Inside Rat Racer - Episode #44

By David L. Morrill
@ Mototique Racing

Ocala, Florida

2017 Sons of Speed Practice @ New Smyrna Speedway

Jim Dohms - Dohms Creative Photography

In the previous episode, I shared some inside details of Billy Lane's Sons of Speed races held @ New Smyrna Speedway during 2017 Daytona Bike Week & Biketoberfest. In this episode, I'll share some of the updates made to my 1921 Harley-Davidson blanked off single cylinder racer, known affectionately as "Rat Racer."

Rat Racer - 1921 Blanked Off Harley-Davidson Single

Michael Lichter @ 2017 True Grit Vintage Bike Show

Chassis:

Between the Bike Week race, and the Biketoberfest race, the only real changes made to the chassis, were to add a set of brass handlebar risers from Faber Cycle, along with a set of  Billy Lanes Choppers Inc. 1" board track handlebars. This allows me to adjust both the handlebar height & angle for comfort.

I also added a kill button, and a compression release, to the left side of the bars. A Biltwell throttle assembly from J&P Cycles along with a modified stock throttle cable gives a self-closing throttle for safety.

Motor:

My 21J motor is numbered in the mid 3400s of a total production of 4526 - 1921 Model J 61ci V Twins. It has been blanked off by removing the rear cylinder creating a 30.50ci-500cc single race motor. It uses a 1924 iron piston & rings.

Left Side

I shared the basic set up of the bottom end of this motor in Episode #8.  The female 21J rod was replaced by 1924-29 model J/JD drilled rod, which is longer than the stock 1921 J model rod.

Add caption

The longer rod had another advantage. While not changing the motor's stroke dimension, it does push the piston up to with 1/16" of the top (photo below) of the cylinder bore at top dead center. The stock 21J rod stops piston travel about 3/8" below to top of the cylinder bore, which greatly limits the compression ratio and performance. The longer late model rod solves that problem.

Through the Intake Valve Pocket

Exhaust valve at the top, Piston Crown at the bottom

I am currently running a standard 21J - 4 lobe cam, with a set of modified cam followers for a blanked off single found by Terry Marsh. I hope to have one of Matt Walksler's race cams installed for the next race.

Standard 21J Cam with Modified Cam Followers

Intake:

My motor uses a standard 21J Intake Pocket, which has been slightly ported to remove the sharp edges, which impede gas flow. It has a stock intake valve, with a 1923-29 conical intake spring & collar supplied by Competition Distributing. The Intake valve spring is shimmed 40 thousands of an inch to increase spring pressure. A stock exhaust valve was used, along with a stock style exhaust valve spring also from Competition distributing. I am in the process of replacing the exhaust valve spring with a heavier spring from Matt Walksler of Period Modified.

Hood Intake Tower - Left           1923 Conical Spring Vented Intake Tower - Right

I have two different intake towers I've used. One is aftermarket prototype make by George Hood, and the other is a later model vented tower for the conical spring. Both towers use the ball end JDH style intake push rod. 

Carburetion:

Carburetion has been the single biggest challenge of this project. I went through several period Schebler & Linkert carburetors, with little success, and one carburetor fire. Most were for twin cylinder bikes and could not be leaned down enough to perform well through the whole throttle range.

When I toured Billy Lane's Choppers Inc. and examined his Sons of Speed racers, I found he was using modern carburetors, so I decided to give them a try. The first Mikuni VM32mm was too large and lacked mid-range performance. I then settled on a round slide Mikuni VM26-606 carburetor setup for a small bore 4 stroke dirt bike.

Rubber Mounted Mikuni VM26-606 with K&N Air Filter

While tuning is still a work in progress, the current carburetor specs are:

190 main jet, 22.5 pilot jet, Air Screw 1.2 turns out, 1.5 slide, O-O Needle Jet, 5E75 Needle on the middle notch.

With this setup, the motor starts easily, idles smoothly, picks up rpm, when the ignition is advanced, and pulls well through the rev range. The carburetor is rubber mounted with a piece of high temp water hose and has a K&N air filter installed.

Lubrication:

The stock 21J cast gear case cover/oil pump was replaced with the stamped steel gear case cover/cast oil pump introduced in late 1922.

1922 Stamped Steel Gear Case Cover & Cast Oil Pump

Ignition:

I have used a total loss battery powered ignition system for many years now. It used a 1925 timing case with original points, powered by a small 12-volt Security System sealed battery. My most recent update was to replace the original points with a Gotronic Electronic Ignition. The points were replaced by a magnetic sensor, that triggers a small control box. A Dyna 12 Volt Single Wire Coil provides the spark. Ignition timing is set with the timer at full advance 9/16" - 40 degrees Before Top Dead Center.  The small green LED light on the top of the control box signals the triggering of the ignition as the timing lobe passes the sensor.

