Judging a bike show is not as easy as many people may think, especially if you are going to do it right. There are many factors to consider and attention to detail is critical. Also knowledge of the make, model and production year can be a major factor.
Left side of motorcycle
There were many sharp motorcycles in the Cycle Source Sturgis 2016 Ride In Bike Show, and I studied every motorcycle entered but kept coming back to the 1928 Harley JD of Brent Ulman of Buffalo, Wyoming.
Right side of motorcycle
I was impressed with the condition and attention to detail and how much work was applied to bring it to this condition.
Brent Ulman Receiving Best Antique Award From Roadside Marty.
It was not until after Roadside Marty presented Brent his trophy that I found out more about the motorcycle and what he went through to get the bike and transform it to this show condition.
It turns out the motorcycle was owned by Bernie Wederman a friend of his father. Bernie sent the motorcycle to a restoration shop in Vermont and while waiting for the shop to do work on it he got cancer and died.
The motorcycle had been disassembled and parts put in boxes and somehow good parts disappeared and were replaced with junky rusted out crap.
Brent’s dad drove to Vermont, picked up the motorcycle and boxes of parts in 2012 and then he and his wife drove to Wyoming to deliver them.
Finding parts for a motorcycle this old is not an easy task but can be done with some searching and tracking down leads.
Right side of motorcycle and replacement parts.
Brent eventually found out, through different sources about good replacement sheet metal company named Replicant Metals in Pennsylvania owned by Thomas Feezer. He got a sport solo tank set, battery box, 6-volt coil and wiring harness from him.
These engines were constant loss. The oil never returned to the tank, but to the street.
In the course of doing business with him he found out about Steven Lippoldt an old school engine builder in Maryland. Brent sent him the 1928 61-inch engine and also a 74-cubic-inch engine and Steven built him a stock 74-cubic-inch single cam engine.
He also sent a completely disassembled 3-speed original transmission which Steven rebuilt using a new mainshaft, bushings, bearings and whatever other parts it needed and returned it ready to install.
Rear wheel and brake. Note the drum brake shoe was leather and on the outside of the drum.
The original stock Harley hubs were sent to Buchanan Spoke and Wheel and had new rims and stainless steel spokes installed.
Left side of motorcycle with the rare as hen’s teeth Schebler carb.
Premier Powder Coat in Sheridan Wyoming did the powder coating. Sage Hendrix of Rad Rides in Buffalo, Wyoming handle the ruby paint.
Hand Tooled Seat
The hand tooled seat was done by Link at Kings Saddlery in Sheridan, Wyoming
All of this took two-and-a-half years of work including assembly and disassembly and more assembly and disassembly and final assembly.
A lot of research, reading, searching for parts, phone calls to Steven L Thomas his dad and others he got the motorcycle running in time for the 76th Sturgis Rally.
He spent many hours of riding it until the left side case broke, and it had to be replaced. The bike was disassembled and reassembled one more time and the result is what you see here.
CYCLE SOURCE EDITOR’S CHOICE WINNER TECHNICAL INFO:
Note the City Park sign. This is where the original, wild Sturgis parties began.
Owner: Brent Ulman
For years the historic Rat’s Hole shows were staged in historic City Park.
Builder: Brent Ulman
City/state: Buffalo, WY
Company Info: Brent Ulman
Address: 37 Turkey Lane, Buffalo, WY 82834
Fabrication: Brent Ulman, Sage Hendricks
Welding: Brent Ulman, Sage Hendricks
Machining: Steven Lippoldt
ENGINE:
Year: 1928 constant loss
Make: Harley-Davidson
Model: JD
Displacement: 74 in3
Builder or Rebuilder: Brent Ulman
Cases: Harley-Davidson
Case finish: Stock
Barrels: Cast iron Harley-Davidson
Bore: Stock
Pistons: Stock
Barrel finish: Matte black
Lower end: 74-inch version
Stroke: Stock
Rods: Stock
Heads: Stock
Head finish: Matte black
Valves and springs: Stock
Pushrods: Stock
Cams: Stock
Lifters: Stock
Carburetion: Schebler
Air cleaner: Stock
Exhaust: Custom 2-into-1
Mufflers: None
TRANSMISSION:
Year: 1928
Make: Harley-Davidson
Gear configuration: 3-speed tank shift
Primary: Stock
Clutch: Stock
Final drive: Stock
Kicker: Stock
FRAME:
Year: 1928
Builder: Harley-Davidson
Style or Model: JD
Stretch: Stock
Rake: Stock
Modifications: None
FRONT END:
Make: Harley-Davidson
Model: Springer
Year: 1928
Length: Stock
Mods: None
SHEET METAL:
Tanks: Harley-Davidson Sport Solo
Fenders: Custom bobber
Panels: Stock Harley
Oil tank: Harley-Davidson
PAINT:
Sheet metal: 2013 Harley-Davidson Black Cherry
Base coat: PPG DBC base coat with DC3000 clear coat
Frame: 2013 Harley-Davidson Black Cherry
Base coat: PPG DBC base coat with DC3000 clear coat
Type: Harley-Davidson
WHEELS:
Front
Make: Harley Davidson hub, Kelsey Hayes wheel
Size: 18-inch
Brakes: Harley drum
Tire: Coker
Rear
Make: Harley-Davidson hub, Kelsey Hayes wheel
Size: 18-ingh
Brake: Harley drum
Tire: Coker
CONTROLS:
Foot controls: Foot clutch and rear brake
Finish: Powder coat
Handlebar controls: Stock
Finish: Paint
Clutch Cable: Stock
Shifting: Tank Shift
Kickstand: Harley-Davidson Jiffy
ELECTRICAL:
Ignition: points
Ignition switch: Stock
Coils: Stock
Regulator: Stock
Charging: 6-volt generator
Wiring: Stock
Harness: Stock
Headlight: Stock
Taillight: Custom
Switches: Stock
Battery: NAPA
WHATS LEFT:
Seat: Stock pan, King’s Saddlery tooled leather
Gas caps: Solid brass stock
Handlebars: Stock
Grips: Stock
Pegs: Harley-Davidson running boards
Oil lines: Stock
Fuel filter: Stock
Fuel Lines: Stock
Throttle: Stock
Throttle cables: Stock
Fasteners: Stock
CREDITS:
Steven Lippoldt
Thomas Feezer, Replicant Metals
Dave Engle
Premier Powder Coating
Sage Hendricks, Rad Rides (Paint, body, fab)
