Act Naturally

 

The Missus saw something on social media about singing a song that you know all the words to. This is the first one that came to my mind. This one and a Johnny Cash number are the only two songs I've ever done karaoke to. 

My cycling companion from the high school and I did our first long distance trip together on the Katy Trail in Missouri. We took the train down and back from Dwight, Illinois and rode about 200 miles of the Katy. I don't remember the name of the little town we stayed at one of the nights, but it had a grain elevator, a truck repair shop, a bike hostel, and a bar. As luck would have it, the bar was right next door to the bike hostel. After setting up shop in the hostel, we had a couple of beers and a Tombstone pizza at the bar and since it was the only show in town, we hung around to soak up some of the local flavor. About the time it got dark the bartender put on his HD hat, joking that after nine the place became a biker bar. He also cranked up the karaoke machine. 

After a couple of the regulars performed, my buddy and I were informed we were up next. I don't recall what my buddy sang but I did my best Buck Owens and Johnny Cash, figuring I couldn't go wrong with a couple of country icons in rural Missouri. I was kind of hoping to be behind the chicken wire like in the Blues Brothers in case things went bad, but I think the regulars were happy to have some new blood for the night.

I received a request to see a couple of better photos of the Sportster. Not a bad looking bike. It still needs a good cleaning but I won't be embarrassed to park it in public. There are a couple of bad spots, though.

The gasket on the gas cap was leaking and bubbled the paint around the filler neck and there's a couple of unwanted holes in the back fender. The empty hole I think was going to be used to mount the seat the previous owner was planning on using. Not sure on the other one - maybe a sissy bar? The first time I need to take the rear wheel off I'll do something about the holes. 

The smoke yesterday morning seemed to be worse than Tuesday. I did therapy and then met with one of the sponsors from last Saturday's race about some supplements. Went out later in the afternoon and put the new petcock and fuel line on the bike. The new petcock spun right onto the tank like it was made for it. The operating lever has positive detents for on, off and reserve. Also comes with a lifetime warranty. Should have bought this one first thing. However, I wasn't even aware of this brand until Surly recommended it. 

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

 

I stayed in the house most of the day yesterday. Air quality was terrible - smoke from Canada was pretty thick. In fact, the Chicago news said their air quality was the worst city in the world. Between the shoulder ache and the headache from the smoke, it was a good time to take care of some business indoors. 

However, it was welding lesson day with the grandson so we worked on a project for his mother. She wanted a ring to hold a flower pot made up for her high-wheeler. After discussing the job, the grandson cut the stock, I rolled up the ring, he welded it together. The buy's a pretty quick study. I've got another job I could use some help with - maybe tackle that one next week.

He's taking his written test for the pipefitters today. I'm hoping it goes well.

DOS

Which is a lot better than DOA. DOS in this case standing for Delayed Onset Soreness.

My shoulder was a bit sore Sunday as a result of my competing in the 5K on Saturday. However, it woke me up early Monday morning. I tossed and turned for about an hour before finally getting up and taking a Tylenol. I fell back asleep for a bit but it was sore when I showed up for therapy. It was better after that but now I'm even more unsure what I want to do about this coming Saturday - walk the 5K or do the ruck march. I'm going to put on the pack today and hike down the lane once or twice and see how it goes.

The new petcock came in the mail yesterday. That should be just about everything I need now for the Sportster except a battery and a few bolts. I've been hoping the previous owner would come up with the one that came out of the bike before I buy a new one. Hope's fading away, however. I'm going to pull the battery out of my welder and get it charged up and I can use it to jump the bike when it's time. I was going to do that yesterday but it started raining about that time. Getting some much-needed rain is more important than charging the battery, especially since I haven't got the bottom end finished.

Steady by jerks as my old pal Joey used to say.

5K Result

 

I did the 5K yesterday morning and I was Mr. Sandman, or at least my feet were afterwards. It's been dry like a popcorn fart around here as of late. Much of the course was trail running on sandy ground and when I got home and pulled off my shoes and socks my feet were filthy. 

