OLD YELLER: Still A Viable Street Machine
By Buck Lovell | | General Posts
No one can possibly ever know exactly when the first Harley-Davidson or Indian motorcycle became a custom chopper or bobbed street machine, but it is most likely that the stripped street bike trend started during the 1950s, at least that’s the most popular theoretical consensus.
Young, boisterous, motorcycle riding men who had recently returned from wartime duty in either the European Theatre or Pacific Theater were riding American war surplus machines that were both inexpensive and plentiful, those two adjectives almost always appearing in the same descriptive zone. Local small town motorcycle race tracks with dirt or clay surfaces attracted hundreds of thrill seeking spectators like flies to the proverbial dog poop, and those young men were eager and unafraid to risk their necks for a few dollars and small, dinky but shiny trophy on any weekend they weren’t required to be at their place of employment.
Most of the motorcycles competing in these local events were actually ridden to the racetrack in street form, then laboriously stripped of all unnecessary equipment. They were then ridden in competition rounds on dry dusty dirt tracks, only to have that same street equipment reinstalled for the ride home. My personal theory is that on many occasions that street equipment somehow did not get re-installed, with the owner rider deciding that the stripped (chopped or bobbed) version was just plain faster and more fun to ride without all that extra weight. Just a theory but it works for me.
The motorcycle seen here is a 1942 Harley-Davidson WLA was purchased sometime in the early part of this millennium. Historical facts about the origin of this machine are scarce, but I discovered this machine was purchased from an unknown seller who offered it for sale on E-Bay. That being said, it is not known who actually customized the motorcycle, but whoever did, seemed to want to emulate the kind of machine that would probably have been seen in the mid 1950s.
Take a long, studious look at this two-wheeler. If you’ve been riding motorcycles for more than 30 years you might just think, “that’s just a Harley-Davidson flathead 45. No power, I’d rather ride an overhead valve machine.” At least you might have thought that way back then. My mind-set was exactly like that 30 years ago when I was just starting my riding career. Times have changed and so has my thinking and opinion when it comes to two-wheeled things.
When I look at this motorcycle with my now somewhat experienced and mellowed riding perspective, I see a machine I would love to ride almost anywhere just for fun. At first glance it looks to be a genuine example of one of the early chopper, bobber motorcycles of the early 1950s, but a longer look reveals the modern electrical equipped installed contradicts that initial assessment.
This Harley-Davidson motorcycle is either a Chopper or Bobber depending upon your point of view. You say tomato, I say toe-motto. Bobber or chopper….I like it!
World War II surplus Harley-Davidson WLs and WLA model 45 cubic inch motorcycles were very reliable when not abused and when subjected to a regular maintenance routine including oil changes, tappet adjustments, and wheel/frame greasing routine.
The machine pictured here has had aluminum alloy cylinder heads installed, which results in a much cooler running motor when compared the standard cast iron cylinder heads. That rear wheel foot brake is mechanically actuated, as is the front brake (cable). A modern solid-state voltage regulator receives charging voltage from a late style two brush generator and delivers it to the battery. That tungsten filament headlight is OEM Harley-Davidson, no L.E.D. thingy here. An unmodified Harley-Davidson single down-tube rigid frame keeps everything organized. The three speed gear-box was/is standard with an optional 3-speed with reverse available for the three-wheeled 45 used by parking enforcement personnel of many municipal police departments. The foot clutch is of the “toe down engaged variety” whereas Indian motorcycles were exactly the opposite as stock being functioning as toe down disengaged units.
Harley-Davidson WLs were/are perfect for Black Hills South Dakota riding out on the miles and miles of unpaved county roads. The fat 5:00 X 16 wheels and tires have a large contact patch. The Springer front fork is perfect for dirt riding not being afflicted with the “sticktion” characteristics of a hydraulic-tube front ends. Smooth comfortable riding is supplied by that big butt tractor seat common to rigid frame machine as stock. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, that taillight is a Crocker manufactured component that looks awesome here, putting out plenty of light given the twelve conversion the electrical system has experienced.
This little Yellow Bobber sold for above $15,000 dollars at a recent Mecums auction. I considered this an astounding amount of money for a motorcycle that may have purchased for less than $50.00 when originally sold to the public. It is what it is, and the buyer here got his money’s worth.
If you’re looking to build a motorcycle resembling a vehicle of the late 1950s or early 1960s this may be a good machine to use a reference. Good luck in your search for early Harley-Davidson WLA or WL parts, they are becoming scarce as hens’ teeth!
VL,XA,FL Knucklehead Build part 5
By Wayfarer | | General Posts
by Bandit with photos by Wrench
I’ve been waiting on my chain primary drive from Tech Cycle and Paul Cox, it’s cool albeit terrifying. We only go around once. It arrived the other day and we started the alignment procedure. Answers and solutions are coming.
