Jcarlson

Here's a tune to get your holiday off to a good start - http://images.businessweek.com/ss/05/11/egreetings/image/01.swf

That's the kind of info I needed to know. Thanks a ton guys!! Jim

My experience with MC MAXX has not been a good one either. I never bought anything from them and here is why. My wife and I went there early this spring to look at a bike. it was a little over priced (not too bad but still) and they DO NOT budge on the price at all. We were millimeters from buying but I wanted her to ride it first. We asked for a test ride and he told us we had to buy it first, THEN if we didn't like it we could return it. WTF is that??? I know the same guy owns Integrity and I've ridden a few there so I don't get this whole buy it first the return it deal. We left. Have never been back since.

A Concours is the way to go. I bought my 2006 ZG1000 two years ago and love it. You won't be pulling wheelies off the line but it has more than enough power to get you where you want to be in a hurry. You can crack the throttle at 65 and be up to 90 in no time and it'll feel like you're going 50 - nice an smooth. I'm sure other bikes will do this too but I've never ridden another bike. It's comfortable to ride. You're in more of an upright position than a rocket and not laid back like a cruiser. They come stock with detachable saddlebags and have a carrier rack hidden under the rear cowl where you can attach a rear trunk. There are also two locking glove boxes in the fairing. It's a liquid cooled, four cylinder four banger so it sounds like a VW bus but it has everything you need. A few good things about this bike is that it's a low end, low cost ride and Kawasaki didn't change it much from the 80's til they discontinued the model in the mid 2000's with the exception of the cosmetics. What this means is a starter from an 1988 will work on a 2004, etc. Plenty of parts available on eBay. You can pick these up on eBay (where I got mine) or Craigslist for a few thousand bucks. And these things are built and run like a tank. I've got 60K miles on mine and it runs like brand new. They're somewhat had to find since they disappear pretty quickly after they're posted. It's a great bike. One very big downside to them though. You can drop them very easily when turning into a parking space. It's something about the turning radius/throttle/weight distribution - I don't know what, but almost every Connie owner I know has dropped theirs atleast once. On the forum COG (Councours Owners Group) they have what they call a CDA - Connie Droppers Award. WHEN (not if) you drop yours you suck it up and submit your name so everyone can either feel your pain or laugh at you. It's all in good fun. Don't let that scare you away though. I've had mine two years now and only droppped it once.

I considered the clothes drier thing too but my wife would shit if I did something like that. Plus all that banging around. I'd be sleeping in the gargae with the bike for sure!! LOL

1,500 - 2,000 miles per year and less than $175. I don't go on long trips. Mostly to work and back (35 miles round trip) and a few hundred on weekends. It's not my sole transportation but I ride whenever I can. I wouldn't I want a cheap tire, but rather an inexpensive tire although I don't mind paying for quality - if any of that makes sense. For example - I can get an $80 tire but if it's only going to last 3,000 miles and doesn't grip worth a crap or isn't a smooth ride then I don't want it. On the flip side if there is a brand that's $175 or so that'll last 10-15k miles and will grip like it's mounted on a rail then I'll spend the money. Like, I know car tires. I know I can get a 40k, 50k, 60k mile tire. I won't buy a 40k tire but I might buy a 60k tire if it's a good brand and within my budget. I know Michelins, Goodyear, Dunlop, Bridgestone, Continental are good brands, but I can't afford 4 Michelins for my SUV (that's like $800). I looked on Iron Pony and eBay. I see Avon, Dunlop, Bridgestone, Continental. Never heard of Avon. Are they any good? Are they a low end tire? That's what I mean when I say I don't know MC rubber. I hope that cleared up the mud.

I need a new rear tire and I know nothing about MC rubber - double ply, radial,???. I'm not a balls out rider, especially on a beast like that, I just like going down the road - back roads, highway, whatever. I want a good tire that'll last more than a season or two, but not the most expensive or advanced. I need a 150-80-16. I know the brand names like Dunlop and Bridgestone, but what are some other good brands that won't melt my credit card? Thanks Jim

I've used straight vinegar in the past. Fill that sucker up to the brim, let sit 2-3 days then dump it out. The down side is you have to rinse it when you're done to neutralize the acid. You can use just water but it'll get a super fine surface rust when you're done (defeats the purpose, right?) but it's not too bad. Then I use REDKOTE to seal it. I don't like Kreem because that dries kinda like a porcelain, or like an egg shell hardness and if you don't get that just right it cracks off and clogs the fuel line. REDKOTE is available at Orielly Auto Parts for about $26. It's intended for cars so you'll get enough to do about a 17 gallon tank. It's more of an elastisized sealant so there is no cracking like Kreem. Just remove the petcock and any fuel gauge you may have, dump it in, swirl it all around good, then set it upside down on a bucket to let it drain. It's a little stinky so don't do it indoors. Once the stink is gone in a day or two it's fully cured. http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/search.oap?keyword=redkote

