There’s A First Time For Everything!

Some folks might think the crew at Honest Charley Speed Shop is stuck in the past, and they’re probably right. But hey, who wouldn’t want to be stuck in the glory days of hot rodding, when Deuce roadsters casually roamed the earth, and Flatheads ruled the racing world? Today, things are quite different, even though the ’32 Ford still reigns supreme in most hot rodder’s minds.

Technology is more abundant than ever, and it gives Honest Charley a chance to reach out to its customers in a new way. We’ve had a website and online store for a while now, but our latest endeavor is the BLOG! And no, we’re not talking about a scary creature from a ’50s movie or the sound you make after a hard night on the town. This blog will keep you up to date on the happenings at Honest Charley and hopefully entertain you at the same time, so check back often for updates.

Here in Tennessee, the temperatures have dropped and the leaves are changing colors, so it’s time to hit up the last few shows of the year before winter sets in. Cold weather is the perfect time to make a few changes on your hot rod, be it a simple modification or a complete rebuild. It’s also a good time to find a deal on an old car or even a motorcycle, as prices generally drop with the temperatures. In fact, you may want the best of both worlds, which is Honest Charley’s Famous Flathead Motorcycle.

The Flathead Motorcycle starts with a hard tail chassis, and it features a springer front end for just the right amount of vintage flavor. The focus point is the Flathead engine, which is a Ford V8-60 model, updated to modern standards to keep it reliable and efficient. It may not be highly modified, but the 136ci Flathead makes 60 horsepower and has plenty of torque to get it rolling. A custom direct drive transmission, a coolant recovery system and a fuel range of approximately 100 miles makes for a dependable bike, while the undeniable exhaust note is what hot rodding is all about. Just imagine a ’40 Ford with straight pipes and you get the idea.

These bikes are totally street legal, with the required lights, mirrors and horn, and it even has a 12-volt charging system, complete with a Delco alternator. This may not be the right bike if you plan on riding in traffic everyday, but it’s definitely an awesome cruiser with looks and sounds that will draw a crowd everywhere you go. Check out the link on the Honest Charley home page if you want to learn more about the Flathead Motorcycle–it’s a great combination of hot rod and motorcycle artifacts, and it runs as good as it looks.

That’s all for our very first Honest blog, but check back frequently to see progress on our project cars, and all sorts of cool stuff.