Worked out well for me, though. I was able to once again come in as the first male walker. And once again, not much competition. I was the second overall walker. The first place was the same lady who was the overall winner last year. I could've easily kept up with her when I was in my prime, but not anymore. Maybe if I upped my training substantially but don't know if it would really be worth the effort. My goal now is to do enough to maintain a good level of fitness and keep my strength to where I can do what needs to be done around the shack.

I went to a graduation party later in the day, so I didn't get much of anything else accomplished.

I did get the support rod for the drag pipes cleaned up and painted with some heat resistant paint on Friday. Between the heat and therapy, progress on the projects is liable to be slowing down. It always takes me a couple of weeks to get use to the high temps - was 90 yesterday. 

I'm planning on doing the ruck march this coming Saturday. I'm going to have to get out early in the morning before therapy to log some miles or do it later in the day after it cools down a bit to prepare.  I'll have to add a bit more weight but I was out a couple of times last week with the pack and even with the extra weight I should do OK Saturday. I should probably do more with the pack to strengthen my legs and torso.

AC & Bearing

 Probably going to be more than a few people are going to wish they would have learned these and more in the not too distant future. There's a few on the list I wish I knew more about myself, like mushroom ID. I know morels, sheepsheads and the white button ones you get at the grocery store. Anything else, I'm going to take a pass. Likewise, native plants and medicinal herbs - not the kinds of things that a welder normally specializes in.

However, I do know how to remove a bearing. The expanding blind bearing tools are the nuts. Put the puller shaft inside the bearing, crank the internal rod down onto the ball bearing inside, and expand the end of the puller to get behind the bearing. Once that's done, you can use a slide hammer or the yoke like in the photo. Slicker than snot on a doorknob.

I got the air conditioner installed with a little help from the grandson. The piece I made for the sill worked like a champ. No tape or holes drilled in the new window. The AC unit is both small and light weight, so I shouldn't need a support on the outside. It's going to be plenty warm the next week or so, good time to have a cool place to sleep.

I've got therapy on the shoulder this morning, a meeting with the financial guy later and a couple other stops to make. Since I got the old bearing out on the Sportster, I'd like to get the new one in and get the cams installed so I can check the end play and get them shimmed properly. Not much left to do after that as far as having it ready to turn over.

 

Petcock & Windowsill

 

The new petcock I bought is junk. Surly warned me about them but I had already ordered mine. First off, it wouldn't screw onto the tank. I had the old one that the guy I bought the bike from had thrown in the box. It didn't want to screw on easily so I took the nut off the valve and put some valve grinding compound on the tank threads and worked the nut back and forth until it screwed on easily. However, I couldn't get either of the nuts to thread back on the valve. I farted around filing the threads with a metric thread file, a three square file and a small mill file to put a taper on the top couple of threads on the valve. No luck, whatsoever. I've got a new one ordered of a much better quality.

I bought another window AC unit, and like the installation of the other one, I didn't want to chance screwing up the new window, so I made up a wooden base for the AC unit to sit on rather than the vinyl window frame. The base is made from a couple of pieces of 2x4 that I sliced and diced on the table saw. The two pieces behind the base in the photo are to extend the reach of the pieces that close off the rest of the window at the sides of the unit. The unit is made to fit window openings up to 36". My window is 38", hence the need for a couple of fillers.

I went to physical therapy yesterday and got the evaluation taken care of and some electrical stimulation treatment. I go back Wednesday to see the doctor who's the big cheese of the outfit and get some more PT. Yesterday's session seemed to loosen the shoulder up some and eased the pain. Glad of that. It's been waking me up at night.

5K events

 

Did the 5K yesterday - beautiful day for a race. Since I was able to run a bit at my last event with my "corset" on, I thought I might try it again since there wasn't a walking class. I made it about five steps and my chest was fine but my shoulder wasn't pleased at all. I took off the corset and just walked briskly. I figured there was no way I could win anything since the age group I was in was 50 years old and up. While it was a small event, I saw several guys who appeared to be in the same age group. 

