Took over 200 motorcycle pics today at the Wheels Through Time museum in Maggie Valley, NC. They have a great collection there and I would highly recommend if you are ever anywhere close! I saw the museum about 30 years ago before they moved from Illinois, but it is way better now. I won’t post all 200 pics at least right now…but here are a few.
@Ned Ludd Hand-built car based sort of on a 32 Ford. You can tell some of the sheet metal is Ford, but lots of customizing going on here. The cowl and firewall were wood.
The first disc brake for custom motorcycles Hello, When my wife and I got our new Harley Sportster, we instantly had replacements ready for the new design. I wanted a low slung, drag racer look with a nice set up for my wife to hang on, when riding on the back. But, the next thing I realized is that she could lose her grip around me and fall off backwards. So, I made a custom steel chromed bracket to support her back and allow her to lean back without falling off. Yes! (she still hugged me while we rode to our destinations...) Not only was that bar in the back a good project for me, but it allowed me to strap on an old Army green backpack loaded with my camera gear when I went alone to a photoshoot. As I arrived at a photo shoot, the modified Harley Sportster gave me some “street cred…” as my wife said upon arriving home. It was nice that she liked the custom motorcycle as much as I did. The 6 inch taller forks were ok, but for the next version, the lower straight line of sight from the seat and handlebars was the way to go for us. Jnaki But in my photo shoot days, I came across many well versed folks with great ideas and designs. One threw me for a loop and instantly I wanted one for our own Harley Sportster. It was the first disc brake for custom motorcycles. It was years ahead of factory disc brakes and sales of those that had them. It was an Airheart disc unit with a custom made bracket designed for multiple uses. But for his application, custom fit to the springer fork set up. Since the majority of the stopping power in all moving vehicles is the front wheels, the custom disc worked well and also looked great. Perhaps it was the great looking flames on the gas tank that originally caught my eye. But it did help the overall look of a custom bike for the street. I sat on the custom bike and the handlebars were not to my liking as it was too high and a little awkward. But, the owner said the style, rigidity of the forks, and angle allow direct steering when riding on the street. For our custom bike, I wanted a similar look, but the front end with Ceriani shorter forks and the disc brakes were on our future build. Even a shorter springer fork with the custom discs were part of the design of our Sportster. The low slung style was more to our liking as there was more control for me. Having grown up racing desert racing motorcycles, the "sit on the seat and hand straight out to the handlebars for control" was the perfect, comfortable design…YRMV A future look with a similar color, lower front wheel/ handlebars, and a disc brake system for the front end.
Thanks! There is a whole area of hill climb bikes. That was probably my favorite, but here are a few of the others.
Just picked up another one of these hot rods.....this is my 5th Vmax, just can't stay away from them.
The "Hill Climb" section and the section with the motorcycle engine powered tools are my favorite part of the museum.
Love, love the V Max! It looks like it was made yesterday. Always wanted one, because they're scary fast. Hope those Dunlops are fresh and sticky, that brute needs all the traction it can have. I saw where the newer V Max bikes were close to 200 horsepower. Roll into the throttle too hard at highway speeds and bust loose that fat rear tire! Be careful out there!
The Vmax became insane. Yamaha didn't advertise horsepower, and rated the 1700cc 2020 model at 100 lb/ft torque. Magazines were seeing rear wheel dyno numbers north of 170 HP and 110 lb/ft. I used to think the litre cl*** biked were fast, hold on tight!
While I agree they are nuts (actually 197 hp at the crank), the 2009-2020 Gen 2s just aren't the same as the OG Gen 1 (1985-2007). It's like having a '60s muscle car vs a new Corvette or Mustang. The originals are all ****og, carbureted, no traction control, twisty frame beasts. The new 1700cc ones haul *** (I rode a few of them), and can beat an old stock one by about a 3/4 of a second in the quarter (High 9s vs mid 10s), but man they ain't the same, and don't sound anything like a piped old school 1200, which sound like a cammed up Big Block. These vids show the same exhaust that's on mine. Turn it up and enjoy. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=958483696178463
Finally got my pan running but still need to do a few things before I ride it like get the rear brake working and grease the spirals so the cables will work smooth. I did find the correct spiral for the throttle to get it functioning the right way just haven’t got it on yet.
Anyone ever ride 2 on the factory Buddy Seat on an early Harley ? Strangest thing I have ever tried to get adjusted to in my life . Reminds me of sitting on the speedometer
No, but my wife used to ride behind me on a pad bolted to the rear fender on a 75 FLH I had with a pogo mounted solo seat for me. That was kind of strange too with me bouncing up and down and her not bouncing.
The Jalopy Journal
