tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-379884562011-11-27T16:32:02.949-07:00Cuz sometimes stock isn't good enough.S.G.noreply@blogger.comBlogger1081100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-50188938595310847122009-04-11T12:14:00.004-06:002009-04-11T12:22:17.773-06:00

From nataliedee.comThat's right folks, I have moved the blog to a new home. As has been so very obvious for many days, I really have not talked about my Honda. Instead I sound off about whatever I feel like, whenever I feel like it. Plus I recently began working on a '59 F100 and have tossed all my energy behind it. So how do you fit a truck into a blog called rat-bike chronicles?? You really

S.G.noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-64582242085937307472009-02-25T11:11:00.000-07:002009-02-25T11:12:32.830-07:00

Now this is music to my ears.

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-54701867953347920772009-02-16T17:00:00.006-07:002009-02-22T08:38:08.729-07:00

So while I the blog is supposed to be about motorcycles, I got nothing going on at the moment. With prepping and packing and just living life, the bike has been place on the backburner once again. Now I work in technology for a living and that means I sometimes get goodies to play with for work. Since my current job consists of testing software I get a few really nice computers to keep here in

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-76015769852366302422009-02-13T11:30:00.006-07:002009-02-13T20:40:57.841-07:00

This is as much for me as for anyone else looking for info. In my earlier post where I fixed my TV, I mentioned that I use a Linux box for a media center. So this job has been done on the cheap, spare parts and existing setup were being modified to work. No buying an Apple TV or a special set top system. So i have been bouncing back and forth between Boxee, MythTv and XBMC. All of them have their

S.G.noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-48468216959996662452009-02-07T09:45:00.002-07:002009-02-07T09:51:08.567-07:00

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-47514760969783723392009-02-03T10:13:00.002-07:002009-02-03T10:17:35.684-07:00

Not sure how, but I got it all onto one desk.And to think, I have to add a Mac Mini to this mess of crap soon. I really need a KVM.

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-74894132216502854272009-01-24T16:24:00.006-07:002009-01-24T17:01:17.331-07:00

So we got a big ol' TV. Huge really. 52 inches of HD projection TV goodness. We picked this up a few months ago when we moved to this house. Got a good deal and it has been sweet watching movies on it. I mean it fucking rocks.Well it has always had a few quirks. It would flicker when we would first turn it on. Not often and once it flickered it would be fine for the rest of the time.Well that was

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-26690563319584022862009-01-22T15:08:00.002-07:002009-01-22T15:17:08.396-07:00

I have added a little section to my sidebar for your listening enjoyment/torture. It's just a little music app where I will attempt to add people that I am playing heavily on repeat or think could be interesting. Right now I have two songs in my list. Dave Alvin and X. The X song is 4th of July, and if you are a fan, you have probably already heard it. What I just found out is that Dave Alvin

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-82110607281491987672009-01-20T14:09:00.004-07:002009-01-20T14:17:36.704-07:00

Did I ever mention how much I despise packing? The packing of all my crap into little boxes, figuring out what needs to go in the trash and what I need to keep. It is this painful, mind numbing process. See this isn't moving across the town, this is 700 miles. So that kinda rules out plastic bags and tossing crap in the back seat of the car. We have to carefully get things boxed, tagged and

S.G.noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-75368418791541246252009-01-16T19:41:00.000-07:002009-01-16T19:42:33.602-07:00

Since I am not doing anything motorcycle related, I am using this for random videos.Star Wars: Retold (by someone who hasn't seen it) from Joe Nicolosi on Vimeo.

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-56475588444482416672009-01-14T14:36:00.002-07:002009-01-14T15:09:35.789-07:00

Cali. to Cali. to Cali.That's right. We are heading back. Too cold too far from family and all that stuff. But there are a couple other reasons too. But anyway, I will be in move everything mode again for a while. I mean it, I am not going nowhere for a while this time. And if LL ain't your cup o' tea.

