self sufficient slacker

late range report

2012-01-12T13:39:00.004-05:00

I hit the range on 1/2 with a friend and his father. My arsenal is still tiny but I did get to finally put some rounds through the Charter Arms Explorer II pistol. Until I can do some tinkering, it's a fancy single shot. There are a few good write-ups on how to deal with the poor feed design. The most popular and most effective seems to be shimming the bottom outside edge of the trigger guard. This pushes the poor excuse for feed lips into a better position (since they're built into the mags).

From an accuracy standpoint, it points and shoots pretty well for a cheap gun. Without a rear sight (missing when I bought it) I made an acceptable group from 7 yards. I think with the feed issue fixed and a complete rear sight, it could definitely be a good, albeit bulky but light, backpacking gun. Since it cost me a whopping $45, I wouldn't be too heartbroken if it got damaged.

Come tax time, I'm going shopping for either a poly snub nose or a baby 9mm. Right now, I'm sold on the Kel-Tec PF9. I like their products, neither one of my P11s ever had an issue but they do come from the factory a bit rough around the edges.

crafty...

2011-12-08T13:58:00.003-05:00

Still alive, been keeping busy with Parkour class and life in general. I did however, actually complete a project I started. For awhile, I've been wanting to learn how to sew using my 70's semi-industrial model sewing machine. A friend wanted to know if I could make a coat for their senior Rottweiler. I accepted the challenge.

Using heavy duty corduroy, fleece lining and some black fur, I came up with this:

It's not perfect but it's pretty good for my first creation. The hardest part was coming up with my own pattern. I eventually want to make a MOLLE vest for dogs. That way your pup can help carry supplies during the zombie invasion.

mobile again...

2011-10-11T18:05:00.003-04:00

After much wrench turning and swearing, I finally made the painful decision to put myself into debt a bit deeper in order to solve my vehicle issue. The Mazda is gone. It had oil on top of two cylinders and an awful rattle from the two screws that I could never locate. I pondered the idea of pulling the head until I found out just how terribly complex that is. You need to literally half pull the engine and then use special Mazda only tools. Yeah, no thanks.

I found a car that fit my needs, was within my price range and made the awful trip to the stealership. I was honest up front about the issues with the Mazda and they were pretty cool with me. They gave me a fair price for my car (engine "issue" and some slight body damage). It pained me to add more years and dollar signs to my debt but really what could I do?

So, I ended up coming home with this:

Big enough to haul the dogs, has 4wd but still gets ok mileage. Plus, it's a stick, haven't had a manual in years. I bought it not because I loved it but because it met my needs. After owning for almost two weeks, I think it might be the most useful vehicle I have ever owned. Rumor has it, you can fit some motorcycles in the back. Might be useful when I get around to tracking down that coil issue. =]

still here.

2011-09-22T21:27:00.002-04:00

I'm still alive.

Things have been a bit bumpy lately. The mysterious coil issue reappeared on the SECA II, all the electronic bits have tested ok, so I'm at a bit of a loss. Unfortunately, the scoot is the on the back-burner for now. My current priority is my Mazda. There is a known issue with the ViCS intake system that causes screws that hold the butterfly valves in place to vibrate free and get sucked into the combustion chamber.

Guess what happened last week? My engine ate 4 out of the 8 screws. My VIN doesn't fall within the covered range from Mazda, according to a friend that works at a Mazda dealership. So, I pulled the intake manifold and replaced all the screws and used red locktite to keep them in place.

I pulled two metal "chunks" out of cylinder 4 but I think there is still something in there that I can't reach with my magnetic probe. So, I think my only choice is to dig deeper and pull the top end. Plus, I'd like to see the damage first hand.
Over all, not a job I'm looking forward to.

I'll try to get some pics up.

two great things

2011-07-07T23:23:00.002-04:00

Zombie Preparedness + Motorcycles =

I love it, too bad we're already invisible to everyone already.

story-tellers...

2011-06-15T13:53:00.003-04:00

If you have never read anything from Jack Riepe at Twisted Roads, take some time out of your day and do so. He has a way with words that I can only wish for. Sharp wit, fast bikes, booze and misadventures. What more can you ask for?

dreaming of the future...

2011-06-15T11:09:00.003-04:00

I love my SECA II, it is a great motorcycle in my opinion. It can cover all my requirements, commuting, fun and touring. But I can't help but dream of the next bike to add to the garage. Something bigger, with fuel injection and a bit more umpfh. I've always liked the underdog, the oddball. I've always liked Buell's styling and innovations. For awhile, I had a thing for the City-X but the "monkey humping a football" seating position isn't for me. Lately, I've been like the more street oriented dual sport bikes such as the V-Strom, Versys and BMW F series.

Now, I've taken a fancy to the Buell XB12x Ulysses. Maybe they'll be nice and cheap when the time comes. =]

Mad max styling, "off-road" capability, belt drive, hydraulic valves and smooth power flow. Sounds good to me!

basking in the warm sun...

2011-06-13T11:12:00.002-04:00

The SECA sits in the parking lot, basking in the sun after a long winter full of garage surgery. Patiently waiting for 4pm to arrive.

The carbs still need to be synced since I adjusted the valve shims and I'm still breaking in the new tires. It's nice to have tread in the back and for the tire to not be squared off! Damn kids and their burnouts.

It was a beautiful 60 degrees this morning, slightly overcast and perfect for riding. Threw my riding gear on over my work clothes, clicked on the heated grips and off I went. Every route to my work is under construction, unless I want to take the slab. No thanks.

The new tires rolled over tar snakes, rain grooves and cracks without so much of a hiccup. The old front tire tracked grooves like a heat seeking missle. With new rubber and new heavier weight fork oil up front, the transitions into curves is much smoother. The front end dive I was experiencing is basically gone. The rear shock could use an upgrade(from a CBR600) but that will wait until winter.

I'm happy to be back on two-wheels. Too bad my plans for a trip this year got squashed but that's how life goes. Maybe later in the year?

progress...

2011-05-14T00:17:00.002-04:00

Finally got the carb parts in the mail. They're reassembled and all four get fuel now and are running well. We did a sync and found that they were pretty out of balance. We'll do another sync after shimming the valves. Unfortunatley, I ordered to wrong valve tool last fall. So, I need to track down the correct one. Then I can figure out what shims I need and if I can swap any out. I have 2 valves within spec, two that are too tight and the rest are a bit loose.

The headers also got repainted with the same paint I used for the woodstove. Seems to work well.

That's all for now...

vintage + modern

2011-05-09T14:54:00.002-04:00

We spent part of Sunday working on the CB970. The CR carbs have been pulled and replaced by a fat set of Mikuni flat slides. These should be able to feed the fuel and air hungry engine. It was a helluva process getting the carbs on. We had to use a tie down strap looped around the engine and a ratchet strap hooked to my car as an anchor. There was a noticible lack of profanity in the garage. Weird.

The Mikunis still need to be dialed in and we have to find a K&N filter that fits between the carbs and frame. These carbs make the bike sound like a different animal, less scream more vroom. Hell, it even idles better.

No progress on my bike but I do have a second set of carb parts coming from the XJ600forum. They might even make it to my mail box this time! We should also have a fancy pants manometer for carb balancing by Thursday. I might actually get to ride before this winter!

no progress no updates

2011-04-20T10:49:00.002-04:00

I haven't made any progress on my bike for a number of reasons. The missing carb parts never arrived, so I need to track down another vendor. Thankfully, I didn't pay for those, so I only lost time and sanity. Besides the parts, I haven't been in the garage much due to the Mrs breaking her ankle at Parkour Class. A clean break at the head of her fibula. She'll have her cast removed in 6-8 weeks. She's non weight bearing on that leg, so I am currently doing most of the domestic stuff. Keeps me pretty busy.

More news once something happens.

bouncy bouncy

2011-04-03T21:16:00.009-04:00

Still waiting on the carb parts, so instead of wasting days, we set out to change the fork seals. I've done fork work in the past on my CB350 and it literally took all day. I was fighting 33 year old seals with nothing more than basic tools and some PB Blaster. Today, went much better (despite a few set backs).

The first mission was to find 15w fork oil and a bolt with a 24mm head. After several stops and no luck, we went back to the shop and did some more research. Turns out the bolt is going to be damn tough to find but a 5/8" will work. So we picked up some all-thread and 5/8" nuts to make a custom Yamaha tool. While digging around for PB Blaster, we lucked out and found some 15w fork oil that Papa-San had left behind.