There wasn't any electronic scoring of any kind, not even bib numbers. The lady at the finish line called out your time and another lady wrote it down next to your name. Imagine my surprise when they called my name as the second finisher in my age group. Had to be a mistake. 

My running buddy shaved three minutes off her time from the one we did earlier in the year. The young man I took to Detroit came in fourth overall and first in his age group. Good morning for all of us.

There's another 5K this coming Saturday within walking distance of the shack. I'll check the weather and decide if I want to do that one. There's another 5K July 1st that's also a ruck march. I was planning on doing the ruck march but I don't know if my shoulder will co-operate with a 22 lb. pack. I'll throw a couple of pounds in it a try it out this week.

 

I went to the doctor on Thursday to get my shoulder checked out. I hurt it a while back holding punch mitts at the gym. It had gotten better, so I didn't think I needed a doctor but it reached a point of no improvement and I was feeling something like a pinched nerve all the way down into my wrist. The doc checked me out and diagnosed it as a frozen shoulder and wanted to get an x-ray to make sure there wasn't anything broken. When I mentioned another part of my past medical history, he thought an x-ray on the neck would be in order.

I went to the hospital to get the x-rays and the shoulder went fine but when I asked about the ones for the neck, the x-ray tech said it wasn't on the order but if I called the doc's office they could fax the order and I could get that done without having to drive back up there again. I called the office but it was 12:05 and they're closed between 12:00 and 1:00 for lunch. I went down the street a bit and did some grocery shopping while waiting to call back. I called a little after 1:00 and was on hold for about 15 minutes but they faxed the order in.

After checking back in, went to x-ray and the tech said the new order was the same as the old order. She called the reception desk and apparently, they gave her the wrong one. She had me wait, went and got the correct one, and we got the x-rays taken. She checked the x-rays to make sure they were OK and then she asked me if I had ever had surgery on my neck before. Not sure what she saw but I'll discuss it with the doctor when I go back. I've got an appointment for an evaluation with the physical therapist next week also. 

I had a mailbox full of Sportster parts yesterday - cam gears, bearing and shims for the end play. The used gears all look good except cam #1. My #1 looks excellent. I don't relish the idea of mixing and matching gears in the train but I'll figure something out. 

The Koyo bearing sounds like it's an oriental item, but it's actually made in the USA - must have been some corporate merger in there somewhere.

I'm doing a 5K this morning. I'm thinking the shoulder is going to slow me down, which doesn't really bother me, so I'll just chauffer my running buddies around, enjoy a walk and then we can do breakfast. It should be a nice cool morning for a 5K.

Keeping Busy

I think I've got everything ordered that I'm going to need to put the Sportster cam chest back together. Since I'm going to swap out the one bearing, I made a bearing driver from a chunk of aluminum I had laying around. 

And since I'm waiting on parts, I started mounting the seat. The front mounting bracket came out looking good but I need to slot the holes a bit that fasten it to the seat. The seat has a threaded insert in the back of it to bolt through the fender but I can't get my fingers up in there to bolt the back down. For right now, I'm just going to leave the back loose until I get the motor fired up and running. There's two holes in the fender behind the seat. One of them has a bolt with a domed nut on it, the other is just a hole. I need to get a pair of matching bolts and nuts or make some sort of decorative plate and bolt it on. The easiest way to access the inner fender will be to remove the rear tire. If I do that, probably a good time to get a new tire mounted up.

I should have most of the parts by the beginning of next week. I might even have it running by the end of the week, depending on what I find out at the doctor this morning. I screwed up my shoulder a while back. I figured it would have healed by now but that's not the case. I have a limited range of motion and it hurts like hell if I try to move it the wrong way. Definitely need to get it fixed.

Damage Report

 

Here's the bits and pieces I described in the last post - picture's worth a 1,000 words and all that.

