Well time to start posting again! Took the first ride today after a long hibernation since the last Cannonball. We went through the engine and installed back in. New brake hub and laced up rim. First ride was five miles of smiles!!
More riding each week. September 10 will be here faster than you know!
Today was engine evaluation and maintenance. All looking good! Flywheels and rod are perfect. Still true. Bushing are still in spec. Will clean up piston and re-ring. All on track for a May 1st riding season! 
Had two of my support crew out this morning (Dan and Brent) to remove the engine after the 2018 Cannonball event. Pulled engine out and took top end off. Looks great! 
Minimal wear! Excellent. Next will be to separate the cases and inspect flywheels and crank pin. 
All good!!
Servicing the pedal crank bearings. Looks pretty good considering all the miles in 2018’for the Cannonball (3,500). Will be cleaning and re-assembling. 
Spent a few hours learning about the new hub I’ll be using. As you may (or may not) remember on my 2018 Cannonball event my rear Muscleman rear brake was my nemesis. Went through four of these at a very high cost! Here is one picture of what occurred. 
As you can see the brass brake show is destroyed. This occurred throughout my ride. In fact I rode two days with zero brakes as I waited for new parts to be shipped in.
I connected with a source for a period correct Thor hub. So I obtained this hub and laced to my belt drive wheel. 
So to learn more about function and adjustments I have disassembled and documented how it all goes together. 
So next steps are to re-assemble and install in frame. There will have to be some modifications made to make this work on my original frame. Should be no problem.
Engine being pulled out and taken apart in two days. It will be interesting to see how the engine fared in the 3,500 miles I put on in 2018. Over and out for now.
Got all of the exhaust parts degreased and cleaned up. Also the front chain sprocket needed some tender loving care. All cleaned up and the three pedal crank holes re-threaded. Soaking some of these parts in an anti-corrosion solution. 
Also the oil tank section in the tank is tight (no leaks) so now the gas tank section is being checked. 
Engine coming out next. Over and out.
Cold and snowy outside today. So I thought I’d get something done today on the EX. 
Worked on replacing and cutting new lagging for the front engine pulley. This lagging provides a smooth surface for the rear drive leather belt. I have two extra pulleys so during the Cannonball we can quickly replace the worn lagging pulley with a new one. Easy peasy. This starts as a long strip of leather. 
Here are the worn out ones from the 2018 Cannonball. 
And after an hour or so I have three ready to go and a few extra strips for later. 
That’s it for now. Later…
Well it’s time to get rolling on the 1911 in preparation for the 2020 Cannonball.
After lacing up the new rear Thor design hub, have to fit in the frame. Will also have to fabricate the hub “stay” and clamp.
Next was to pull off the exhaust system and clean up. This is before cleaning. 
Also pulled off the fuel/oil tank. Have a minute oil seepage issue. I need to find out where it’s seeping and hopefully solder up. 
Belt tensioner off next. All of this is in preparation to pull the engine out. 
And the belt pulley. Took it off and will replace the leather lagging. As you can see it’s as crisp as a piece of well done bacon! 
All good for now. More updates later. 
Wow it’s over. What an incredible journey! Rode today from Homestead to Key West. 
Made it to the southern most part of the USA. 
Had an incredible banquet and socializing with all riders. 
The four 45’s ran excellent. A great team to ride with. Today is relaxing and a party tonight. Then flying home tomorrow.
It will be good to get home to “normal” life. Thanks for following along in the ride!
Cannonball, Chase, 1911 Excelsior, 1923 Harley J tales 