Super Special Custom Yamaha Fork Tool

My ceiling lift took some adjustment and we finally got a stable lifting method. The front end disassembly went quickly following the manual. That is, until it went way off the deep end and began to contradict itself. A quick google search turned up this great walkthrough.

Now, with clear instructions, the swap was painless.

The old rotten seals and dust wipers.

detailed carb cleaning...

2011-03-26T15:21:00.003-04:00

Still waiting on the mixture screw and float seats. I picked up a 6 gallon air compressor from a coworker for a good price. So, I cleaned the carbs again and blew out all the passages. They're looking good, just waiting to finish assembly and test start. I picked up new allen head hardware to replace all the original philips.

Looking good.

pics and progress

2011-03-22T19:07:00.004-04:00

Yum. This was the best looking bowl out of them all.

I got the mangled remains of the mixture screw out with an "Easy Out" and stripped the carbs down the rest of the way. I have a new screw coming along with a few other bits. I'll be replacing all the soft screws with allen screws. I plan on doing a few more cleaning cycles then it will be time for reassembly.

dirty old bowls

2011-03-20T13:25:00.003-04:00

Did some more in-depth testing. Cylinder 1 is dry, all four plugs have a good spark. So, I pulled the carb bank and the bowls are full of nasty brown filth. Time for an over haul. While I'm at it, I'm going to replace all the vacuum lines.

Taking a break for lunch, I'll post more details and pics later.

*update but no pics yet*

Before pulling the carbs, cylinder 1 was dry (no gas). With the bike running, pulling the plug wire for #1 caused no change. Pulled the carbs, all 4 had dirty bowls and all four had gas. Why wasn't #1 getting fuel?

Noticed the previous owner drilled out the brass plugs that cover the mixture screws (EPA regulation bs) and the mixture screw was seated all the way down. Unfortunately, when they drilled out #2, they also drilled off part of the head of the screw. Ugh.

I'm going to do a 2nd cleaning on the carbs and see if I can get that mixture screw backed out and replaced. Yay, carb work, my favorite!

To sum up yesterday:

1. Got the hoist system installed using eye-bolts and rafters.
2. Started the day with a running bike, ended it with more problems.
3. Got gas in my eyes.
4. Had a nice vapor headache by the time I was done.

Oh yeah, I quit smoking too.

shakedown run/breakdown run

2011-03-14T09:04:00.002-04:00

Went out for a short ride yesterday. Only made it about 40 minutes north before I lost power and then the bike completely died. Thankfully, I found a nice running trail to pull onto. Cylinders 1 & 4 weren't firing, both pipes were much cooler than 2 & 3. I called for a pick up and in the mean time, decided to start trouble shooting while I waited.

Turns out, I didn't pack my plug wrench but it didn't really matter since the chance of both spark plugs failing at the same time is pretty low. This narrowed it down to the coils. After pulling the fairing (not a simple job, it has to taken apart), I pulled both coil packs and cleaned up the connections. I hit the start button and all four cylinders came to life.

Not ready to trust the bike yet, I had my "support team" follow me for a bit. Thankfully I trusted my gut because about 100 yards from the meeting point, cylinders 1 & 4 died again.

So... This week, I'll be pulling the coils, checking the resistance, replacing plugs (with the correct model, these are a bit hot) and also repairing a broken connection on my heated grips.

Things I learned:

1. I need a camera that is small enough to carry because I wish I would have taken pictures.

2. You can do a lot of work with the Cruz Outbacker.

3. Better to happen than on my way to Canada!

one step closer to a better shop

2011-03-12T19:47:00.003-05:00

After a quick ride to the gas station this morning, I decided it was time to clean up the garage. I pulled tons of junk out and into the shed, including the CB750 and chappy frames. All misc bike parts are now out of the way. There is still plenty of organization and rearranging to be done.

The garage is now home to only garage related items. (Except for all the dry wall and french doors or our room remodel.)

Too bad I don't have a before picture.

Feels good to have plenty of room to work on the motorcycles.

Watch your six!

2011-03-09T13:13:00.002-05:00

Stacy @ Bolty.net has a great post about keeping an eye on traffic behind you while stopped. If you haven't checked out her blog, you really should. You'll learn something.

I've been bumped in my car while at stop signs and red lights so, I've let myself become a bit paranoid about it. I also keep my bike in gear while stopped, just like keeping a round in the chamber. You think you can react fast enough but chances are you can't.

Now, to be honest, there are times when I'll stay in neutral if I can see no one is coming up behind me. I live in Indiana, we have plenty of long flat stretches of road, so this is pretty easy to do.

running in the rain

2011-03-05T11:33:00.002-05:00

Just got back from my first ride of the year. The rain was pretty mild and all my gear held up well. The heated grips were great. I wore my new Rev'it! Zenith gloves instead of my waterproof insulated Cortech Scarabs. The Zenith gloves are great, with one exception. There is a tab of leather on the left palm that is bunched up. Hopefully that will break in and become a non-issue. My hands were a bit damp but warm.

My riding pants, AGV Telluride, are great. The only issue I have is the shell is not waterproof. Instead, they have a removable wp liner along with a quilted liner. So, my butt felt wet but wasn't. I'll end up spraying them with some TechTron or Scotchguard to fix that. Under my riding pants, I'm wearing SixSixOne Bomber shorts, which are mesh with soft padding in all the needed areas. They fit well and definitely will dampen a fall.

Still riding on my crappy tires but going slow and safe, it was no problem. Only had one wiggly moment on a tar snake/rain groove.

It was damn good to be out on two today. I woke up saying to myself, "I'm going to ride today, no matter how short.".

defeating traffic sensors!

2011-03-04T15:17:00.003-05:00

Thanks to Gymi, I now know how to trip red light sensors. Normally, I give it a cycle and then make my move if it hasn't changed. Give it a shot, Unk says it works for him.

Taking a queue from other moto-bloggers, here's something fun for Friday:

Tom Waits cover of "I don't wanna grow up!"

progess

2011-03-01T22:23:00.002-05:00

When we were stripping my bike down to do the heated grip kit, we found out my fuel valve doesn't shut off in the On position (should be vacuum activated). Which means, I didn't really have a reserve setting. I pulled the valve apart and found rotten gaskets and a missing piece. "That's yer problum rite there." With some replacement parts, it's functioning like normal.

I also modified the grip kit so now I have a plug connection between the switch and the harness. It will make future fairing removal much easier. So, with heated grips on the left fairing, I added a power outlet on the right to keep things balanced and have a spot to charge my phone and or ipod.

After mounting the tank, I fired up my bike for the first time this year. It was damn good sound. Now, I have to cut the fairing for the new additions and mount them. Still a lot left to do but we have time and the weather is getting better. It won't be long until riding season is upon us.

TA Moto Gear!

2011-02-10T19:06:00.002-05:00

Check out the latest post from TA Moto. Now selling shirts!

Tax check come, tax check go...

2011-02-10T09:10:00.002-05:00

Got our State return today. Within an hour, it's damn near gone. I have a butt-load of moto related gear coming in the mail. Tires, rain gear, gloves, gaskets, grips and other fun stuff. The Federal won't be as fun to spend but at least we're killing debt with it.

The tires I ordered are Kenda K671s. Like these:

I emailed a few people from ADVRider who have used them and they all had positive things to say. Plus, for $68 each, kinda hard to beat that deal. I don't expect to be dragging a knee through the twisties. I want reliable traction in all weather, good tread life and a good price.

I'm still gathering info for the ride to Cananda. I'd really like to stop someplace and camp in Michigan then do the same along Highway 17, north of the Soo. There are a few peninsulas along 17 that look like prime spots. From what I've read, as long as you aren't close to the road, on someone's yard or in the way of boat loading, you're fine. Socially accepted stealth camping. Spend $50-$100 a night for a hotel or $0 and wake up looking at the lake. I'll take the lake.

I've read horror stories about the black flies, so that's going to determine when I go. The Mrs goes back to school in August, I need to go before then so I won't have to worry about a dog sitter.

A day or two of that would do me well.

More drooling...

2011-02-05T16:41:00.003-05:00

I sat on two of these today.

I think I'm gonna start playing the Idiot Tax (lottery).

The F800GS looks like a tall, wobbly pig but in reality, it feels very light and comfortable. The riding position is very natural to me, unlike the Kawasaki Versys and Suzuki DL650. Both felt too high and visually front/top heavy. I'll keep an eye on the BMW Demo Days this summer. I might have to take a GS out for a spin.

It really is torture to go into that dealership but I'm always glad to stop and look. By the time I can park one of those in the garage, there will be plenty on the used market.

changes...

