Motorcycle Cannonball 2016 Now with pics from the finish

[JoeW]

Some of you know this but, some don't. I have not been posting much Guzzi related stuff because I've been a little preoccupied with a different brand of bike. Last January, I started preparing a 1913 Indian twin for this year's Motorcycle Cannonball. It's taken much more time than I and the bike's owner and rider ever expected. This bike was purchased by my client's father in the 70s. He had it restored and it spent most of it's "second" life in the family room of whatever home he lived in. The restoration was mostly cosmetic so every time I inspected a part or component, it needed attention.
I've got over 150 hours in the build and we have about 70 hours machining new parts and about the same in engine machine work. Fortunately the bike owner is "in it to win it" and I've had a free hand in doing what needs to be done.

The engine was sure pretty all nickel plated but, not so inside...


The case was cracked right through the timing side main bushing


Exhaust valve stems had been brazed and machined
The cylinders were over bored and shot, valve guides had been welded in place. And that was just the motor. Many of the chassis bearings were left loose because the races were so pitted.
After nearly 300 hours, we have a running and riding bike, updated engine internals including, Teflon coated pistons, stainless valves, nickel valve seats and bronze guide liners. Aluminum 21 inch rims with dual sport tires. I've adapted a Honda CL100 front brake and had the center carrier modified to accept seal bearings.



Here's a picture from a couple weeks ago, before I added lights and later style seat.
If you're interested, check out http://www.motorcyclecannonball.com/
Our overnight and lunch spots are posted, come out and cheer these 90 riders on.

[Dofin]

Oh MY!!!  It takes real dedication to participate in this particular endeavor !!   The work getting done on this machine is fantastic, translated to expensive.  I was at Barbers Vintage when the group of Cannonballers made a display visit.  I have done some fun trips all around the world but it is just beyond me how people made it from coast to coast on these ancient motorcycles in those times.  I read a story about a young woman that road from New York to California with her rather large mother in a sidecar to visit the world fair, the year I cant remember.  They camped, had to scrounge for gas, some how fix the bike and travel roads that were really just goat trails.  AMAZING!!

[oldbike54]

 Dofin , you bring up an interesting point . The roads in 1916 were awful in comparison to what these bikes negotiate today . Back then there was no chase vehicle carrying spares and tools , kind of changes things .

 Dusty

[charlie b]

It is amazing to see how the old stuff did.  The group stopped here in Alb a few years ago.  Neat stuff.

Father's family moved to Phoenix from Kansas in 1927.  Many dirt roads.  Old Chevy with 4 kids (one an infant) and everything they owned.  Took 8 days.  Dad said they went through 10 tires.  One picture has grandmother sitting with the kids eating lunch as granddad was fixing a tire.

And remember that Rolls Royce became a key mfg because their car went 1000miles without a breakdown.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Several friends and I plan to be along the route between York, PA and Cumberland Airport or maybe just wait and watch at the airport. 

[delrod]

They will be passing within three miles of my house----- on my day off. You bet I will be watching

[Green1000S]

I'll definitely go and see these guys and machines at York.
I did not see a route, just towns, are they free to take whatever roads or come through certain rods? I would love to see them flying on the road....

[oldbike54]

They will be passing within three miles of my house----- on my day off. You bet I will be watching

 Are we gonna set up an awning ?

 Dusty

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I'll definitely go and these guys and machines at York.
I did not see a route, just towns, are they free to take whatever roads or come through certain rods? I would love to see them flying on the road....

They have a set route, but not even the riders know until the "last minute" what it'll be. I think there's a very good chance it'll be US30 from York to Bedford, then down US220 to Cumberland on Sunday the 11th.

[JoeW]

Look for the Guzzi Doctor trailer...

[JoeW]

We did a photo shoot and interview for Cycle World yesterday, I took this glamor shot



Also, here's the starting procedure...
https://www.facebook.com/joe.walano/videos/10154405616563607/

[Green1000S]

Awesome, I'll come and shake hands if I find the #118!!

[LowRyter]

They will be passing within three miles of my house----- on my day off. You bet I will be watching

I think they'll be a doing a stop at the museum east of Wichita.  You might recall one of the participants was building his bike there.  Then it's day off at Dodge City.   

[oldbike54]

I think they'll be a doing a stop at the museum east of Wichita.  You might recall one of the participants was building his bike there.  Then it's day off at Dodge City.

 Augusta KS .

 Dusty

[Darren Williams]

I think they'll be a doing a stop at the museum east of Wichita.  You might recall one of the participants was building his bike there.  Then it's day off at Dodge City.

Gerald Timms was telling me they will be there (Augusta) for dinner at about 5:00, Friday the 16th.  He is support for the rider that owns the museum.

I was thinking of riding up that afternoon.