Then we looked into how the drive chain would align with the sprocket on the transmission and wheel.
Click here to catch-up with this live build project in a photo feature only on Bikernet.com
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Record Attendance at 2023 Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival
By Wayfarer | | General Posts
Record Attendance at 2023 Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival Celebrating 120 Years of Moto Culture
Headline Performances by Green Day and Foo Fighters and Events Across the Milwaukee Area July 13-16
MILWAUKEE (July 17, 2023) – The Harley-Davidson® Homecoming™ Festival, the biggest music-and-moto event to hit Milwaukee this summer, took place from July 13-16 at venues across the Milwaukee area. Moto enthusiasts from all over the world enjoyed the festivities celebrating the rich, 120- year history of the world’s most-desirable motorcycle brand, Harley-Davidson.
The Company also announced next year’s Harley-Davidson Homecoming will be July 25-28, 2024.
Some key highlights of the 2023 Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival included:
Veterans Park on the Milwaukee Lakefront – Performances by Green Day and Foo Fighters
On Friday and Saturday night at Veterans Park, music headliners Green Day (July 14) and Foo Fighters (July 15) performed to massive crowds on the Milwaukee lakefront. The shows gathered more than 80,000 moto and music enthusiasts throughout the weekend. Leading up to the headlining acts at the Veterans Park venue, key performances on July 14 included Abby Jeanne, KennyHoopla, Phantogram, and The Cult. On July 15, performances included Ghost Hounds, White Reaper, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and Cody Jinks. In addition, Nitro Circus, the most explosive crew in action sports, provided an action-packed freestyle motocross show, plus the exhilarating stunts of the Ives Brothers Wall of Death & Ball of Steel, food and beverage vendors, and special merchandise added to the family-friendly entertainment. Matty Matheson hosted a Burger Build Off, where legendary chef, actor, author, and restauranteur Matty Matheson created the ultimate, show-stopping burger in a head-to-head cookoff.
Harley-Davidson Museum – Milwaukee
Activities kicked off at the Harley-Davidson Museum grounds on Thursday with Bike Night and continued through the weekend. 73,000 bikes lined the museum grounds and Sixth Street over the four days. 130,000 attendees enjoyed food trucks, Flat Out Friday Boonie Bike races, motorcycle displays and demo ride opportunities with LiveWire®, and Stacyc® electric vehicles, the Division BMX Stunt Show, custom and vintage motorcycle shows, and evening musical entertainment. The music line-up included headliners Hairball, The Jimmys and The Now Band, Rust Bucket Road Trip, and The Toys and Rebel Grace.
Harley-Davidson Powertrain Operations – Menomonee Falls
The Harley-Davidson Powertrain Operations in Milwaukee suburb, Menomonee Falls, hosted demos of 2023 Harley-Davidson motorcycles, factory tours, and Police Skills Riding Demonstrations.
Harley-Davidson 120th Anniversary Motorcycle Parade – Downtown Milwaukee
The 2023 Homecoming event concluded on Sunday with the Harley-Davidson 120th Anniversary Parade, winding through Wisconsin Avenue to the heart of downtown Milwaukee, ending at Veterans Park on the lakefront. 7,000 motorcycles participated in the parade to the cheers and waves from crowds gathered along the route.
Ride In Routes
All roads led to Milwaukee as Harley-Davidson plotted six exciting Ride In routes, each starting from the furthest reaches of North America and leading to Milwaukee, to arrive for Homecoming festivities. This provided an opportunity for riders to join at any point and ride at their own pace while mingling with fellow H-D riders. Each daily Ride In segment began and ended at an authorized Harley-Davidson dealership, with a mid-day stop also at a H-D dealership, to meet other riders, chat with local staff, eat at local food trucks, and conduct bike maintenance, as needed.
New 2023 Custom Vehicle Operations™ (CVO™) Motorcycles
Homecoming weekend was also the official consumer debut of the new 2023 CVO™ Street Glide® and CVO™ Road Glide® models showcasing advanced technology, enhanced rider comfort, and dynamic performance propelled by the powerful new Milwaukee-Eight® VVT 121 engine, with a technical display in the Harley-Davidson Museum Garage area and demos at the Company’s Powertrain Operations facility.
Harley-Davidson Dealership Events
Six Milwaukee-area Harley-Davidson dealerships hosted events and entertainment. Dealerships that participated included House of Harley-Davidson (Greenfield), Milwaukee Harley-Davidson (Milwaukee), Suburban Motors Harley-Davidson (Thiensville), Uke’s Harley-Davidson (Kenosha), West Bend Harley-Davidson (West Bend), and Wisconsin Harley-Davidson (Oconomowoc).