2011-02-02T16:20:00.003-05:00

You'll notice some links have disappeared from my sidebar. The 7plus8 blog is now strictly motorcycle content. There are two new links, TA Moto USA and TA Moto Blog.

The TA Moto site is a group effort by mutual motorcycle friends to provide a great resource for gear reviews, ride reports, tips/tricks and general motorcycle goodness. There is a blog and an official website. Over the next few months, we'll be posting more in-depth gear reviews and some ride reports on the site. We have some big plans for the site and the future. Track days, Bike Nights and the Indy Dealer Expo.

You'll see some of my motorcycle content repeated on there as well.

Today would be better if.....

2011-02-01T17:09:00.003-05:00

Today would be better if I had a dirt bike. Something small like an XR100 would be perfect. Throw on the carhartt suit, some armor and hit the abandoned streets. I'll have to keep an eye out for one this year. Would be handy for the coming zombie apocalypse.

Moto Fun Day!

2011-01-29T22:22:00.007-05:00

We took the CB970 in to be run on the Dyno. The results should be back
later this week. After the drop off, we ran to the Ducati Dealership and
drooled over some fine Italian motorcycles. They were all pretty damn snazzy.

We met the owner of the dealership and talked to him for quite some time. I never knew we had track day training classes locally. The price seems pretty fair too, $160 for a single day, $250 for two. That's something I'd definitely like to take part in. He also told us about a few bike nights around town that we had never heard of before. I think in the past, I've been too blind when viewing the motorcycling population in my town. While we are overpopulated with squids, "bikers" and cooler than you guys, we seem to have a hidden section of regular riders and touring guys.

I have to admit, I really do prefer the BMW, Triumph and Ducati dealerships over the others. It's different inside. No skulls, flames or bad metal music. Sit back, have a cup of coffee and watch a race on TV or wander around and drool over bikes. Sign up for ride days, try on gear you can't afford. It's cool.

I know they're selling that "vibe" and I'm a willing customer.

Out of all the Ducs I saw, nothing has dethroned the F800GS from the most wanted list:

The GS is also tied with F800ST

and of course the K75s

Crap... I'm think there's a pattern going on here.

Trip idea....

2011-01-26T07:35:00.003-05:00

So we (the TA Moto group) are meeting this Friday to discuss some ride ideas for this year. One destination is Nova Scotia, an awesome trip but not one I can make due to funds and time off. I've never stepped foot onto America's hat (Canada), I've flown over on my way to Alaska. Yesterday, I looked for the quickest way to the land of maple syrup and hockey. Looks like I can run the super slab up to Sault Ste Marie and be there in two days if I take my time. From there I can rip up Trans-Canada Highway 17 to any small town I choose. Roughly 840 miles from Indy to Terrace Bay, Ontario.

(Just using Terrance Bay as a distance marker, I don't know anything about the town.)

I have no rough idea of when this could happen. I was thinking about leaving on a Thursday, stop somewhere in Michigan and enter Canada on Friday. Head for home on Sunday.

Anyone want to take a trip to Canada? Gymi?

Kimpex Heated Grip Installation

2011-01-16T20:27:00.017-05:00

After the cold run to Nashville, I wanted to have heated grips installed before spring. I picked up the Kimpex heated grip kit from Aerostich. They still have the fragile ceramic resistor but for $29, it's a great deal for broke riders like myself.

The install is pretty straightforward if you want to take the chance to drain your battery if you forget to turn the grips off. So, I took advice from Canyon Chasers and used a distribution block and relay. By tapping the rear running light, this will turn the relay off when I shut the bike off. No worries about a dead battery. Canyon Chasers have a great wiring diagram. *EDIT* This diagram is not correct. The relay will work but it's not the right way to wire it. Here's a correct picture:

My install is slightly different since my switch (on-off-on)has an LED. From the distribution block, I ran a hot and ground to the switch and split the ground off for the switch and grips. The hot feed runs to both the LED and the grips. All of this is protected by a 20v inline fuse between the battery and the relay.

Parts list:

- Heated Grip Kit (duh)
- Black and Red wire (18ga)
- Inline fuse (20a)
- 12v automotive relay
- 8 pole distribution block
- 4 pole jumper (split in half)
- soldering supplies
- shrink tubing *
- zip ties (plastic and metal)
- trusty electrical tape
- spade connectors
- 3 position switch (on-off-on)

* sizes for wire and 1" or larger for left grip and o-rings

I've read a lot of people saying the clutch side stays colder due to the added insulation of the throttle sleeve. The fixes range from a few wraps of electrical tape, friction tape or shrink tubing. It took me a while to track down tubing larger enough to fit over the throttle sleeve but Fry's Electronics carries large sizes that will work. You can also cut small rings and use it to secure the elements.

So, remove your old grips (knife, air pressure, magic or whatever you prefer) and clean up the bars. Measure and cut a piece of shrink tubing for the left side and shrink it down from the control side out. Now, remove the backing to the element and wrap it around the bar. Take 3 of the shrink rings and slide them over the element and heat 'em up with a heat gun. Be careful not to melt the element. Easy, huh? Now do it again on the throttle side but make sure you have enough slack and flexibility to roll the throttle from closed to wide open.

Now that the grips are on, let's wire up the back end.

Crack open your manual and find the hot feed for the tail light. Make sure it's not the brake light or you'll only have heated grips when you hit the brakes. If you're positive you have the correct wire, cut it, strip it back and solder your relay feed together then shrink wrap it. The feed wire goes to terminal #86 on the relay.

So, the relay has power, now run a hot feed from the battery (with the inline fuse)to the relay (terminal #30). From pole #87, run a hot feed for the distribution block. Run a ground from the negative battery terminal for the distribution block. You should have one pole left on the relay, #85. This is your relay ground, run this to the negative side of the distribution block.

Take the 4 terminal jumper and split it into 2x 2 terminal jumpers. Unscrew the terminals and hook up your hot to one side and your negative. Use the jumper to connect two terminals, one one each side.

It will look something like this:

++|--
++|--

I don't have a picture of my block but it's really simple, just use common sense.

With your relay tapped into the negative side of the block, all of the poles should be used. Now, run a feed from the block for both hot and ground up to your switch location. Route your grip wires and connect one from each to the ground and one from each to the hot. It doesn't matter which one you use, as long as you have one from each grip going to the ground and the hot. The hot lead splits into two wires. One has the ceramic resistor, this is your High setting. Hook it up to the appropriate terminal on your switch. Hook the other up to the Low. Secure the resistor to your frame with the metal zip ties. Make sure nothing will come into contact with the resistor.

If your wiring is all either shrink wrapped or taped and your switch is hooked up, it's time to test them. Do it now, before you put the grips on. Start with the Low setting and then switch to High. Do you have toasty digits? If so, good job, now clean up the wiring mess, make sure all your connections are covered, mount your switch and put your grips on. If you don't, go back and check your work.

I haven't put my grips on yet, since I'm having trouble tracking down 135mm grips. I'll post that adventure when I can.

I apologize for any errors, I'm beat from working in the shop since it's about 20 degrees in there. If you notice something isn't right, let me know and I'll fix it. If you have questions, let me know. I'll gladly help out.

*update*

Thanks goes out to Stacy from Bolty.net for pointing out I had the terminals hooked up incorrectly. I corrected the post, now I just have to correct my wiring.

85- Ground
86- Power for the relay switch
87- Power Out
30- Power In

I was also too worn out to give credit where credit is due. Here are all of the sites that I used for tips, tricks and inspiration:

Canyon Chasers
Bolty.net
VFR Discussion
DucatiWiki
Weendoggy.com (for the relay diagram)

parts is parts

2011-01-14T18:00:00.003-05:00

I got my 3 position rocker switch in the mail from Eastern Beaver in Japan. If I can pick up a set of grips (looking at Pro Grip 714s), a relay and distribution block, I can get my grips installed this weekend.

The laundry list of to-do items:

- install heated grips
- replace fork seals
- oil change, plugs and air filter
- new chain & guard
- replace gauge bulbs
- check valve clearance
- paint headers
- install mirrors
- new tires (Kenda K671)

That should get the scoot ready to roll out this spring. In addition to the maintenance, I'm trying to make budget friendly choices on luggage and a few other pieces of gear that I still need.

success!

2010-12-27T18:51:00.002-05:00

The pup is doing well. She was pretty doped up last night and really laying on the hurt puppy routine.

