Re-Cycle September 2009

PRESIDENT: Paul Davidson
952-941-4997/Davidsonp9@msn.com
VICE PRESIDENT: Ron Spargo
952-443-2020/Ronspargo@mindspring.com
TREASURER: Linda Schunk
952-831-5065/Tekki3@earthlink.net
SECRETARY: Tom Whittles
651-636-5492/Threadmsters@msn.com
NEWSLETTER EDITOR: Ivar Natins
612-866-6069/IDN@comcast.net
GRAPHICS & LAYOUT: Your Name Here
Phone Number/Email Address
CLUB HISTORIAN: Tom Jones
763-533-9163
DIRECTORS:
Jim Geisler
952-933-3942/Jeg1234@hotmail.com
Roger Rimnac (E-TALKER)
612-825-2550/Motorog1@Yahoo.com
Paul St. John
763-533-6260/Uralski@q.com
John Ulrich
651-686-6974/Johnulrich_55123@yahoo.com
DEPUTY JUDGE: Jerry Richards
651-482-0096/Trudijr@visi.com
WEB MASTER: Sean O’Neil
612-870-0766/Moneil2@comcast.net
Schedule of Events
NOTE: Board of Directors (B.O.D.) meetings are open to all members. When
held at a chapter members home,
please notify the host ahead of time.
Sept 2 Ride to Davenport 1 8:00 am
(Wed)
Little Oscar’s Restaurant
23470 Emery Avenue
Hampton, MN
(come earlier for breakfast)
Sept 4
(Fri)
Ride to Davenport 2 6:00 am
Downtown Gas Station
Prescott, WI
(contact Tom Jones)
Sept 9
(Wed)
B.O.D. Meeting 7:00 pm
Ron Spargo
8399 Bavaria Rd.
Victoria, MN
952-443-2020
Sept 12
Ride to Wings & Wheels
(Sat)
leaves from
Kerry Rasmussen’s @ 8:00 am
9282 Stonebridge Trail N
Stillwater, MN
651-492-0735
Sept 16 General Meeting 7:00 pm
(Wed)
Fury Motors
740 North Concord
South St. Paul, MN
(dinner by Joe at 6:00)
Schedule continued on back page
SEPTEMBER
Newsletter of the Viking Chapter
Antique Motorcycle Club of America Inc
Published Quarterly
2009
March, June, September, December
vikingamca@yahoo.com
http:www.vikingmc.org
DAVIDSON’S HARD TALES
by Paul Davidson
Hello Fellow Viking Chapter Members
This riding season has certainly been much too short however; if yours was anything like mine there was rarely a weekend without some form of riding activity. So
thankfully most of the weekends were great riding weather. Hopefully there are still
two good months to go before we need to start pushing the bikes into the corners of
the garage.
One of those great weekends happened to be our National meet. The great weather
helped make it certainly one of the greatest meets ever based on the crowds and
feedback received. Some of the raving reviews came from a couple of National
Board members that were in attendance as well as visitors from neighboring chapters.
The vending area outside was at full capacity and the inside was filled with a great
variety of awesome antique bikes; 180+ and close to 200 counting the motorized bicycles. According to Jerry Richards, the number of judged bikes more than doubled
from years past making the judges really earn their pay this year.
Again, the hard work of the Planning Committee and all of the volunteers during
the meet greatly contributed to the success. Thanks to all, you are the greatest!
The ride to Sturgis this year offered great weather and a larger than average group
of bikes compared to the last several years. With the exception of a few minor
road construction detours it was a very pleasant ride. The oldest bike this year was
a 1947 Harley Knucklehead ridden by Paul from Wisconsin which I later learned
required a few road side repairs along the ride.
Of course, the week is not complete without the annual thunderstorm during our
KOA picnic. Thankfully Hostetler and Meisel rented a cabin this year complete
with satellite TV so we were all quite comfortable during the storm.
Speaking of the picnic, the BOD has reinstated
the chapter covering the cost of an annual picnic
at the KOA during Sturgis. All members are
welcome to attend. The Board has also approved
to cover the camping fees for future Presidents
rides.
I can not forget to mention Jerry and Trudi’s annual chili feed which had a great attendance and
the food was great as always.
We already have a sizable group planning to ride
to Sturgis next year which will include several
newly restored Indians so put it on your schedule
and join the adventure.
Hope to see you down the road.
1
Editors Note
President’s Ride 09
by Stan Mewhorter
Only five members showed up for the ride. Some riders
from Thunder Bay was going to meet us at McDonalds and
go on the ride with us, but got lost and did not make it in
time before we had to leave for Dean Hansens.
