New Car

 

2026 Buick Encore - new car for the Missus. Traded in the 2014 Encore even though it had fairly low miles. 2027 models are supposed to have some type of "kill switch" that will sense when you're falling asleep at the wheel or driving erratically. From what I've read, the car manufacturers might not have all the details worked out yet, but they'll probably have the cars set up so it can be retrofitted at a later date. I think I can live without that feature. Even if that never happens, the old Encore was ready for brakes and tires. Plus, at our ages, the odds of either of us still driving in 12 years are pretty slim. Probably the last car we ever buy. My truck's a 2016 with only 54,000 miles on it, so it should go the distance as well.

Besides it being hot and humid, it's now smoky due to the Canadian wildfires. I installed a bottle cage on the mower to help keep me hydrated. I might have to stay off the bike until the smoke clears up, though.

I also bought a portable AC unit for the shop. I got the ceiling fixed from the raccoon damage and the scuttle hole installed. The AC unit will allow me to spend some more time out in the shop and I can use it as a dehumidifier as well. Should make things a bit more comfortable. 

Robert E.

 

The following quote from the Lone Star Parson:

Dear Dr. Scott:

Respecting your August 1 inquiry calling attention to my often expressed admiration for General Robert E. Lee, I would say, first, that we need to understand that at the time of the War between the States the issue of secession had remained unresolved for more than 70 years. Men of probity, character, public standing and unquestioned loyalty, both North and South, had disagreed over this issue as a matter of principle from the day our Constitution was adopted.

General Robert E. Lee was, in my estimation, one of the supremely gifted men produced by our Nation. He believed unswervingly in the Constitutional validity of his cause which until 1865 was still an arguable question in America; he was a poised and inspiring leader, true to the high trust reposed in him by millions of his fellow citizens; he was thoughtful yet demanding of his officers and men, forbearing with captured enemies but ingenious, unrelenting and personally courageous in battle, and never disheartened by a reverse or obstacle. Through all his many trials, he remained selfless almost to a fault and unfailing in his faith in God. Taken altogether, he was noble as a leader and as a man, and unsullied as I read the pages of our history.

From deep conviction, I simply say this: a nation of men of Lee’s calibre would be unconquerable in spirit and soul. Indeed, to the degree that present-day American youth will strive to emulate his rare qualities, including his devotion to this land as revealed in his painstaking efforts to help heal the Nation’s wounds once the bitter struggle was over, we, in our own time of danger in a divided world, will be strengthened and our love of freedom sustained.

Such are the reasons that I proudly display the picture of this great American on my office wall.

Sincerely,

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Regardless of how anyone feels about the "War of Northern Aggression", Lee was a tremendous leader and was obviously admired by another great general as the above quote proves. It's a shame there has been a serious effort to remove him from our history, along with many others. Having just celebrated the 250th anniversary of Independence Day, seems to me painting over the part of history that's uncomfortable isn't the answer. There are plenty of things that have gone on that we should not celebrate - Japanese internment, dealings with the native peoples and, of course the issue of slavery itself for starters, but we need to remember these things, not glorify them, but not sweep them under the rug either.

We're at a crossroads now. We need real leaders more than ever. People in positions of power who will take seriously the oath they've taken and bring the country back in line before it's too late.

    

Bike Ride

 

I went on the bike ride yesterday morning. The temperature was right at 69 or 70 degrees and overcast at starting time - perfect weather for a bike ride. The old Raleigh performed well, as always. I did, however, manage to pull the wire out of the sending unit on my speedometer. Since I was riding in a group, I didn't need the speedo or the odometer to follow the route sheet - just follow the crowd for twenty miles. I stuck the wire for the speedo back down in the sending unit after unloading the bike at home and it works still. I'll get some silicon or something and glue it back in place. As long as I'm careful in the future, should be good for a 100,000.

The "Rec Center" is planning on a few more rides this summer. If they are like the one yesterday, should be fun. Nice pace, good distance, and good people.

I put the decals on old Allis the other day - kind of like putting lipstick on a pig, as they say, but the old girl will look pretty nice once I paint the gas tank and battery box. Since the original lettering had the black letters outlined in white, I considered painting a rectangular white box where the lettering was going. No way I was going to try and outline the lettering. Just paint the tank and I'll call it good.

