A Harley Story
by
Flathead Jedd
The year was 1947. The place, Long Beach California. The man, Philip Cronan. Phil was a World War Two veteran, proudly serving in the European theater with the 2nd Ranger Battalion. Upon being discharged from the service Phil got a job with the City of Long Beach as a Police Officer. After a few years, Phil became a Motor Officer for the city. Being that he lacked seniority within the motor squad, his mount was the oldest in the fleet. A 1940 Harley Davidson big twin flathead. But that was all about to change. His time had come and he was next up for a new bike. In May of 1947 he wish came true. He was assigned a brand new 1947 Harley Davidson UL, shop number 502. His first new motorcycle.
From the moment Phil took possession of the bike, it was love at first site. The police garage kept up on the maintenance, but Phil supplemented with his own oil changes and clutch adjustments. See Phil’s true passion was motorcycles. The police job paid the bills and why not get paid to ride, but his real desire was racing. Phil was a member of the Wing Nuts Motorcycle Club of Los Angeles and loved racing on the weekends. Since he had a new bike, he was king of the track. Every night before a race Phil would strip off all the police equipment and disguise the bike as a class C racer. He would then race, win and put the bike back together before the next days work. This went on for many years without any one the wiser. When Phil finally retired from police service, he was able to buy the bike from the city for a mere sum of $50 and to keep it in it’s race clothing, never having to put the fenders and pursuit lamps back on the bike.
Phil kept riding and racing the bike well into the 1950s, until the side valve technology just couldn’t keep up with the overheads. He eventually sold the bike and purchased a new Panhead. The old UL floated around from owner to owner over the years but never left Southern California. In the early 1980’s the Flathead appeared in the May 1981 Easyriders Magazine as a featured bike. It was rode around the San Fernando Valley in that configuration for several years until the owner ran into a curb and bent the forks. It was pushed into his garage and there it sat for many years.
Now enter Flathead Jedd. The year was 1997. 50 years after the birth of the UL. Jedd acquired the bike from the recent owner in a trade for his 1927 Ford hot rod. The first thing Jedd did was strip the bike down an resurrect it to it’s former Class C glory. Jedd as a big fan of the post war era of motorcycling saw no other way to build the bike than as a 40’s bobber. So it was put together as you see it today. The irony was that Jedd was a member of the Wing Nuts Motorcycle Club. The same club that Phil had been in. This was pure happenstance. The history of the bike wasn’t revealed until after it was owned by Jedd. Even more bizarre was that Flathead Jedd was called “Flathead” before ever owning the bike. No one ever knew why, including Jedd. It was all just meant to be I suppose.
The above story is completely fictitious and came from the warped mind of Flathead Jedd. There are a few facts that are true, but for the most part it’s complete garbage.
Wing Nuts Awarded at Day in the Dirt
Cindy from Century Cycles awarded the Wing Nuts with the coveted (and made in her trailer) Spam award, for best Triumph motorcycles at the event. Here Wes stands proudly with our trophy in front of the NLAMC booth.
Honda Tiger Wheels and tires for motorcycles picture
Modification of the wheel and tires for New Honda Tiger 2009 images.
Honda Tiger Wheels and tires for motorcycles picture
Modification of the wheel and tires for New Honda Tiger 2009 images.
Day in the Dirt
Wes and I spent the last two days out in the dirt at LACR for the Day in the Dirt motocross event. Neither of us have a motocross background so it was pretty cool to see up close and personal. LACR has an amazing track. We brought out the desert bikes to show them off and everyone seemed fascinated by the "two springers" with metal fenders. The gentleman in the picture actually competed in the vintage class with his Triumph thanks to a donor part from a Wing Nut bike. He won something, so I guess that means we won something. Everyone came up to us and said "hi." Looks like next year we may be crazy enough to give the track a try. The most fascinating bike I saw out there competing was an Evo Sportster in full motocross frame and suspension. I tried to get a picture of the bike, but after he disappeared into the 7 story drop, we never saw him again. That friggin motor weighed more than most of the bikes out there!
