Does Your Knucklehead Have A Custom Tool Bag?

Got a 37' Knucklehead in your shop, well Hodge does and now a custom tool bag to grace the bike being built

Doing custom work for a variety of clientele is an absolutely great feeling. Much of the leather work is done via etsy or just the random email coming in through facebook or friends of friends passing the word around. Needless to say, we can't thank every single customer enough and looking forward to all the projects rolling through the shop doors daily.

Miniature Knucklehead Engine Built For Show And Go

One of the best things that a father or any parent for that matter can pass down, is knowledge. I got lucky and have a great dad, who can work on anything under the sun and make it perform better. One of the cool things to learn from, was seeing mechanical items being torn apart and fixed. It might be a lawn mower one weekend or a motorcycle the next, but something was always on the work bench in a state of repair. 

Do yourself a favor and pass along as much knowledge and know how as you can. It is the gift that keeps on giving. This model below is something that I could definitely see as a great father and kid project.

Check out original post on About.com

"Former Wisconsin power company worker Jerry Kieffer didn't exactly take it easy when he retired. Instead, he dedicated himself to building perfect recreations of mechanical objects, in very small scale.

What started as a 1/6th scale Harley-Davidson engine (which actually runs) evolved into a yet-smaller 1/8th scale rendition of an entire Harley-Davidson Knucklehead bike, which is currently in the process of being built. When it's done, Kieffer intends every aspect of the motorcycle model to work, from the kick start mechanism to the gearbox and the speedometer."

Miniature Knucklehead model built by Jerry Kieffer

Miniature working model of a 1947 Knucklehead motor

Using a quarter for scale reference check out the transmission shifting gears pulled out next to the frame.

Miniature springer front end

Knucklehead miniature build based on the original 1947 model

Inside of the miniature primary on the knucklehead model

Using a quarter for scale reference next to the miniature primary gears.

Original Knucklehead spark plug next to the miniature custom knucklehead and spark plugs

Wheels Through Time, New Photo Updates

About twice a year we will roll over to the Wheels Through Time museum in Maggie Valley and just gawk at the history and amazing bikes in their building. Every time I go through I try to find a new angle on the photos and see something new to shoot. As many times as I have been its getting harder, but luckily a plethora of their bikes change out and they are continually adding new pieces to their evolving collection.

View the full batch of photos on Flickr

Check out the Wheels Through Time museum

Old Picture cut out on the wall with Illinois License plate from 1930

Original Excelsior Motorcycle from Chicago, late 1918 or early 1920's

Superior Spark Plugs

Knucklehead and Panhead on the workbench at the Wheels Through Time museum

Harley Davidson pedal start single BA style engine from the mid 1920's

Vintage dirt track racing, photo of a photo

Indian split tank Chief dash

Indian Motorcycles gas tank

S&S Interview with Anders Nygren, founder of Flathead Power

American Pickers, Harley Davidson and Antiseen Team Up

Did we get your attention yet or are you just staring at this soon to be classic photo, which has been circulating on Facebook.

Link to American Pickers

Danny from American Pickers with an Antiseen back patch and a classic Knucklehead

1947 Harley Davidson Knucklehead Chopper

In the need of a new ride and got tax money that Uncle Sam sat on over the year and made interest with? Well, looky here hombre's. Found this on ebay this morning and the sale is about to end without the bike even hitting its reserve. Good luck bidding on this ride.

Ebay auction for a 1947 Custom Knucklehead

"This is a custom built single down tube rigid bike that was built to have that old boardtrack feel. Professionally built she has a ton of time put into making sure everything works as good as it looks.


1981 Shovel bottom end completely gone through. New Primo primary, clutch, belt, pulleys everything. Late Knucklehead top end with fresh pistons, valves, springs etc. endless hours went into making this combo work together, It's an ol school thing that hardly anyone does anymore. A freshened up Morris Mag with new wires makes it fire up first kick. Ratched Lid 4 Speed trans, also completely rebuilt. Crimescene oil tank with brass lines. Late shovel primary case with the starter bump filled and smoothed out.


Custom mid controls by Cycle Boys with Flyrite brakes and really really expensive De Luxe hand controls. Late HD spring shortened 3 inches slams it nice and low. 21 inch front and rear wheels with frsh Avon skins


There are too many details to list but I can say this bike has an amazing stance and runs amazing. It was featured in Feb/March issue of Street Chopper and gets a ton attention at the shop. Leave her bare or give it some shiney paint, either way you'll have a one of a kind badass bike."