I modified the exhaust pipe on the trials bike to get it a little farther away from the float bowl. I need to dress up the welds a little still and then repaint the pipe. I'm going to order some pipe wrap for it and that'll keep everything on the engine safe from the heat and likewise my leg.

I cut up an old inner tube and glued a piece in the tunnel of the tank where it'll be hitting on the frame backbone. One more thing off the punch list. I need to fab up some type of return spring for the rear brake yet, but it'll be done one of these days.

Plan on getting back out in the shop a little bit today and maybe start cutting up the big branches in the yard before the heat returns this week.

Scrambler

 

 

I came across this on an Aermacchi Owners Group. Looks like what would have been called a scrambler back in the day. It appears to be a stock frame with the addition of a couple of extra tubes running from the steering head down to the top motor mount. Also, the forks have been swapped out. The stock forks had the axle mounts on the bottom of the tubes. Nice looking rig.

Another storm last evening and more hot weather coming in next week. Not only is the grass growing like crazy, but it's being taken over by a broad-leafed variety. The front yard was looking really nice earlier this year but big changes in just a matter of a couple of weeks. The back yard is worse. I'm not sure what the best approach is to reclaim it. I had spread some weed & feed this spring - no dandelions now, but the invasive grass is growing like hell wouldn't have it. 

The "Rec Center" where I was walking indoors after the heart attack is having a bike ride in the morning. No charge, various distances, 6:30 start time. Not sure I want to get up that early, but I'll load the bike up later today and if I can get my lazy fanny out of bed at 6:00, I'll give it a shot. The weather should be nice starting that early.

Going to do a little work in the shop today, finally, but I've got some "lumberjacking" to do as well. There's a couple of big limbs down in the back that have come down in the recent storms I need to clean up. I'm not having much success keeping up with the outside work while being cautious with my health. The ninety-degree temps with humidity to match can be tough on an old guy with a history of cardiac issues. I rode my bike down to the mailbox last evening after it had cooled down a little and had worked up a sweat by the time I got back. It's a long driveway, but not that long.  

Anyway, I'll keep on keeping on. Get done what needs to be done and play with the toys as time and weather allow.

Bike Things

 

If I was to contemplate working on another Sportster, I'd go this route. I saw one of these in orange and black at the Springfield Mile a few years back. Cuzzin Ricky and I stopped there on our way home from watching Silver Crown cars race at DuQuoin. There was certainly no shortage of bikes at Springfield, but I did a double take when I saw the XR1000. Cool as a jewel. Good racing both there and in DuQuoin. Even though I'm a die-hard bike guy, the Champ cars on a one-mile dirt track are the best.

Took the bicycle out for a spin yesterday morning and did a little sprint work. I hadn't planned that, but when the St. Bernard started chasing me, seemed like the thing to do. The dog was chasing me and the lady was chasing the dog. I didn't want to pepper spray the dog, but I don't want to get bit or knocked down. I've been through that before and that resulted in a broken collar bone and some serious bruising. The problem now, however, is I go past that house on every ride. 

I need to finish repairing the ceiling in the shop and maybe spring for a portable AC unit. The weather was beautiful yesterday but that won't last. The Missus' ankle is much better, so I can leave her alone a bit more now - time to get back to work.

Music Post

 

Hot again yesterday - not quite as bad as it was the previous few days, but not the kind of day an old cardiac patient should be doing much outside during the heat of the day. I did make it out on the bike early and put in six miles, though. I spent the rest of the day reading and watching television. The morning and afternoon shows were the usual programing - cowboys and cooking shows. Later in the day it became 250th celebrations and another rainstorm. I wasn't too impressed with the ABC affiliates programming, but the PBS show from Colonial Williamsburg was quite good. The Big Cheese from Williamsburg did a short speech tying the founders and the Declaration to what we should be doing now. I'm a big fan of history, but as they say, if you don't learn from history, you're doomed to repeat it, or words to that effect. 

The music above has a vague tie-in to yesterday's celebration, but mostly I picked them because I like them. The blog is my start page when I log in, and I'll usually play a tune or two before I check my regular spots every morning. I good tune is always a great start to the day.  

Cooler weather is forecast for the upcoming few days, so I'll be looking to get some things accomplished before it heats up again. The days are flying by now. Lots of work to do in the shop but with the rain and the heat there'll be lots of yardwork to do as well. No rest for the wicked.  

250 Years