Classic & Vintage Motorcycle Ride in New Hampshire - Harley Forum

Buzz Kanter · #1 07-28-2009, 04:56 PM

I'd like to invite anyone and everyone here on this classic motorcycle forum to join me and the others at this year's Pewter Run on Sunday September 6th in Hillsborough, New Hampshire.

This will be the first time I am participating but this will be the 5th annual running of it.

The Pewter Run, a celebration of "The First Fifty Years of Motorcycling" is a "road relaibility trial and an opportunity for owners to use our classic motorcycles in the manner they were intended."

The rules are loosely based on the VMCC's Banbury Run and Sunbeam MCC's Pioneer Run in England. There are five classes as follows:

Class A: Veteran. Motorcycles manufactured before December 1914.
Class B: Early Vintage. Motorcycles from 1915 to 1924.
Class C: Late Vintage. Motorcycles from 1925 to 1920.
Class D: Post Vintage. Motorcycles from 1930 to 1949.
Class E: Post 1950**. **Entires subject to approval by event coordinator. Please send photo and description.

Each rider is given a route sheet with a map and written direction for the course. Riders start at timed intervals and a pewter trophy is presented in each class for the rider who comes closest to a pre-determined time without being under that time.

Entry form can be had on-line at http://www.race-uscra.com/events/200...orm%202009.pdf

I am considering competing on my 1924 Harley JDCA in the Class B: Early Vintage group. Anyone else interested in joing me in the fun?

Buzz Kanter · #2 08-28-2009, 01:01 AM

I have heard from a few people that they will be bringing along an old Harley or old Indian motorcycle for the Pewter Run and one suggested we might even create a Team American Iron - which I think is a fun idea.

I am hoping to attend and ride my 1924 Harley and my pal Jim Sims might ride either my 1947 Harley Knucklehead or 1948 Harley Panhead. We'll see.

Hope tosee some forum members at the event.

Buzz Kanter · #3 09-01-2009, 10:04 PM

Well the bike weekend is almost upon us so I figured I'd better make sure my old 1924 Harley was ready and not likely to let me down in fron tof all the other riders and spectators. So this evening I pulled it out of the garage and into the sun. I hadn't started it in more than a month, but when I put it away it was starting on one kick and running great (thanks to Dav Fusiak at Flat Out Motorbikes).

A few days earlier I topped off and charged up the battery, which seemed to be holding a decent charge. I checked the gas and oil, which were fine. Turned on the gas petcock and let the old Schebler carburetor fill. Choke fully on, ignition off and fully retarded I give it a primer kick. Ignition on and half retarded it fired on the third kick and sounded sweet. A little smoke from the exhaust and engine, but not much and it seemed to burn off quickly.

I let it idle for about 2 minutes as I check it over and everything looked fine. While it was on the rear stand I lubed the chain, which was so tight it almost resisted turning. I adjusted the chain and put in just a little slack. I knew it was set right when I last rode it so figured it will stretch out a bit with use.

I let it cool off and rolled it back into the garage figuring I'd done and checked everything I need to. Now wish we luck this weekend. The riders meeting is at noon and the first bike away is at 12:30 on Sunday from Hillsborough Center in New Hampshire.

More info at PEWTER RUN - EARLY VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE EVENT

Buzz Kanter · #4 09-07-2009, 11:12 AM

Got back from competing in the Pewter Run yesterday in the back country of New Hampshire. I rode my 1924 Harley JD and my pal Jim Sims rode my 1948 "Crustoration" Harley Panhead.

This is the first time we'd tried this one and have to say it was a lot of fun with some great old motrocycles in a beautiful part of the country.

The event is open to pre-1950 motorcycles and I guess about 15 registered for the ride this year. The oldest was my 1924 Harley, the next oldest was a very cool looking and great running 1925 Henderson Four. A handful of Indians (one with a sidecar) and a bunch of British motorcycles too.

All the riders are given racer bibs to wear (hey, I was drooling on a few of the bikes) and a route sheet. We leave the start one bike at a time every 30 seconds and have to make it to the various check points. Then we need to make it back to the start/finish at a predetermined time based on the projected speed of each bike.

If you are even one second early you are disqualified.And the bike that comes in closest to the projected time without coming it too soon, wins the class.

As the only bike in the pre-1925 class I won with my 1924 Harley. But much to my amazement I believe I was the best time of the day with only 7 seconds. I'd like to believe it was due to my talent but the reality is it was more dumb luck than skill on my part.