2016 Cannonball , The Race of The Century

[panz4ever]

Can't afford really old iron (might come close if I were to sell of my pans and shovels, buts that's not happenening). Always follow this event though when it comes around. If it ends in San Diego this year, I should actually be able to take a trip down there and be there. Hats off to the organizers of this event and to all the riders who enter and finish.

[10E]

I think I might be in a bit of trouble--- from all sides.
Thinking what Joe said, there is no doubt in my mind now, attempting a cross country run at 200/ 300 miles a day for 16 days on clincher tires is a risk to life and limb that is not necessary unless you are are a pure purest such a Mr Luland. In his defense, I rode approx, 10/12K miles maybe more, on clinchers without a problem-- then the flying W at Cleveland.
Food for thought? I bought my 14 HD in the early 70s. It was absolutely original except for the tank that came desoldered and in pieces and just a seat frame,
otherwise the bike looked like it it had not been ridden many miles. Standard cast iron pistons with little wear. It appeared to have been in a fire, so had a new set of tanks made, sandblasted the frame, gave it a undercoat put it back together and went riding.
Back then out in California lots of people were riding pre-16 events with bikes in all kinds of condition, few were fully restored , they just loved to ride the old motorcycles, they still do, though many are no longer with us.
It's interesting to me how my bike evolved into its present condition.
The runs in the 70s were challenging 2/3 days events so my stock bike would make the miles without to much trouble and our Saturday rides up the then dirt roads and our 2000ft mt route were fun and doable. Keep in mind I had a 12 tooth engine sprocket 4.75-1 ratio. Wasn't going anywhere fast.
After quite a time I got the hots to do some long distance rides. (When I bought the bike I remember telling my friends I was going to ride it across the USA, they just laughed) So I started riding around Northern California 200mile days to see what the bike was capable of doing, all in preparation for the cross country run.
First to go was the 12tooth for a 14 tooth engine sprocket 4.07-1 ratio. Then I blew up the front piston without damaging the cylinder or cases, very lucky, stock cast iron pistons, 2nd things to go. Then we noticed the original rods had 100s of small cracks in them. 3rd things to go. New Corrillo rods were purchased.
A few other things were modified but nothing major for the first run across the country, clinchers and all.
Except for some help in the Rockies and Sierra it made it, just.
It was still under powered and struggled for all kinds of reasons.
A later cam was added, later rocker arms, new pistons with higher compression ratio, angled inlet valves, a linkurt carb. and a 15 tooth engine sprocket 3.80-1 ratio. Finally the bike was a runner and it loved the open road at a nice 45/50mph cruise. (Dave Kafton, engine builder)
So I am now the proud owner of a Hybrid 1914 HD. that pretty much, stills looks and rides like the bike I bought more than 45 years ago.
Not sure were it fits in with the original post and other comments----seems like it has a little bit of something for all to like or dislike.
The whole subject I find interesting..

The above is highly condensed and memories may have made a few thing inaccurate, but you get the gist.
Victor

[harleytoprock]

Sirhr, Shakeyjake, I watched "Horatio's Drive" and it was awesome! Thanks for the recommendation.

[sirhrmechanic]

Sirhr, Shakeyjake, I watched "Horatio's Drive" and it was awesome! Thanks for the recommendation.

Some friends of mine recently unearthed Horatio Nelson Jackson's desk. It was in an attic in Burlington, VT. Most of his papers and cool stuff still inside. There will be some 'news' on that front in the near future as they catalog and explore the stuff in it.

Jackson is one of those great, larger than life, and yet relatively unknown people in American History. And what makes history... and old cars (and bikes), so much fun.

Glad you enjoyed it. I watch it in the garage... somehow the oil smell makes it even better.

Cheers,

Sirhr

[Ironheadsforever]