Got the furnace working and it seems to be pushing air better than when we first moved in. It might have been dying for a while. The parts were cheap too, the motor was a very common model. When I walked into the parts store, there was another guy carrying a filthy blower motor. Must be that time of year!

injured pups and burnt out blowers

2010-12-26T23:06:00.003-05:00

We took the dogs out to play along the river. It was tough keeping them away from the frozen edge of the river. Wiener broke through the ice twice, thankfully it was close to the shore but I had to climb down and help them find a way back up.

Once they were back up the bank and frolicking around we continued with our winter hike. Ruby was tearing up a hillside and started limping from her back right leg. As we called her back we saw fresh blood on the snow. Not a few little drops but bright splashes as she came back. It pooled under her leg from a good sized laceration. My ex-EMT brain jumped into action. I pulled of my t-shirt, wrapped her leg and put pressure on it. The bleeding slowed and we turned around to get back to the car. As the bandage loosened, I ripped the draw cord out of my wool hoodie and used it to secure the shirt.

Halfway to the car, she started favoring that leg pretty badly. Time for the fireman's carry, which only lasted about 50 ft until she got too wiggly. We made it my Grandparent's house and got the bleeding stopped with some improvised materials. We thought it was all under control until the bleeding started again. My shirt looked like evidence in a murder trial. The towels in the back seat looked terrible too.

Fast forward almost two hours and we left the emergency vet to drop off the other dog while puppers got her leg stitched up. Throw the blood stained junk in the washer..."what the hell is that weird smell?" my wife asked. Smells like burning dust, mothballs and hot electronics.

Shit.

The blower motor on the furnace has crapped the bed. Looks like I'm not going to work tomorrow. Time to learn my way around a HVAC unit. With a quick call to a friend that does Industrial HVAC (the kind you fly in on a cargo chopper) and he says if I can fix a washer, I can replace a blower motor. Pull the old one, buy a replacement and install it. We'll see how this goes.

I'm glad we have our wood stove!

Trip 3

2010-12-20T12:02:00.000-05:00

Nashville, IN Trip 2

2010-12-20T12:01:00.000-05:00

Nashvill, IN Cabin Trip

2010-12-20T11:59:00.000-05:00

cookin' digits

2010-12-17T23:02:00.002-05:00

Guess who ordered a set of grip heaters from Aerostich... this guy! Thanks to a fellow riding buddy, I have some goodies coming from the home of the RiderWearHouse.

I have a lot to do to the SECA before spring arrives:

- Heated Grips
- Fork Seals & Fluid
- Tires
- Mirrors
- Paint Header
- Oil Change
- Valve Adjustment
- Factory Rear Signals

We're gathering ideas for a spring ride. So far, we're thinking about Red River Gorge, Hendersonville TN and Point Pleasant WV. Any suggestions? Hell, we could spend a few days riding around southern Indiana and I'd be fine with it. Need to get down there and meet up with Unk too.

Stay warm! Everyday, we get closer to Spring.

gun post!

2010-12-05T10:04:00.003-05:00

Can $40 buy a unique and useful 22lr pistol?

Charter Arms Explorer II
22lr w/ 8" barrel

A friend of my Grandfather is selling off a lot of his collection. He showed this to my Grandfather and offered to sell it on the cheap. It's never been fired, has a broken rear sight and doesn't really seem to want to feed. All the guts were pretty nasty, so I gave it a good once over and it's cycling better but I have yet to attack the feed issue. We're going to put a slight bevel (or chamfer) on the bottom of the chamber and see how that does. It won't be some Bubba gunsmith job. My Grandfather is a retired Naval Machinist, so it will be done right.

The Explorer is one of the ugliest guns I have ever seen. Like some Third World Mauser made out of plumbing parts. But it's also pretty unique and very light. With the 8" barrel and big boxy body, you'd think it wouldn't point well. I believe the body and barrel body are all made out of aluminium. Plus, you can store a spare magazine in the grip. Should make a good little truck gun. It might even get thrown in my camping pack.

The internals and magazines are all interchangeable with the AR7 style rifles. So spare parts are available of the InterToobs. It was also the basis for the Buck Rogers gun!

I will be light

2010-12-01T21:44:00.000-05:00

2010-11-30T17:33:00.004-05:00

ברוך אתה ה' א‑לוהינו מלך העולם, דין האמת

Little to no blogging for a while. My Great Grandmother passed away today.

164.2 miles

2010-11-29T15:40:00.003-05:00

Funke and I went out yesterday, enjoying one of the last nice days. We headed south to Nashville for some grub then head home. Thankfully, I had my hand guards installed (thanks DirtCrashr!) Without them, I wouldn't have made it much farther than a few miles. We tore down I65 and eventually to 135 which has some great curves and hills. It was pretty common to see flowers and crosses in those turns. Kinda unnerves you a bit.

After a while we hit Nashville and filled up on coffee and grub. Eating at restaurants is always challenging and a bit nerve racking for me, thanks to my stupid gluten intolerance. The bean soup proved to be safe and tasty. With full bellies, we headed out to hop on 45 towards Unionville where we met up with Funke's riding buddy.

Another cuppa joe at an amazing house tucked back in the woods and we were back on the road. By now, it's pitch black and a bit frosty outside. I tough it out and we navigate the twisties in the dark. We hit massive traffic in Bloomington and finally get out on 37 North. Control..., we have a problem. The faster I go, the more pressure my right guard puts on the brake lever, causing my brake light to stay on. We thought we had fixed this before we left. Now, it's night and really freaking unsafe.

I pass Funke and he tails me into another gas station. I'm starting to get pissed. My hands are cold, I'm hungry again and just wanna get home and warm up by the wood stove. I pull out my tool kit and start pulling off the guards. I can either try to secure the guard another way (no can do, forgot to pack my zip ties) or I can pull the wires for the front brake switch. With wires pulled, now I have to try to mount the guard again. All the while, thinking, "where the hell are my zip ties?". Oh, they're in my old tool kit that was packed for my CB750. Generous use of white electrical tape does it's job and we're geared up and ready to go. Crap....just like Randy in "Christmas Story", I have to pee. No more delays, I'll ride it out and stop when my hands go numb.

We make the rest of the trip with only one pitstop. The cold and hunger start to take their toll on my newly forming skills. Thankfully, the ride is uneventful. Once we're off the super slab, I start to get some feeling back in my digits. Wind guards and insulated gloves just can't cut it when it's 20-some degrees outside w/o calculating speed into the mix. I'll be adding heated grips and hard hand guards before the bike comes out of winter storage.

I know we got some strange looks ripping up 37 in the cold and dark. With my hands frozen into hooks, lips cracked and dry...I am alive. Aware of my existence, aware of the eventual dirt nap and everything in between. What an amazing night.

scratch and sting

2010-11-23T07:42:00.003-05:00

First off, the Mrs found my knife in her car! So, I added a a pocket clip from one of the box cutter knives. Works pretty well.

So, the Mrs and I were thinking about getting a few chickens next year but I'm also thinking about getting a hive instead. Eggs are pretty cheap, honey is not. I don't want to do both because it will pretty much just be me tending to whatever we get. The bees seem a bit less involved and I could be the crazy guy in the neighborhood with bees. I could also rock a bee-beard.

It's all just day dreaming right now. Before we start another project, I need to finally get our garden going.

it's sad day indeed...

2010-11-16T20:30:00.004-05:00

When I was in 2nd grade, my Mom gave me a Victorinox Hiker. I've carried that knife off and on for the past 24 years. It lost it at work a few months ago and thankfully someone turned it in. Today, I wasn't so lucky.

I'm obviously pissed but now I'm faced with a choice. Do I buy another Swiss Army style knife or do I step into the world of multi-tools? I have a few multi-tools around but they live in our emergency bags, so I've never carried them on a regular basis. I'm hesitant to go with another knife (I'll buy a replacement but probably won't carry it) since they're easy to lose. Right now, I'm leaning towards the Gerber Octane. It's simple and it has pocket clip!

cookin' in the sun, freezin' at night

2010-11-11T18:24:00.003-05:00

I've been riding to work the last couple of days. Chilly in the morning, 70 by midday! The main reason I've been riding (I'm ashamed to admit) is because the waterpump in my truck decided to start peeing coolant all over the place Tuesday afternoon. Limped it home and started wrenching that night. Had to call it a night when I could see my breath in the flashlight beam.

Rode the scoot to work Thursday. After work, I strapped a milk crate on the back to haul home my water pump and anti-freeze. This would have been fine but I'm also on-call for work. So, in addition to my cargo, I was also carrying my laptop, work tools, and all the liners/layers from my morning commute in my backpack. I felt like a cramped pack mule. The load shifted my riding position forward quite a bit and made the ride pretty crappy.