Surly said skip the dealer, since it would be questionable if they would have the parts in stock. I ran into that working on the last Sportster. He sent me the links on eBay for the thrust plate and a 5 pack of shims. They're ordered and should be here in a couple of days. Easy enough and I didn't have to make a 50 mile round trip run to find out they didn't have the parts, or they had to order them and then make another trip.

I wasn't sure what I was going to do with the cam. The thrust surface is worn down and no longer square. I didn't think the fact that it got hot would hurt anything. The lobe wasn't affected but the shaft runs in a needle bearing, so welding on the cam might not be such a good idea. While I was mulling over a couple of repair options Surly said forget trying to fix it - we're not in Cuba after all (I love that boy's sense of humor). So, I've got a set of used gears on the way.

I still need to check everything in the crankcase and the case cover before I put it back together. Check end play and all that as well. I'm hoping I don't come across anymore surprises. As long as that's the case, I should have it running next week.

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

 

Nice cool day yesterday again, so I went upstairs in the "new barn" and sharpened a few knives. 

Surly commented that the nylon inserts on the lock nuts might melt on the pipe clamps. I figured they would probably be OK and if not, I could safety wire them or just go with lock washers. However, after I got to thinking about it, I remembered I had a can of aircraft hardware that might have something I could use. I got lucky and had a couple of lock nuts of the pinch type and some stainless bolts. That should do it.

And that's about when my luck ran out. I pulled the cam cover off to start getting the cams timed and check the end play when I discovered the flat wear plate behind the #3 cam was boogered up. It's ground up a bit where the cam goes through it and one of the end play shims was bent. Both the cam and the plate have discoloration due to heating and the cam has some damage where it goes through the plate. It looks like the shim fell out of alignment when they were installing the cams and they forced it together. It couldn't spin, so it generated heat. I'm going to the dealer today to see about a new wear plate and check on the availability of the shims. I think I can save the cam, but I want to get Surly's take on it before I do anything else.

I thought this was going to be an easy one - should have known better. These kinds of things are where I always get sidetracked. Since I can't keep moving, I have a tendency to jump on another project and the original one stalls. However, I'm determined to ride this thing this summer.

Cork Seals

 

The weather was cool and overcast with a little bit of rain falling once in a while yesterday. Good day to get caught up on some reading and do a bit in the shop, so I installed the new seals on the pushrod tubes. Underneath the engine is a puppy training pad to keep the tools off the floor and to catch any oil that drips. Since it's a Harley, that'll be SOP.

I finished the Young Forever book. Interesting book, especially if you're interested in all the nutrients that make us tick. I was surprised that the book didn't give much in the way of actual recipes, mostly just info on what your body requires, how best to determine that and supplements that will help you achieve your optimal health for longevity. My own take-away is I need to eat more protein. He mentions that you need more protein as you age, which is counter to what I have always thought. A couple of the things in the book are at odds with what I have read in Dr. Fuhrman's books, but it did shed some light on the topic of functional medicine. Some further research is in order on that topic.

Got a few things on the calendar this week, but I want to get the cams installed and the side cover buttoned up on The Sportster. The tires have some sidewall cracking, so I need to get a pair or cover up the cracks with some shoe polish like Burt Munro in The World's Fastest Indian. I'll get it sorted and then shop for some tires. The tires are Goodyears - might be original to the bike. I'm sure they'll grip the corners well.

Sportster Update

 

I've been listening to this tune since I was fourteen years old. The vocalist passed away last week, as most of you are probably aware, and I wasn't going to post anything but I heard an instrumental version playing in the background of a rerun of Murder She Wrote. Most of the television I watch is just on for background noise to drown out the tinnitus. However, many of the shows from the seventies and eighties are relatively new to me since I was working full time and going to night school at that time. Actually, a much better use of my time. Yesterday I was printing out pages of the Harley manual while the show was on. Pretty good use of my time there also.

The air filter showed up yesterday as forecast by the tracking number. Not only is it marked with the UNI part number, it also has the HD number on the tag as well. That's a nice touch.