1947 custom Knucklehead chopper

Clean gas lines with brass fittings and Morris magneto

Avon tires surrounding laced wheel

Classic brass hand controls powering a FlyRite Choppers front brake setup

Cast and finned oil tank

Great photo shoot setup for 1947 Knucklehead chopper

Custom gas tank wrapping around Knucklehead motor

Mid Controls by Cycle Boys

Nickels were layed down for the neck welds

Replica Knuckle And Pan Motors From Germany

Been digging around to find more info about these dudes over in Germany making replica Pan and Knuckle motors but can't find too much more about them. Anyone got more info detailing their pricing or if their motors are any good? Looks like they have the casting and machining dialed in, but that is just one piece to the puzzle.

Motortechnic Mfg of Germany

Motortechnic Mfg of Germany with a Flathead and Knucklehead reproduction motors assembled

Bottom end cases ready for assembly

Inside view of the cases

Flywheel assembled

Cam gears

Cast casing ready for assembly

1938 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead

1938 Harley Davidson Chopper. This is a fresh build with less than 200 miles on the engine. Will start with one kick even ice cold. 61in lower with 74in top end fully rebuilt and fresh. 1941 knucklehead frame. 1940 knucklehead transmission. linkert M-74B. star hubs. original drum brake. original 45 springer front end. original floor boards. bates seat. narrowed original pan hand shift tanks. hand made one-off tail light assembly. hand made custom touches throughout the bike. This bike is fresh and full show quality. It recently took second place in its class at the David Mann Chopperfest. It is fast, aggressive, and not for kids. This is an absolutely gorgeous bike and would be at home in a Harley Museum or in front of a bar. Please see photos for serial numbers and hallmarks.Clear California Title as 1938 Harley Davidson. 805-637-3083 for more info

Link to Ebay auction

1938 Harley Knucklehead

1938 Harley Knucklehead

1938 Harley Knucklehead

1938 Harley Knucklehead

1938 Harley Knucklehead

Ocho Loco Press and Rusty Knuckles Team Up

Life is amazing when things come together easily. Every year during SXSW we go down to the poster show and see what new poster works are out, but primarily we go to see one of our biker brethren over at Ocho Loco Press. John is there every year and without fail, his work stands out amongst all the other printers and designers. 


We could go on and on about why we dig the work of Ocho Loco Press but what we enjoy most is the simplicity in the designs and that they are all done by hand. Yes, you heard it right, they are all done by hand. John hand cuts the rubylith and creates the positive images for printing then prints the images on wood. It is this steadfast craftsmanship and focus on quality design that we are damn proud to be working with him on several new projects. 


For this fall will have a few new products available through us exclusively from Ocho Loco Press, so have a look at the first image being worked up. This will be printed on wood as a poster and calendar while also being available on garments as well. Stay tuned for more updates on this killer new project and a few other shirt designs coming from Ocho Loco Press.

Venice Vintage Motorcycle Rally

The fine folks over in Venice, CA are having a killer rally and party on October 22nd, damn why couldn't it have been the weekend of Oct. 9th as we will be in town. Here is some quick info on what they consider "Vintage"

Q:  What do you consider “Vintage?”
A:  So technically speaking, it’s 20 yrs. or older.  However we consider vintage to be anything pre ’78.  It was around this time that bikes of most brands started to take on a more modern look.  As well, it was the last year Honda released a bike with a kick-start.  Having said that, we’re not snobs so don’t worry about it...unless it’s Wednesday.
   
Q:  Do I have to be a member to join the rides?
A:  Nope.  Hop on your vintage bike and come ride with us!

Q:  How do I join?
A:   The VVMC is a not an organization, it’s a club.  Even more, a small, tight group of like minded (and a bit crazy) friends.   Therefore, there are no dues or membership fees.  If you’re serious about joining the clan, here’s the simple law:

1. You MUST ride a vintage (pre ’78) bike.

2. Plan on riding with us and being active in the group for at least a year.  

Showing up on occasion doesn’t cut it.
1. You can’t be a major tool.


....it’s just that simple.


2011 Venice Vintage Motorcycle Rally - October 22nd

Morning Ride - 10 AM

AHRMA Vintage Racing Exhibit

Builders Garage

Vintage Judging

Raffle

Live Music

Beer + Rum Garden

Pinup Girl Contest - 5PM

Food * Drinks

Motorcycle Art

After Party - 6PM

Wrench Works - Sturigs Run Part 1

We got a huge batch of photos from Josh over at Wrench Works from his Sturgis trip this year, back in August. Will be posting them in several batches are there are way too many for just one sitting. After seeing these roads its quite easy to understand why the multitudes descend on South Dakota for our version of Mecca. Beer, bikes and debauchery are just a side note when it comes to the grandeur that is this region of the country. Get out there and ride the great highways and backroads. To hell with excuses, take the time, tune the bikes and report back on your findings. This blog is just one of many that can be a forum to any and all that want to contribute.  Send us an email and we would be glad to post your runs, bikes and travels.