I think I might be in a bit of trouble--- from all sides.
Thinking what Joe said, there is no doubt in my mind now, attempting a cross country run at 200/ 300 miles a day for 16 days on clincher tires is a risk to life and limb that is not necessary unless you are are a pure purest such a Mr Luland. In his defense, I rode approx, 10/12K miles maybe more, on clinchers without a problem-- then the flying W at Cleveland.
Food for thought? I bought my 14 HD in the early 70s. It was absolutely original except for the tank that came desoldered and in pieces and just a seat frame,
otherwise the bike looked like it it had not been ridden many miles. Standard cast iron pistons with little wear. It appeared to have been in a fire, so had a new set of tanks made, sandblasted the frame, gave it a undercoat put it back together and went riding.
Back then out in California lots of people were riding pre-16 events with bikes in all kinds of condition, few were fully restored , they just loved to ride the old motorcycles, they still do, though many are no longer with us.
It's interesting to me how my bike evolved into its present condition.
The runs in the 70s were challenging 2/3 days events so my stock bike would make the miles without to much trouble and our Saturday rides up the then dirt roads and our 2000ft mt route were fun and doable. Keep in mind I had a 12 tooth engine sprocket 4.75-1 ratio. Wasn't going anywhere fast.
After quite a time I got the hots to do some long distance rides. (When I bought the bike I remember telling my friends I was going to ride it across the USA, they just laughed) So I started riding around Northern California 200mile days to see what the bike was capable of doing, all in preparation for the cross country run.
First to go was the 12tooth for a 14 tooth engine sprocket 4.07-1 ratio. Then I blew up the front piston without damaging the cylinder or cases, very lucky, stock cast iron pistons, 2nd things to go. Then we noticed the original rods had 100s of small cracks in them. 3rd things to go. New Corrillo rods were purchased.
A few other things were modified but nothing major for the first run across the country, clinchers and all.
Except for some help in the Rockies and Sierra it made it, just.
It was still under powered and struggled for all kinds of reasons.
A later cam was added, later rocker arms, new pistons with higher compression ratio, angled inlet valves, a linkurt carb. and a 15 tooth engine sprocket 3.80-1 ratio. Finally the bike was a runner and it loved the open road at a nice 45/50mph cruise. (Dave Kafton, engine builder)
So I am now the proud owner of a Hybrid 1914 HD. that pretty much, stills looks and rides like the bike I bought more than 45 years ago.
Not sure were it fits in with the original post and other comments----seems like it has a little bit of something for all to like or dislike.
The whole subject I find interesting..

The above is highly condensed and memories may have made a few thing inaccurate, but you get the gist.
Victor

Hi Victor

Are you going to do the 2016 Cannonball or was 2014 enough? I put my name down for 2016 and am now looking for another earlier Sunbeam 500 side valve to do it on.

Last year my 500 M9 Sunbeam was all standard, however, if I find a Sunbeam for 2016 I think I will keep the brakes standard but upgrade to wired tyres.

I enjoyed meeting and riding with you last year and hope to see you at the start next year.

Cheers

Kevin (Rider #28 from UK)

[10E]

Kevin
I too enjoyed meeting and riding with you. I really enjoyed the ride. I've put my name in the hat for 2016. Of course having only one bike, it will be the 14 HD.
There are a lot of life changes going on for Su and I and whilst looking forward to the 16 Cannonball it is not an absolute certainty.
Wishing you good luck in finding a bike for the event. This time I think you could go home with the trophy. All the best
Victor

[Rollo]

No matter what form it takes as long as the bikes are old ( no newer than 36) I think it is great and a great accomplishment to all who participate and all their helpers and support folks. I thought about doing it on one of my VL's but can see that the preparation is intense and decided I was not up to it right now. You go guys and girls no matter how your bike is set up but special kudos to those that ride them in their original form.

Tom (Rollo) Hardy
AMCA # 12766

[Jerry Wieland]

Victor

Debi and I have decided that we probably won't be doing another Cannonball but we really enjoyed meeting you and getting to ride with you in both 2012 and 2014. We also love very much the gift you brought to us in Daytona this past fall. It has a prominent place in our family area.

Jerry & Debi Wieland

[riggpigg]

Keep in mind that while trying to keep it "as it was" with respect to the old bikes, there are now many more cars,trucks ect. driven at much faster speeds than there was in the teens, coupled with the fact that a certain percentage of those drivers are texting, putting on makeup, eating ect. When those drivers see a motorcycle, they don't acknowledge that it is an antique, it is simply a motorcycle and they don't realize it can only run 45 mph, and takes a little more time to get moving at stoplights etc. I know I had more than one instance in the larger cities we traveled through in 14 CB that made me glad I had a front brake to help out. I will have a front brake on my 16 entry also, as Im sure most will. It will make it a little bit easier to dodge 4000 pound hunks of plastic and steel driven at 70 mph by people that could care less what we are trying to accomplish, and in 1915 that was not an issue....it is in todays world, like it or not.

[American X]

If you are interested in the new American Excelsior book, contact Thomas Trapp at the Cannonball. He will bring some books in September.
For more information see www.American-x.org