Motorcycle Pictures of the Week - Sunbear Blair
Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery. See Sunbear Blair with his 1944 Indian Chief. There are no women winners this week. Get your picture in. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.If you'd like to see your bike as Picture of the Week, submit a picture of you and your bike along with a description of the bike.
Motorcycle Pictures of the Week - Sunbear Blair
Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery. See Sunbear Blair with his 1944 Indian Chief. There are no women winners this week. Get your picture in. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.If you'd like to see your bike as Picture of the Week, submit a picture of you and your bike along with a description of the bike.
More Turkey Day Madness
Thank to a reminder from a true blind bastard, I remembered about the most appropriate picture in my collection. Who would have thought I could easily combine Thanksgiving and motorcycles.
Happy Turkey Day!
Have a happy Thanksgiving from the Wing Nuts, but don't eat too much. We wouldn't want you to get stuck.
Mc Hal Helmets
Saw this up on ebay. Very cool helmet bag. From what I know Mc Hal helmets were pretty big from the late 50s through the 70s. don't know too much about them, but the ones I've seen look pretty neat.
Polar Bear Grand Tour - Hillbilly Hall
Check out pictures and descriptions of the fifth motorcycle run of the Polar Bear Grand Tour season to the Hillbilly Hall in Hopewell, NJ on November 22, 2009.
Polar Bear Grand Tour - Hillbilly Hall
Check out pictures and descriptions of the fifth motorcycle run of the Polar Bear Grand Tour season to the Hillbilly Hall in Hopewell, NJ on November 22, 2009.
Victory Motorcycles CORE concept bike to be at the 2009 Carole Nash NEC Bike Show
Victory Motorcycles CORE concept bike will make its first European public appearance at the 2009 Carole Nash International Motorcycle & Scooter Show.
Polaris Lead Industrial Designer Michael Song said “CORE is pure motorcycle. We wanted to strip everything that is not critical and build a motorcycle that borrows the production technologies we have incorporated into the Victory Vision. The frame and engine architecture of the Victory Vision was our inspiration however we wanted to make a statement beyond ‘custom’ and create something completely unique.”
Ride safe.
Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://bestmotorstyle2011.blogspot.com//
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/
Victory Motorcycles CORE concept bike to be at the 2009 Carole Nash NEC Bike Show
Victory Motorcycles CORE concept bike will make its first European public appearance at the 2009 Carole Nash International Motorcycle & Scooter Show.
Polaris Lead Industrial Designer Michael Song said “CORE is pure motorcycle. We wanted to strip everything that is not critical and build a motorcycle that borrows the production technologies we have incorporated into the Victory Vision. The frame and engine architecture of the Victory Vision was our inspiration however we wanted to make a statement beyond ‘custom’ and create something completely unique.”
Ride safe.
Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://bestmotorstyle2011.blogspot.com//
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/
Erik Buell, down but not out!!
Harley Davidson, Inc have announced today that Erik Buell will be leaving the company to set up Erik Buell Racing, a motorcycle race shop based in East Troy, Wisconsin following Harley-Davidson's decision to discontinue production of the Buell motorcycle range.
Erik Buell Racing will supply race-use-only Buell motorcycle parts and race preparation services for engines and motorcycles, and build and sell of Buell® 1125R-based race-use-only motorcycles under license from Harley-Davidson, and provide technical support to racers of Buell motorcycles.
Ride safe.
Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://bestmotorstyle2011.blogspot.com//
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/
Erik Buell Racing will supply race-use-only Buell motorcycle parts and race preparation services for engines and motorcycles, and build and sell of Buell® 1125R-based race-use-only motorcycles under license from Harley-Davidson, and provide technical support to racers of Buell motorcycles.
Ride safe.
Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://bestmotorstyle2011.blogspot.com//
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/
Erik Buell, down but not out!!
Harley Davidson, Inc have announced today that Erik Buell will be leaving the company to set up Erik Buell Racing, a motorcycle race shop based in East Troy, Wisconsin following Harley-Davidson's decision to discontinue production of the Buell motorcycle range.
