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I was going to buy a tool like that, but wanted to “try before I buy” kinda deal. With you endorsement though, I’ll pick one up next time I’m at Princess Auto.
Today in The Shop, I finally laid down Dark Blue, and Semi-gloss clear on my bike frame. Loving the results so far, but I wanna see it in the sunlight. Towards the end of the can of clear, some white sediment came out the can and gave a “speckled” finish. Pissed me off as it happened, but I think it’ll hardly be noticeable once the bike is re-dressed. Either way, not gonna re-do it, or lose any sleep.
I was hoping to go another month before being able to post these up.
Nov 1st, first accumulation for the year.
Nov 2nd, first snow recovery of the year.
I can’t believe the improvement from the new carrier bearing. The back end feels smoother and quieter now. I have yet tp hear the rear axle / driveshaft flop around while decelerating especially at bumpy intersections.
Did that U joint tool look like a modified C-Clamp, or some kind of contraption?
Love the new tires too, the tread compound is SOOO much softer than the previous 100K set.
Today in The Shop, Redee taking a break from the stress of commuting this past week. She ran me to-and-from Wasaga 3 days while truckee was on axle stands.
It took 3 nights of wrenching, but Truckee finally got some lovin! I replaced both E-brake cables, put in brake new shoes, had the drums turned, put in a new driveshaft carrier bearing and one U-Joint. Since completion, I driven exactly 60ft, the length of my driveway haha.
Hopefully next week I’ll stay late at work to put in a set of new-to-me OEM leaf springs to replace the broken pass side. Afterwards I’ll bolt in the Total Chaos bedside stiffeners, and bolt on my cap for the winter. Uggghh, winter, dreading that shit already.
That reclaimed wood wall worked out well, looks really good. Got that heat installed just in time too, freakin’ cold out now.
Today in The Shop, snow tire swap over onto the Caravan, and another Coleman stove refurb.
Snow tires went on without any drama. One of the all seasons picked up a rusty old 2” nail this past week, so I’ll plug that up after I buy a new package of plugs.
The Coleman stove I got from my buddy’s dad. Just happened to cross paths with him last week, and he was looking for help to lift something heavy. 20 mins later when I’m heading out, I said “Sweet Coleman stove there Greg!”….to which he replies “You know what that is? Keep it! Been in the shed unused at least 20-years.” Perfect! Took me about an hour to strip it down, wire wheel the spider webs, rust and grime out, and reassemble it. She held pressure, and fired up perfectly on the first match. Functionally this stove is 10/10. Aesthetically only a 6/10 haha. Good enough for me.
Although these stoves are cheap to come across, I can’t help hoarding them haha. I think I need to cap my collection at 3-units though, so I’m gonna give this stove to James. Hopefully in exchange for some IT support or computer upgrades haha. My shop computer is nearly GARBAGE.
Today in The Shop, I put down 4 light coats of primer onto the DR600 frame. I used up two full cans of primer, and wore out my trigger fingers on both hands in the process.
Hoping to lay down some blue before the weekend is through.
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I was too jumpy on my claim to be finished blasting. I “found” a few more pieces that need attention, mainly the rear swingarm (after I disassemble it) and the pegs.
Ugggh, I doubt the swingarm will fit in my cabinet unfortunately.Tomorrow however, 20 degree weather in the forecast should allow me to lay down a few coats of primer on the frame.
Torn on a colour for the swingarm. Looks like a basic grey, wondering how primer and clearcoat would turn out. Not gonna bother reapplying decals, I prefer the badgeless look.
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Today in The Shop, all the stars alligned permitting me to complete the sand blasting on the DR600 frame!! Using 100ft of air line, I was able to use my neighbours 60-gallon compressor, and get the blaster dialed right in. I figure it took about 120 pounds of sand to fully strip the frame, but plenty was wasted along the way, call it learning haha.
Overall, the process of sand blasting sucks…..but the results speak for themselves.
We all had a blast!
Redee has finally stopped dripping ATF from the power steering, only took 12-days haha.
The V8 / auto combo was pretty easy offroad, but the laziness factor didn’t convince me to keep the auto forever. Redee would be better with a stick, On road and Off. Sigh…..someday….
Well it didn’t happen in my shop, but Truckee got new tires yesterday. I didn’t get too adventerous and got exactly what I already had, LT265/70-17 Duratracs 6-ply. I got 6-years and 97,000km from the last set, still with tread before the wear bars, but all the good tread was long gone. I kept my old tires, Matt needs a replacement spare tire for his 4th Gen, and I may build a teeter-totter in the backyard utilizing some.
My buddy Eric has just opened up his own tire shop in Barrie, less than 2-weeks ago. If you’re in the Barrie area, or in the market for tires, call Eric @ 705-985-8473.
The Shop and I have been busy lately, but not a lot has been completed.
Since getting the 10-gal sand blaster from @Slick, I’ve abused my air compressor stripping the frame. The lil Mastercraft unit runs almost 100% duty cycle trying to keep up. Today I’m heading to Princess Auto to exchange my 20-30 grit media, for 30-60 grit in hopes that it clogs the deadman valve less frequently.
Also rolled into the shop, 1999 GSX-R 750 that I’m fixing for a buddy. The bike has a garbage tank, and beat up plastics, but is a gem otherwise.
And yesterday I pulled the drums off my Quadrunner to inspect the wheelbearings and shoes. Both need to be replaced, but with very low urgency.
No worries buddy, we never caught the Northbound group. I had my eyes out for your group on our return trip, but I spotted your LC somewhere between getting out the FJ, and getting a beer from the cooler. Literally by minutes we didn’t cross paths. Always good to chat with you buddy.
Since we didn’t catch the Northbound group, I led and coached James till we came up on a newbie lady and her bf in a TJ trying to meet her Jeep friends. Then I lead and coached her till they found the group campsite. James and I carried on another couple hours.
Like all before them who experience Ardbeg, James and Matt are both hooked, desperately looking to acquire skid plates and lift haha.
Redee has pulled her biggest adventure to date, leading a rookie expedition to Ardbeg.
Besides being incredibly thirtsy, Redee didn’t miss a beat and kept her temps in check.We toured from Shelburne through Wasaga Beach to Parry Sound, each filling up in both locations. I estimate it to be about 200kms of mixed Rural and highway. We rarely sped.
Let’s try to match the fuel consumption to the vehicle
Redee 42L
Matt’s 4th gen 22L
James’ FJ 20LOk it’s aligned, no test here.
No damage to report. The Duratracs were very noisy on the highway, lots of tread vibrations felt too, but Redee is an uninsulated tin can, so I got what I expected. The power steering and windshield both leaked, but neither spoiled any fun.
Since getting home I re-torqued the lugs (which were perfect), greased the driveline, and investigated some steering noises. The idler arm has play in it, again it was expected since I bought a cheap one. Still must rotate the tires, unfavourable camber wear is showing up front.
A great weekend on the rock, the weather even cooperated for the most part.
We setup Thursday around 5pm, tore down Sunday 10am, home by 3pm.
James toured about 1/2 to 2/3 to the train tracks on North Trail Saturday afternoon, he and the FJ both performed well and had a blast.
We chatted with Evan @Toy-Yota on Friday and Saturday a few minutes. We missed you on our return trip from North Trail by 5 mins.
I prefer summer camping, but both Matt and James carried on about the superiority of fall camping. The breathtaking colours and lack of bugs sure were awesome. As was the blueberry grunt James made in the coals.
Looking forwards to the next trip.