S.G.noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-27870855483947524002009-01-07T15:42:00.005-07:002009-01-07T15:46:19.216-07:00

I have to thank Jim for this one. Odd, wrong, but so damn fun to listen to. Then again I enjoy listening to strange shit like this. And I am a big Harpo Marx fan.And if you are curious, he has his own youtube channel. Heavy metal harp at its best.

S.G.noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-71182287457089810492009-01-06T19:06:00.001-07:002009-01-06T19:06:56.532-07:00

Apple Introduces Revolutionary New Laptop With No Keyboard

S.G.noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-79213968609161201672008-12-29T14:49:00.002-07:002008-12-29T15:09:27.564-07:00

Almost a week after Chrismas I know. But at least we didn't have to deal with the holiday crowds.Me, T, Jarod and T's family went into Salt Lake City to see the lights at the temple. I am not big on the whole Jeebus thing, but they certainly lit the place up with taste. We got there a bit early so went through a few of the visitor centers. It is interesting to be in such a place. We got to see

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-15984259184267004692008-12-24T16:44:00.003-07:002008-12-24T16:46:54.991-07:00

A merry little Christmas...Let's get it going the right way.

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-14157817408534790252008-12-22T15:22:00.001-07:002008-12-22T15:24:20.131-07:00

Someday, people will be lining up to buy my art. I am a Picasso, because when you look at my stuff, you have no idea what to make of it.

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-4093904935873336792008-12-22T11:47:00.002-07:002008-12-22T11:56:41.253-07:00

More snow. A lot more snow. So far I think we have gotten another 3-5 inches since this morning and it doesn't look like it is gonna let up for a while. Jack is having fun, but he does have a fur coat. Me I have an old field jacket that keeps me warm enough, but I sure the hell won't be jumping in the snow. I am too old and delicate for that stuff anymore. We are down to one boy right now. T's

S.G.noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-45757399775349687342008-12-19T12:37:00.002-07:002008-12-19T12:39:59.065-07:00

It just ain't right. Too damn cold for this thin fucking blood. I am gonna go hibernate. Seriously. Wrap up in the comforter with a case of Doritos and a case of beer. Don't bother me until it get back in the 50's. Thank you very fucking much!

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-61646544840693114292008-12-03T14:32:00.002-07:002008-12-03T14:58:00.148-07:00

There are some times where life decides that you suck and it is gonna try and make things as difficult as it possibly can. And so begins the saga of the leaky Elantra. It started maybe two years ago. I have a little Elantra that really is my beat-to-death commuter car. I really have no love for it. It replaced the full size Dodge truck that I really dug. I bought it for the simple fact that it

S.G.noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-38358545891341099432008-11-22T07:21:00.002-07:002008-11-22T07:35:59.069-07:00

So no updates since I haven't done any work. I still have the studs in the motor. And it is still hanging out in a corner of the desk/work table in the garage. Lately I have been getting things sorted out here at the house. Thanksgiving is coming soon and we are going to be shopping for food and getting the house cleaned up for T's folks to stay for a little while. One recent project was

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-87726634756038323712008-11-03T06:35:00.003-07:002008-11-04T14:56:13.543-07:00

Today is Election day. So please, vote. I don't give a fuck for whom, just go and vote.Don't let less than half of the country decide how the rest of it should be run. Be heard!

