JackFlash

It is believed this head gasket problem has been resolved

with the later Subaru.  I'm still sold on the Outback.  I much

prefer an AWD as I drive 32 miles one way to work and need

to make it there during snowy weather. 

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UPDATE.........

Got a call yesterday.  They pulled a head.  The gasket is bad.

They are pulling  the other head and sending them out to be

milled or surfaced, or whatever term is used.  They will be

magnafluxed and all that. 

Problem.  This is going to cost me more money.  I can't find a

way to pin this on any previous work that they have done. 

But, how is it that both head gaskets went at the same time.

I got no indication of overheating.  They found water in the

converter from being sucked in, then blowing out the exhaust.

I should have checked that they properly filled the radiator

when they did the work the first time, but I didn't, so I can't say

they didn't have enough coolant in the system.

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... It seems like a lot of people here like to push the limits though, and I'm a little wary of that... and I can also understand not waiting to wait for a slowpoke, or stopping to give advice when they'd rather be riding.

 

Going for a ride, and training are two different things.

Don't worry a bit about holding people up by not being

as quick as they are.  Whenever there is a turn, someone

will be there waiting for you so you don't get left behind. 

It's what we do.  The amount of time that people wait for

the back of the pack to catch up, gives the faster guys a

chance to catch their breath, anyway.  I only wish they

would allow me to catch my breath, also, before they take

off again.

I used to feel the same way about holding people up.  Not

anymore.  I'll teach them suckers to invite me along.  They

haven't learned yet.  They have to wait a whole 30 seconds

sometimes for me to show up.  The waiting time goes very

quickly, so it's nothing to be the least bit concerned about.

Just come out and ride "your own ride."  You are responsible

for your own safety, so no need to ride beyond what limits

you wish to set for yourself.  No need at all, unless you want

to push the threshold a bit.  Most of us do, I think.  I like to

keep my limits in expansion mode, but that's just me.

C'mon out and you'll enjoy yourself, fast, slow, or medium, it

doesn't matter a bit.

As for training, a big parking lot, some friends, an empty road,

an early Sunday morning, a book of advanced riding techniques,

and just a bit of adventure, that all goes a long way when you

want to expand your skills. 

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Ugh, ok, I'm computer dumb.  I can't get OR to work on Mozilla, but is working fine on IE.  Any thoughts?

It's working for me on Mozilla.  Hmmmm........

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Engrave what you want with a small handheld router.

Then blacken the letters with a torch.  Sand off any

burned places outside of the letters.  Stain it, and

clearcoat over that. 

Just an idea.

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Hillbilly Hotdogs is a motorcycle destination.  On a pleasant Saturday,

there will be bikes coming from both directions.  They will line up across

the road and as fast as one group leaves, another group shows up.

BUT, since i grew up in Huntington, I know where the best hotdogs are.

Since 1932, Stewarts Hotdogs have been business at their 5th Avenue

location.  So, if you really want to try my favorite hotdogs, try Stewarts.

You can't get them anywhere but Huntington, and I miss them.  I even

made a road trip one weekend from Columbus, just to savor that taste

that I missed so much.  Believe me, they are worth a try.

http://stewartshotdogs.com/

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Today was my first day back to work after a two week vacation,

and seeing how the shop is closer to work than to home, I waited

until today to stop in after work and check on the car.

We did the "air into the cylinder" test.  I personally heard gurgling

when I had my ear up to the radiator opening.  So, that means

head gaskets on both banks.  So, the motor must come out.

Thanks to Bad Train Driver for the link.  I emailed it to the shop

and they were impressed.  We all learned something. 

Thanks to everyone else, especially Sam, as well.  All ideas are

good places to start.  I feared head gaskets may be an issue,

but of course hoped it wasn't the case.

I'll know more next week.  So far, I'm lead to believe that everything

is still covered by warranty.  I sure hope so, as I don't have a lot of

cash to throw around.  I'm a po' boy just lucky enough to be able

to afford a motorcycle, let alone any major vehicle repairs.

I'll post more as it comes.

