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.