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-619122481573489362008-10-18T23:40:00.002-06:002008-10-19T00:30:01.592-06:00

It's bigger, it's taller, it's SUBURBIA!!! That's right, I am in the "heartland." Social conservatives surround me. I am surprised that I don't go into hives. Never did understand those people. I mean really, let's go over this thing.Let's make God worship a national law.Let's rewrite the Constitution to exclude the gays from marriage.Let's tell women what to do with their bodies.Let's let the

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-73767402416325224932008-10-14T11:00:00.002-06:002008-10-14T14:31:35.435-06:00

We are moved!So we have honestly been moved for a couple of weeks, but I am just now getting back in the groove. With getting the new digs ready, packing, unpacking, getting the Intarwebs going and then catching back up with class and work, I just didn't want to be arsed with the blog. So let's talk about the house. Here's where we started. Sadly enough the previous tenants were evicted, so while

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-62764482360080964612008-09-18T21:02:00.002-06:002008-09-18T21:15:54.049-06:00

OK. Nothing of any significance to post ATM. But here is the news of late. Site has been redesigned some. A color change, a header change, and I decided to add a couple of shirts through spreadshirt.com. Just look at the link to the right. -> You know part of me is tempted to be the foul mouthed version of the Video Professor. "Buy my fuckin' shit, please."T didn't get the job in Arizona. Can't

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-70029835385454239182008-09-08T09:08:00.003-06:002008-09-08T09:41:14.276-06:00

As I mentioned in my last post. I had something minor up my sleeve. Well I guess it is major for this blog. With all the goings on with me and my build, I have a bit of downtime and too broke to buy tools time. So I started thinking bout what to do here. I have posted some YouTube shit. But really I figure that is mostly for people that haven't got a single thing to say. And me? I always got an

S.G.noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-65472953591320314432008-09-07T18:08:00.003-06:002008-09-07T18:09:50.605-06:00

That's right boy and girl. I have something in the works, hopefully here very soon. Just keep an eye on this space. Soon you should see a nice new piece in my hopelessly inane style.

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-51978861865107832772008-09-02T13:41:00.002-06:002008-09-02T13:47:26.977-06:00

For anyone that also knows me from other boards, I was asking about the lay of the land in Arizona. T was interviewing with the people that just bought out her company, and it was looking pretty good. Well not sure what happened, but they decided not to hire her on. Probably not wanting to deal with paying her benefits and such. (They were a start-up) Anyway, it had put the Honda on hold. But

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-60343219817372832032008-08-24T08:55:00.000-06:002008-08-24T09:01:16.090-06:00

Things are happening right now. So we are on another hiatus. I should know something soon. http://toothpastefordinner.com

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-37827264321369258222008-08-13T11:23:00.000-06:002008-08-13T11:25:21.534-06:00

Time to start scrubbing it off. It only took a drill, a lead mallet, a cold chisel, and a gian flathead screwdriver. Simple.

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-9676801145449946142008-08-13T09:03:00.000-06:002008-08-13T09:09:25.753-06:00

Cold chisels rock. I have been grinding and pounding away on those Headnuts. For a while nothing was happening. But I changed tactics. I went from my small light duty tack hammer to my little lead persuader. I love that thing. Thump! Thump! Thump! And the nuts began to spin off. Excuse the blurry photos. I am definitely going to need to replace the studs now. But it really is the least of my

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-23589339993975402722008-08-11T10:53:00.000-06:002008-08-11T11:48:57.668-06:00

So back about a year and a half ago, I pulled my girder apart. Well I buggered up all the threads on the studs for it. So here I am thinking that I am as good as fucked. I have gone back and forth over this for nearly two years now. (two years!!!!!!!!!!) Do I fix it? Do I scrap it? How do I fix it?So I have tried to cut the studs down and put new ones in. I have looked at drilling and tapping.

