Building a 1921 Harley-Davidson Race Engine - Episode #8

December 6, 2012

Updated - February 13, 2014

By: David L. Morrill
@ Deadly Dave's Blog

Sylacauga, Alabama

This project started in 2010, when I visited the Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley, NC. The Motorcycle Cannonball Run cross country race, for pre-1916 bikes, stopped there. The visit allowed me to check out both the W.T.T. collection and the Cannonball entrants. The collection at Wheels Through Time is one of the finest collections of early motorcycles and memorabilia in the country.  It's a must visit for any motorcycle enthusiast:

http://www.wheelsthroughtime.com/ .

While examining their collection, I came across a very rare early racer. The bike in question is a 1921 Harley Davidson SCA (Single Cylinder Alcohol) serial #1 racer. Looking at this old racer, in as raced condition, most would ignore it in favor of the bright and shiny restored bikes. These rusty relics are often worth way more than the bright and shiny restored bikes. As they say, it's only original once!

1921 Harley Davidson SCA Factory Racer #1
Wheels Through Time Collection

In the early 1920's, the engine displacement for short tracks was reduced from 61ci (1000cc) to 30.5ci (500cc), in the interest of safety. As a result of the displacement change, the folks at the Harley-Davidson factory race shop looked around for a way to build a competitive 30.5ci single cylinder race motor. They realized they could remove one cylinder, piston, and rod from their existing 61ci V twin pocket valve race motor and get the 30.5 ci. single cylinder engine they needed.

1922 Harley-Davidson SCA Racer
Glenn Bator Collection

The pocket valve engines are also referred to as I.O.E. (intake over exhaust) engines having an overhead intake valve and a flat head style exhaust valve below it. This design allowed the intake valve to be quickly changed if a problem arose, which often happened with a one-piece cast-iron cylinder and head.

1921 SCA #1 Blanked Off Twin Racing Engine
Wheels Through Time Collection

As I examined the motor on the SCA racer, I realized it was not all that dissimilar to the 1921 Harley-Davidson Model J engine that was on my workbench at home. I decided it would be cool to try and build a replica racer that folks could see, hear, and touch. Building an exact copy was not in the cards. Harley-Davidson factory racing engines in this period used special early narrow engine cases bearing racing serial numbers. If you could find a set of cases, or any of the ultra-rare internal bits that made them so fast, the cost would be too high for my budget. Fortunately, the basic engine layout is very similar to the Model J production motor.

My 1921 Harley Model J V Twin Engine
Before Conversion to a Banked Off Single

When you do a project like this, there is a steep learning curve. First off, the oldest Harley motor I had worked on previously was from the mid 1950s. The engines from the early 1920s, are a very different animal. When I got back to my shop, I tore into my 1921 V twin motor and found the internals were in pretty good shape, considering its 90 years old. The one thing that was missing, were the piston rings. This engine was on display in a museum for many years, and the rings were probably removed to keep the cast iron cylinder and piston from rusting together. These early cast iron rings are rare and hard to find. I managed to pick up a junk 1918 Model J motor that just happened to have a good usable piston and rings that would work in my cylinder. Problem solved, or so I thought.

Turned out the piston used a later larger diameter wrist pin, which would require a shift to a later model drilled rod. These rods are slightly longer than the early rods, but that didn't present a problem. It does raise the compression slightly, by pushing the piston father up the bore, but the engine stroke remains the same. I had a set of these rods stashed away. The crankshaft would have to be disassembled, rebuilt for a single, and then rebalanced.

Crankshaft Modified for a Single

I contacted my friend Jim Haubert, who worked for the Harley-Davidson factory, and asked him to modify my crankshaft. We decided to use the rear forked connecting rod, and the race from the front rod, to contain the center roller bearings in the big end. When Jim got the replacement rod, he realized the pressed in big end bearing races needed to be replaced. He didn't have a fixture to safely replace the bearing races.