You will notice this issue of the Re-Cycle is a bit lite on
copy. I didn’t get a “ton” of submissions from the membership, and I’m too busy riding to write. Lots of good photos
though... Enjoy!
Kennedy High Fab Class Open House
Paul led us by all back roads to a little town by Sleepy Eye
to meet Dean Hansen and have lunch. Dean and his son were
both riding Indians. Then we rode to Dean farm to see his
great collection of Indians and Cushman scooters.
(May 14)
Thank Goodness
for this class,
all my friends are so old...
Then Paul took us to Fort Ridgely State Park to camp.
Paul’s arm was to sore to camp and Craig Kotval had to go
back home for his anniversary, so only three of us camped in
the great campground. After a cold nights sleep Cal Spooner
went home and Bob Zick and I went to New Ulm, then
home.
Stan Mewhorter
Cal Spooner
Craig Kotval
Paul Davidson
Bob Zick
1971 Triumph
1973 BMW R60/5
1999 Honda Aero 1100
2003 Harley
2008 Triumph Thruxton
Don’t That Just Bust Your Nuts?!
submitted by Ron Spargo
Machinist’s Workshop magazine actually tested penetrants
for break out torque on rusted nuts.
Significant results! They are below, as relayed by an exstudent and professional machinist, Bud Baker.
Don’t forget the April 2007 “Machinist’s Workshop”
magazine comparison test.
They arranged a subjective test of all the popular penetrants with the control being the torque required to remove
the nut from a “scientifically rusted” environment.
s...
e cover
h
t
t
a
e
’ll do is
all they
Penetrating oil .......Average load
None ........................516 pounds
WD-40.....................238 pounds
PB Blaster ...............214 pounds
Liquid Wrench ........127 pounds
Kano Kroil ..............106 pounds
ATF-Acetone mix....53 pounds
Garage-Get-Together at the Ulrich’s
(May 27)
Brrrrr...
The ATF-Acetone mix was a “home brew” mix of 50 - 50
automatic transmission fluid and acetone.
Note the “home brew” was better than any commercial product in this one particular test.
Our local machinist group mixed up a batch and we all
now use it with equally good results.
Note also that “Liquid Wrench” is about as good as “Kroil”
for about 20% of the price.
2
Crow River HD Spring Ride
July General Meeting at the Vet’s Home
(May 30)
(July14)
Old Guys
on Old Bikes
bring Ice Cream
to other Old Guys...
Garage-Get-Together at the Moot’s
next time, I’ll do the talkin...
(July 28)
B.O.D. at the Jones’
(June 3)
18 riders, 88 bikes, and 1 bubble car thing...
Nice,
but he needs
more pegboard...
Hmmm... was the door in the back and
the engine in the front?
Garage-Get-Together at the Prez’s
(June 25)
Woah! You can hide stuff under the seat?
3
Viking Chapter National Meet Wrap-Up
It was a Super Duper Event! - A REAL MOTORCYCLE EXTRAVAANZA!
by Sean O’Neil
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity greeted our visitors. The
theme this year was Competition Bikes so the call went out
to all two-wheel fanatics to bring their old racing iron. The
club invited racers from the golden age of Drag Racing,
Land Speed Records, Motocross and Flat-Track to share
their old bikes, photos and memories. The bikes came by the
dozens and joined the Viking Chapter’s display to top over
180 antique bikes.
were five Vincents at the meet – three everyday riders (if
you can get away with saying that about a Vincent) and two
highly modified competition bikes. One was a completely
lowered, stretched and supercharged drag bike, and the other
was the current Class C world speed record holding Vincent
of the gifted local builder, Steve Hamel. But before we talk
about that bike, we need to talk about its most famous pilot –
Marty Dickerson.
WOW!
Just Move the Damn Jack Boy!
Marvin “Thunder” Klunder brought four of his Harley
KR’s that he campaigned through the Midwest in the ‘60s
and a rare flat-head hillclimber. Not to be outdone, Jeff Phillips (who has been tweaking British Iron in the Twin Cities
for 30 years) brought his Triumph hill climbing beast known
as “The Stone Axe”. Bob Crawford, who founded St Paul
Harley Davidson after he hung up his racing boots in 1986,
brought his factory racer. Gary Landeen displayed his 1939
“Big Base” 648 Indian Scout and fired it up for the crowd.