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-40862787207132889822008-08-06T14:45:00.000-06:002008-08-07T23:34:29.842-06:00

What's there to say? I have been working piece by piece to get those damn fucking rounded off stuck ass nuts off my head on the motor. Stupid (proceeding to go into cussing up a blue streak) just won't budge. So I have resorted to going at it the old fashioned way. A cold chisel and hammer. I went over to Cycle Exchange's site and they offer replacement studs for relatively cheap. So if I bugger

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-27801005024828358522008-07-24T09:01:00.000-06:002008-07-24T10:23:57.124-06:00

So with the chop laying more or less stagnant in the garage, I look at it multiple times every day. See I keep my smoking seats there and also the bicycles. Plus it is easier to leave the house through the garage than the front door. (That fucker gets hot from the sun in the afternoons.)A couple of days ago I figured that I may as well get to doing some work on the damn thing before it decided to

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-14798243608641672562008-07-15T13:39:00.001-06:002008-07-15T14:15:49.297-06:00

Well we are back. Survived the round trip from here in Utah to So. Cal and back again. The trip itself was pretty uneventful. Lots of hours on the road. We took my little car since it gets almost ten miles per gallon better than T's Jeep. It adds up after a few hundred miles. Especially with gas prices the way they are. Though over the course of the week a "Check Engine" light did come on. Oh

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-69165328180230775632008-06-26T14:05:00.000-06:002008-06-26T14:14:51.078-06:00

A few videos to kill time. Let's start here. And to prove that my penis has not fallen off. Some Dead Kennedys.And this is just because I fucking can. Be back after the 4th!!

S.G.noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-4371832672886526982008-06-24T13:49:00.000-06:002008-06-24T14:51:48.070-06:00

Friday we will be on the road and heading back to California. Are we moving back? Tail between the legs?Fuck no. It is vacation time!!!!Hot damn, a vacation! I can't tell you the last time I took an official vacation. And a vacation with someone I really want to be with to boot. News TimeJarod is off of training wheels. Finally got him to break down and do some practicing the other day. And all

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-60501747938077923132008-06-09T12:30:00.000-06:002008-06-09T12:32:45.338-06:00

Since the last posting, I have been doing some serious thinking. I got my income tax refunds and "stimulus package" in also. So over the last week here I have gone back and forth. Do I just replace the parts I need, do I buy something that will get me by, or do I buy the parts to do it myself?Over and over. I have scoured the ads and ebay for stuff. Even asked about this on hondachopper.com. It

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-13133247233063366342008-06-02T13:37:00.000-06:002008-06-02T13:58:17.898-06:00

All the live long day....OK, so I was out of title names.But since I have been scrubbing off the motor, I could have instead titled it "Rubber ducky, you're the one..."Last week I bought me a big ol' can of Easy Off to get a few years of old oil and crud off the motor. The great thing about easy off, is that it's cheap, i can get it when I go to buy stuff for salads and pork chops, has lots of

S.G.noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-73874828583085915022008-05-27T09:45:00.000-06:002008-05-27T10:08:54.528-06:00

Or thereabouts. Can't honestly remember when I updated last time. And I really don't feel too inclined to save this, go find out, and then return to writing. I am a busy man, and I got things to do, people to talk to, shit to see. And once I get this finished up, I need to figure out a way to avoid it all. So let's start with the news from the homefront. Last week the boys went to the dentist.

S.G.noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-5622700929794474122008-05-16T10:33:00.000-06:002008-05-16T10:59:48.947-06:00

It's morning during a work day. And so rather than fuck around on this roaming profile for a Terminal Server or check to find out why our software is b0rk3d on the new XP Service Pack 3 (Actually I am downloading it right now) I am gonna show some of my older toys.edit: The images are looking kinda fucked. I pulled these from my old photobucket account. And it was shit like this that made go over

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-631427892398007742008-05-15T09:53:00.000-06:002008-05-15T10:09:25.164-06:00

I do keep an eye on the traffic that comes through my blog.I have used something called Sitemeter for a while now. Pretty decent stuff. It doesn't keep records for long. But since I am not paying for it, why do I care?So today I was looking through my hits and caught a bunch of people coming in from a blog called bikerblogs. Anyway, I thought it was kinda cool to have my shitty little blog listed

S.G.noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-80347595553617404512008-05-14T09:14:00.000-06:002008-05-14T10:09:02.535-06:00