Front Cylinder Mockup

The rod was shipped to Steve McPhillips at Moroney's Harley-Davidson in New York. Steve builds XR-750 race engines for many of the top dirt track racers, so it took a while for him to get to my rod. While the crankshaft parts were touring the country, I started mocking up the empty engine cases in my frame. These blanked off motors were built using either a front or rear cylinder, depending on the rider's preference. I mocked it up both ways, but since the rear cylinder had a nice wrist pin gouge in the bore, I settled on the front cylinder set up.

When the crankshaft returned from Jim's shop, final assembly was pretty easy. I modified a set of rockers to just work on the front cylinder cam lobes and made a plate to cover the missing cylinder. George Hood sent me a prototype rocker tower, with a longer rocker. This setup lets the engine breathe a little better. The generator was modified, eliminating the armature. The timer points cam was modified to fire only on the front cylinder. The ignition is now powered by small 12-volt battery firing through a modern coil.

Modified Generator/Timer Case

Within a few weeks, I the engine installed in a street frame, and fired it up for the first time:

YouTube video of the initial start up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MNOco-tX0Y

The next problem was the carburetor. I originally used a modified V twin intake, which had the carburetor come out on the right side of the engine. The original Model J twin cylinder engine used a one-inch bore Schebler carburetor. After the initial runs, I realized it needed to be changed to a smaller 3/4" bore Schebler. I found a guy, who had one, and we worked a trade.



Modified Intake & Ignition



The motor ran better with the smaller carburetor, but still had some problems running properly at full throttle. It was then I realized I had an intake air leak, where the carburetor intake attaches to the cylinder head. This is a common problem, and it took a little effort to fix. I turned a straight aluminum intake, and rubber mounted it to the cylinder. This is not period correct, but it allowed the motor to run better at all throttle setting.

I recently switched to a Linkert M741-1 carburetor from and Indian Jr. Scout. The Linkert features separate high and low speed adjustable needles, where the Schebler had only a single needle to adjust the fuel mixture at all throttle settings. This was a great improvement, that allows the engine to run well at both high, and low speed throttle setting.

Linkert 741-1 Carburetor with modified Rubber Mounted Intake

Stay tuned for Part 2

Assembling a Keystone Racing Chassis

Controversial 1914 Birmingham, AL. F.A.M. Race - Episode #7

October 26, 2012

Updated - March 3, 2015

By: David L. Morrill
@ Deadly Dave's Blog

Sylacauga, Alabama

American Iron Magazine - 2013

A special thank you to Buzz Kanter, and the staff of American Iron Magazine, for including this article in their American Glory Special Edition celebrating Harley-Davidson's 110th anniversary.

This story started with a trip to my local Harley-Davidson dealer a few months back. Harley is now selling early racing photographs from their achieves, and the local dealer had several framed board track photos for sale. I picked up a photo of Otto Walker taken after his win at Venice, California in April 1915.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company Archive

The small plaque on the photo claimed this was Harley-Davidson's first Championship win. That was a little surprising, as I had heard of at least one earlier Championship Race win.  I figured it was time to share a small and almost forgotten piece of Harley-Davidson's history.



1914 Harley-Davidson 11-K Racer (left)

Stripped Stock Model (right)



1914 was a pivotal year for Harley-Davidson. Although long opposed to Championship racing, the factory changed course.  They hired engineer William "Bill" Ottaway to develop their production v twin engine for racing. The result was the Harley- Davidson 11-K racer.

Harley-Davidson 11-K Racer

Leslie "Red" Parkhurst was the first rider hired by the Harley Davidson factory in 1914 to ride the new racer. By July, the racer was ready for its first big test, the Dodge City 300-Mile Road Race in Dodge City, Kansas. Parkhurst was one of six team members sent by the factory to compete in the Dodge City 300 that year. The new racers were fast, but only two of six were running at the end of the race.

Leslie "Red " Parkhurst

Daniel Statnekov Collection

On October 5, 1914, Red Parkhurst lined up for the Federation of American Motorcyclists (FAM) One Hour Championship Race held at the Alabama State Fairgrounds Raceway in Birmingham, Alabama.  Parkhurst was riding one of Bill Ottaway's factory prepared 11-K racers. Parkhurst was assisted in his pit by the new Birmingham Harley-Davidson dealer William F. Specht Jr., along with Johnny Aiken.