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100 WFC: For The Hearing Despaired
By Wayfarer | | General Posts
100 word fiction contest continues…. #100WFC
For The Hearing Despaired
by Wayfarer
The speed limit signboard hid behind overgrown flora on public land. The no parking signboard, worn-out junk rested in the weeds. The district magistrate crept behind schedule. My lawyer, rusty on traffic violations, ducked. Me? I was screwed…tighter than the bolts on my motorcycle, which was impounded for being on the road!?
I took the stand, hand raised, and swore; cussing instead of the solemn oath. No comic relief. The Sheriff banged on the cuffs as soon as the judge’s gavel hit. Contempt of court, wasting court’s invaluable time, while possession of ‘some balls.’
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Then email us your 100 word limit fiction to the editor wayfarer@bikernet.com
The Blessings of Petroleum Products
By Wayfarer | | General Posts
Compiled and Edited by Bandit
Its more than just fuel for your vehicle
Petroleum products are derived from crude oil and natural gas. Crude oil and natural gas are hydrocarbons and are made up of molecules of hydrogen and carbon. Petroleum products are used to produce heat, light, power, and transportation fuels.
These are essential commodities in your daily life, in hospital emergency rooms, in your computer and mobile phone.
Have a look at this detailed article to gain some insight & perspective…click here.
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The 75th Panhead Anniversary
By Wayfarer | | General Posts
by Rogue and others
I made plans to attend Harley Davidson’s 120th Anniversary in Wisconsin, when I got a phone call from Berry Wardlaw. He told me about the Panhead Anniversary and the event that was happening to celebrate it in the Milwaukee area.
The Event was June 22-24 and the Harley Reunion was July 13-16. That would mean two rides to Milwaukee from Florida and back. With almost a month between the events, so it was doable.
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75th PANHEAD ANNIVERSARY
By Bikernet Contributor Rogue | | General Posts
I made plans to attend Harley Davidson’s 120th Anniversary in Wisconsin, when I got a phone call from Berry Wardlaw. He told me about the Panhead Anniversary and the event that was happening to celebrate it in the Milwaukee area.
The Event was June 22-24 and the Harley Reunion was July 13-16. That would mean two rides to Milwaukee from Florida and back. With almost a month between the events, so it was doable.
I contacted Greg Lew who promoted the event and made arrangements to attend. I even got a VIP badge, something to do with being old I was told.
Well, I got caught in one of those rain storms that made it difficult to see the front wheel on my way from Florida to Accurate Engineering in Alabama. I ride through them on a regular basis in Florida, but it does slow me down some. The weather report announced more rain on the way to Milwaukee. We faced a run schedule, and I did not want to be the one holding us up.
It turned out Vivian’s Pan and the Indian were going in the van and my bike on the trailer. I personally do not like trailering a motorcycle, if it is rideable, but do realize that sometimes it is necessary. As it turned out putting it on the trailer this time was the thing to do.
We had a great trip to our friends Tony and Vickie’s house just outside of Milwaukee where we would be staying.
My new Ultra let me know it was not happy going on a trailer. Luckily, I caught it the first night we stopped. I fixed the issue and all it took was a short low charge of the battery in Tony’s garage to correct her attitude.
Tony has a sharp, organized shop set up in his garage, and the vintage bikes faced last-minute adjustments.
The generator was not working on Wigwam (Molly’s Indian), so it was decided to just run it off the battery and not use the headlight. A spare battery went along on the rides, just in case. These things happen and the mission was to make the ride and fix the motorcycle when parts and time were available. Mission Accomplished.
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On site features thanks to Tom Hinderholtz included sprawling grass areas for tents, parking with water, showers, electricity and other facilities.
There were hotels and RV parks close by as well.
On Saturday morning a reported 108 Panheads and other motorcycles met at Wetzel Brothers Lot in Cudahy for a Police Escorted Ride to the Harley Museum.
Since Berry was on an Indian, and I was riding a new Ultra we rode in the back of the group.
When arriving at the museum the Panheads were lined up handlebar to handlebar for a panoramic photo with the oldest motorcycles in the middle of the photo.
After the photo there was a bike show in front of the museum and also other motorcycles were involved in field games.
What a great, historic day.
I should note that Vivian did offer to let me ride her Panhead in the parade, but I did not feel right doing that as it was not mine. That’s a Good Sister.
I thought I would mention a lot of these older motorcycles have lights that are not that bright even when they are working (6-volt). “We need to get home before dark,” said many vintage riders.
The Blessings of Petroleum Products
By Uncle Monkey | | General Posts
This is a wild one. We have a mistaken edict or new religion in this country: Save the Planet not the People. Even the Vice President said recently, “Reduce the population.” What’s that mean? Who must go?
