New Brakes

I have been wondering about my decision to ride this bike in its original condition. The brakes are next to nothing, which becomes challenging in traffic. So we have been trying to come up with a solution. The boys back home sent word they come up with a plan they thought would help, and had forwarded the parts to Wichita. I was excited to finally be getting some help.

We got the box from and front desk, and went to work with the installation. Thankfully they included instructions.

So within minutes I was ready to go

Stage 7

Stage 7 started in Springfield Missouri with a ride to Wichita Kansas. Beautiful riding, but some nasty black clouds were waiting. Not long after we stated, it became obvious were going to get wet.

It rained so hard I could hardly se the road at times, but the bike never missed a lick. Arriving at the lunch stop, with even worse weather headed our way, the organizers called the day.

The day officially ended at the Twisted Oz Motorcycle Museum. The fed all the riders, and we enjoyed the museum.

Days 3 thru 6

the pace moves awfully fast on these rally's. Riding 250 miles at 40 mph, then doing the events, then working on the bike makes for a long day. The attrition rate has been higher than 2014, and everyone is having problems keeping the bikes going. The organizers added 30 minutes to our grace period at the end of each day, which will help bikes make it in if they are having problems.

The days seem to blend together, with the exception of day 4. At about 165 miles the bike started losing power. I tried adjusting the carb on the fly, but at mile 170 wound up on the side of the road. Checking the valves, I found the front intake flopping loose, so l pulled the intake dome and the spring had completely collapsed. I tried to remove the tappets and run it as a single, but with the intake, not sealing, my day was over. I got my first ride on the bus. Along night later the bike was up and running, with complete scores on days 5 and 6.

Each day brings a new challenge with these bikes. It's amazing how much difference a few years in design and development was made during this period. It's completely different from the experience I had with the 29 Indian. So far we have lined 3 brake bands, changed 3 head gaskets, 4 intake seals, 1 intake seal, solder a leaking fuel tank, and nursed a poorly designed clutch.

But we're still in it, and heading for California. It's 6 am, and time to make the donuts.

Day 2

Day 2 was another tuff day. The mountains of Pennsylvania and West Virginia are a bit much for a 100 year old single speed motorcycle. More problems with the clutch, brakes, and valves. Quickly going through my supply of brake linings. It is suppose to flatten out tomorrow, so hoping for the best.

Saturday nights action in the parking lot

Tonight we got to work on them inside the Harley dealer in Morgantown.

Still running with all the miles, so we rebuild it to go again tomorrow.

Day 1

6:00 am in Atlantic City. Nervous Anticipation. The common attitude seems to be that with this old a bike, you just never know. It all starts at 8:10. I can only hope for the best, and maybe a little luck!

10:00 am everyone is ready at the boardwalk.

The he route for Stage 1 was tuff due to the red lights, heat and traffic. It is pretty hard to ride a 7 hp single speed motorcycle in a contested city . The congestion stayed with us for most of 150 mile first day, taking its toll on a lot of bikes.

We finished the 1st day with a blown head gasket, worn brake, and a abused clutch, but we got all the miles without penalty. Repairs were completed by 9:00 pm, and tomorrow's route is loaded. We get in some mountains tomorrow, so we will she how she climbs.

Atlantic City

Ready to sign in.

Showtime

the final preparations for the 2016 Cannonball were a little different than I had planned. I was hoping to be going over small details, but the indian had other plans. Between stuck rings, stripped buttress threads, sticking valves, and broken valve domes the stress level remained intense right up to the end. i have to thank my buddies at Perpetual Machine Co for all the help in getting these issues sorted out. They really stepped up!

So with odometers and tool kits mounted, # plates secured, and the van all packed, Team 96 is ready to head north to Atlantic City. It doesn't seem possible that it is here. It seems like yesterday we were heading to Daytona for the 2014 Cannonball. I can only hope this one is as good.

Team 96 is ready to go!