Got the pump swapped out last night and had to research how to bleed the stupid closed cooling system. What a messy job.

Taking the truck tomorrow, need to give it a good test run.

In addition to the waterpump, I ordered parts for my Remington 597 and realized I lost a set screw for the guide rods! Ugh... After a bit of shopping, I found the right size by trial and error. (Remington doesn't list the size/pitch.) If anyone needs set screws, I gotta ton!

frosty

2010-11-04T07:04:00.003-04:00

I got my riding pants last night and decided to ride to work today. Put some layers on, threw my work clothes in my backpack and fired up the bike. I left about 30 minutes earlier than normal, so traffic was very light. The ride was good and all the gear kept me warm. The insulated gloves work ok but my hands still get chilly. So, I'm thinking about doing this instead of heated grips or electric gloves. Seems like a good alternative to the slip on grips.

The weather should be nice next week but due to work scheduling, commuting will be unlikely.

Riding to work...a good way to start the day.

crosswinds and taillights

2010-10-28T07:19:00.002-04:00

Went out for a short ride last night. Battled some good crosswinds and interstate traffic. The SECA gets tossed around pretty good but it also recovers from blasts easily. I had to get into a full tuck at a few points to minimize the effects and it seemed to help.

The air was chilly but my hi-viz jacket (TourMaster Transition 2) did great. I'll have to post a pic of it but be warned it's bright enough to see from space. Which means, drivers still won't see me but they'll end up with a spot in their vision like when you stare at the sun. My boots should be here today (Joe Rocket Sonic WP) and my pants (AGV Telluride) will arrive some time in the future. I'll try to post a few reviews if I get the chance.

new bike!

2010-10-15T23:08:00.004-04:00

I picked up my bike last night.

1993 Yamaha SECA II XJ600S
w/ Yoshimura 4 into 1 and Corbin Saddle

It's a big change from the 76 CB750 I was riding off and on last year. Very light (450lbs curb) and pretty thin. You had to really make the CB lean, this leans over very easily. I'm slowly building up my confidence again and my situational awareness. I screwed up a couple of turns, ended up taking them wide and slow. The skills will come with time and practice.

All in all, I really like the bike. I'm adjusting to the foot position, it's slightly farther back than "standard".

I extended the Battery Tender leads and routed through the back rest hole in the seat.

updates!

2010-10-09T18:26:00.002-04:00

Well, still waiting on the dough but I set up some test rides today. On the schedule was the 1993 750 Honda Nighthawk and the 1993 Yamaha SECA II. After waiting for call backs to confirm, we decided to set out and try to blindly find the Ducati Dealership.

About 2 hours later (we eventually found the dealership) the owner of the Yamaha called so we swung the car around and headed north. Not 5 minutes after the guy called, the owner of the Nighthawk called. He apologized for taking so long to call me back. Before I called, two guys showed up and bought the 'hawk. "No worries, congrats on the sale." I told him.

Fast-forward 45 minutes, we arrive at the SECA II. Visually, it's in good shape for a 93. The front brakes are out due to pads (the owner says he ordered them, just hasn't got them yet)and the shifter linkage is a bit loose. No leaks, oil smelled fine, chain and sprockets are good. Some minor scratching on the engine cases from a drop or two. Nothing broken though. The engine wasn't completely cold but it started right up and ran well. No valve chatter, no smoke.

Throw on the gear and hop on for a test ride. Man, this bike is narrow and light compared to ye olde CB750 SOHC. The throttle has a sharper power curve too. Out tooling around trying to get comfy, the posture is good but I'm not used to the foot peg position. It rides, runs and shifts great. No flat spots or stumbling problems. After opening it up a bit, the smile begins. I like this bike.

I pull in and tell the guy I have a few more to look at and I'll call him in the middle of the week and see if he still has it. (Try to hide the excitement) So, we'll see if it's still for sale. Next comes the barter. He's asking $1400, down from the original price of $1700. I'm going to offer $1200 and go from there. I'd pay his asking price but that's not how this works.

We'll see how things turn out.

I reached the end of craigslist...

2010-09-23T19:07:00.002-04:00

I'm completely burnt out on internet bike shopping.

The BMW has been sold, which is cool by me because I had a bad feeling about it's mystery history. There are still a few SECA IIs for sale and a couple of NightHawk 750s. Both are still on my list of bikes to test ride. That seems to be the only thing I like that is somewhat new and within my price range (under $1800). The rest is all sport bikes, cruisers and MX bikes.

No more posts until I start test rides. I think I've far exceeded my whining limit.

BMW update and others...

2010-09-20T13:41:00.002-04:00

I spoke to the owner of the BMW. He's the third owner, it's from California. According to him, it runs well and shifts fine. The only issue is a flakey rear brake light switch. Might need to be adjusted or replaced. He said it's been down so there's some scrapes on the engine case. Unfortunately, he does not have any maintenance records, so that makes me a bit uneasy. The rear shaft had the u-joint replaced 500 miles ago. All in all, I'm not hopeful about it's condition. I'll still check it out and take it for swing.

There's also a 93 Honda Nighthawk 750 for a good price only about 30 minutes from me. I'll check that one out as well as the SECA II.

Tired of internet shopping and research...I want to get on with the test rides.

another one to consider...

2010-09-15T11:47:00.002-04:00

Found this 88 BMW K75 on CraigsList for around $1500, has 86k miles (is there such a thing as high miles on a BMW?). I'm not normally a fan of BMW but this bike has my interest piqued. Still digging the GS700E and the SECA. Right now the GS is in 1st with the SECA and BMW tied for second.

hmmm

2010-09-12T23:33:00.004-04:00

I found an 85 Suzuki GS700e for a good price. The more I read about the GS series bikes, the more I like 'em. Plus, the insurance is a lot less than bikes like the SECA II. It also helps that it's white, for some reason I like white bikes. You don't see many of them. I think it would be a perfect do it all bike, let's hope I think the same thing after a test ride (and that it's still for sale when the time comes).

Looks like this one:

I need your opinion....

2010-09-11T16:42:00.002-04:00

So... It will take roughly $1200 to finish my CB750. I have a choice, I can either finish this bike all at once or put that cash towards a running bike. I'm leaning heavily towards the purchase of something different. So, I need your opinions on the few bikes I'm considering.

1. another CB750 (F series)
2. 2002+ Buell Blast
3. Yamaha SECA II
4. Any suggestions?

I love the 750s but I won't be selling mine, so I can piece it together slowly over time. I like the simplicity of the Blast plus it's weight and size are a plus. The SECA II seems to be a great "do everything" bike. Once it gets closer to purchase time, I'll do some shopping and test rides.

What do you think?

better vid

2010-09-09T19:03:00.002-04:00

A quick vid of Funky starting the CB970.

Still running great and getting easier to start as everything breaks in. In other happy news, I believe we have the 77 CB750K sold, just waiting on funds. Of course, now that I'll have cash for a running engine, I can't find one. That's how it always is.

Rise of the CB970

2010-09-05T22:53:00.002-04:00

New videos to come.

"Official Ride Report":

The bike runs like a dream. It takes a massive leg to kick start it. As Ken from CycleXchange says, "Welcome to the world of High Performance.". Tons of power all through the throttle range, no leaks, no stuttering, did I mention tons of power?

One bike resurrected, one to go.

IT'S ALIVE!

2010-09-01T23:51:00.002-04:00

A short crappy video.

Better video and some new pics to come.

assembly complete (for the most part)

2010-08-28T18:56:00.002-04:00

Still have a few gremlins to sort out. Unfortunately, we didn't get to hear it fire up today. Won't have another shop day until next weekend. But progress has been made.

glimpse of things to come....

2010-08-07T00:19:00.003-04:00

Just a quick mock-up with the tank and seat. Still have plenty of wiring to finish up, put the coils on and then we should be able to do some test runs. =]

Funky is starting to get giddy!

progress...

2010-08-02T23:22:00.000-04:00

quick pics

2010-08-02T19:44:00.002-04:00

We installed the engine last weekend. The top bars are in and the new wiring is 90% complete. Tonight we're going to button up the front end and I'll try to get some pics up.

real updates coming soon....

2010-08-01T22:57:00.003-04:00

Been busy around here lately. We've made some progress on the Land Speed bike, I'll try to get pics up. My 750 is on the back burner, too many things to work on right now. The 77 CB750 is a few steps closer to being ready to sell. I even worked on my truck yesterday. Busy busy...

record setting adventure rider Shinji Kazama

2010-07-17T17:56:00.004-04:00

Today Shinji Kazama arrived in Indianapolis as a starting point for his ride from Louisville, KY and into Canada. If I understand correctly, it's on a prototype Yamaha bicycle.