1914 Harley- Davidsons - Specht's Harley- Davidson Birmingahm, AL.
O. V. Hunt Collection

Specht, who was also a racer, had relocated to Birmingham from Atlantic City, New Jersey. In early 1914, he opened a Harley-Davidson dealership in Cliff Howell's bicycle shop in downtown Birmingham. The arrival of the first wagon load of 1914 Harley-Davidsons in Birmingham was documented by local photographer and motorcycle enthusiast O.V. Hunt.


In the Birmingham race, Parkhurst's chief competition was Excelsior factory rider Joe Wolters. The Birmingham Indian dealer Bob Stubbs sponsored two local racers, Gail Joyce and Gene Walker. Joyce was the more experienced of the two, having won several Southern Series races outside Birmingham. Walker had made a name for himself in the amateur ranks at the Birmingham track, but this would be his first professional race.

Alabama State Fairgrounds Raceway

O.V. Hunt 1914 - Birmingham Public Library Archives

As the race started, Gene Walker jumped into the lead setting a new track record. Parkhurst was running second, followed by Wolters.  On the third lap, Parkhurst passed Walker for the lead. Walker was later passed by Wolters. Parkhurst built a considerable lead over Walker, Wolters, and Gail.  On lap 33, a fuel problem forced Parkhurst to into the pits.

Red Parkhurst

Daniel Statnekov Collection

In the Harley-Davidson pit, Specht and Aiken refueled Pankhurst's axillary fuel tank. Parkhurst attempted to clean his oil and dirt covered goggles with a handkerchief he kept tied to his handlebars. The handkerchief was also covered with oil and dirt, so Parkhurst asked a spectator for a clean handkerchief. The spectator enthusiastically provided a handkerchief, and assisted Parkhurst with cleaning his goggles. Parkhurst rejoined the race, and when the flag was thrown to end the race, he was leading Joe Wolters by half a lap. Indian rider Gene Walker took the lead at the beginning of the race, setting a new track record, and finished 3rd. Shortly after the race, Walker's Indian teammate, Gail Joyce, filled an official protest, claiming the spectator in the pits had improperly aided Parkhurst.

The results of the race were not settled until the following week at the Chicago Motorcycle Show. On Tuesday of the show, Joe Wolters approached FAM Chairman John L. Donovan claiming he was due another lap at Birmingham. He claimed he had finished a half a lap ahead of Parkhurst.

The October 27, 1914, issue of Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review quoted Chairman Donovan's finding on the two Birmingham race protests. In disallowing Joyce's protest, Chairman Donovan stated:

"Safety requires that competitors in races shall be permitted to see what they are doing. It certainly would be ridiculous to disqualify Parkhurst because he permitted someone to assist him in wiping the oil and dirt off his goggles. Parkhurst clearly is entitled to the victory."

Concerning Joe Wolters' late protest, Chairman Donovan stated:

"Of course, the rules require that protests shall be made within a half-hour after the close of the race. The rules would not permit official consideration of additional points not included in the original protest. But courtesy required that I should wire for information, and I did so. It is perfectly clear that Parkhurst won the F. A. M. hour championship fairly and squarely."

With the protests settled, Parkhurst was awarded the trophy and his winnings on the second day of the Chicago show.  Shortly after the decision was announced, a large sign proclaiming Parkhurst's victory on a "stripped stock Harley-Davidson against ported and eight valve machines," appeared behind the 11-K Harley-Davidson on display at the show. Parkhurst's win went on be the center piece of Harley-Davidson's advertising for the upcoming 1915 model.

Was the 1914 Birmingham Championship Race win the first for a Harley-Davidson factory rider on a factory prepared bike? I'll leave that one to the experts. The one/two finish of factory riders Otto Walker and Red Parkhurst in the 1915 Venice race was a more prestigious win against stiffer competition. But Parkhurst's Birmingham win may have paid a much more import role in Harley-Davidson history and opened the door for the Venice win months later.

