Dave Swanson

Mark Linkous was a true motorcycle enthusiast. Sparklehorse is a play on words for motorcycle..

Sparklehorse has been receiving quite a bit of airplay in my little motorcycle shop the last couple of years. Sparklehorse is an acquired taste, but I have come around and enjoy the originality very much. I purchased a 93 1000S that had been owned by Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse until his untimely demise. I must be honest that I had never heard of Sparklehorse until I bought Mark's bike. I spent some time getting to know more about Mark and his band, Sparklehorse through internet research and was amazed by how many Sparklehorse videos there are on YouTube. I purchased a few of his CDs and started playing them while fettling his old bike. Listening to Mark sing and play while working on his old bike certainly added an extra dimension to wrenching. Here is a picture of Mark on his beloved 1000S. I have gotten to know one of his long time band mates a bit and he told me Mark absolutely loved this bike. Current state after an extensive fettling. I am recovering from hip replacement just 3 weeks ago, so the bikes are already in their winter hibernation mode.

One year ago I purchased this 77 Lemans. It was a nice solid unit but had a few cosmetic issues. The most serious was cosmetic damage to the fairing, instruments, and instrument housings. When I got it home I noticed that the red gear lube in the transmission was leaking from the bell housing. This gave me the incentive to give it a complete going over. Here is the summary. ENGINE The engine was partially disassembled for inspection and found to be in very good condition. Rear main seal replaced, and gave the exterior a detail. CLUTCH Replaced clutch and upgraded to the deep spline. TRANSMISSION Disassembled for inspection and found to be in good condition. Rear and front main seals replaced. Front seal had been leaking. DRIVELINE U-Joint replaced and all spline drive shaft and couplings. U-joint carrier bearing replaced. The bearing felt rough and upon removal found the inner race had 3 cracks. Rear drive spline and mating drive spline on rear wheel replaced, along with new cush rubbers. BRAKES All 3 brake rotors were refinished by TrueDisk. All brake pads replaced with "best" Brembo carbon ceramic pads. New front master cylinder rebuild kit. Brake lines replaced with black steel braided lines. MISCELLANEOUS Damaged instruments repaired by Palo Alto Speedometer Service Damaged instrument cluster housings replaced New wiring harness from Greg Bender. A thing of beauty! Fresh paint by PaintWorks. Craig did his usual amazing work including the satin black finish on the fuel tank. New exact reproduction seat from Guzzibits. All rusty hardware was zinc plated at Manner Plating (local). Fresh Avon AM 26 RoadRiders and converted to tubeless. Fork seals and many other rubber bits replaced.

Yes, I am very curious where all this new body work was found!! Inquiring minds need to know this!

I stumbled upon this channel when I was fantasizing about a Vincent Rapide. I enjoy the content.

I just picked up a Tonti I have always wanted, a T3 California. I like the funky 70s look they have. It is pretty rare to find these in the USA as the California T3 model was not imported. They were common on the Continent and the UK though. This particular bike was imported by a Brit when relocating to the San Francisco area. It will require a full up restoration. Hopefully I will have it looking like this in a year or so.

I purchased this bike 13 years ago from Ken Johnson at Atlas Cycle in Tulsa, Oklahoma just before Ken retired and sold the business. Ken told me that it had been on display at the shop for many years. The bike hadn't been licensed for the road since 1977. All of the tinware retains its original paint. The frame and other black bits were re-painted, and the rusty hardware was cadmium plated. I tore the bike down, ordered a Gliardoni cylinder set and for the next 12 years the bike was in boxes. Last year I got serious about finishing it. Today I finished the wiring. I installed one of Greg Bender's fabulous wiring harnesses. I also installed his slick "relay solution" panel. Everything worked flawlessly. This was a very rewarding project!

Nice score!

That is so nice! Congratulations and looking forward to the post about the day it is delivered.

Sign me up.

Great to hear this and welcome to the forum, Randy! We will all be waiting to hear how you like it! Congrats on a great buy.

I can't wait for the ride reports! Fantastic work, and she looks great!

Yes, all 1000S' were square fins

The 1000S I picked up about a year and a half ago is now fully sorted.

That's brilliant!

The Norton looks good!

I have been impressed with Haulbikes

I dare say, if you were astride one while the V4 was in full song, it would do something for you!

I have a 2015 Norge 8V. It is an excellent road burner. The 8 valve engine is a marvel. Mine is bone stock except for a Beetle map, which made a huge difference in engine smoothness and throttle response, Guzzi top case, and a Throttlemeister- throttle lock. Anyone with an 8V Norge should have Beetle's map!!! It is a comfortable bike and the weather protection is very good. The early 8 valves had flat tappets which self destruct. From mid 2012 on the 1200 8v has roller tappets which many call the "rollerized" engine. This is the one to get as the valve train has proven to be bullet proof. Stay with 2013 and above and all is good. Used Norge's are a real bargain. I am glad I like mine because it would make me cry to sell it for the little they go for nowadays. A flat tappet motor with super low miles could be an option if bought cheaply as roller conversion packages are still available. I am happy to answer any questions.

Took her out for a couple beauty shots.

Sorry, with Guzzi content. A pair of 74's

Had my Commando out the other day also.

And I ordered a set of Pirelli GTs today.