A severely blocked exhaust sent smoke billowing from every possible outlet in the engine. (Photo: Neale Bayly) » More Photos

I am peering through the smoke at the flying sparks and smoldering jawbreaker sized pieces of black stuff flying out the exhaust. I figure Walnuts must be some old-school motorcycle term for lumps of burning metal that fly out of antique motorcycles when they run for the first time in 50 years. Actually, they are acorns and are responsible for the incredible noise. With some furry little creature deciding to use the muffler to store their nuts, the engine couldn’t get rid of the burned gases. Finding the path of least resistance it exploded a weak, rusted muffler seam. Meanwhile the acorns began to catch fire, making enough room for the exhaust gases to fire the remaining shells out through the tail pipe. All very exciting stuff, as the rear wheel spins madly in the smoke haze, the bike gyrates around on its stand, and sparks fly everywhere. Finally Dale finally shuts her down, and opening the doors we stagger out into the clear, freezing night. Our eyes are burning, and it is time to replace some of the smoke in our lungs with oxygen. I have just witnessed an 80-year-old motorcycle run for the first time in half a century and it is an incredible feeling.

The evening is not finished, as the bike requires a little fine-tuning, but by the time Dale is finished she is starting first kick and idling. Holding the throttle, he is grinning from ear to ear, and quickly leaps back on the bike, selects first gear and gives the bike a run through its three gears. The rear wheel is doing some unusual looking circles with the flat, misshapen tire, but the transmission is doing its job just fine and Dale is happy. He finally shuts her down for the night, and I step back from the bike and take a long, hard look. It is amazing to think that this is the same lifeless, rusty old bike that was pulled out of the back the transport truck a few weeks ago.

With the midnight hour long gone, we formulate our plan for the last and final installment that will see the bike riding down the road. It will need tires, some timing adjustments and a fresh tank of fuel. I bid Dale goodnight and rode out into the freezing night, enjoying the buzz of being around this incredible old motorcycle and the warmth of modern electric clothing. The only problem now, is the next article will be the end of this adventure.