On the other hand, there are grubby bikers like myself, who want the truth to be told, but more than that, we want folks to have fun with their vehicles, with transportation and with love. We want kids to look forward to that camping trip in mom’s gas guzzling SUV. We want teenagers to look forward to their first flat track race or building their first bike or taking a girl on a date in dad’s old Chevy.
The alarmist see only one insane goal, but of course it doesn’t make scientific or common sense, so I thought I would work on a list of oil uses just to remind the world that oil is king and thank god for oil and CO2. Check it out.
Petroleum Products and Its Uses: A Comprehensive Study
Uses of Petroleum: Petroleum products are derived from crude oil and natural gas. Crude oil and natural gas are hydrocarbons and are made up of molecules of hydrogen and carbon. Petroleum products are used to produce heat, light, power, and transportation fuels.
Heating oil is a petroleum product used to heat homes and businesses. Heating oil is a heavy, low-viscosity oil that is used to heat buildings by burning it in a furnace.
Gasoline is a petroleum product used to power automobiles. Gasoline is a volatile, flammable liquid that is used to power automobiles by burning it in an engine.
Diesel fuel is a petroleum product used to power trucks and buses. Diesel fuel is a heavy, oil-based fuel that is used to power trucks and buses by burning it in a diesel engine.
Jet fuel is a petroleum product used to power airplanes. Jet fuel is a high-octane, flammable liquid that is used to power airplanes by burning it in an engine.
Propane is a petroleum product used to heat homes and businesses.
Propane is a liquefied petroleum gas that is used to heat buildings by burning it in a furnace or a stove.
Natural gas is a petroleum product used to generate electricity. Natural gas is a combustible, odorless gas that is used to generate electricity by burning it in a turbine.
Lubricating oils are petroleum products used to lubricate machinery.
Transportation fuels, fuel oils for heating and electricity generation, asphalt and road oil, and feedstocks for making the chemicals, plastics, and synthetic materials that are in nearly everything we use.
— Lubric
What are the petroleum products people consume most?
Gasoline is the most consumed petroleum product in the United States. In 2021, consumption of finished motor gasoline averaged about 8.8 million b/d (369 million gallons per day), which was equal to about 44% of total U.S. petroleum consumption.
Distillate fuel oil is the second most-consumed petroleum product in the United States. Distillate fuel oil includes diesel fuel and heating oil. Diesel fuel is used in the diesel engines of heavy construction equipment, trucks, buses, tractors, boats, trains, some automobiles, and electricity generators. Heating oil, also called fuel oil, is used in boilers and furnaces for heating homes and buildings, for industrial heating, and for producing electricity in power plants. Total distillate fuel oil consumption in 2021 averaged about 3.94 million b/d (669 million gallons per day), equal to 29% of total U.S. petroleum consumption.
Hydrocarbon gas liquids (HGLs), the third most-used category of petroleum in the United States, include propane, ethane, butane, and other HGLs that are produced at natural gas processing plants and oil refineries. HGLs have many uses. Total consumption of HGLs in 2021 averaged about 3.41 million b/d, accounting for about 17% of total petroleum consumption.
Jet fuel is the fourth most-used petroleum product in the United States. Jet fuel consumption averaged about 1.37 million b/d (58 million gallons per day) in 2021, accounting for about 7% of total petroleum consumption.
Here are some of the ways petroleum is used in our everyday lives. All plastic is made from petroleum and plastic is used almost everywhere: in cars, houses, toys, computers and clothing. Asphalt used in road construction is a petroleum product as is the synthetic rubber in the tires. Paraffin wax comes from petroleum, as do fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides, detergents, phonograph records, photographic film, furniture, packaging materials, surfboards, paints, and artificial fibers used in clothing, upholstery, and carpet backing.
