The drawing showed a modified arrangement with several handwritten notes.
Leo couldn't interpret every measurement.
Yet he recognized the shape.
“That's it.”
Paul looked toward the drawing.
Then toward the engine.
“That's the custom section?”
Leo nodded.
“Dad called it the ugly part.”
Big Dave frowned.
“Ugly?”
Leo smiled faintly.
“He said pretty parts aren't always the useful ones.”
Gravel laughed from near the doorway.
“That definitely sounds like Arty.”
Rusty examined the drawing.
Then passed it to Paul.
The machinist studied it carefully.
For several minutes, he compared the visible arrangement with the documented configuration.
His expression changed.
“Rusty.”
The shop owner turned.
“What?”
Paul pointed toward the drawing.
“He wasn't using the standard geometry.”
Rusty leaned closer.
The machinist continued.
“Some of these components were adapted specifically for this engine.”
Nate nodded.
“That could explain why our assumptions didn't match the behavior.”
Rusty looked toward Leo.
Then back at the motorcycle.
For a moment, he felt both hope and embarrassment.
The child hadn't performed a mechanical miracle.
He'd remembered information the adults didn't possess.
But that information was enough to change the direction of the repair.
They continued inspecting the engine.
The work required care, patience, and accurate measurement.
Several parts were removed for evaluation.
Others were left in place until their condition could be verified.
Leo watched quietly.
Every so often, he remembered something Arthur had said.
Sometimes it helped.
Sometimes it didn't.
The mechanics treated his memories as clues to be checked rather than instructions to be followed blindly.
That made Leo feel safer.
He wasn't being asked to become a grown mechanic.
He was being allowed to contribute what he knew.
Near noon, Paul removed a pushrod that appeared visibly damaged.
He laid it on the workbench.
Then examined it carefully.
His expression hardened.
“That's not good.”
Rusty looked up.
“What?”
Paul showed him the part.
Then placed it on a clean measuring surface.
The result confirmed his suspicion.
The rod was bent.
Big Dave took a slow breath.
“Check the others.”
The men examined additional components.
Another showed damage.
Then another.
The repeated kickback events had apparently placed stress on a system that was already operating with an unusual configuration.
Rusty stared toward the workbench.
For several seconds, he couldn't speak.
Then he looked at Paul.
“Can we replace them?”
The machinist hesitated.
“Not from ordinary stock.”
Rusty frowned.
“What about the Shovelhead-derived components?”
Paul shook his head.
“Not as they are. Arthur modified the geometry. These aren't ordinary replacement parts.”