That old side-valve was originally piloted by West Coast
legend Ed “Iron Man” Kretz in the ‘40s but won hundreds of
races all the way up to 1967 ridden by pretty much a “who’s
who” of racing. The floor was packed with race bikes from
the rare – Rickmans, Gileras, and NSUs – to the classics like
Harley KRs and BSAs. One BSA that drew a lot of attention
was the battle-scared mount of two-time world motocross
champion and AMA Hall of Fame member, Jeff Smith. Jeff’s
health prevented him from making an appearance, but his
daughter Chris (a vintage motocross racer in her own right)
brought his bike and a pile of old magazines from back in the
day to share with the retired racers.
The Viking Chapter flew Marty to St Paul to give the
crowd a once-in-a-lifetime chance to hear what it was like
breaking speed records on the Bonneville Salt Flats in the
‘50s and ‘60s and hanging out with guys like Rollie Free
and Burt Munro (of World’s Fastest Indian fame). Rollie was
a world record holder when Marty met him at Bonneville.
Rollie took Marty under his wing and schooled him on all
the ways to squeeze the maximum speed out of a motorcycle. It was time well spent being that Marty broke Rollie’s
record the next year. Marty’s stories twisted through time
like a corner-hugging sport bike and kept the crowd wrapped
around his every word. Like his stories of Burt Munro’s
quest to run the World’s Fastest Indian. When Burt found
out about nitro, he had to bring some back to New Zealand,
so he smuggled a gallon of the explosive concoction in a
wine bottle - stashed under his bunk on the boat! Good thing
it never got bumped! Marty consulted for the World’s Fastest Indian and helped recreate that exciting period in racing
history. He even lent old voice recordings of Burt to Anthony
Hopkins so that he’d accurately recreate Burt’s Kiwi accent
and vocal style. Recently, Marty’s Minnesota connections
have returned him to the Salt Flats to race at the age of 81.
This time, he was aboard Steve Hamel’s record setting Vincent. In 2007, Marty ran a two-way average of 151.685 with
an astonishing 154.456 on the return run. At 81 years old!
Steve brought his Vincent to the meet and let Marty rev the
engine for the crowd. What an amazing sound!
No display of competition bikes would have been complete without the bike known in its day as the “World’s Fastest Standard Motorcycle” – the Vincent. Any motorhead that
lived through the ‘50s and ‘60s will tell you that the Vincent
was perhaps the most famous racing bike of the 20th century
and epitomized the ideal of raw power and beauty. There
4
Serious Feedback
Although the theme of the meet was Competition Bikes,
that wasn’t all there was on display. We “Pegged the Needle”
with yet another amazing display of antique machines. The
high quality and diversity of the display had something for
everyone. There was everything from beautifully restored
American Iron like Indian Chiefs and Harley-Davidson
Knuckleheads, to British bikes like Triumphs and Nortons.
The scooters were out in force this year with Vespas, Doodle-bugs and Cushmans. And the Japanese bikes were very
well represented with vintage Yamaha racers and immaculately restored Honda Dreams and Scramblers.
Just wanted to somehow tell the Viking Chapter that you
did a really great job with the swap and especially the show.
Wow - it was better than Davenport. Real quality array of
motorcycles on hand. Great job - the ride to Porkys was fun
too. Perfect weather. Nice campground - cool people - quiet
- nice showers . . . I don’t miss Farmington as much. If I see
any old vendors who haven’t been here yet - I’ll tell them to
get “their ass back” - definitely missing out on a great venue.
Plus, the roads around the fairgrounds are great to ride old
bikes on.
See you every year,
Rick Nootnagel, Charles City, Iowa
Paul, a tip of the hat to all the Viking Chapter officers and
members who made the June meet a great event. The mix of
professionalism and laid back attitude made this year’s meet
one of the best ever. Everyone who participated should give
themselves a pat on the back too!!
Many thanks,
Mark Backlund AMCA #9030
What a fantastic show that was - I look forward to more
and bigger next year. I’ve never been to a nicer venue - the
building housing the bikes on show was amazing. You guys
do a great job with the period decorations, the quality of machinery, and the friendly club members. And the MN State
Faigrounds is a top notch facility. Well done!!!!
Thanks,
Chris Motorsport
Team
Field Games?
In addition to the amazing indoor display of bikes, the Viking meet is also famous for their huge outdoor swap meet.
This year the swap area completely filled up with high quality parts with vendors from all around the country swarming
to St Paul. But the Viking Chapter’s bikes aren’t just for
show, their meet also presents ample opportunity to shut
up and ride. They upheld their tradition of cruising down
University Avenue to the famous ‘50s era Porkey’s DriveIn on Friday night. On Saturday, they hosted an organized
ride through the tree-lined parkways along the Mississippi
river and held field games to test the skill of visitors on their
old iron. In spite of all the action during the day, the campground (pronounced “The Compound”) was still hopping
each night with AMCA members kicking back and socializing until the wee hours of the morning.