The Dragon swallows another one. I don't know anything about this other than what you'll see. From what I understand he walked away with only a broken wrist but I cannot confirm that. http://xtremesportsphotography.photoreflect.com/store/Orderpage.aspx?pi=0QAK01AY080000&po=0&pc=28

Jester - I think I got it. On the Horizontal piece, from the bottom groove to the top extend right 45, then on the piece coming up the stairs, from the bottom groov to the top also cut at 45 to the right. Basically the horizontal piece will have a tab and the bottom piece will have a notch. Right? KZ900 - Yeah, I'm in Westerville, a suburb NE of Columbus. I see you're in tornado alley. Yep I have a 2006 Connie ZG1000 and I love it. I'm not crazy about how it chugs at low speeds and high gears, and yeah I have two CDA's as well (damn near broke my leg each time) but otherwise it's great. Fast as hell and smooth as silk. Twist the throttle at 75 and you're at 95 no problem. You almost don't even notice. You got one too?

How do I fix this? I don't mean the gap between the two pieces of molding. I mean how do I get the top and bottom groves in the molding to line up when cut on an angle like that? I'm not a carpenter but I have half a clue. This molding is at the top of my stairs. The piece on the left is horizontal to the second floor and the piece on the right is coming up the stairs. Do I cut the horizontal piece at more of an angle down and to the left instead of on a 90, or what? Any tips will be appreciated. Thanks Jim

Can you prove it false? I copy/pasted that from the website in that link. Look, I didn't come here to argue with anybody. I posted a link to a story I thought was interesting and thought others might find it interesting too. I may not agree with, find as interesting or humorous, or find worthy of alot of things posted here such as your mushroom video (which BTW I thought it was funny, but I made no comment of it). At the same time I don't jump all over people's case for it. You could have chosen to read it and make of it what you will or ignore it completely - it makes no matter to me, yet YOU chose to jump my shit for it and make it an issue. I'm done with this. If I offended you or anyone else here I sincerly apologize. Good day to you sir. Jim

Geez, I didn't mean to start World War III here guys. I simply asked why people hijack threads. It's not about Barack the President - Ok, so domestically we're a still a mess. Not his fault but oh well. I don't know anyone can fix it in four years. It took ten or more for it to build up and collapse. It can't be fixed in four. So he didn't create jobs. Just exactly how does anyone just create a job? You can't. You can create work, but not a job. It's about Barack the man - You can't say it's false anymore than I can say it's true. It hasn't occurred so how does anybody know? And, now that this is out it probably won't so we'll never know. Once the self proclaimed Communist Van Jones was outed he was out of the White House quicker than snot. I just simply don't believe this President truly has America's best interest in mind when it comes to America on the world stage. He went on the Apology tour, he's a wuss when it comes to the radicals, he's had the leader of the muslim Brotherhood in the Whitehouse, and he's kissing the butts of the Iranian, Egyptian, and Libyan leaders. I believe this man will do more damage globally than any President before him.

Just remember Basic is a game. Just play it and you'll be fine. The things they have you do won't make sense - they're not supposed to - so don't try to reason it out, just go with it. Work on your push ups too. You'll do about 100 BEFORE you eat breakfast, and then about 500 more throughout the day. You're gonna be sore from your jaws to your toes. You'll be tired beyond all belief and don't be in a hurry to do anything or go anywhere. The Army is all about hurry up and wait. Stay tough my friend. Play the game and you'll be fine. Goodluck and thank you for your service! Hoo-Rah!!

Why do you guys hijack threads? Oh, it was also on CNN last night so... It's not about Barack the President, it's about Barack the man. He's not our friend.

Here's more for you since you don't like Glenn Beck. This was posted today. http://www.nypost.com/p/news/international/eyes_blind_sheik_release_0MFMrnamOFxtIJKJLpTQNL

This sure doesn’t look good for Obama. First the Muslim Brotherhood come to visit the White House. Then the White House hosts a member of a known terrorist group – both visitors are asking for the release of the Blind Sheik. Is the Obama administration considering their request? http://www.glennbeck.com/2012/09/18/obama-to-transfer-blind-sheik-to-egypt/

Here's five minutes of fun http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=KcuDdPo0WZk

I've been to rt 62 BBQ many many times. Small place, seats about 6 people, just south of Johnstown on what else- Rt 62!! They got it goin on too. You order whatever (usually brisket for me) and you get this tub of meat, and I mean a TUB of meat, and one bun plus two sides. You make a snadwhich and eat it but you still have 3/4 of the tub of meat. From there you douse it in hot sauce and mow it down straight from the bowl with your fork. Man oh man is that some good eatin!! And they are VERY BIKER FRIENDLY!! Never been to Dresden. I'll put it on my list though. Thanks for the tip Pokey!!