Harley Davidson founders William Harley and William Davidson attended the July 1914 Dodge City 300 Road Race.  They made it clear in post-race comments; their intention was to provide factory prepared machines to select dealer supported riders. It appears; they had no intention of a full factory supported racing team. The publicity surrounding Parkhurst's Birmingham win may have changed their minds. In November 1914 they sent a factory supported race team to compete in the Savannah 300 Road Race in Savannah, Georgia.

This was the beginning of the famed Harley-Davidson Racing Team, which came to be known as "The Wrecking Crew." Parkhurst's 1914 Birmingham win may have opened the door for creation of a fully factory supported racing team. The Harley-Davidson Factory Racing Team continues to compete today and is one of the longest running and most successful racing teams in the country.

 

Leslie "Red" Parkhurst continued to ride for Harley-Davidson through 1921 His most prestigious win came at the 1919 Marion, Indiana 200-Mile Road Race. Parkhurst retried from professional racing in 1921 but continued to race occasional events through 1924.

Reading, PA. Times - November 6, 1919

There was another participant, who benefited greatly from his finish in the 1914 Birmingham race. Gene Walker, the young local rider who finished fifth that day, was hired by the Indian factory in Springfield, Massachusetts. Walker went on to become one of the greatest riders of his time. In 1920, Motorcycling and Bicycling Magazine proclaimed Gene Walker "Champion of Champions."

Don Emde Collection

Motorcycle racing historian and 1972 Daytona 200 winner Don Emde provided this Gene Walker race poster from his collection. For more information on Gene Walker's career, please check out my article:

Gene Walker, Birmingham's Lost Racing Champion: 

http://dlmracing.blogspot.com/2012/07/gene-walker-birminghams-lost-racing.html

Sources:

Birmingham, Alabama Public Library Archives

Chris Price@Georgia Motorcycle History

Don Emde Collection

Motorcycling and Bicycling

Daniel Statnekov Collection - Pioneers of American Motorcycle Racing: 
http://www.statnekov.com/motorcycles/index.html

Johnny Whitsett Collection

Reading, PA. Times

Parkhurst Family Webpage:

http://www.parkhurstfamily.org



Bob Stubbs, Birmingham's First Racing Champion - Episode #6

October 7, 2012

Updated - February 16, 2017

By: David L. Morrill
@ Deadly Dave's Blog

Sylacauga, Alabama

O.V. Hunt (left) & Bob Stubbs (right)
O. V. Hunt 1914 - Birmingham, AL. Public Library Archives

I came across Robert "Bob" Stubbs story, while I was researching my article on early Birmingham, Alabama racer Gene Walker. As I found out more of his story, I realized Stubbs played a major part in the early Birmingham motorcycling history. Through his friendship with Birmingham photographer and motorcycle enthusiast O.V. Hunt some of that early motorcycling history in Birmingham, Alabama was photographed and preserved. It's time Stubbs' many contributions are shared.

Early Family History

Robert Thomas Stubbs
Bruce Crawford Collection

Robert Thomas Stubbs was born in the town of Dayton, Alabama, which is located in Marengo County in west central Alabama.  His parents, Thomas J. Stubbs and Elizabeth Gilbert-Stubbs had 10 children. Robert was the oldest. By 1900, the family had moved to the East Lake area of Birmingham.

Bob Stubbs Bicycle - Motorcycle Racer

Like many young men, who became early motorcycle racing champions, Bob Stubbs started out as a professional bicycle racer. Bicycle racing was very popular in the late 1800s, and athletic young men across the country took to the bicycle racing velodromes to seek fame and fortune. An October 1898 Atlanta Constitution article on the Birmingham Cycle Club's first professional bicycle race lists Bob Stubbs of Eastlake as one of the race winners.

Atlanta Constitution - October 11, 1898

Beginning in 1907, motorcycle races were held on the 1-mile dirt oval at the Alabama State Fairgrounds Raceway in Birmingham. Stubbs began competing in these early races on an Indian "Motocycle." Several races of varying lengths were held each day of competition, and as he sharpened his racing skill, he often won all the races held each day.