Paul, On behalf of myself, Marlyn Klunder, Billy Hoh,
Billy Hoffmiester, Buzz Arndt, Al Burke, Mark Howe, Barney Larson and all the other invited guests unable to attend,
we thank you for providing us the opportunity to get together, show our race bikes, share experiences and reminisce
about the fun we had racing back in the 1950’s through the
early 1970’s. All who attended had a wonderful time and we
hope we helped contribute to the Viking Chapter’s successful
2009 meet.
Sincerely,
Tom Robertson
Nice Work Everyone!
Lost & Found
It’s a Giant Beer Can!
A jacket was found at the registration desk at the National
Meet. It’s an XL navy Blue & Gray windbreaker (without
any money in the pockets). If this belongs to you please contact Linda Schunk at tekki3@earthlink.net or 952-831-5065.
5
The Back Hills Motor Classic 2009
A new Black Hill’s “Breakfast Tradition”
(“Sturgis” you dog)
by Paul Meisel
For several years now Viking members have enjoyed a
Black Hills breakfast at Trinity United Methodist Church in
Lead, SD. Besides their handy location – only 3 miles from
the KOA Campsites where many members stay, the breakfast
is one of the best values going. Scrambled eggs, sausage,
coffee, juice and all the pancakes you can eat for $5.00. The
food is always tasty and always served hot. Even the maple
syrup is served warm!
Besides the food being of excellent quality and price, the
service is instant. Your breakfast is put in front of you almost
the minute you sit down. And always from an extraordinarily
friendly staff of volunteers.
I talked to Reverend Bruce Adams, (better known as “Pastor
Bruce” to his congregation) to learn more about the inside
workings of this great breakfast treat.
While in Sturgis, a group of Viking Chapter members
rode the wildlife loop in Custer State Park. They stopped at
a rest area and got this in creditable shot. The timer delay on
the camera was set and just before the shutter closed a prairie
dog jumped up in front of the lens. We don’t know what the
odds of that happening are, but we understand the photo has
made national news and has been viewed by millions on the
internet. Front row – Ivar & Dena Natins and Gene Hostetler
Back row – Paul & Pat Meisel, Keith & Gloria Peters, Paul
Davidson and Bob Heeter. (We named the gopher Timmy.)
One of the secrets to their success is the quality of quantity
of people who help. This year there was 79 volunteers – all
of them friendly and eager to please. I talked with one boy
who I believe said he was 8 years old. He was bussing dishes. Pastor Bruce told me the youngest helper was 4 years
old! At the other end of the spectrum there were people in
their eighties helping.
In all, a total of 2,267 meals were served from Sunday
through Friday.
Pans and Pans and Pans (of chili)
Besides great food and friendly service, I like the fact that
they use real plates and real silverware. Although I know this
does require church members more work washing, it certainly beats paper plates and plastic forks.
by Trudi Johnson Richards
Pastor Bruce told me that the number of breakfasts served
has increased each year, an fact he attributes mostly to “word
of mouth” advertising.
Coco
Hi All, We want to thank you for coming to the 13th Annual Richards Sturgis Chili Feed on August 3, 2009. A special
thank you to Coco Villard for taking photos for us to remember in years ahead. Riders were from The AMCA-Viking
Chapter and Black Hills Chapter; St. Paul Harley-Davidson
H.O.G.and elsewhere around the U.S.A.
We do not have email addresses for everyone who rode in
so feel free to visit PhotoCoco’s Picasa Web Album at
http://picasaweb.google.com/cocovilla/ChiliFeed2009?authk
ey=Gv1sRgCMvOg_T5kpv6XA&feat=email#.
Ya gotta break allot of eggs...
6
Annual Club Picnic was “Grate”
In the Next RE-CYCLE...
•
•
•
•
•
WILL KERRY MAKE IT “ALL-THE-WAY” TO OSCEOLA?
NEW CLUB OFFICERS INTRODUCED (read ridiculed)
WILL JESUS SHOW UP AT THIS YEARS SWAP MEET?
NUMEROUS CANDID PHOTOS OF MEMBERS EATING
WILL SOMEONE HOST A “HEATED GARAGE” GET TOGETHER OVER THE WINTER MONTHS?
• WHERE IS DAVE MOOT GETTING ALL THAT CANDY?