We rode to Fredericktown once in search of food. Didn't find much besides the Subway inside the grocery store. The diner at the garage next door wasn't open. What's up with a diner in an auto repair shop, and why wasn't it open? Neat little town though. I liked the old mill on the hill. BTW - do you know Luke Perry of Beverly Hills 90210 fame? He's from there.

As my wife and I often do, we set out on our ride yesterday in search of a new (to us) place to eat. Yesterday we chose Conway's BBQ in Marion Oh. It's located at 1692 Marion Mt Gilead Rd (Rt 95) in Marion Oh, just west of US 23. It's in a plaza on the north side of 95. I aslo found it while searching for food places under Points Of Interest on my GPS (Garmin Zumo 220). We arrived for dinner about 4:00pm - early by some people's standards but not ours. It's your standard sports bar type of place - similar to a BW's/Roosters. At one end of the building there is the cattle gate style line where you can order take out or wait to be seated. The dining area is in the middle of the building. Very clean inside, fixtures are in good shape and working order. Restrooms were clean as well. Multiple flat screens hang on the walls so you can catch the current sports event. At the far end is the bar area; open to the dining area and has it's own entrance as well. We sat in the dinning area. I ordered the half slab of baby back ribs. I had a choice of "Wet or dry" so naturally I chose wet. It came with choice of two sides so I got cole slaw and mac & cheese. It also came with corn bread. I have to admit I liked their ribs better than City BBQ. No disrepect to City BBQ because the got it goin on, but these ribs were about twice as thick with meat, tasty sauce, tender and juicy. City BBQ's ribs are often times hard and chewy on the outside for some reason. My wife had the brisket sandwhich which had tons of flavor, tender and juicey. It came in two sizez - 3oz or 5oz. She got the 5oz Carolina style (slaw on top). It was HUGE!!! Once again City BBQ's brisket is good but sometimes dry. I gotta give Conway's props on this one too. I'm not sure what the bill was since my wife bought this time. I didn't ask I guess it didn't really matter, but I'll guess it was around $25-$30 before tip. Overall I'll give it a good rating and definately worth a road trip on a sunny day. From there we headed east on 95 to 13 then on into Mt. Vernon, turned right on Rt 3 and headed home. 115 miles in total. A good ride for sure. Our next food road trip will be to Landoll's Mohican Castle in Loudenville Oh. Google it!! Jim P.S. - We got on US23 in Waldo and rode 10 miles to RT 95 and it was all fereshly paved blacktop - smooth as glass. Not sure how much further it went beyond Marion but it was a nice surface.

Push come to shove U-haul rents MC trailers and ramp trailers. I've rented both. The MC trailer is 4x7 ramp that's been converted with a wheel chock in front to hold bikes. The other is the 5x9 ramp - no wheel chock on this one but I works in a pinch. I know the 5x9 is $24.99/day, not sure about the MC but I know it's less. www.uhaul.com

Oh I've been all over the Adk's. I'm from Rochester NY and camped there a lot when I was younger, 1,000 Islands, Messina, did a little time at Ft Drum too. This was my first time back in 30 yrs. Took my wife and our bikes and rode all over - Lake Luzerne, Vanare, George, Sacandaga, rode the gondola at Gore Mt Ski Resort. County Rd 8 is the bomb!!! She'd never been and loved every mile of it. Can't wait to go back. Obviously she's never been there in winter LOL!! Scuba - That motel looks nice. Tell your friend I'll buy his motel so I can get the heck out of Ohio. Kidding!! We took a ride on the Minne HA HA too. How funny!! :0)

It's already gone by for this year but has anyone ever been to the Americade Rally in Lake George NY? I just got back from there but I went after the event this year. Let me tell you the riding in the Adirondacks is spectacular!! Absolutely georgous. Words cannot describe!! I think we're going to hit it up next year - June 4-8 2013. Let me know if you've ever been to that rally. http://americade.com/ Thanks Jim C.

I recently bought a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited. 123k miles and has the QuadraTrak transmission. I noticed it shifts hard between 3rd and O/D, but only when speeds are low. Example - where I live is a lot of 25 & 35 mph rds. Say I'm starting off from a red light. I'm not gunning it hard but just using an even steady foot on the gas. When it shifts from 3rd to O/D it shifts pretty hard - it's a pretty good jolt. Not enough to chirp the tires or throw you into the dash, but enough to let you know it shifted. If I'm hammering it hard, like on 45mph and higher road or an on ramp to the highway it shifts fine. It's only at the slower speeds that it does this. 1st-3rd is fine also. Obviously if I shut the O/D off it's fine too. I previously owned a 2000 Jeep Gr Ch Laredo (no QuadraTrak) and it did not does this. Is this typical of this type of tranny? Is the torque converter taking a dump? vacuum leak somewhere? I had it in to AAMCO and they did whatever external checks they do and they said it's fine. Anybody got any ideas on this?