In June 1907, Bob Stubbs was elected President of the newly formed Birmingham Motorcycle Club. President Stubbs issued a statement to the press stating that all members were signing a pledge they would not engage in "road scorching, ungentlemanly behavior, walk by frightened horses or mules, and strictly adhere to speed regulations." The club held hill climb competitions in the Birmingham. They also sanctioned the races at the Alabama State Fairgrounds track.

On July 4, 1907, The Birmingham Motorcycle Club, held it's first series of races at the Alabama State Fairgrounds track. Robert Stubbs won four races of the races that day. Stubbs returned to the track on Labor Day winning three races.

Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review - July 13, 1907

Page 279 of the 1908 edition of Cycle & Automobile Journal featured a short article on Robert Stubbs, winning a 104-mile Alabama endurance race on a new 1908 Indian in 5 hours and 22 minutes.  The date of the race is not listed.

In October 1908, Stubbs won 11 races over 5 days of racing at the Alabama State Fairgrounds Raceway and claimed the "Southern Championship."

In October he won 13 races at the Birmingham track. In December, Stubbs went back to the Fairgrounds Raceway, this time for a 100 lap record attempt. He set a "New Worlds Record" by turning the 100 laps of the 1 mile dirt oval 107 minutes 44 seconds. This record brought Stubbs national recognition, as it was covered by major newspapers across the country.



1908 Indian Racer

For the March 1909 Daytona Beach Speed Trials in Ormond Beach, Florida, Stubbs was hired by the Indian Motocycle Company of Springfield, Massachusetts, as a factory rider.  He was teamed with Brooklyn, New York rider Walter Goerke. They both rode the new 1909 Indians.

The Daytona, FL. Daily News - March 23, 1909

Robert Stubbs - Indian - Ormond Beach, FL.
Indian Motorcycles Club of France - Detroit Public Library Collection

Goerke set new records for 1 kilometer and 1-mile distances. The next day, Stubbs broke Goerke's 1 mile record of 45 seconds by 2 seconds. The new motorcycle speed records received worldwide press coverage.

The Times London, England - March 27, 1909

New York Times - March 26, 1909

Bob Stubbs (2nd from right) Daytona Beach 1909

Indian Motorcycles Club France

David Greenlees - The Old Motor.com

http://theoldmotor.com/

Indian Motocycle Club of France

Stubbs also logged wins at Dallas, Texas, along with Birmingham and Montgomery, Alabama. In May Stubs got another mention in the New York Times story about the races held on May 4th at Montgomery, Alabama.

Indian Motocycle Club of France

In August Robert Stubbs traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana to compete at the newly opened Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Stubbs was one of 31 professional racers from around the country that competed in the event. Trouble with the racing surface, caused several serious accidents, and Stubbs was lucky to return to Birmingham un-scathed. Stubbs Birmingham wins were included in and Indian Motocycle ad, which appeared in newspapers around the country in October 1909.

1909 Indian Motocycle Company Ad 
Chicago, IL. Daily Tribune - October 17, 1909





Stubbs traveled to Waco, Texas, and dominated the professional class races. He also traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana, and participated in the ill-fated first races held at the newly completed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

            Russell Walthour & Robert Stubbs - Waco, TX.

Hill climb racing was gaining popularity throughout the country, and Stubbs became an accomplished hill climber. Stubbs won both the 30.5ci and 61ci motorcycle classes at the Lookout Mountain Hill Climb Race held on April 23 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The results were reported in the New York Times.

New York times - April 23, 1909

Competing on the state fair circuit Stubbs won all the motorcycle events held at Montgomery, Alabama, Waco and Dallas, Texas.  Stubbs finished the year with a second-place finish in the 10 Mile Race for professional riders at the newly opened 2-mile Atlanta Speedway in Georgia.

Motorcycle Illustrated - November 15, 1909

Charlotte, NC. Evening Chronicle - November 11, 1909

Bob Stubbs finished the 1909 season with wins at Dallas, Texas.

Indian Motorcycle Company District Agent

Despite his busy racing schedule, Stubbs still managed to work as the Indian Motorcycles Distinct Representative throughout north and central Alabama. When Stubbs wasn't racing, he traveled the northern parts of Alabama by motorcycle contacting potential dealers and selling Indian motorcycles throughout his district.

