouce in my monthly "Fire and The Wheel" column.

Motor and Tranny work are done. Heres the vision before we started cutting the frame.

The point of no return........

Strung out....I mean strung up.

Mocked up for the first time. It sits low...about 3" ground clearance. Check out the difference between the frame from pic 1 to pic 4.

Upcoming Projects...

2009-12-28T09:43:00.000-08:00

Found these dual carbi panheads at the Eustis,FL Swap last year. Modified by one George Smith of S&S back in the 60s.

A peek inside........Nice and smooth

And some big old huge valves. The perfect heads to hit 140 at Maxton next year.

As real as it gets.....

2009-12-28T09:31:00.000-08:00

The 1940 Hemi-head Crocker here at the museum. Had it out on the road once.....best day of my life. 95mph / 15.25 seconds in the quarter. The first real American superbike!