Inspiration from the Cannonball

[Jim Petty]

Thank you Lonnie for adding additional enjoyment to my life. The pre-1916 Cannonball event enticed me in to a new world of bikes and people. It was just a matter of time before I added a pre-16 bike to my collection but I probably would have been looking at it more than I rode it.
This event got me into the bikes and did so in such a way that has me wanting to ride my '15 Indian more than any other bike I have. Now I go for a ride on it every chance I get. It was pretty cool to ride A1A along the beach at Daytona Bike Week on a '15 Indian.
I'm not only enjoying the bike but also the many good people that I've been fortunate enough to meet that love the old iron as well. I have the owner of the first Indian dealer (in modern times) Mark Moses, Charlotte NC, on my Cannonball run team. He's taught me alot about the history of Indian and about the workmanship in the early bikes as well as the new line of bikes. He has a tremendous amount of knowledge on Indians and is just one of those people that makes you feel good to be around. I was lucky as well to find Frank Rick , Elkhart Lake WI. Frank races a 1913 Board Track Indian and is a mechanical wizard. I'm glad to have him on my team for the Cannonball run.
As I anticipated just getting ready for the event would be rewarding - I must say that it truely has been.

[Cristine "Wheels" Simmons]

Hi Jim,

I saw your beautiful Indian at the Indian display on Beach St. at Daytona Bike Week. Really a nice bike! Congrats on joining the Cannonball!

Interesting front brake set -up you have too... We wondered if you will use it just to old on a hill?

See you in Kitty Hawk!

[Jim Petty]

Hello Cristine,

I hate I missed meeting you in Daytona. I was at the display off and on. I appreciate your comment about my bike and I'm equally impressed with the pictures I've seen of the bike you will ride. I'm not sure about your comment about the front brake. I don't have one. Maybe you spotted the sensor for the speedometer? The brakes are the most dangerous thing about me ridding the bike. I've been in a couple of situations where I was just lucky the traffic wasn't heavy. We will be ridding close to each other in a group in the event and there is always the potential for someone to have a mechanical problem and simply seize and stop quickly or go down so I do hope the option of upgradding the braking system sticks. I'm in the process of adding a rear disk now to see how it will work. I'm all for keeping the bikes as original as possible - problem is other factors of the time period just aren't going to be the same. I wonder how many traffic lights Mr. Baker had to encounter?

(03-14-2010 02:18 PM)Cristine "Wheels" Simmons Wrote:  Hi Jim,

I saw your beautiful Indian at the Indian display on Beach St. at Daytona Bike Week. Really a nice bike! Congrats on joining the Cannonball!

Interesting front brake set -up you have too... We wondered if you will use it just to old on a hill?

See you in Kitty Hawk!

[Cristine "Wheels" Simmons]

Hi Jim,

I was wondering about the left front lever. It looks like a brake cable? It runs down under your gas tank and to your rear brake.

I know what you mean about traffic. Cannonball Baker certainly didn't have to deal with that part of what we will go through.

I'm planing on some sort of rear brake. Would love a real one, but may end up with one that I can use for holding on a hill. Still working it out, but YES, brakes are good.

Hope to meet you in Kitty Hawk or on the road.

Take care,
Cris

[Jim Petty]

Hey Cris,

You are right the lever on the left handlebar is for the rear brake and the foot lever operates the rear brake as well. This is standard for an Indian in that time period. The rear wheel drum has an inner brake and an outer "band" brake.
Take care,
JP

(03-15-2010 01:27 PM)Cristine "Wheels" Simmons Wrote:  Hi Jim,

I was wondering about the left front lever. It looks like a brake cable? It runs down under your gas tank and to your rear brake.

I know what you mean about traffic. Cannonball Baker certainly didn't have to deal with that part of what we will go through.

I'm planing on some sort of rear brake. Would love a real one, but may end up with one that I can use for holding on a hill. Still working it out, but YES, brakes are good.

Hope to meet you in Kitty Hawk or on the road.

Take care,
Cris

[knossos]

If you leave your bike as is, with the lousy brakes that the factory installed, you might be a safer rider. I've seen very few guys who crashed because of their old brakes. I try to just enjoy the bike for what it is, and give everybody a lot of room. Don't count on your brakes to get you out of a bad situation, use your wits to prevent getting into a bad situation. Besides, it is so much more fun and more satisfying to ride an old bike than to ride a modern version of an old bike. Enjoy the challenges.

[jurassic]

jim ,i still think you're a dog ,i was bidding on that sweet indian ,and really wanted it. but i'm glad someone is riding it ,and enjoying it. instead of working on it.the snow is melting around here,so i'm hoping to get in the saddle soon.

[Cristine "Wheels" Simmons]

That sure is one sweet Indian! I think my husband and I looked at it way longer than we should have. Sorry we missed you too Jim.

I know what you mean by the old brakes. I've been riding a long time (over 30 years and, yes I started very young), and have learned a lot about avoiding situations as much as possible. On my 1915, I intend to give myself a lot of room for stopping, but I am still going to make sure I have the best brakes I can possibly have before leaving Kitty Hawk.

[Jim Petty]

(03-15-2010 11:42 PM)jurassic Wrote:  jim ,i still think you're a dog ,i was bidding on that sweet indian ,and really wanted it. but i'm glad someone is riding it ,and enjoying it. instead of working on it.the snow is melting around here,so i'm hoping to get in the saddle soon.

I certainly understand your feeling. There were a few people after that bike. You must be the nice guy that helped bid the price up 9***r ? or maybe r***_ or r***e ?

[knossos]

Hi Cris,

Yep, we should all keep our eyes on the road. You've ridden enough to know the story.

Old bikes might not work well with the 'best brakes possible'. Compared to later bikes, they are light weight, and go at slow speeds. A powerful brake will likely lock up the wheel immediately. And the early frames and forks were not designed for the stress from the braking force, resulting in cracked or bent frame & fork tubes. Be careful.

ciao,
Pete