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The center stand keeps me from leaking gasoline

onto the ground after a fill up in hot weather.

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It does, but not on a stock bike. No need

Yeah, I was just wondering if it helped to burn fuel

more efficiently by preventing heat loss near the

combustion chambers, thus used as a performance

enhancer.  Okay, thanks.

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By checking out their website, I'm getting the impression

that you can use the paint of your choice over top of it.

Here are their products.  Click on the one you are using

and I think you will find your plan to be a good one.

http://www.kilz.com/primer/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=c05f90033f9ff110VgnVCM1000008a05d103RCRD

Or, tomorrow when you are doing nothing, buzz them up.

For Technical Service:
1-866-977-3711
techservice@masterchem.com

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Does header wrap tape do anything for performance?

Does it retain heat that is beneficial to performance,

or is it primarily for appearance?

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I fueled up on a hot day and parked the bike on the side stand

before I went into the store.  I was in there for about five minutes

and when I came out I had a puddle of fuel under the bike.

It was dripping from a hose just like that one.  If I spill fuel between

the tank opening and the outer metal shell, it comes out there.  Of

course now, when I fill up I always put the bike on the center stand

when I park, until I've used up some of the gas.

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Now that.....is a dream ride.

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Has anyone taken the Advanced Rider course before? What's the rundown on it?

I did the ARC yesterday, in Columbus. 

The Marietta classes seem to be the final two ARC's

in Ohio, for this year.

Washington State Community College

710 Colegate Drive

Marietta OH, 45750

There are 11 seats left for this one.

8/9/2014 - 8/9/2014

Saturday(8/9) 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

And 12 seats left for this one.

9/6/2014 - 9/6/2014

Saturday(9/6) 07:00 AM - 04:00 PM

For $50 it's a day well spent.

There are maneuvers we may find necessary

to execute in a split second, in order to save

our hide, and our bike.  We take the BRC, and

then years go by without practicing how to

react in emergency situations.  We age, our

reaction time slows down, and we lose skills we

have not practiced. 

The ARC is a chance to

regain some skills, and give you things to practice

on your own, that may one day save your life,

and that of your pretty little side kick, snuggled

all up close behind you, when you are rounding

that blind curve, and suddenly find a deer standing

in the middle of the road. 

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"We wanna' be free-free to ride our

machines without be hassled by the Man."

Word.

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Plans are all well and good, but some of us go through helmets a lot quicker than that.

 

And the 5 year rule is not a joke.   I have two identical Bell Vortex helmets.  One I crashed the second day I wore it.  It went on a shelf in my closet, for use as target practice.  The second one I have worn for the last 2 years.  I put the "old" one on the other day, and the difference in fit is extremely significant.  The padding just breaks down in the helmet you wear more often.  And I am religious about washing out my helmet after a day of use.   I come home from the track, and bring the helmet into the shower with me, then dry it on a fan over night. 

 

With any significant use, I can't foresee a helmet really lasting more than 2-3 years tops...  I try to buy safe helmets without creature comforts. 

I was hoping that the difference in fit would be from the

padding continuing to adjust to my head shape.  I can

move it around on my head just a bit more than when I

first bought it plus, now it is more comfortable.

Do you wear the same helmet on the street as you do

on the track?  I want to ride comfortably, so I do want

some comfort features.

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Sounds good, Nivin.  I'd like to hear it

up close to the red line.  It sounds like

it wants to give so much more than

what those roads will allow.

.

My next helmet as of today will cost $626.99.

Based on a limit of seven good riding months

in our part of the country, it breaks down to

around $17.91 per month, over a five year

period.  I will probably actually wear the

helmet longer than that, considering the price

because I think it's partly marketing that tells

us to buy a new one every five years.

But, if I break it down to what it cost me each

time I go for a ride, it's not much money to

protect my priceless skull.  I know it's a big

price to pay, all at one time, but if you stretch

it out over the time you expect to use it, it

helps us to justify the expense.

It's like adding a buck or two to a gallon of

gas.  If gas was five-fifty USD, we would still

ride.  Maybe we would ride even more, and

drive our cars even less.  The more you ride,

the less expensive the helmet becomes per

ride.