Here's a thread with some of his records, such as first person to ride to the North Pole on a motorcycle (TW200) and highest altitude reached on Mt Everest via motorcycle (6000m).

I'll update the post with details and maybe photos when I get a chance.

Pretty cool.

that's a wrap (huh huh huh)

2010-07-03T19:28:00.003-04:00

It took two attempts at wrapping the harness. First time around, I included the coil wires and left out the oil pressure wire. Ooops. Thankfully the wrap works great, re-used all of it. Plus, I found another broken wire. The harness is installed and everything (except the coils and horn) tested ok.

Tomorrow, I'll be boiling the air intake boots in a mix of wintergreen oil and water. We used this for carb boots a few years ago and it worked great. Hopefully this will get the 77's airbox installed and sealed up. I'm trying to sink as little money as possible into this project. I want to get it running and make some cash.

The big question is, do I pull the 4 into 1 from the 77 and install it on my bike or do I use the stock pipes that we have lying around? I'm leaning towards the stock pipes, they have a great sound. But the Kerker is freaking sweet too.

What do you think?

colored spaghetti

2010-06-27T18:30:00.002-04:00

After battling with my wiring harness for almost 2 hours, I finally decoded the mess. Now, my bike has fully functioning signals, headlight, brake/taillight, gauge lights and warning lights.

My color wire diagram isn't completely correct but using that and the b/w diagram from the manual, I finally figured it out.

When I initially started checking into the harness, I found bare and broken wires, connections to nothing, wires spliced and very lazy tape jobs. I finally had to unwrap the whole harness and separate all the runs. Now, I need to find some dry vinyl tape and re-wrap the harness. I borrowed a label maker and every connection is going to get a letter code so this mess never happens again.

One step closer.

it's alive!

2010-06-26T19:36:00.003-04:00

The project bike is alive! The air box needs new rubber tubes for the carbs, they're out of shape and rock hard in areas. The engine ran great, no crazy noises and no oil leaks. Now we need to finish the air box, dial in the mixture, new chain, new front caliper and she'll be good to go.

Got the valves pulled on my 750. Used my handy new Craftsman valve tool, worked great! Tomorrow will be the rematch, me VS the wiring.

I'm enjoying a gluten-free beer as I make this post. Tasty, wish it was ice cold.

10 feet high and rising....

2010-06-22T15:03:00.003-04:00

Hmmm.... Looks like ye old homestead might be heading for a flood. About 6 more feet and it could start creeping into our 'hood. Things might get a bit wet in the shop.

Maybe I should be building a hovercraft?

**edit**

All the important engine bits and other stuff is at least 12" off the floor. Everything else will have to tough it out. Probably a good thing I never redid all the drywall in the garage!

shop day!

2010-06-20T10:57:00.006-04:00

We picked up Funky's frame from the welding shop Sat morning. The splice kit turned out amazing, probably the cleanest weld job I have ever seen. After some running around for misc supplies and tools, we finally got down to business. Funky began painting his frame, while I put the gauge cluster and controls back on my bike.

As I began to route the wiring harness, I found a few issues that I had overlooked. So, I pulled the loom wrap off and found two broken wires and lots of spots with grey electrical tape. I pulled the tape and found very factory looking solder joints. I re-wrapped the harness and pulled the wires that dead end. It took some test fitting to find the best route for the harness but we finally got it squared away. I still hold my grudge with Honda over stuffing all the wiring in the headlight bucket from when I did my CL450. The CB750 is the exact same, so I'll save the fun of connect the colors for another day. I installed my new heavy duty fuse block in the tool tray, so it's a bit more accessible.

Another friend with a 77 CB750 showed up and we checked out some carb issues he's been having. The emulsion tube on carb 1 is stripped out but a quick cleaning made some improvement. We tinkered with the black 77 project bike and got it to turn over but the carbs are too gummed up to flow good gas. So, it goes back to the bottom of the list. At least we got all the bad gas out of the tank.

Once Funky's frame was dry, we began reassembly. Installed the swing arm with bronze bushings and the new tapered stem bearings. There is still a bit of wiring to finish on his bike, so we got it to a rolling frame and called it a night.

Counting all the running around, we put in a roughly 16 hour day in the shop. A great way to spend a Saturday.

Holy crap, I'm a terrible photographer.

Me: 0 Frustration: 1 update

2010-06-16T20:34:00.003-04:00

Some nights in the shop don't go well, no matter how hard you try. We had a hell of a time getting the swing arm back on. After fighting it for about 45 minutes, we finally won. Then the rear wheel was causing us some grief, my temper started to rise so we switched to the front wheel. Going back to the rear wheel after a break didn't make a damn difference. I give up for tonight.

*update*
I let hunger and frustration get the best of me. I looked at the rear wheel assembly again. Like a moron, I forgot the freaking chain adjusters!!! Hmmm.. maybe that's were the gap came from.

ugh....at least I figured it out. Now it's time for steak!

teaser....now with pics!

2010-06-15T11:17:00.005-04:00

Went on an adventure last night, through crazy wind, lightening and sheets of rain. Picked up a 33 year old bike that looks like it's been garage kept it's whole life.

Pics later today if the sun decides to come out.

**edit**

Here you go:

1977 CB750K

Needs new tires, oil change, flush and clean the whole fuel system and a chain. We're going to get it back to stock and then it will go up for sale. The 4 into 1 will get removed and we'll put the beautiful stock pipes back on.

Anyone looking for a beautiful CB750?

Motivation

2010-06-13T11:57:00.002-04:00

In response to Gymi's comment about my progess, I thought I'd give a little info on why things are really rocking in the shop with the two CB750s.

I really want to get some riding in this summer on my own bike. My last two projects were sold before I ever had them plated or really got to ride them. I sold my CL450 to pay for wedding rings and sold the CB350 because I was tired of fighting it. I used to be much much worse working in the garage. I would jump from job to job and never really get anything finished. I just didn't have the concentration to get things done.

Turns out, I was battling some health issues that were making a fair amount of my life very very shitty. My thyroid crapped out and now it's getting under control. Found out I have a gluten allergy and drastically changed my diet. Plus, I decided to get into better shape. It's all got me closer to where I used to be in my life. So now, I can actually get things done in the shop. I might also finally take the online motorcycle mechanics course again and finish it! I gave up about halfway through and only absorbed about a third of what I studied. Once again, thanks to my thyroid issues.

So, there you go. The toughest part of all this work on my bike is finding the cash for parts. But isn't that how it always is?

cleaned up

2010-06-13T00:11:00.002-04:00

Pulled the pistons and put them threw the parts washer. There is some slight pitting but nothing major (I think). We did a quick test on the valves by spraying carb cleaner into the exhaust/intake. The exhaust side had a few leaks. So, we'll be picking up a valve spring tool and pulling them. We have a set of new guides but the valves might be kaput. Anywho, pics from tonight.

The rings weren't too bad either but no better time to replace them than now.

guts

2010-06-11T16:27:00.006-04:00

Got the engine last night and after a quick degreasing, decided to tear into it. So far, we haven't found anything terrible. The pistons have a good amount of carbon on them and none of the valves look burnt or cracked. The rings are in good shape too. Everything will get cleaned up, checked and reinstalled. Tomorrow we'll be cracking the crankcase and digging around in there. The cases need to be media blasted (probably use walnut) to get the terrible paint job off. Whoever painted the engine didn't use hi-temp paint, so it's crinkled and flaking off. Thankfully, they didn't prep the surface, so the aluminum is still in good shape. On with the pics.

easy roller

2010-06-09T18:13:00.005-04:00

I installed the tapered stem bearings last night with the 4mm spacer that is included in the kit (Parts+Plus SSH750). This left me with only a few threads on the stem for the stem nut. Plus, it rippled the lower seal and was causing drag with the bearings.

Today, I reassembled the stock lower bearings and compared them to the tapered set. There was about a 0.75mm difference w/o the spacer. So, I reinstalled them in this order: thin stock washer, rubber seal and bearing cage. This gave me enough thread on the stem to properly seat the stem nut.

I used a "long fiber" grease from Valvoline, Cerulean Heavy Duty. Requesting "long fiber" bearing grease stumped the guys at AutoZone and NAPA. A little googling turned up a comparison of grease. There are two basic types of grease. One is "long fiber", if you stretch it out between your fingers, it has long threads. This is used for low speed applications like stem bearings and swing arm bushings. The other has the consistency of butter. Yum!