Modified 1925 Timer & Gotronic Ignition Control Box

These are the modifications I've used over the past few years. All seem to have worked out well on the street & track, so far!

A short ignition test video below: 

Epilogue: 

For the 2019 Races, I switched to a more period Linkert M741 carburetor, which features both High and Low Speed mixture adjustment. Works great!

Suppliers:

Biltwell Inc. - J&P Cycles Destination Daytona - Ormond Beach, Florida

Choppers Inc. - Billy Lane - Daytona Beach, Florida

Competition Distributing - Sturgis, South Dakota

Gotronic Ignitions - Gelu Olaru - Romania

Period Modified - Matt Walksler - Waynesville, North Carolina

Terry Marsh - Klamath Falls, Oregon

Behind the Scenes @ Sons of Speed 2017 - Episode #43

By: David L. Morrill
@ Mototique Racing

Ocala, Florida

Updated: September 22, 2017

Author's Note:

Billy Lane, and the Sons of Speed Racers, return to the New Smyrna Speedway on Saturday October 21, 2017, during Daytona Biketoberfest. Come out and see the Sons & Daughters of Speed!

Billy Lane @ New Smyrna Speedway in March 2017

Since I first threw a leg over a dirt bike in the early 70s, I have been blessed to have taken part in many exciting motorcycle adventures; but in March, I had an opportunity to play a small part in one I will never forget.

Like most of the folks, who play with old racing bikes, I had heard of Billy Lane of Choppers Inc. plans to hold a race for recreated board track racers and had followed his photo posts of the racers he was building but knew little of the details for the actual race. When I left my place in Alabama, headed down to Florida for Daytona Bike Week, I was determined to make it to the event. I offered my services as a wrench to American Iron Magazine publisher, Buzz Kanter, who was entered in the race, and he graciously accepted. This was the beginning of a grand adventure!

Team American Iron @ Sons of Speed
Photo Credit: Jim Dohms

On the Sunday before the race, I took Rat Racer, my 1921 Harley-Davidson racer to the True Grit Motorcycle Show @ Rossmeyer's Destination Daytona.

When we arrived at the show, Warren Lane, Billy's brother, had his Atomic Metalsmith's 1917 Indian Sons of Speed racer on display. I parked my bike next to Warren's bike, and left my buddy Joe Niles to watch it, while I went to park the truck and trailer. When I returned, Joe told me Warren had invited us to take part in a Sons of Speed closed practice session on Wednesday @ New Smyrna Speedway.

Rat Racer & Warren Lane's 1917 Indian Racer

@True Grit Vintage Bike Show

Photo Credit: Jack Mcintyre

Buzz on Rat Racer @ the True Grit Show

Photo Credit: Deadly Dave

The chance to ride my old racer on a modern half mile banked speedway, was just too big a temptation. My buddy, John Melin volunteered to go along, and help me with my bike, and he also ended up on Buzz's Team.

With much effort, I squeezed my big grit eating butt into my old race leathers, and hit the track, for the first time since the mid 90s. Riding a bike with tall skinny tires, a 96-year-old engine, maybe 8-horsepower, no suspension, brakes, or tranny, is a very different experience, but something I will never forget!

Rhett, Buzz, Paul, and Dave

Photo Credit: John Melin

After I came in from a few laps, Buzz arrived with his bike. A careful inspection revealed a problem with the rear wheel, and we jumped into action to get it fixed.

Buzz's Rear Wheel Minus Two Sprocket Studs

Photo Credit: John Melin

Buzz, Jim, and John remove the rear wheel

Photo Credit: Deadly Dave

Rear Wheel Repairs

Photo Credit: John Melin

By Thursday, Buzz's bike was track ready, and Buzz was working up to speed on the track. John, and I needed to stay in Ocala Thursday, and take care of family obligations.  We returned on Friday for the practice day. All went well until the final practice session, when Rhett Rotten went down hard coming out of turn 4. Rhett was pretty banged up, with a couple of cracked ribs. Buzz came into the pits, and I noticed his front tire was nearly flat. Turned out there was a missing rim strip, and the clincher rim had cut the tube causing a slow leak. John grabbed his giant roll of duct tape, and a new tube, the front tire was soon fixed. The rear wheel was found to have the same problem and was also repaired.