In April 1910, Motorcycling and Bicycling Magazine reported Stubbs set a new record riding his Indian motorcycle from Birmingham, Alabama to Atlanta, Georgia in 7 hours and 5 minutes. That time broke existing Birmingham to Atlanta records for both cars and motorcycles. On May 24th, the Birmingham News sponsored a hill climb race on a mile and 2 tenths long course up Shades Mountain in Birmingham. Stubbs won both motorcycle classes and his time of 1 minute 51 seconds was 17 seconds faster than the fastest automobile time up the mountain.  In October Stubbs won 5 of 7 races at Birmingham, both races at the Montgomery Fairground, and finished the year with a win in Dallas, Texas.

Stubbs started the 1911 season with second places finishes in the Mardi Gras Speed Carnival at the New Orleans Fairgrounds.

Robert Stubbs - New Orleans 1911
Chris Price@Georgia Motorcycle History

Stubbs crashed in Sunday's race and was struck by his bike after another rider collided with it. The accident was described in a March 1911 article in The Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review.

Atlanta Constitution - February 27, 1911

On July 4th, 1911, Bob Stubbs returned to his hometown of Birmingham, and beat local champ Gail Joyce in the 25 Mile Open Professional Race held in Birmingham.

Chris Price@Archive Motor - Motorcycle Illustrated - July 13, 1911

The 1911 Southern Tour Race Series returned to Birmingham in October with great controversy. National stars from around the country, including Excelsior riders Charles Balke and Jake DeRosier, came to Birmingham to take on local star Bob Stubbs for two consecutive weekends of racing during the Alabama State Fair.  Much had been made in the local press about the matchup between Stubbs and his former Indian teammates Balke and DeRosier. The first weekend, Stubbs held his own securing two second place finishes and one third in the day's races. DeRosier complained about the track officiating, insulting the meet referee, and stating Birmingham was "an Indian Town!" That night things spilled over at a local hotel.


The incident was reported in the October 14, 1911, issue of Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review. Stubbs' wife Barbara Stubbs was alleged to have made "insulting statements" to DeRosier, as DeRosier pushed his Excelsior off the track with a dead motor. That night, DeRosier confronted Stubbs, over Barbara Stubbs' comments, at a local hotel. A scuffle ensued between Stubbs and DeRosier. DeRosier came out the worse for it, with a cut above one eye. DeRosier alleged five of Stubbs' friends jumped in scuffle, and one of them hit DeRosier with "a slap jack or brass knuckles."  DeRosier reported it to the police, and a later issue of the magazine stated, "Stubbs paid a 10 dollar fine in court the next morning."

Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review - October 14, 1911

With the previous weekend's drama, the stands at the Fairgrounds Raceway were packed with fans not wanting to miss another possible confrontation. Stubbs finished 2nd in his first race of the day, which took place without incident. In the next race of the day, Stubbs had a front tire fail, and crashed heavily. Stubbs badly injured one of his eyes, and it was initially feared Stubbs would lose the eye. The eye injury was later determined to be less serious less serious than first thought, but Stubbs was forced to quit competition while he recovered.

When asked later if he would continue racing the magazine reported Stubbs stated," not if Mrs. Stubbs has anything to do with it." It appears Stubbs took his wife's advice and quit solo racing. He did, however, win the sidecar class at the Alabama State Fair in 1913.

Local Indian riders Gail Joyce and Richard Gayle were backed by Stubbs to represent Indian at the next round in Selma, Alabama. Joyce dominated win most of the professional class races with Gayle finishing second.

Motorcycle Illustrated - November 16, 1911

Bob Stubbs finished the 1911 racing series by being chosen one of 17 Speed Kings of 1911 by The Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review.

Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review - December 1911
KMP Motos Parts Collection

Birmingham Indian Dealer

Stubbs Indian Motocycles Ad
Birmingham Ledger - October 10, 1915 

When Bob Stubbs opened his Indian dealership at 1805 4th Avenue North in downtown Birmingham, Alabama is unknown. In May 1910 photos of the shop appeared in Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review Magazine.

Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review - May 14, 1910

In 1913, Stubbs attended an annual meeting of Indian Motocycle Company District Agents in Springfield, Massachusetts.   With the release of Indian's new 15 horsepower model in 1915, Stubbs staged a famous publicity stunt. A dapperly dressed Stubbs rode the new Indian model, which pulled a wagon load passenger through downtown Birmingham. The event was photographed by Mr. Hunt and covered in the local press.

O.V. Hunt 1915 - Johnny Whitsett Collection

In early 1914, William F. Specht Jr., a racer from New Jersey relocated to Birmingham. Specht began selling Harley-Davidson motorcycles from a bicycle shop owned by Clifton Howell. Specht's shop was located just a block away from Stubbs' shop, at 1714 3rd Avenue North. They were rivals for domination of the Birmingham motorcycle market for the next few years.

Gene Walker's Mentor

In 1912, Birmingham native Gene Walker entered and won his first motorcycle race at the Alabama State Fairgrounds Raceway. Walker, who delivered mail on his motorcycle for the Post Office, was soon dominating the local races. Stubbs recognized Walker's talent, and in 1913 he hired Walker. At the time, Stubbs was one of the largest Indian dealers in the country and was very involved in racing.

Stubbs Indian 1805 4th Avenue North Birmingham, AL. 
Gene Walker (right)
Furman Family Collection

Stubbs put Walker on a new Indian 8 valve racer and Walker began to dominate the Birmingham amateur races. Professional riders from around the country came to Birmingham for the fall race series.  Walker was able, with Stubbs assistance, to hone his racing skills competing against some of the best racers in the country.

In July 1914, Bob Stubbs entered a team of riders in an Endurance Run sponsored by the Birmingham Ledger Newspaper. At the end of the three-day 860-mile event, his riders Gail Joyce and Gene Walker, finished first and second respectively.

Gail Joyce
O.V. Hunt 1914 - Johnny Whitsett Collection

Stubbs was also one of only six of the thirty-one race entrants, to complete the full race distance without mechanical issues. All six finishers were riding Indians, and this was featured in an Indian Motorcycle Company promotional ad touting the reliability of their motorcycles.

Robert Stubbs - Gadsden, AL. ca 1914
Robert Scarboro Collection
Gadsden Alabama Public Library Archives

Stubbs also entered a team of riders in the 1915 Birmingham Ledger Cup Race. Stubbs Team won the overall Team Championship.

Birmingham Ledger Endurance Run Competitors
O.V. Hunt 1914 - Johnny Whitsett Collection

Stubbs encouraged Walker to enter his first professional race in October 1914. Early in the race, Walker jumped to the lead setting a new track lap record. Walker ran with the lead pack throughout the race, which was won by new Harley-Davidson racing team member Red Parkhurst. Walker finished third. Stubbs status as a factory rider and dealer opened doors for Walker with the Indian factory. In 1915, Walker was hired by the Indian Factory and spent most of his 10-year racing career as an Indian factory rider. He would win 19 Championship races, set numerous speed records.

Gene Walker - Indian Daytona Beach Record Run - 1920
Don Emde Collection

Even with Gene Walker's departure to Indian in Springfield, Massachusetts, Stubbs other two team riders, Gail Joyce, and Richard Gayle, dominated the Fairgrounds races in October of 1915.

Stubbs Indian Ad - Birmingham Ledger October 1915

As World War 1 approached, much of Indian and Harley-Davidson's motorcycle production went to the military. This put motorcycle dealers throughout the country in a serious bind, as they had few new motorcycles to sell. They were forced to try and survive by selling used bikes, as well as repairs and parts sales. Many shops closed their doors during the war, and never reopened. This may to be the case with Stubbs' Indian shop.

Stubbs took a job with Hobie Motor Car Company in Montgomery, Alabama in 1918. Hobie also sold Harley-Davidson and Cleveland motorcycles, and Their advertising mentions Bob Stubbs was in charge of the motorcycle shop.