• WILL THE EDITOR GET ENOUGH ARTICLES TO ACTUALLY FILL THE RE-CYCLE WITH SOMETHING OTHER THAN
THIS MIND NUMBING FLUFF?
OH THE SUSPENSE!
Perfect weather, lots of folks (like 90), and super chow... (albeit our crack kitchen staff had to “Jerry” rig the park’s grill
as many of the grates had disintegrated). Special thanks to
Cheryl and Tom Whittles for getting the groceries this year
(no small task) and to Sean O’Neal for bringing 322 lbs of
drinks and ice.
Hungry Editor
Future Graphics Guy?
Future Director?
Future Treasurer?
Bits and Pieces
Future
Astronaut?
North American Vincent Rally
Saturday, September 12
The best time for the general public to view “The Worlds
Fastest Standard Motorcycle” would be between 5:00 and 6:
p.m. at Grandpa’s Garage in Cannon Falls. South of town on
Hwy 52. More info at http://vincentrally2009.blogspot.com
New Members
In addition to voicing nominations for next years Board of
Directors, the following items were voted on (and passed)
by the contented group for 2010 (see what can happen when
you feed people first). Please remember that all of the events
the club has chosen to help fund are open to all Viking Chapter members:
RIVER RUN hosted by the Hopkins Lions
Saturday, September 12
Hopkins American Legion Post 10 - 12th Ave. S. Ride the
MN side of the Mississippi River Valley - at the peak of the
beautiful fall colors, then back along the WI side.
Registration starts at 8:30 am, ride leaves at 10:00 am
Cost is $30 per bike and $20.00 per passenger.
Come for the music of HEADBAND following - 8:30 pm
Club will foot the bill for camping fees for all members
that attend the annual President’s Ride
Club to donate $100 to help defray the expense of the
annual Sturgis picnic at the KOA
FLAT TWINS DAY
Saturday, September 19, 2009
9:00 am-8:00 pm at Diamond’s Coffee Shop
1618 Central Ave NE Mpls.
Club to donate $200 to the town of Wessington Springs
SD for camping and hospitality
Club to donate $200 to the city of Chaska MN to help
repair the grates on the grill in Fireman’s Park
Nominations for 2010 Officers
President .................. Paul Davidson
Directors (2 reqd) ..... Deb Riggs
Roger Rimnac
Treasurer .................. Dena Natins
Roy Williams
Let the Campaigning Begin!
Fall Flood Run
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Only 2 more shots at Cycles and Coffee for 09
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
8:00-11:00 am at the Auto MotorPlex in Chanhassen, MN.
Jack Crane Motorcycle Museum Open House
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
9:00 am-noon, 1301 East Cliff Road Burnsville, MN
952-927-8126 (if necessary)
The membership in attendance at the September General
Meeting will be voting to select the new board members.
Please plan to attend.
RAT BIKES AND MODIFIEDS
Saturday, October 17, 2009
9:00 am-8:00 pm at Diamond’s Coffee Shop
1618 Central Ave NE Mpls.
7
Viking Chapter AMCA, Inc.
Antique Motorcycle Club of America, Inc
5065 Nine Mile Creek Circle
Bloomington, MN 55437
WANTED
Indian Side Car
Frame or parts to fit post WWII Chief
Kerry 651-492-0735
Attention BMW Fans:
Viking Chapter member Mark Ryan
would like info on restoring a 1967
BMW R50/2. If you are knowledgeable
on these machines and could be of some
help please call or e-mail Mark at 218287-6023; mozzhead@hotmail.com
Schedule of Events (continued)
Sept 20
(Sun)
Viking Chapter
Fall Swap Meet
MN State Fairgrounds
St. Paul, MN
(North parking lot)
Oct 7
(Wed)
B.O.D. Meeting 7:00 pm
Diamond’s Coffee Shop
1618 Central Ave. No.
Mpls, MN
General Meeting 7:00 pm
Oct 14
(Wed)
Motoprimo
16640 Kenrick Ave.
Lakeville, MN
Nov 4
(Wed)
Volunteer Appreciation
Dinner 7:00 am
Old Country Buffet
9 East 66th St.
Richfield, MN
(check in by 6:30)
Nov 11
(Wed)
B.O.D. Meeting 7:00 pm
Taste of Scandinavia
(Festival Foods)
401 West 98th Street
Bloomington, MN
Nov 18 General Meeting 7:00 noon
(Wed)
Leo’s South
16375 Kenrick Ave.
Lakeville, MN
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
US POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 894
MINNEAPOLIS MN