Dave warms up the #15 Team American Iron Racer

Photo Credit: Amy Jacques

By race day, I found myself drafted to assist with event scoring. Thanks to a great group of volunteers, who stepped in at the last moment, the event took place without a serious incident.

Flagging & Scoring

Photo Credit: Amy Jacques

Buzz went out and won the first Sons of Speed heat race on his Team American Iron 1915 Harley-Davidson.

#15 Buzz Kanter takes the lead from #1 Billy Lane

Sons of Speed Heat #1

The race finale came down to a battle between young Brittany Olsen on her 20th Century Racing 1923 Harley-Davidson, and Matt Harris on his 40 Caliber Customs 1923 Harley-Davidson. Brittany took the checkered flag first followed by Matt, with Shelly Rossmeyer-Pepe third, and Buzz Kanter 4th.

Sons of Speed Winner Brittany Olsen

20th Century Racing 1923 Harley-Davidson

This event was covered by the motorcycling press from around the world, and I will let them fill you in on all the personalities involved, and numerous twists & turns throughout the event. Thank you to Billy Lane for sharing you dream with all of us!

More behind the scenes photos of Team American Iron @ Sons of Speed:

Buzz

Photo Credit: Jim Dohms

Dave & Buzz

Photo Credit: Jim Dohms

Unidentified Videographer & Dave

Buzz & Paul Ousley

Photo Credit: Jim Dohms

Buzz & John

Photo Credit: Jim Dohms

Press Release #8 Good Rides Journal - Sons of Speed

By: David L. Morrill
@Mototique

A big thank you to Terry Quesnel, and the folks @ Ocala's Good Rides Journal for including a photo of my 1921 Harley-Davidson racer in their article on Billy' Lane's Sons of Speed race held @ New Smyrna Speedway during Daytona Bike Week.

You can check out Good Rides Journal on Facebook @ 

Good Rides Journal on Facebook:

Here's Terry's article on the race:

Racing Comes to the Big Easy - Episode #45

January 18, 2022

By: David L. Morrill
@MototiqueRacing

Ocala, Florida

As a young man growing up in the South, I've heard countless tales of drunken debauchery centered around the Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans, Louisiana, affectionately known as "The Big Easy." The Mardi Gras celebrations in the Crescent City go back to the 1730s. So, you might ask, what does that have to do with early motorcycle racing. Turns out it may be more than you think.

It appears from press accounts that the first motorcycle race to be held in New Orleans was scheduled for September 28, 1902, at the Athletic Park Stadium at the intersection Tulane Avenue and Scott Street in the Mid-City District of the City.

New Orleans Time-Democrat - September 28, 1902

This is very early for an American motorcycle race as Indian Motocycle had only been founded in 1901, and Harley-Davidson would not be founded until 1903. It is unclear if the race took place, as the results were not covered in the local press.

By the early 1908, New Orleans had two one-mile dirt oval horse tracks. One was located in City Park, and the other was located at the Fairgrounds. Both tracks hosted horse racing, and betting on the results was a common occurrence. Over the years, horse racing was seen by many of New Orleans' more devout residents as a corrupting force, full of gamblers, loan sharks, and other unsavory characters. In 1908, the Louisiana Legislature passed the Locke Law banning horse racing in the State for 5 years. With their livelihood threatened, the track operators looked for another use for their facilities.

Diagram of the New Orleans Fairgrounds Racetrack

On this site since 1852
New Orleans Jazz Fest

Automobiles were becoming more common, and the sport of automobile racing was gaining nationwide popularity, so the track operators decided to stage an Automobile Speed Carnival at the Fairgrounds racetrack on during the Banner Day celebrations in November 1908.

The New Orleans, LA. Times-Democrat - November 7, 190

As part of the Carnival, the promoters included a match motorcycle race between professional racers Russ Smith, and Arthur Redfern. They would ride special five-, and seven-cylinder motorcycles. These special bikes were probably built around modified automobile engines.

The Times-Democrat - October 23, 1908

On November 7, 1908, Russ Smith, and Arthur Redfern, raced around the one mile for track five laps. Redfern came across the finish line as the winner of New Orleans' first professional motorcycle race. The event received national coverage in the motorcycling press of the day.

Motorcycle Illustrated - December 1, 1908

The Times-Democrat - November 8, 1908

In 1909, New Orleans decided to hold the Speed Carnival at the Fairgrounds in conjunction with the annual Mardi Gras celebrations. It does not appear that motorcycles would be included in the Mardi Gras Speed Carnival for 1910, but by November there were plans for a winter professional racing series at the City Park racetrack.

Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review - November 12, 1910

For the 1911, Mardi Gras Speed Carnival, it was announced that two motorcycle races would also be run each day of the carnival. Not only would there be motorcycle racing, but top racers from throughout the country would be competing in the carnival at the Fairgrounds racetrack.

Among the racers entering the races was New Orleans native son, Arthur Mitchell, who would be competing in the carnival at the Fairgrounds racetrack. Mitchell was one of the top races in the South and was making a name for himself riding Flying Merkel racers on dirt, and board tracks around the country. This would be his chance to race in front of a hometown crowd.

Arthur Mitchell of New Orleans, LA. with his Flying Merkel Racer

Chris Price @ Archive Moto

Mitchells' chief competitor for the title of Southern Racing Champion, was Robert Stubbs of Birmingham, Alabama. Stubbs was a member of the Indian Motocycle Racing team that set numerous speed records for Indian at the 1909 Ormond Beach, Florida Speed Carnival.

Robert Stubbs - New Orleans, LA. Fairgrounds Racetrack 1911

Chris Price @ Archive Moto

Athur Chapple of Boston, Massachusetts was an established national racing star and a former Indian teammate of Robert Stubbs at the 1909 Ormond Beach Speed Carnival.

Arthur Chapple - Ormond Beach, FL. 1909

Chris Price 2 Archive Moto

Eddie Hasha, a young man from Waco, Texas was an up-and-coming star in the professional motorcycle racing. Known as the "Texas Cyclone", Hasha had defeated Bob Stubbs in a 1910 race in Waco, on a Harley-Davidson racer lent to Hasha by Harley-Davidson co-founder Arthur Davidson.

Eddie "The Texas Cyclone" Hasha

Chris Price @ Archive Moto

The upcoming Mardi Gras motorcycle races received plenty of coverage in the local newspapers.

The Times-Democrat - January 1, 1911

New Orleans native son, Arthur Mitchell, was the first of the motorcycle race competitors to have his photo in The Times-Democrat on January 1, 1911. Others soon followed.

The Times-Democrat - January 18, 1911

The Times-Democrat - February 6, 1911

The Shreveport, Louisiana Times included an article on the upcoming event at New Orleans Mardi Gras in their February 11, 1911, edition.

The upcoming Mardi Gras races also received coverage in the national motorcycling press. The January 28, 1911, edition of Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review reported Arthur Chapple had sailed from New York to New Orleans with a couple of racing machines.

The February 18, 1911, edition of The Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review reported that the Fairgrounds racetrack had received state of the art timing equipment. The article also featured a photo of New Orleans racer Val Jensen on his Indian racer.

The Times-Democrat - February 17, 1911

New Orleans, LA. Herald - February 23, 1911

1912, would bring about the end of professional motorcycle races in the Big Easy. With the competitors reaching 100 miles per hour, just feet from spectators, it was only a matter of time before disaster struck. That happened on September 8, 1912, at the Valisburg Motordrome in Newark, New Jersey, As reported in the New Orleans Times-Democrat the horrendous accident killed Eddie Hasha, and another rider. The motorcycles were hurdled into the crowd killing six spectators and injuring numerous others. 

Times-Democrat September 9, 1912

Less than a year later a similar accident happened during a professional motorcycle race at the Lagoon. Motordrome in Ludlow, Kentucky. In this accident, two riders and eight spectators were killed. Flaming gasoline from one of the motorcycle's ruptured fuel tanks doused the crowd burning thirty-five spectators. While these accidents took place on the circular wooden Motordromes, the dirt oval horse tracks had a seen their share of dead riders and spectators over the years. 

The flurry of lawsuits and criminal prosecutions that followed the Newark and Ludlow accidents may have convinced the local promoters that the risk of prosecution and or financial disaster was too great. While an occasional amateur race would take place in New Orleans professional motorcycle racing ceased. The approach of America's involvement in World War One, would cause a near disaster in the American Motorcycle Industry, as their customers were drafted, and new motorcycles and parts went to the war effort. Motorcycle dealers across the country closed their doors, and racing was curtailed. 

New Orleans racer Arthur Mitchell went on to become an official of the Federation of American Motorcyclists, which sanctioned amateur and professional motorcycle racing.

For more information on the tragic Newark and Ludlow accidents see Episode # 19 Motordrome Racing's Darkest Days at the link below:

https://dlmracing.blogspot.com/2013/11/motordrome-racings-darkest-days-newark.html

Sources:

Chris Price @Archive Moto

The Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review - Smithsonian Collection

Motocycle Illustrated

New Orleans Herald

New Orleans Jazz Fest

New Orleans Times-Democrat

Newspapers.com