It's that time of year again; time to scrounge for loose change, time to empty the piggy bank, time to take your recyclables in. Now is the time to do whatever you can in order to get a shot at winning this custom Knucklehead-style motorcycle built by J&P Cycles for the National Motorcycle Museum.
J&P Cycles' metalcrafter, knucklebuster, motorcycle aficionado, Kody Wisner, and his sidekick, Tony Lueck (who just recently got hitched; congrats Tony) have toiled away on this here build 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for the past three months without food, water, or shelter in order to get 'er done. The J&P Cycles brass gave the boys the ultimate ultimatum: get the bike done and up to speed by a certain date or be put to death by firing squad in the middle of an Iowan pasture. They chose life. And because they finished the bike early, they were taken out for cake and ice cream. Sure beats getting led pumped into you at close range.
It was decided that this year's project would pay homage to the gone-but-not-forgotten Knucklehead. An S&S Flathead Power KN-Series 93ci mill was the power maker of choice because it fuses modern ingenuity with old-world style. Getting the engine to perform would be a Rivera Primo six-speed transmission with kicker pedal and Primo enclosed beltdrive with a Pro-Clutch. Six gears are better than four, especially with almost 20 more cubic inches of power between the frame tubes. And speaking of the frame, a vast majority of the bike's parts were donated by Paughco: frame, tapered rear leg springer, headlight, handlebars, front brake system, transmission plate, exhaust, and wheels wrapped in rubber courtesy of Avon Tyres. Le Pera donated a custom-crafted solo seat and pillion pad. Performance Machine chipped in a rear braking system and a set of its hand controls. Avon's rubber grips do the trick in making the past reappear. And the Dakota Digital gauge gives you all the info for rolling down the road. Everything else was pulled off the shelves at the J&P Cycles warehouse.
For paint, Underground Art Studios (UAS) in Iowa was again chosen to lay it down. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. UAS had the opportunity to paint the Museum's bikes time and time again. UAS sprayed a Dupont Lazer Blue hue over a silver base to really make it shine. Then UAS got to work on the graphics, incorporating the Museum's logo on the sides of the split gas tanks, and the J&P Cycles logo on the oil bag.
All it takes to win the custom bike before you is to make a $5 donation to get one entry, or a $25 donation for six entries. And the cash is going to a good cause in preserving motorcycle history by supporting the NMM. With more than 225 motorcycles, and tons of motorcycle paraphernalia on display, the Museum can only get better with your help. To purchase tickets, send your check to the National Motorcycle Museum at P.O. Box 405, Anamosa, Iowa 52205. An order form can also be downloaded from the Museum's website at www.nationalmcmuseum.org, you can order online via electronic check or simply send in your request along with payment. The NMM is a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation. Donations can be made up until December 30, 2010, when the winner will be announced and you need not be present to win.
If you've been following along over the past three issues, we took you through the mock-up stages, to final assembly and paint, and now the full feature. It's sad to see it come to an end, but all good things come to those who wait, right? Make your donation today and make this wait worthwhile. Good luck!
Underground Art Studios painted...
Underground Art Studios painted the NMM logo on both sides of the tank in silver and black, which stand out against the Dupont Lazer Blue paint.
A chrome J&P Cycles derby...
A chrome J&P Cycles derby cover seals up the primary cover sticking with the classic look of the overall bike.
Kody had the Paughco build-your-own-exhaust-pipe...
Kody had the Paughco build-your-own-exhaust-pipe kit coated in black ceramic and then wrapped the pipes in hi-temp header wrap for a distinct, retro look.