Solvents, Diesel Motor Oil, Bearing Grease, Ink, Floor Wax, Ballpoint Pens, Football Cleats, Upholstery, Sweaters, Boats Insecticides, Bicycle Tires, Sports Car Bodies, Nail Polish, Fishing lures, Dresses, Golf Bags, Perfumes, Cassettes, Dishwashers, Tool Boxes, Shoe Polish Motorcycle Helmets, Caulking, Petroleum Jelly, Transparent Tape, CD Players, Faucet Washers, Antiseptics, Clothesline, Curtains, Food Preservatives, Basketballs, Soap, Vitamin Capsules, Antihistamines, Purses, Shoes, Dashboards, Cortisone, Deodorant, Footballs, Putty, Dyes, Panty Hose, Refrigerant, Percolators, Life Jackets, Rubbing Alcohol, Linings, Skis, TV Cabinets, Shag Rugs, Electrician’s Tape, Tool Racks, Car Battery Cases, Epoxy Paint, Mops, Slacks, Insect Repellent, Oil Filters, Umbrellas, Yarn, Fertilizers, Hair Coloring, Roofing, Toilet Seats, Fishing Rods, Denture Adhesive, Linoleum, Ice Cube Trays, Synthetic Rubber, Speakers, Plastic Wood, Electric Blankets Glycerin Tennis Rackets Rubber Cement Fishing Boots Dice Nylon Rope Candles Trash Bags House Paint Water Pipes Hand Lotion Roller Skates Surf Boards Shampoo Wheels Paint Rollers Shower Curtains Guitar Strings Luggage Aspirin Safety Glasses Antifreeze Football Helmets Awnings Eyeglasses Clothes Toothbrushes Ice Chests Footballs Combs CD’s Paint Brushes Detergents Vaporizers Balloons Sun Glasses Tents Heart Valves Crayons Parachutes Telephones Enamel Pillows Dishes Cameras Anesthetics Artificial Turf Artificial limbs Bandages Dentures Model Cars Folding Doors Hair Curlers Cold cream Movie film Soft Contact lenses Drinking Cups Fan Belts Car Enamel Shaving Cream Ammonia Refrigerators Golf Balls Toothpaste Gasoline Ink Dishwashing liquids Paint brushes Telephones Toys Unbreakable dishes Insecticides Antiseptics Dolls Car sound insulation Fishing lures Deodorant Tires Motorcycle helmets Linoleum Sweaters Tents Refrigerator linings Paint rollers Floor wax Shoes Electrician’s tape Plastic wood Model cars Glue Roller-skate wheels Trash bags Soap dishes Skis Permanent press clothes Hand lotion Clothesline Dyes Soft contact lenses Shampoo Panty hose Cameras Food preservatives Fishing rods Oil filters Combs Transparent tape Anesthetics Upholstery Dice Disposable diapers TV cabinets Cassettes Mops Sports car bodies Salad bowls House paint Purses Electric blankets Awnings Ammonia Dresses Car battery cases Safety glass Hair curlers Pajamas Synthetic rubber VCR tapes Eyeglasses Pillows Vitamin capsules Movie film Ice chests Candles Rubbing alcohol Loudspeakers Ice buckets Boats Ice cube trays Credit cards Fertilizers Crayons Insect repellent Water pipes Toilet seats Caulking Roofing shingles Fishing boots Life jackets Balloons Shower curtains Garden hose Golf balls Curtains Plywood adhesive Umbrellas Detergents Milk jugs Beach umbrellas Rubber cement Sun glasses Putty Faucet washers Cold cream Bandages Tool racks Antihistamines Hair coloring Nail polish Slacks Drinking cups Guitar strings False teeth Yarn Petroleum jelly Toothpaste Golf bags Roofing Tennis rackets Toothbrushes Perfume Luggage Wire insulation Folding doors Shoe polish Fan belts Ballpoint pens Shower doors Cortisone Carpeting Artificial turf Heart valves LP records Lipstick Artificial limbs Hearing aids Vaporizers Aspirin Shaving cream Wading pools Parachutes Americans consume petroleum products at a rate of three-and-a-half gallons of oil and more than 250 cubic feet of natural gas per day each!
As shown here petroleum is not just used for fuel.
–Steve Pryor
Comment:
Hey,
Steve repeated many products above.
Most important is Ammonium Nitrate from natural gas. This fertilizes our crops, producing food. Food is the most important product!
–Don Berry
Here’s the medical side:
Petrochemicals cumene, phenol, benzene, and other aromatics are used to make not only aspirin, but also penicillin and cancer-fighting drugs. Ultimately, most drugs are organic molecules made using petrochemical polymer. Those not using polymer are often purified using petrochemical resins.
Advanced Plastics in Modern Medicine:
Only Possible with Hydraulic Fracturing Improving Lives, Saving Lives.
But keep in mind, Alarmist don’t want to save lives. They want to eliminate them.
Americans often take for granted the thousands of products made from oil and natural gas that they use every day, from lightweight automobile parts and paint to food packaging and performance clothing.
These important consumer items can only be made by processing crude oil and natural gas, using chemical treatments and technologies to make each product. The same goes for the hundreds of petroleum-derived items used by health care providers, from simple items such as band-aids and latex gloves, to complex heart valves and artificial joints. More than 90 items made possible through the processing of oil and natural gas into advanced plastics and synthetic rubber are shown in this photo of a typical emergency room.