After inserting the stem and adjusting the stem nut, the steering is nice and smooth. The front end has been reinstalled. I decided to stick with the rusty headlight ears for now. Next year, I'll go with the lowering kit and replace the fork tubes and use universal ears.

Success! Tomorrow we're picking up the engine. I plan on pulling the top end and seeing just what is going on in cylinder #4. Hopefully, it's just a stuck ring. While we're in there, I'll measure the cylinders and see if it really does have an 836cc kit installed.

bronze my bushings!

2010-06-04T19:22:00.002-04:00

Success! They both went in without trouble. One side slid in with minimal tapping but thankfully it's not loose within the swing arm. Tomorrow I'll be looking for the missing piece of the puzzle, the elusive swing arm collar.

The collar races are in the freezer and might get installed tomorrow. If I find the collar, I might very well be able to get the bike back to a rolling frame this weekend.

rusty tubes

2010-06-03T17:35:00.004-04:00

My fork tubes are pitted and nasty but thankfully it's not in the travel area. So, it doesn't cause any issues with the fork seals. The stock headlight ears are in rough shape, so I'm thinking about using a universal style. If I go that route, the nasty tubes will show. Part of me doesn't care and just wants to get it on the road on the cheap. If I go the universal route, I'll have to return the fork boots I just received and try to track down dust caps or boots that don't need the stock ears.

Going on the cheap, I could re-use the ears and the boots I currently have. This would look rougher than I'd like but I could save my pennies and put them towards the lowering kit from Cycle Exchange and drop the height by about an inch. This would also give me shiny new fork tubes. While the front end is off again, I could rebuild the forks since it will probably be time.

I happier news, my stem bearings and swing arm bushings are resting in the freezer, waiting to be installed once they're shrunk down a bit. I still need to track down a swing arm collar to complete the rear end. I have a new swing arm bolt w/dual zerg fittings to keep everything nice and greasy.

one piece at a time...

haha!

2010-06-03T10:21:00.001-04:00

Saw this in the lobby of the hospital today.

parts

2010-05-27T19:39:00.001-04:00

I have a set of bronze swing arm bushings, tapered stem bearings and new fork boots on the way. I also found a new swing arm shaft w/zerg fittings. Now, I need to track down a center collar since mine is in pretty rough shape. Pics to come when the parts arrive.

pics....

2010-05-25T21:50:00.002-04:00

Got the shop computer up and running tonight and even found an old digital camera to keep out here. So, now I have no excuse for not taking pictures and making posts about garage time. A few pics from tonight:

I might be ordering my parts this week. Should be getting my bronze bushings, stem / wheel bearings and fork boots. That should be enough to start piecing the frame back together. I need to clean up the swing arm pivot rod to see if it's salvageable or not. I'm trying to keep this project on the cheap and reuse as many parts as possible. The forks had some bad corrosion on the upper area, behind the steam ears. But that buffed out and got a layer of protective grease to keep it from coming back.

progress w/o pictures.

2010-05-25T07:58:00.007-04:00

Both CB750s are stripped down to the frames. Funky's bike now has a set of bronze swing arm bushings to replace the worn out pot metal factory set. The tapered stem bearings are patiently waiting in the freezer but they're on hold until we can get his frame modified. There are a few basic wiring repairs/upgrades remaining but they have to wait until reassembly.

His engine is back from Cycle Exchange and man is it impressive. It's been bored out to 97?cc, hot cam and lots of other upgrades I can't remember. Once the frame has been modified, we can shoe-horn the engine back in and start reassembly. This bike will be a monster on the street and hopefully break some records when he runs it at the strip and on the salt.

My 750 is down until I order the needed parts (swing arm bushings, stem bearings, etc). Once I have those (and have degreased the frame again), I'll start piecing it back together. We still need to pick up the engine and see if we can get the #4 cylinder to stop fogging out the neighborhood. Most likely I'll need to hone the cylinders and drop in new rings. I am a bit worried what we'll find once we dig into the engine but we'll see. The running theory is that it used to be someones drag bike (painted over racing numbers on the seat, possible 836cc kit, covers w/cooling fins).

Like always, I've started a project and haven't taken pictures of the process. I did find an old camera, which will live in the garage. Might even get some pics up tonight. I'm trying to build a beat up old shop computer and post directly from the source of all the action.

I don't day dream too often about bikes I don't own but man would I love to have one of these (and I'm not a H.D. fan).

changing direction

2010-05-14T09:09:00.003-04:00

*

Originally, this "blog" was about motorcycles. Then that faded and it focused on guns and misc stuff. Soon, I'm going to bring back the motorsickle content and steer things in that direction. I also plan on incorporating some crazy Japanese content. My stepfather is from Japan and I'm starting to really dig my new "step" culture. Oh man do I want to ride the streets of Tokyo!

In exchange for wiring repairs and some other upgrades to a friends bike, I'm being paid in the form of a CB750 SOHC. Needs plenty of work but I'm looking forward to it. I've started on the project bike but like an idiot, I haven't taken a single picture. I'll try to remedy that this weekend.

You might see some layout changes, link changes and I'm going to kill the "paleo blog" I started. I'm still following the diet (for the most part) and working out but I can barely keep up with this blog, I don't need a second.

*image from the 555

burning!

2009-11-13T12:43:00.003-05:00

The stove is in and we have a small fire going. The paint will have to cure (stinky) as the stove heats up. Found out my Ash isn't quite seasoned yet. It will take us some time to learn the ropes of heating with wood but it will be worth it.

tick tock tick tock...

2009-11-12T22:17:00.002-05:00

In about 17 hours we'll be lighting the first fire in our wood stove! I'll post pics once the installation is complete. =]

the sickness...

2009-11-03T13:04:00.003-05:00

The wood burning sickness is in full swing. I had my first stack collapse last night. Need to rebuild it tonight and make room in the garage for the seasoned wood.

Zombieland

2009-11-02T09:27:00.002-05:00

The Mrs and I finally saw "Zombieland" Saturday night. It was freaking hilarious! I'd like to see it a second time. The rules are a great idea, especially #1 Cardio. Having tons of tacitcool gear won't help you survive if you can't run from the staggering horde. I bet Zombie Squad will get a rush of people signing up.

I'm a pretty die hard purist when it comes to zombie movies but with "Zombieland", I feel differently. I like the "zombie" concept they use. They aren't undead but infected much like "28 Days Later" but minus the super speed and strength. Unfortunately, they know how to climb, work door knobs and use tools. That's not so good, however, no head shots needed! The chance of survival is much higher with "infected" like this. =]

Go see it, it's worth the money.

the scale of things...

2009-10-30T09:41:00.003-04:00

It must be awesome link day. Think you're a small part of this world...you aren't so small.

(H/T to SayUncle)

Hearth Pad

2009-10-27T20:42:00.002-04:00

The hearth pad is done and the wood stove will be installed on the 13th. We built the pad out of 1/2" subflooring, 1/2" cement board and ceramic tile. The trim is a composite, I doubt it will hold up. I'll save the pics of the stove until it's installed. It was rusty and in rough shape when we got it but a some sanding and a few coats of hi-temp paint and it looks great.

specialty "MREs"

2009-10-26T15:32:00.003-04:00

I found a vender online that sells kosher MREs. Thankfully, they make GF (gluten free) meals as well. Turns out, the Mrs and I have sensitivities to gluten. I'm still doing the whole "elimination" diet thing but I have my slip ups. As a wanna-be homesteader, this actually kind of works to my advantage.

Over the past year, we've been trying to reduce the amount of prepackaged and processed foods in our diets. Once we get the garden going, we'll have even more control over what we ingest. Plus we want to get a dehydrator and learn to can. Don't think we're going all Mother Earth or Conspiracy Theorist, we just want to eat healthier and avoid all the crap and filler. A poor diet can greatly decrease the amount of fun time you have on this planet.

In addition to eating better, I tried the whole exercise bit but it didn't last. I don't mind running but it's not fun. I hate lifting weights or other "gym" type activities. But I do like splitting, chopping and stacking firewood. So, if you need some trees "taken care of", let us know. I need the exercise and the free firewood.

Anywho, back to the MREs. My Own Meals makes kosher, GF and other specialty MRE style meals. Pretty cool since our stock pile of ramen and other instant noodles is now out of my diet. I'll eat them if I have to but I'd rather not.

welcome home Simon!