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I race in FS fleet one at Cowan lake near Wilmington.

I plan to retire in 10 years to a boat. Hopefully a 35-42 Cat but a 40-45 mono will also work. Definitely plan to circumnavigate after spending 2-3 years in the Caribbean areas.

Read the book leap of faith it talks about going sooner rather than later. Boat life doesn't have to be expensive. Income would make it easier. Cruisers Forum has a huge thread about living on $500/mo. Many great boats $10-40k. When I was shopping for my FS I was amazed at what I could have bought for the same money that was much larger and appeared to be in great shape.

I also was surprised how much they are asking for those Flying Scots. 

Sounds like a good plan you have.  Write a book about your adventures

around the globe and I'll buy it.  I've read a lot about circumnavigation.

It fascinates me.  I'd like to give it a go but it would have to be on

someone else's boat.  It's doubtful I'll ever have a blue water boat unless

I move to the coast.  Though, Ft. Lauderdale has whispered my name a

time or two.

I think they have really nice lines.  They're a half-way compromise between a full-size live-aboard, which tend to be rather portly amidships and slow to sail, and a racing hull, which are much more lively but with no real useable space below decks.  The shape kind of reminds me of a pregnant cat, but his boat--fully equipped and stocked for a crew of 4-5 people--was able to achieve better than 7 knots on a comfortable tack with decent wind.  As I recall, he was carrying about 2 tons of lead ballast in the keel, too.  With boats like these, regular maintenance is EVERYTHING, and I'd try really hard to find a fresh-water boat.

Agreed.  Fresh water boats will not have the wear that a salty boat will have.

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UUpdate?

Nothing yet.  I'll know more, Monday and update then.

Thanks for asking, Sam.

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I thought necro-threads were a winter hobby for Jack.

Well, you know.  Things need to be stirred once in a while.

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No sailboat but I've got a stand-up jetski. You could ride spider.

Ride spider?  That's a new one I've never heard.  Made me laugh. 

Just take up kiteboarding, Jack. Cheapest way to go sailing

It's just not the same thing.  I want to relax a little while sitting

back and enjoying the quiet.

Years ago, I crewed for a guy who sailed his 42' Tartan out of Port Clinton.  Made quite a few week- to two-week trips on the Great Lakes into the North Channel.  Work during the day pulling sheets and navigating, sleep aboard at night, and take the GH bus home when he didn't need me anymore.  Hauling up into the small ports each night and walking to the small waterfront cafes is definitely an idyllic life.  Had quite a few great times on Mackinaw Island during the race weekends.  Takes some serious cubic cash to own and maintain a boat like that, tho.

Here is a very nice 1981 Tarton 42 in Charleston, SC, going for a measly $85,000.

My checkbook would run and hide.  That's a serious boat.  I would have to live on

the hook.  Just the docking fees would kill me. 

I am surprised by how many thirty-footers you can find for $10,000, though they

need a little fixing up.  If I ever win the lottery I'm going to give the live-aboard

lifestyle a try.

I could get used to sailing off whenever and to where ever I pleased.

I started racing a Flying Scot earlier this year. I also plan to sail Blue Water in my future.

Flying Scot Fleet 37 is right here at Hoover Reservoir, near Westerville.

I wouldn't mind having a Flying Scot.  I could single hand it, or sail with crew.

With a 4' draft, I should have no problem with it on shallow Buckeye Lake.

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Does she have her own motorcycle? 

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Wholly grave digging batman. And we already have business cards. I've got 20 or 30 left I think.

Can you post a photo of one?

I would hand some of these out to other riders.

I'm surprised how many still have not heard of

the Ohio Riders website, but they do show an interest in it.

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Ahhh, what better way to have socially awkward children...kidding...but not really.

https://www.google.com/search?num=50&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=zoH&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&q=colleges+seek+homeschool&spell=1&sa=X&ei=Do_aU5S8F8y0yASpm4CYCQ&ved=0CBwQvwUoAA&biw=1280&bih=905