Items in a typical emergency room
Blood pressure cuff
Blood pressure cuff tubing
Chair
Code cart/wheels
EKG Leads
EKG wire covers
End-Tidal carbon dioxide cable
Fluorescent light covers
Infectious waste container
IV Pole wheels and hook
IV pump
IV pump power cord
Laminated charts
Monitor/cables
Nasal canula
Ophthalmoscope
Otoscope
Ottoscope covers
Overhead lamp/bulbs
Oxygen saturation finger probe
Oxygen wall to tubing adapter
Patient education packets
Plastic patient belonging bag
Plastic slip cover for mattress
Plastic-lined pillows
Stethoscope label
Stethoscope tubing
Suction canister
Suction tubing
Thermometer
Thermometer probe covers
Trash bag
Trash can
Wall oxygen dial
Wall suction dial
Yankauer suction
Items found in an ER code cart
AED
Alcohol swab packaging
Ambu bag
Atomizer
Code cart lock tab
CPR back board
Endotracheal tubes
Exam gloves
Intubation blade
IV catheters
IV fluid bags
IV tubing
Lubrication
Medication ampules
Medication bottles
Nasopharyngeal airways
Needle caps
Non-rebreather mask
Oral airways
Oxygen tank dial
Pacer pads
Plastic cart housing
Plastic cover over tip of scissors
Plastic syringes
Plastic tape
Portable suction pump
Saline flushes
Sharps container
Syringe caps
Tourniquets
Venti-mask
Other medical devices used on a daily basis
Adhesive foam
Bedpan
Bleach wipe containers
Crutch pads/grips
Date stickers
Hemovac drain
IV caps
Jackson Pratt drain
Medical glue
Nasogastric tubes
Ostomy bags and appliance
Patient call bell
Patient room phone
Patient socks/grip bottoms
Peripheral venous catheter
Plastic boxes of gauze
Plastic medicine cups
Plastic packaging on
medications
Pyxis machine
Skin barrier packaging
Sterile gowns
Sterile packaging
Sutures
Three-way stopcocks
Urinary catheters
Walkers/canes
Okay,
What about the dread CO2?
Here’s a recent report from WUWT
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Carbon Dioxide
by Ron Barmby
Political tunnel vision on global warming has resulted in declaring increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide an existential threat. But the United Nations’ resolve to reduce carbon dioxide levels runs counter to its goals to end world hunger, promote world peace and protect global ecosystems. It fails to address the key question relating to those three goals: Which pathway creates the greatest good to the greatest multitude—reducing or increasing CO2?
The numbers since the year 2000 provide convincing evidence that increasing carbon dioxide has positive impacts and reducing carbon emissions entails dire consequences.
World Hunger
The pre-industrial (circa 1850) atmospheric CO2 concentration of 280 ppm (parts per million) compares to today’s 420 ppm, a 50% increase. Meanwhile, the global population has risen 560%, from 1.2 billion to 8 billion.
Those extra 6.8 billion people are mostly being fed, and it’s not all because of human agricultural productivity, pest control and plant genetics.
Observations of Earth’s vegetative cover since the year 2000 by NASA’s Terra satellite show a 10% increase in vegetation in the first 20 years of the century. Clearly, something other than agriculture is helping to improve overall plant growth.
In a recent study supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Dr. Charles Taylor and Dr. Wolfram Schlenker quantified how much of that extra greening resulted in food for human consumption since 2000. Using satellite imagery of U.S. cropland, they estimated that a 1 ppm increase in CO2 led to an increase of 0.4%, 0.6% and 1% in yield for corn, soybeans and wheat, respectively. They also extrapolated back to 1940 and suggested that the 500% increased yield of corn and 200% increased yield of soybeans and winter wheat are largely attributable to the 100 ppm increase in CO2 since then.
CO2 fertilization is not only greening the Earth, it’s feeding the very fertile human race.
World Peace
Though adding CO2 to the atmosphere does not promote world peace, attempts to stop CO2 emissions in the western democracies have increased the CO2 emissions, wealth and influence of totalitarian Russia and China.
Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union (EU), reports that the EU’s reliance on imported natural gas increased from 15.5% of its energy needs in 2000 to 22.5% by 2020. Russia was the main supplier of Europe’s natural gas. Holding Europe’s energy security in its pipelines not only helped finance Russia’s 2021 invasion of Ukraine, but it also limited the economic sanctions Europe could impose in retaliation.
According to the scientific online publication Our World in Data, between 2000 and 2020 the G7 nations lost 13.8% of the world share of GDP and China picked up 12%.
The West (the EU plus the UK, U.S., Canada and Japan) transferred GDP growth to China and energy security to Russia and was able to reduce CO2 emissions from 45% of the global total in 2000 to 25% in 2020. In the same period China’s CO2 emissions grew from 14% of the total to 31%, leading to an increase of 39% in total CO2 global emissions.
The unintended consequence of the West’s attempts to reduce CO2 emissions has been to shore up Chinese and Russian dictatorships—and in Russia’s case, to partly fund the invasion of a sovereign and democratic neighbor, Ukraine.
World Ecology
Much of the human footprint on Earth is where the products we consume originate: We either grow them on the planet’s surface or extract them from within its crust.