[Denis]

Looks great, Joe!
By buddy Steve and his two sons, Justin and Jared are all riding '16 Power Plus Indians

[LowRyter]

Gerald Timms was telling me they will be there (Augusta) for dinner at about 5:00, Friday the 16th.  He is support for the rider that owns the museum.

I was thinking of riding up that afternoon.

yeah I got it from Gerald too.  He didn't mention dinner or when they'd be there.  I think there is going to be ride from OKC up to Dodge City.  Some were talking about spending the night in Wichita the night before which leads me to conclude their plans aren't thought through yet. 

[Arizona Wayne]

I live on Rte. 66 just north of Kingman, Az. where a few years ago the vintage Cannonball run rode by and stopped for lunch at our local Harley Davidson dealership.  I was recently informed by a fellow Guzzisti that this  2016 Cannonball Run was again happening on my turf very soon but with a different final destination than last time (Malibu, Ca.).    Last time I strafed some of the contestants with my 250 MP3.   

[JoeW]

Looks great, Joe!
By buddy Steve and his two sons, Justin and Jared are all riding '16 Power Plus Indians

I've talked with Steve, I bought a manifold from him for the Linkert carb . I'll be seeing a lot of him over the next few weeks.

[Arizona Wayne]

This race officially starts on Sept. 10th. and they ride 200-300 miles most days.  On 9/23 they have lunch @ my Kingman, Az. Harley Davidson store.  That's when I'll see them.  They finish the race @ Carlsbad, Calif. on 9/25 Sunday. 3304 miles total.

[Lannis]

This race officially starts on Sept. 10th. and they ride 200-300 miles most days.  On 9/23 they have lunch @ my Kingman, Az. Harley Davidson store.  That's when I'll see them.  They finish the race @ Carlsbad, Calif. on 9/25 Sunday. 3304 miles total.

That's a LOT of hand-pumping oil into a total-loss system.   Good luck to them!

Lannis

[Gliderjohn]

More info on Friday in Kansas from the Cannonball website:

Friday, September 16 Stage 7 (235 miles)

6:30 AM CDT Breakfast available, University Plaza Hotel

7:45; 8:30; 9:00 AM CDT Official Start Times for Classes I, II, III; University Plaza Hotel

11:45 AM Hosted Lunch, Commercial Bank parking lot, Parsons, Kansas

4:10; 4:15; 4:15 PM Finish Times for Classes III, II, I; Twisted Oz Motorcycle Museum, Augusta, Kansas

4:30 PM Hosted Dinner, Twisted Oz Motorcycle Museum

5:30 PM Parc Fermé closes, Twisted Oz Motorcycle Museum

6:00 PM Approximate arrival time, Wichita Marriott, Wichita, Kansas

 
GliderJohn

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

If the route across PA is going to be US30 the whole way to Bedford, then things could get "interesting" from Ft. Loudon westward. Some fairly steep grades around McConnellsburg. 

[Denis]

I've talked with Steve, I bought a manifold from him for the Linkert carb . I'll be seeing a lot of him over the next few weeks.

Haha, yeah you will!
Steve's a great guy (but don't tell him I said that) and he rebuilt the engine in my 1940 640 and helped me sort out the rest of the bike. I've learned a lot from him.

[Denis]

That's a LOT of hand-pumping oil into a total-loss system.   Good luck to them!
Lannis

One of the other challenges on these bikes are the wheels and tires. All those bikes up to 1916 (this year's cutoff) used clincher rims and none originally had front brakes.

[Lannis]

One of the other challenges on these bikes are the wheels and tires. All those bikes up to 1916 (this year's cutoff) used clincher rims and none originally had front brakes.

The "no front brake" thing I think I could handle, since I rode quite a few "bobbers" in my youth with spool front hubs and you just took it easy.   I think, though, I'd be puckering all the time if I had to ride some of those downhills on US30 in PA worrying about if my clincher tire was going to roll off the rim ... !!

Lannis

[Denis]

Yeah, "clincher" may actually refer to your butt cheeks while riding one of those!

[JoeW]

One of the other challenges on these bikes are the wheels and tires. All those bikes up to 1916 (this year's cutoff) used clincher rims and none originally had front brakes.

This is the only brake that was on the bike...

I managed to fit a Honda CL100 front brake...

Then I had Woody's lace 21 inch Excel rims so I can run a modern tire...

The clincher rims and tires are staying home.

[Denis]

Nice! Anything is better than just the original rear brake!

[Arizona Wayne]

What surprised me the last time I saw the early bikes do this Cannonball run on Rte. 66 was the size of the early spark plugs compared to their size today.  They were huge back then (assuming that's what they looked like then).  Coming into Kingman the road is a downward slope and most the old bikes were doing 50 mph, so that stretch was relatively easy for them.   Kingman is at about 3,400' in elevation.