2009-09-29T08:16:00.001-04:00

We picked up the newest addition to the family yesterday. His name is Professor Simon, he's a rescued German Shepherd about 9 months old. He's underweight and suffering from Panosteitis (growing pains). In the future, he'll need surgery on his hip to correct moderate hip dysplasia. He and Puppers are getting along great. Until the growing pains go away, we need to keep his activity to a minimum but we can't let him get overweight either.

I've never had two dogs, it's pretty cool.

Sorry for the crappy cellphone pics. We'll get more tonight.

Wherever I go...

2009-09-27T17:41:00.002-04:00

Wherever I go, I hear footsteps:
My brothers on the road, in swamps, in forests,
Swept along in darkness, trembling from cold,
Fugitives from flames, plagues and terrors.

Wherever I stand, I hear rattling:
My brothers in chains, in chambers of the stricken.
They pierce the walls and burst the silence.
Through the generations their echos cry out
In torture camps, in pits of the dead.

Wherever I lie, I hear voices:
My brothers herded to slaughter
Out of burning embers, out of ruins,
Out of cities and villages, altars for burnt offerings.
The groaning in their destruction haunts my nights.

My eyes will never stop seeing them
And my heart will never stop crying "outrage";
Every one will be called to account for their death.

The heavens will descend to mourn for them,
The world and all that is therin will be a monument
on their grave.

Shin Shalom, translated by David Polish taken from the New Mahzor

new toy

2009-09-14T22:41:00.002-04:00

It's a Yamaha Chappy aka the Crappy. 50cc of 2 stroke fury! It runs but need some work (doesn't everything?). There's some severe redneck repairs that I have to undo but it's got potential. I've always liked 2 strokes, so this is a good little toy to get my feet wet.

love it!

2009-09-11T08:20:00.003-04:00

mmmm.....2 stroke!

I missed a chance last year to have an RD400.

my lid

2009-08-22T21:55:00.002-04:00

Helmet horns from Japan. I know, I'm a dork. They suck riding in crosswinds...

=]

BMV: 0 Me: 1

2009-08-19T14:07:00.002-04:00

Victory!

Finally, the battle with the BMV is over. In a few weeks, I should receive a title for the CB350. No small claims court, no more BS. Now, I need to finish tuning the carbs and all the other bits. Now, when the time comes to sell it, I won't have to pass along the "no title" curse.

Maybe I can scratch up the dough after selling it and find a CB750 or a VFR.

yay!

cooking in the sun...

2009-08-15T16:18:00.002-04:00

It's a toasty day for riding but a good day nonetheless. Went out on the 750 for a few hours and just farted around town. I'm getting my street legs and plenty of good riding practice. I spent a chunk of Weds afternoon working on slow full stop turns. Funky and I are going to spend some time in one of the big parking lots working on figure 8s and other skills.

Still no news on the 350s title issue but I've become disgruntled about it all. If all else fails, I'll get some cash out of it as a parts bike.

My new knee/shin guards are working well. I prefer armor that is worn on you instead of built in because most riding pants don't fit me well. Plus, they're freaking expensive.

750cc of fun

2009-08-04T09:50:00.000-04:00

Sunday, I borrowed my buddy's CB750 and we went out riding. The Mrs rode on the back of Funky's bike because I'm not comfy with passengers yet. We took some kinda curvy back roads up to Nobletucky and then headed out through Lapel and onto the interstate. I don't have a lot of ride time under my belt and that venture on to I69 was the first time I entered the superslab on two wheels. I survived the moron drivers who I swear were really trying to put us in an early grave.

It was a good day and I learned that my novelty helmet horns from Japan are not good for interstate speed riding. My neck and shoulders are still sore from the wind.

After the day of riding, we came home and prepped dinner. The Mrs made amazing Cornish game hens and Funky and I made veggie kabobs. Tasty!

I had hoped to get the CB350 on the road this year but the BMV has changed their mind each time I go there on what I need to do to replace a lost title. They might be faster but I don't think anyone really knows what is going on. Now, they say I have to go to small claims court and blah blah blah. I'm not dumping a ton of money into this bike for just the title. If things get too difficult, I'll sell it for parts and save my pennies for something else.

Someone didn't clean the seat on the CB750 because I caught the "need a bigger bike bug". Not just for the speed and power, but the extra weight and size helps fight wind and hold lines easier.

72 hour + Emergency Kit

2009-07-22T17:01:00.004-04:00

Here's the kit all packed up and ready to go. The 1911 is my carry gun and yes, I know I need more mags. I just put the ClipDraw on the other day and I love it.

quick pics of ye olde emergency kit

2009-06-30T12:26:00.002-04:00

It still needs a stove, a small pry-bar and more batteries. The blue bottle contains water purification supplies and basic toiletries.

Remington 597

2009-06-21T11:56:00.004-04:00

Some pics of our only tacticool rifle.

Special Edition Remington 597 22lr

(yes, that's chameleon paint, from the factory)

our first morel!

2009-04-25T18:06:00.004-04:00

The Mrs and I went out mushroom hunting today. No luck at one location, we even saw another guy who was hunting. We dropped the dog off at home and headed to another spot. After about 45 minutes of searching, we hopped on the trail to head back. Within a few feet, I almost stepped on a little morel growing off the path. We snapped some pictures and plucked him out of the ground. After about searching the surrounding area, we moved on. We walked out of the woods with one lonely 'shroom. But, where there is one, there are more. So, we'll head back again soon.

hunt of another type

2009-04-03T11:38:00.004-04:00

Hunting for chametz!

This will be our first Passover, we're both excited and nervous. There are a lot of rules and regulations and we have to figure out where we fit in. Our rabbi is Sephardi, so we definitely lean that direction. I admit, I don't understand a lot of the Ashkenazi traditions. Some seem overbearing to the point of being ridiculous. Like no green beans during Passover? Huh? Leavened products I can see, same with fermented but beans? Too each his/her own.

A family from the synagogue invited us to their seder. We're looking forward to it. They're incredibly nice and I know we'll learn a lot. And there is a vast amount of knowledge that still has to be absorbed. It can still be intimidating at times but there's no turning back, nor would I want to.

*edit*
Today at the morning service, we got invited to the 2nd night seder at the Cantor's house. His wife was our Hebrew teacher and did a great job, too bad I'm lazy at studying! Anywho, it was a good day at the synagogue. In addition to the invite, we also got called to the bimah to close the ark. Then Rabbi D. introduced us to the congregation. It was a good day. =]

it's almost hunting season....

2009-04-01T10:07:00.006-04:00

My grandfather is a morel hunter and he has finally agreed to show me his secret morel spots. I went hunting a few times as a child but I don't remember finding anything.

As I got older, I grew away from things like this. It's too bad, I would have my own secret spots by now and a wealth of information. It's never too late to learn though. I'll start scouting my area and see what I can find. Maybe we can train the dog to find them? =]

Mrs. Red has never had morels, so she's in for a treat.

Wish us luck!

(image is property of it's owner, as listed on Flickr)

self sufficient slacker

late range report

crafty...

mobile again...

still here.

two great things

story-tellers...

dreaming of the future...

basking in the warm sun...

progress...

vintage + modern

no progress no updates

bouncy bouncy

detailed carb cleaning...

pics and progress

dirty old bowls

shakedown run/breakdown run

one step closer to a better shop

Watch your six!

running in the rain

defeating traffic sensors!

progess

TA Moto Gear!

Tax check come, tax check go...

More drooling...

changes...

Today would be better if.....

Moto Fun Day!

Trip idea....

Kimpex Heated Grip Installation

parts is parts

success!

injured pups and burnt out blowers

Trip 3

Nashville, IN Trip 2

Nashvill, IN Cabin Trip

cookin' digits

gun post!

I will be light

164.2 miles

scratch and sting

it's sad day indeed...

cookin' in the sun, freezin' at night

frosty

crosswinds and taillights

new bike!

updates!

I reached the end of craigslist...

BMW update and others...

another one to consider...

hmmm

I need your opinion....

better vid

Rise of the CB970

IT'S ALIVE!

assembly complete (for the most part)

glimpse of things to come....

progress...

quick pics

real updates coming soon....

record setting adventure rider Shinji Kazama

that's a wrap (huh huh huh)

colored spaghetti

it's alive!

10 feet high and rising....

shop day!

Me: 0 Frustration: 1 *update*

teaser....now with pics!

Motivation

cleaned up

guts

easy roller

bronze my bushings!

rusty tubes

haha!

parts

pics....

progress w/o pictures.

changing direction

burning!

Me: 0 Frustration: 1 update