Stubbs' racing injuries had forced him retire from the rough and tumble world of the Fairgrounds dirt track racing. He left that to his young protegees like Walker. He did, however, continue to compete in sidecar long distance races on a sidecar equipped Harley-Davidson.

Stubbs final mention in the national motorcycling press, came in 1919. The Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company printed a full-page ad in in the September 10, 1919, edition of Motorcycling and Bicycling Magazine. The ad, which featured a photograph of the 4 Harley riders, who each obtained perfect scores in the Montgomery, Alabama endurance run. Competing on a cross country course described as "a veritable river of mud, with sand, and chuck-holes by way of variation," 

Bob Stubbs rode his sidecar equipped 1919 Harley-Davidson to a perfect score. His younger sister Lucy rode he whole event as a passenger in his sidecar.  During this time, Lucy had taken a position as schoolteacher in a coal mining town in the mountains east of Birmingham. At the end of the school year, Lucy was walking down the dirt road to the train station in her small town. She intended to take a train back to Birmingham for the summer. She was surprised by her oldest brother Bob, the champion motorcycle racer, on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle and sidecar. He had ridden from Birmingham to give her a ride back home. The event was captured in this family photo shared by Bruce Crawford.

Robert and Lucy Stubbs - 1919
Bruce Crawford Collection

In January 1920, Earl Morrison became the distributor for Indian Motocycles in Birmingham.  Morrison had worked for Robert Stubbs at his Birmingham Indian dealership, prior to leaving for the service during World War 1. 

Motorcycle Illustrated - January 1920

 Robert Stubbs passed away at his Montgomery, Alabama home surrounded by friends and family. He was just 43 years old and was buried at the East Lake Cemetery in Birmingham. His pallbearers were mostly local motorcycle racers and dealers including Gail Joyce.

Motorcycle Illustrated - June 1, 1922

Two years later, Birmingham was again shocked to learn Gene Walker, the young racer Bob Stubbs had mentored years before, had died from injuries received in a practice crash in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.

The photograph below was taken, in front of the Birmingham Ledger Newspaper office at 2027 1st Avenue North in Downtown Birmingham during the 1914 Birmingham Ledger Endurance Run, and features some of the thirty-one competitors, and race officials. The tall fellow standing on the back row on the right side is Bob Stubbs. The shorter fellow, just in front of Stubbs, is Gene Walker. Birmingham photographer O. V. Hunt is seated in the front row holding the newspaper. During their racing careers, Bob Stubbs and Gene Walker, were two of the most famous sports figures in Alabama. They each played a key part in early Birmingham history and brought the city of Birmingham to national attention.



Birmingham Ledger Endurance Run Competitors
Johnny Whitsett Collection - O.V. Hunt 1914

Epilogue:

Recently, reader Dave Hoover, contacted me after reading this story on Robert Stubbs. He stated he had purchased this trophy about twenty-five years ago. It came from an estate sale in Omaha, Nebraska.

David Hoover Collection

The etching on the trophy states: 

10 Mile Handicap

Indian Cup 

Presented by 

Hendee MFG. CO.

Springfield, Mass

Won By

Robt. Stubs 

Time 9M - 8S

The Hendee Manufacturing Company in Springfield, Massachusetts produced Indian Motocycles. The location of the event this trophy was awarded for is unknown. It probably dates from between 1909 to 1911. If anyone has any information on this event, please contact me.

Sidecar Race Trophy - 1913 Alabama State Fair

Sandra Stubbs Collection

Sources:

Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review

Birmingham Ledger

Birmingham News

Birmingham, Alabama Public Library Archives - O.V. Hunt Collection

Bruce Crawford Collection

Chicago Daily Tribune

Chris Price@ArchiveMoto

David Hoover Collection

Don Emde Collection

Furman Family Collection

Gadsden Alabama Public Library Archives - Robert (Bobby) Scarboro Collection

Indian Motorcycles Club of France

Johnny Whitsett Collection

KMP Motos Parts Collection

Motorcycle Illustrated

Newspapers.com

New York Times

Robert (Bobby) Scarboro Collection - Gadsden, AL. Public Library Archives

The Old Motor.com

The Times London, England