In testimony to the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce in 2021, Mark Mills, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, estimated that replacing each unit of hydrocarbon energy by “clean tech” energy would on average result in the extraction of five to 10 times more materials from the Earth than does hydrocarbon production.
Mills also pointed out that Chinese firms dominate the production and processing of many critical rare earth elements and that nearly all the growth in mining is expected to be abroad, increasingly in fragile, biodiverse wilderness areas.
Decarbonization will impose the heavy environmental cost of an unprecedented increase in mining.
One Last Number
Since El Nino induced a modern peak global average temperature in 1998, global warming has been essentially zero.
The numbers don’t lie. Allowing more CO2 emissions is better for ending world hunger, promoting world peace, and protecting global ecosystems.
This commentary was first published at Real Clear Energy, July 6, 2023.
–Ron Barmby, a Professional Engineer with a master’s degree in geosciences, had a 40-year career in the energy industry that covered 40 countries and five continents. He is author of “Sunlight on Climate Change: A Heretic’s Guide to Global Climate Hysteria” and is a proud member of the CO2 Coalition, Arlington, Virginia.
How about computers:
It takes 500 pounds of fossil fuel, 50 pounds of chemicals, and 1.5 tons of water to manufacture one computer and monitor, according to the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Just in case I missed something. This just in from the Energy Department:
Products Made from Oil and Natural Gas
Adhesive
Air mattresses
Ammonia
Antifreeze
Antihistamines
Antiseptics
Artificial limbs
Artificial turf
Asphalt
Aspirin
Awnings
Backpacks
Balloons
Ballpoint pens
Bandages
Beach umbrellas
Boats
Cameras
Candies and gum
Candles
Car battery cases
Car enamel
Cassettes
Caulking
CDs/computer disks
Cell phones
Clothes
Clothesline
Clothing
Coffee makers
Cold cream
Combs
Computer keyboards
Computer monitors
Cortisone
Crayons
Credit cards
Curtains
Dashboards
Denture adhesives
Dentures
Deodorant
Detergent
Dice
Dishwashing liquid
Dog collars
Drinking cups
Dyes
Electric blankets
Electrical tape
Enamel
Epoxy paint
Eyeglasses
Fan belts
Faucet washers
Fertilizers
Fishing boots
Fishing lures
Floor wax
Food preservatives
Footballs
Fuel tanks
Glue
Glycerin
Golf bags
Golf balls
Guitar strings
Hair coloring
Hair curlers
Hand lotion
Hearing aids
Heart valves
House paint
Hula hoops
Ice buckets
Ice chests
Ice cube trays
Ink
Insect repellent
Insecticides
Insulation
iPad/iPhone
Kayaks
Laptops
Life jackets
Light-weight aircraft
Lipstick
Loudspeakers
Lubricants
Luggage
Model cars
Mops
Motorcycle helmets
Movie film
Nail polish
Noise insulation
Nylon rope
Oil filters
Packaging
Paint brushes
Paint roller
Pajamas
Panty hose
Parachutes
Perfumes
Permanent press
Petroleum jelly
Pharmaceuticals
Pillow filling
Plastic toys
Plastics
Plywood adhesive
Propane
Purses
Putty
Refrigerants
Refrigerator linings
Roller skate wheels
Roofing
Rubber cement
Rubbing alcohol
Safety glasses
Shampoo
Shaving cream
Shoe polish
Shoes/sandals
Shower curtains
Skateboards
Skis
Soap dishes
Soft contact lenses
Solar panels
Solvents
Spacesuits
Sports car bodies
Sunglasses
Surf boards
Swimming pools
Synthetic rubber
Telephones
Tennis rackets
Tents
Tires
Tool boxes
Tool racks
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Transparent tape
Trash bags
Truck and automobile parts
Tubing
TV cabinets
Umbrellas
Unbreakable dishes
Upholstery
Vaporizers
Vinyl flooring
Vitamin capsules
Water pipes
Wind turbine blades
Yarn
Here’s a good one, but I couldn’t find anything on it. How many fossil fuel products in an Electric car. All the plastic products and lubricants, wire insulation and fabrics, except leather. How about threads for upholstery. I’m sure the list is immense.
Bottom line, we need the truth and fun once more.
–Bandit
VL,XA,FL KNUCKLEHEAD BUILD, PART 5
By Bandit | | General Posts
Holy shit, the rally is already all over us. Brothers and sisters are riding into the Black Hills by the droves. It’s going to be an interesting event, with the H-D Anniversary hitting Milwaukee in July and the rally just a couple of weeks after thunder rocks the asphalt all over Wisconsin.
I’ve been waiting on my chain primary drive from Tech Cycle and Paul Cox, it’s cool albeit terrifying, but what the fuck. We only go around once. It arrived the other day and we started the alignment procedure, which didn’t fair worth a fuck. Answers and solutions are coming.