Erik Buell Racing will supply race-use-only Buell motorcycle parts and race preparation services for engines and motorcycles, and build and sell of Buell® 1125R-based race-use-only motorcycles under license from Harley-Davidson, and provide technical support to racers of Buell motorcycles.
Ride safe.
Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://bestmotorstyle2011.blogspot.com//
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/
Erik Buell Racing will supply race-use-only Buell motorcycle parts and race preparation services for engines and motorcycles, and build and sell of Buell® 1125R-based race-use-only motorcycles under license from Harley-Davidson, and provide technical support to racers of Buell motorcycles.
Ride safe.
Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://bestmotorstyle2011.blogspot.com//
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/
KYMCO KR Naked 125 street bike to be unveiled
Taiwanese motorcycle manufacturer will unveil its new KYMCO KR Naked 125 street bike at the NEC Bike Show this week. However we have pic to wet your appetite.
Ride safe.
Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://bestmotorstyle2011.blogspot.com//
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/
KYMCO KR Naked 125 street bike to be unveiled
Taiwanese motorcycle manufacturer will unveil its new KYMCO KR Naked 125 street bike at the NEC Bike Show this week. However we have pic to wet your appetite.
Ride safe.
Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://bestmotorstyle2011.blogspot.com//
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/
Erik Buell to Form Erik Buell Racing
The Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company announced in a press release on November 20, 2009 that Erik Buell would be establishing a new company, Erik Buell Racing. Here's an excerpt from the press release:
For more information read the complete press release.
"Harley-Davidson, Inc. announced today that following the company’s recent decision to discontinue the Buell motorcycle product line, Erik Buell, Chairman and Chief Technical Officer of Buell Motorcycle Company, will leave the company to establish Erik Buell Racing, an independent motorcycle race shop."
For more information read the complete press release.
Erik Buell to Form Erik Buell Racing
The Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company announced in a press release on November 20, 2009 that Erik Buell would be establishing a new company, Erik Buell Racing. Here's an excerpt from the press release:
For more information read the complete press release.
"Harley-Davidson, Inc. announced today that following the company’s recent decision to discontinue the Buell motorcycle product line, Erik Buell, Chairman and Chief Technical Officer of Buell Motorcycle Company, will leave the company to establish Erik Buell Racing, an independent motorcycle race shop."
For more information read the complete press release.
Chicks, man
I'm way off my game. Are those JDs? They seem to look huge to me. Perhaps the gals are tiny.
Motorcycle Pictures of the Week - Michael
Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery. See Michael on his 2009 Indian Chief Vintage. There are no women winners this week. Get your picture in. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.If you'd like to see your bike as Picture of the Week, submit a picture of you and your bike along with a description of the bike.
Motorcycle Pictures of the Week - Michael
Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery. See Michael on his 2009 Indian Chief Vintage. There are no women winners this week. Get your picture in. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.If you'd like to see your bike as Picture of the Week, submit a picture of you and your bike along with a description of the bike.
Indian Racers
These guys look like they seen a ghost. I know the feeling. Here's to long lost friends. You know who you are.
Polar Bear Grand Tour - Port Jervis, NY
Check out pictures and descriptions of the fourth motorcycle run of the Polar Bear Grand Tour season to Port Jervis, NY on November 15, 2009.
Polar Bear Grand Tour - Port Jervis, NY
Check out pictures and descriptions of the fourth motorcycle run of the Polar Bear Grand Tour season to Port Jervis, NY on November 15, 2009.
Moto Guzzi V7 Clubman Racer launched
At the EICMA show Moto Guzzi unveiled its striking V7 Clubman Racer designed to recapture the spirit of racing in the 1970's.
Ride safe.
Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://bestmotorstyle2011.blogspot.com//
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/
Moto Guzzi V7 Clubman Racer launched
At the EICMA show Moto Guzzi unveiled its striking V7 Clubman Racer designed to recapture the spirit of racing in the 1970's.
Ride safe.
Jon Booth
Email: webmaster@inter-bike.co.uk
Blog: http://bestmotorstyle2011.blogspot.com//
Swicki: http://motorcycling-swicki.eurekster.com/
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