I worked on the Sportster a bit yesterday. A bit more cleaning and polishing, and then took a look at the pipes. While I'm not a fan of drag pipes, that's what I've got to work with for starters. I might see about some inserts to quite them down later on, or maybe make a new exhaust similar to the original one.

The mounting clamps needed the holes filed to allow the pinch bolts to go through the hole easily. If you look at the middle bolt in the photo, you can see how it's bent. New bolts and lock nuts for those two, new washers and lock nuts for the two bolts that hold the support bracket to the frame. That'll get a coat of paint on it before it goes back on the bike. 

I printed out a few pages of the manual to keep me honest when I finish taking the engine apart. I need to replace the seals on the lifter tubes and button up the cams, which should be most of the mechanical stuff necessary for the engine to run. 

Almost Ready

The gasket for the cam cover came in yesterday. From the tracking number, the air filter should be here today. I should have most everything I need to start the cleaning and reassembling of the engine.

Haven't spent much time in the shop this week but did take care of some necessary business. The Missus and I took a ride out in the country to get some strawberries - good tasing berries at a reasonable price. Plus, nice day for a drive and we stopped for lunch in a little town on the way home. 

The guy showed up to finish hooking up the wiring on the new pole. He was working solo, so I wanted to keep an eye on him. Plus, he had to kill the power in the shop, so no working then. That's one big item off the list now, though. The weather's been good lately - daytime temps in the seventies, nighttime temps in the fifties. Other than the lack of rain, damn near perfect.

I've got another meeting next week and a 5K Saturday, but that's about the only thing on the schedule. Should be able to make plenty of progress on the projects.

Points Cover

I made a points cover for the Sportster yesterday. The stock one's looking pretty shabby and since I have a fixture for making one left over from making the one for my Sprint, I decided to give it a go.

The Sprint one was a little more involved, but looks good on the bike. The hole spacing on the Sportster cover is a little wider than the Sprint cover, so I had to drill a couple more holes in the fixture.

The almost finished product looks like it belongs there. I still need to open up the mounting holes. They're threaded now to hold the cover onto the fixture. I'll take care of that and then buff it up a bit. 

I ordered some fuel line - that came in yesterday. I'm still waiting on the air filter and the cam chest gasket. I'll get the seat mounted while I'm waiting on that stuff and see about getting the David Bradley running. Still have some lumberjacking to do also. No rest for the wicked.

Parts

 

Some of the Sportster parts showed up yesterday - more on the way.

One of which is a new air filter element. There were a few mouse turds in the housing, so I don't know if the mice chewed all the foam up, if it just disintegrated due to time and solvents, or a combination of things. Regardless, a new one is on the way.

I cleaned up the inside of the air filter housing and then commenced to polishing a couple of the chrome pieces. They cleaned up nicely. I'm thinking of replacing the points and condenser with an electronic unit. Hopefully, the previous owner will find the battery. He said it was new a year ago. I'd hate to buy one and then he finds the other one.

Living Large in a Small Sorta Way

That's not me. I've been blessed to retain my natural curiosity and enough drive to pursue things I'm interested in. I've never been the greatest at anything but I've had a lot of fun, done a lot of things, and probably most importantly, met a lot of great people along the way. And, hopefully, I've got a long way to go yet - at least that's the premise of the new book.

Sportster parts should start arriving today. I need a little hardware to put it back together, though. Most of the bolts on these things are fine threads and I don't keep many of them in house. I need to move some things around in the shop to have room to work on it and the jitney. I did make the spacers for the gas tank yesterday while the grandson was welding.

The boy's welds are progressing right smartly. Vee groove with E-7018 electrode. 

Yard work is progressing. Had part of a big tree come down in the back yard. I started cutting it up but still have a big chunk to finish. If I can get it cut up and split before too much longer, it'll be ready to burn this upcoming heating season.

Nice weather the last couple of days - rode the Himalayan over to the barber shop Monday. Good to be out, whether it's on the scoot, the push bike or walking. Lots of benefits to fresh air and vitamin D.

