Team Video Introduction

Hi Thought it's time to list a video of the team and the bike. Please take the time to meet the team and our machine. Cannonball 2012 #16 Introduction http://youtu.be/1JFTzywNwfg Hope you enjoy.

2010 Cannonball DVD preview

Just had a forward preview from Brian Darwas in relation to his forthcoming video DVD filmed during the 2010 Motorcycle Cannonball. "White Knuckle: The Story of The Motorcycle Cannonball" (Teaser/ Trailer) A Film by Brian Darwas www.youtube.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=gG9Ze95DjFo Just for those who are unsure what this event is about i would suggest that you click the attachment and take a sneak preview. Jon Salay, Bill Nugent, Jeff Decker, and Sean Brayton are all featured and i am led to believe the field expands during the full feature. I have forwarded this on and am keen with anticipation for the full length version. I am sure that Atomic Hot Rods will do well with this. For further details or purchase of this DVD please go to  http://www.AtomicHotRods.com/ I have good authority that the previous videos are all good viewing, however i must confess i have not seen any to date. Thanks

2010 vs 2012 Cannonball Route.

The cannonball motorcycle endurance run is a Trans-Continental ride across the USA. I was lucky enough to be involved with this inaugural event, and have decided to participate with a Team in the 2012 Motorcycle Cannonball Endurance ride. We have entered as team no 16 "Southern Cross" and are from Australia.  Kitty Hawk Start of 2010 Cannonball Ride.  The ride was first held in 2010 had a total of 50 riders on pre 1915 motorcycles . These bikes ran from Kitty-Hawk (North Carolina ) through to San Monica (California) over 18 days. It was a unique and special event that captured the romance and support of the motorcycle community with a flavor that only could be obtained on period machines. For all those involved this was a trip of life time, and certainly a lot of hard work with the moto becoming a realisty which was  Ride, Wrench & Repeat which was truly lived up to. Details of the 2010 and 2012  ride can be found by visiting the organisers web site: http://www.motorcyclecannonball.com/   Route 2010 Cannonball ( Route is different for 2012)  The support of the media, and local and state Television captured the nation, with many towns we passed through welcoming us with open arms and ticket tape entrance like at Hot Springs. There were several books published on and during this event along with a documentary film made by Discovery Channel. Social media outlets worked overtime keeping this information flowwing with all types of media being utilised such as You Tube uploads and blogs being updated from where ever we were. The event was supported in all towns we visited both for the lunch time  routine and show, followed but the evening dipslay at the finish points.  Many visitors had travelled form intstate to witness the event and tour for a few days within the field so they could get a good vantage pont to view the motoclave and were not dissapointed. Kitty Hawk (2010 Cannonball 1000's of people and well wishers) .       Line up photo 2010 Cannonball Start    Overall Trophy winner Katrina (Well deserved on a 250 1907 OHV Jap) Photo taken at the award ceremony, banquette dinner. The overall trophy winner was taken home by the Katrina (German Entrant) on her lovely 1907 250 OHV jap. This machine purred along like a kitten, and was extremely reliable allthough it needed maintenance allong the route. I was lucky enough to  see inside the motor once during the decarburatasion  process, which made me really apprecaite the desgin of the OHV 90 Bore configuration   of the Jap motor. There was one major prize which was kindly donated by Jeff Decker, however there were many winners over all, including all those who made the full distance. I would say in total it was the AMCA that was the biggest winner as this event attracted the support of the nation along wiht the hearts and soles of all those who followed and supported this event.  2012 Cannonball Route, starting in New York, finishing in San Fransisco.  The social media buzz both pre, during and post the event was alive and we hope this will be similar this year. The 2012 Cannonball route is more adventurous that the 2010 route, and is crossing the higher states of the USa and hopefully good weather will prevail.  We are currently building a 1925 Invincible Jap and sidecar that will be suitable for the task, and this is about 75 % completed. The sidecar interior is being completed, and the bike is sort of looking like it should. We are actively looking for corporate sponsorship and would welcome discussions with interested parties to see what we have on offer. Please follow us if you wish, and help us enjoy our journey.

Broken Dreams (Urgent Help Required)

Hi All

We had a pal come over the last night to help build some straps for the Saddle Bags. All was going well until we moved the bike and the timming cover wedged between the running board and the motor.

The forks are currently off the Invincible and we physically had to man handle this.

Bikes are pretty heavy and with 100 + pounds of pressure the timming cover split into three small parts.

Yes we can weld this back together, but unfortunately this is a showy part of the bike, and is the vintage two screw style.
It is not something i wanted to tackle, but i can recast one and machine the same as a last resort.

I put out an SOS for someone who has one spare, or casting of the same that can help.

Time is against, and this is just another set back.
All i could do was laugh as my pals face went pale. If it wasn't such a serious set back it would be funny, however it is not major if time was not against us.

Please email if you can help.

Artistic Touches

Hi

With the fenders and sidecar painted, it was time to look at putting some color and pinstripes on the Invincible Jap.

Another pal (Ian) was asked to do the pinstripes as i had seen some of his work and this is highly respected.

Ian is a professional sign writer and more than capable of the task at hand as the results show.
Ian's experience and stories had us all captivated, while he worked away with his steady hand.
It was quite an experience watching a Tradesman perform the skills, and Ian who is proud of his trade was very keen to pass on as much of his knowledge as he could.
Unfortunately painting is a trade that also requires much practice along with a steady hand, as my work bench and shelves will always show i have neither, but at least now have a very good understanding of what is involved in sign writing.

The process goes somehting like this.

Select your color, then mix it, have a beer!
Then try the color, let it cure, have a beer!
Etc, Etc,

The hand gets steadier as the job progresses, and as such the lines appear straight. I am not sure of the science, but can attest for the accuracy of the straightness along with the finish. 

The brushes used are actually Squirrel hair, with special care being taken to ensure the correct brush and pressure was placed once the brush was loaded from the pallet.
The broadline (Widest) line was laied first, then this was allowed to dry (cure). The highlights (Light Green) were then layed, followed by the low lights (Black) in the center.

It has certainly transformed the fenders from where they were a few weeks ago, and I wish to thank Ian for all his patience, and skill set.

I would have no problem recommending Ian to undertake similar work, as his passion and ablity are currently under utilised.

                                                                                                                                 

The pin stripes need a few days to cure, and then they will be de-glossed as they do stand out as being fresh. This process will unfortunately take a week or so to fully cure before we can then can re-visit the pin stripes.

Thanks to Ian I'm sure that these will see the distance, and not be too knocked around come September.

With this part of the painting almost completed the bike really is beginning to take shape.