Then we looked into how the drive chain would align with the sprocket on the transmission and wheel. Fortunately, I had three different offsets. None of them came close. I was going to need to move the wheel, but everything was tight.
Irish Rich suggested flipping an offset sprocket over. Crazy, I started to machine the lip of the PBI sprocket. Then it became apparent that the sprocket still had to come in contact with the seal spacer. The difference was just a few thousandths of an inch.
I found some galvanized rings used for plumbing or home projects, but they contained the correct inside diameter, 1.750. Each one was about .035 thick. Together they did the trick. I may need one to create a sprocket locking washer as you will see, unfortunately, it won’t work. I need something with a 1.5 inch inside diameter and wide outside diameter so I can drill a hole in it and bolt it to the sprocket.
McMaster Carr has stainless shims. I believe they will do the trick.
Since I flipped the PBI sprocket over, standard locking devices won’t work.
Okay, so I had trans plate issues, I had clutch sprocket to engine sprocket issues, and I had trans sprocket to wheel sportor sprocket problems.
The mounting studs screwed into the bottom of the S&S Transmission case weren’t long enough because Rich made the VL 3-speed frame into a 4-speed trans excepting frame by adding and welding the 4-speed tranny plate into place. I ordered and searched for longer studs. I found some at ACE hardware, too short. McMaster Carr did the trick, but they are coarse threads at both ends.
All this alignment stuff has prevented all sorts of projects from being completed. Even the rear fender could not be final mounted.
I did make a coil mount with a Paughco chromed, Knucklehead top motor-mount. I’m working with three fastening methods. Some things will be brazed, some silicon bronze TIG welded and some mild-steel TIG welded. My Miller MIG welder always backs me up.
I brazed the coil bracket and put it in place without bolting it to the engine. Engine needs to be aligned and bolted to the motor-mounts first.
I also had to search for a taillight lens. John gave me this taillight early on, but with the wrong lens. It’s interesting trying to find the correct lens and the license plate window. Shit, it’s impossible to find. I even found a company focused solely on old glass lenses. I wrote and called; they’re gone. Let me know if you have a connection.
Charlie Rust said he had a box of old glass lenses in his shop, well sorta. I took a half-dozen home to try out. The only one that came close was a clear Lucas lens, and I started grinding the edge. The key to grinding glass is heat. If it gets hot, it will crack. And it’s best to have a very fine grinding wheel, I do now.
Meanwhile back at the 5-inna-4-speed case transmission. We put it together several times with various shafts and gears. Our assortment of gears and shafts messed with us big time.
We even had a variety of trap doors which we fumbled with until we had a complete transmission, but not a tapered shaft, so the Evil belt system was set aside. That’s when I was introduced to Tech Cycle.
Charlie gave me a cool, old, Shorty muffler with a pipe stuck inside. That bastard would not budge. We heated it, beat on it, twisted it but nada. We finally cut it off and welded it directly to the 2-into- 1 pipe system. It came with a goofy tip and I was determined to use it. I also TIG and MIG welded some connections and then brazed one. I thought I fucked up, but when the system was completed, I tried silicon bronze TIG welding each joint completely. I messed with the heat some, and it worked to unify each weld.
I TIG welded my seat pan, drilled and shipped it to Howard Knight for leather work, along with the straps. The oil tank is tested and ready. So much to do and so little time.
Check it out. I ground the Lucas glass lens until it fit in the light socket, then the retaining ring wouldn’t fit. I made a ring from a chunk of exhaust pipe and then tried to figure out how to fasten it down. It works, albeit strange.
Hang on, the 120th anniversary was last weekend, two weeks until the rally, six weeks until Bonneville. This week I will endeavor to line up the rear wheel with trans sprocket and finish mounting the fender.
Ride on and Ride Forever!
–Bandit
SOURCES:
Atomic Dice
Clauser’s Machine Shop
Spearfish, SD
Dakota V-Twin
Spearfish, SD
www.dakotavtwin.com
JIMS Machine
McMaster Carr
www.dakotavtwin.com
Paughco
Shamrocks Customs
Sturgis, SD
S&S
TechCycle
www.techcycle.com
Terry Components
Check on J&P Cycles
Nash Motorcycles
Colony
www.colonymachine.com
Black Bike Wheels
www.blackbikewheels.com
Custom Chrome
www.customchrome.com
Barnett’s clutch and cable
Dennis Kirk
Anniversary Celebrations in Milwaukee
By Wayfarer | | General Posts
“Heard from staff that there are 30,000 motorcycles parked just in the parking lot! Record breaking crowds enjoying Harley Davidson’s 120th Anniversary in Milwaukee. Seeing so many friends is so special. Meeting so many people too!”
— Lori Struck DeSilva
Stay tuned for more reports on this epic mega-event.