On The Nose

 

More yard work yesterday. I cleaned out all the dead oak leaves on the north side of the house and planted another Hosta on the east end. The ferns are well established and looking good. The ground cover suffered a bit from being covered with leaves this late in the season and the raking, but it'll be fine. The magnolia in the top photo is a late bloomer, which is nice. It spreads the flowering season out over about six weeks. I've got a couple of things still to plant - should get that taken care of today. I ordered some tulip bulbs but they won't be shipped until August. When I get those planted that should pretty much take care of the plantings other than replacements and garden plants. I'm at the point where I've got lots of perennials and fruit trees - all I want to care for. I've got cars and motorcycles to build, after all.

Speaking of which, I ordered some parts for the Sportster yesterday. I'm changing up my schedule due to the hot weather - get out early to get my exercise in, lay low during the heat of the afternoon, then get out later when it cools down to take care of the chickens, cut the grass and work in the shop. It's supposed to be cooler next week so I want to get the grandson down again to help me out with some more yard work. 

The training and diet program has paid off. I hit 165 lbs on the nose yesterday morning first thing, so I'm officially a middleweight again. It's been a long time since I could say that. Still a little soft in the middle and I've lost some muscle in the last few years, but I'm working the plan. I don't know if that will keep me young forever, but it'll probably be part of the plan. I picked the above book up from the library the other day and I'm about 50 pages in - very interesting. He says that in a few years it might be possible to live to 100 -120 years old and not suffer from the typical diseases that effect most of the elderly. Might be too late for me, but from what I've read so far, he says people my age can improve their chances by following his plan. I'll report back after I finish the book.

Happy Days Are Here Again

 

Happy days are indeed here again. My air conditioner I ordered came in yesterday, instead of next week like I expected - worked out real well for me. I had to head north to pick up the grandson, so I was able to grab it and save myself a trip later.

The first thing we did when the grandson and I got back to the shack was to get the bike carrier out of the barn and go get the Sportster. When we got that unloaded, we got the old AC unit in the window. Surprisingly enough, it didn't take much fiddlin' to make it fit in the new window. 

Next up was to dig all the implements for the David Bradley out into the open. From left to right: disk, plow, planter, cultivator, snow blower, and there's a blade on the front of the tractor. I've got a guy who has expressed interest in buying the tractor and the implements. I'm not interested in making a fortune on this stuff, just need to get it gone. I'll get the tractor running again in a couple of days and if the guy isn't interested, I'll put everything on Marketplace or Craigslist. That'll make a good start on thinning the herd.

The new AC unit is supposed to fit windows up to 36 inches wide - mine measures 38". I'll get it unpacked and see what I need to do to install the unit. Might have to get the grandson down here again to help me out. He was a big help yesterday. He was asking about the vintage trials bike while he was here. Need to get that finished up so all of us can ride it. Doesn't need much - maybe work on it while I'm waiting on the Sportster parts to arrive. 

Bouncing All Over The Map - Like Always

 

Another tune from the CD I've been listening to in the truck lately - and in my case I've got plenty to smile about. I've been out on the push bike, been doing some hiking and bought myself a Sportster. I've got the youngest grandson lined up to help me pick it up later today. I'm going to have him help me install the air conditioner and dig out the David Bradley and all the attachments while he's here. Since I'm dragging something home with wheels underneath it, something else with wheels needs to go.

A little late in the season, but my order of plants arrived yesterday. However, the ground is very dry and it's been hot - tough conditions to get plants started. As long as I keep them watered well after planting, they should be OK. It would be best to have some cool, cloudy days until they get established. We did get some rain yesterday, though. Enough that I didn't have to water the garden, the other plants and it should help the corn prosper, as well.

I need to repair the mailbox for my old boss at the side gig. This one and a couple more got bashed by a drunk driver. The post was a piece of 2" sch 80 pipe that got a big "U" bend installed and broke it off the bottom of the box. Fixing it won't be very hard, I just need to get a pair of hinges and a piece of pipe or tubing. I can have the grandson do the welding. Time to see if the welding lessons are paying off.