Made in Japan
Showing posts with label engine art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label engine art. Show all posts
Born Free 4 Engine Art
No blab, just eye candy. Some photos aren't of the best quality, but they'll have to do.
More Earring Mike
In the Blue Velvet post, I mentioned that Kerry Crist had sent me some old photos from the South Bay scene. First off, more of Earring Mike and his Sano Shovel.
This profile shot shows off how the bike sits. That's one beautiful springer.
What a Jewel! It bears repeating just how nice the details and metal work is on this machine.
This is truly Engine Art. The big chromed out SU carb is beautiful. I find it interesting how the early cam cover looks high tech when anodized gold. I really like this (the original version), of the winged gas tank. Paint by Bruce Parrish.
A bit of frame stretch can really keep a bike low. From left to right, Gary from the Dairy, Mike, and Big Roy.
Click Here to see all Earring Mike Posts.
This profile shot shows off how the bike sits. That's one beautiful springer.
What a Jewel! It bears repeating just how nice the details and metal work is on this machine.
This is truly Engine Art. The big chromed out SU carb is beautiful. I find it interesting how the early cam cover looks high tech when anodized gold. I really like this (the original version), of the winged gas tank. Paint by Bruce Parrish.
A bit of frame stretch can really keep a bike low. From left to right, Gary from the Dairy, Mike, and Big Roy.
Click Here to see all Earring Mike Posts.
Vincent Loco Motion
I have a bunch of stuff to post, but this couldn't wait.
One way cool photo courtesy of Joe Hurst.
Joe told me of this mythical experiment two years ago, but I'd never seen it, and believe it's the only photo of it. Dick wasn't happy with the gearing (too low), so he used everything but the frame and engine to build his famous Loco Motion Knucklehead. The Loco Motion gas tank and name was originally on Nasty Nez's (of Phase III), Knucklehead, then given to Dick (with permission to keep the name), then to Joe (on the Rat F**k bike), then back to Dick. That's Joe standing behind the bike.
Something tells me this photo will show up on other blogs.
One way cool photo courtesy of Joe Hurst.
Joe told me of this mythical experiment two years ago, but I'd never seen it, and believe it's the only photo of it. Dick wasn't happy with the gearing (too low), so he used everything but the frame and engine to build his famous Loco Motion Knucklehead. The Loco Motion gas tank and name was originally on Nasty Nez's (of Phase III), Knucklehead, then given to Dick (with permission to keep the name), then to Joe (on the Rat F**k bike), then back to Dick. That's Joe standing behind the bike.
Something tells me this photo will show up on other blogs.
This Month's Header-Flower Power
April Showers Bring May Flowers.
When coming up with ideas for the header, I never quite know how they will turn out. This one really bloomed. You might say, some of the flowers are Pansies.
As an example. I thought of using this alternate version, but the top one was more in line with my original concept/vision. It doesn't always work that way. Sometimes I like something better that comes from experimentating with the image and colors.
When coming up with ideas for the header, I never quite know how they will turn out. This one really bloomed. You might say, some of the flowers are Pansies.
As an example. I thought of using this alternate version, but the top one was more in line with my original concept/vision. It doesn't always work that way. Sometimes I like something better that comes from experimentating with the image and colors.
The Art of the Engine #3 & 4, Grime Time
It's been a long time since I last did an Art of the Engine post, so here's two old crusty nuggets.
A recent non running barn find. 1948 UL in a '51 frame.
A 1938 Knucklehead Bob Job at Born-Free 3. It features many chromed parts including the forks, which leads one to think it was a real pretty bike back when it was first bobbed.... It's still a beauty in my book.
I actually prefer old bikes with their "earned patina" over ones that have been freshly restored. At most gatherings, bikes like these usually get more onlookers than clean fresh bikes, but many still don't get it and hastily erase all the signs of time and originality. The guys that get my goat, are the ones that take real nice original bikes, and repaint and re-plate them just because they ain't perfect. Keep in mind, any old pile can be re-plated or painted but an old motorcycle or part is only original once!
A recent non running barn find. 1948 UL in a '51 frame.
A 1938 Knucklehead Bob Job at Born-Free 3. It features many chromed parts including the forks, which leads one to think it was a real pretty bike back when it was first bobbed.... It's still a beauty in my book.
I actually prefer old bikes with their "earned patina" over ones that have been freshly restored. At most gatherings, bikes like these usually get more onlookers than clean fresh bikes, but many still don't get it and hastily erase all the signs of time and originality. The guys that get my goat, are the ones that take real nice original bikes, and repaint and re-plate them just because they ain't perfect. Keep in mind, any old pile can be re-plated or painted but an old motorcycle or part is only original once!
Gunther's Knuck
A little while ago, Joe Hurst sent this shot of a buddy's Knucklehead from an old car/bike show.
Joe was a judge at the show and gave it First Place in it's class. When some others protested it was favoritism, Joe replied, "show me a nicer bike"!... they couldn't.
Looks cool, I'd like to see the whole bike. Dig the paint and the skinny matching seat.
Joe was a judge at the show and gave it First Place in it's class. When some others protested it was favoritism, Joe replied, "show me a nicer bike"!... they couldn't.
Looks cool, I'd like to see the whole bike. Dig the paint and the skinny matching seat.
The Sportster
...That Never Was
Where would they have fitted a generator?
The KL model was originally planned for release in the early 50's. Instead, the poor performing K model was rushed into production to fill it's gap. The high cam KL was continuously plagued by overheating problems, so the later (1954), experimental XL overhead design superseded it. At one point both the KL and XL were being tested side by side. Harley originally didn't want an overhead design based on the old flathead four cam bottom, but it worked and it's performance pretty much surprised everyone. What shouldn't be a surprise is that the XL's top end was designed by the same guy (Charley Featherly), who had done detailed work on the Knucklehead and later the Shovelhead. Since early Panheads had trouble with their aluminum heads, he stuck with iron like on Knuckles. Charley also thought that the valve covers on Pans held too much heat.
Where would they have fitted a generator?
The KL model was originally planned for release in the early 50's. Instead, the poor performing K model was rushed into production to fill it's gap. The high cam KL was continuously plagued by overheating problems, so the later (1954), experimental XL overhead design superseded it. At one point both the KL and XL were being tested side by side. Harley originally didn't want an overhead design based on the old flathead four cam bottom, but it worked and it's performance pretty much surprised everyone. What shouldn't be a surprise is that the XL's top end was designed by the same guy (Charley Featherly), who had done detailed work on the Knucklehead and later the Shovelhead. Since early Panheads had trouble with their aluminum heads, he stuck with iron like on Knuckles. Charley also thought that the valve covers on Pans held too much heat.
The Art of the Engine #1
Special K
One of the Best Looking Motors Ever!
How come engine stylist can't do shit like this today?
One of the Best Looking Motors Ever!
How come engine stylist can't do shit like this today?
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