OK, I know there has to be market for this thing. But it is definitely not something I would be so hot to trot about.And here is the Can Am Spyder.From looking at the web site, this thing has the same motor that Buell uses in their sport bikes. Stability control, adaptive steering, ABS, adjustable suspension, cup holders and a DVD player. OK, so I am kidding about the last two, but you get the

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-3568933119539006362008-05-05T13:27:00.000-06:002008-05-05T14:40:27.457-06:00

Yes, you get a three part update. You might enjoy it. Then again, you might not. But just so you know, I am doing it anyway.The weekend after my last post, an old friend of ours came in from Nebraska to visit for a couple of days. It was pretty cool. T hasn't seen her in about 3 years and I haven't seen her in nearly 10. So for a couple of days, we hung out, drank, woke up with stomachs that

S.G.noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-29645348454647173612008-04-16T11:44:00.000-06:002008-04-23T12:17:47.504-06:00

So I have looked at the blog and my recent posts. Some fine motorcycle blogging this has turned out to be. I start on one subject and then somewhere along the line I get totally sidetracked.So if you were hoping for a biker journal when you put this in your bookmarks, I am sorry that I disappointed you. (OK, I really don't give a damn, but it sounded like the nice thing to say.)So what the fuck

S.G.noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-87697648980317348262008-04-15T13:36:00.000-06:002008-04-15T15:11:12.015-06:00

So last Friday was the last day of school for the boys. Spring break is finally here. T and I have been setting up a visit for both of the boys. Her son is off to visit his dad and my boy is off to visit some grandparents.So I got off the clock at 3 and we began to get things ready for the trip. Actually T got everything ready while I was still in the basement working. And I just helped schlep

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-28626586650629399012008-04-11T10:47:00.000-06:002008-04-11T10:52:54.960-06:00

Good Friday! Well maybe not in the Jesus coming out of the crypt type of Good Friday. But it is a good one nonetheless.Today, is the last day of school for the boys. And next week is Spring Break.I can guess what may be going through some minds out there. "What the fuck is so great about that? A pair of boys running rampant through the house while you are trying to work? What are you sneaking

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-71712463409879533362008-04-05T07:02:00.000-06:002008-04-06T08:05:36.866-06:00

Last week, the weather took a turn for the fucked up. Snow and ice. Not lots of it. But enough to make all the streets turn white and coat them in a good layer of ice. Now since I have been an unemployed, lazy ass bastard, it meant very little to me. Except it sucks to smoke when it is snowing. Especially when your house porches are little slabs of concrete left out to weather. So when it snows

S.G.noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-27561434617491155602008-03-28T19:42:00.000-06:002008-03-28T19:59:19.300-06:00

Alright, getting further into this whole Utah move deal.I am getting used to the new digs. The place is alright. Some things that are a bit messed up around here, but all in all for the price tag it is still pretty damn good.The schools are damn nice here. And it looks like the boys are doing good so far.And this week I went back to work. FUCK YEAH!!! I love this work shit. I used to talk about

S.G.noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-80412617294828843392008-03-18T18:00:00.000-06:002008-03-20T09:06:41.178-06:00

OK, so I am big fat liar. It has been just about 2 1/2 weeks in.So what have I observed about Utah in this period of time? Well, I wonder why they require mirrors on cars, when obviously no one uses them. Same goes for turn signals. I keep wondering if these mongoloids are stupid, or just don't give a shit.But at least traffic is light. I can get on the freeway and lock it in at 80 and just go.

S.G.noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-41831859060938809102008-03-06T08:50:00.000-07:002008-03-06T10:47:45.010-07:00

I here! And I am... In Utah??Yes! Yes, I am!It is cold, it is windy, it is... not California.We spent Friday loading up the truck. By the time we were finished, we had the truck to the back door and packed up my car on the dolly to the top. The only thing we left behind was the Honda. The poor chopper keeps getting the redheaded step-child treatment. I keep leaving it behind whenever I move. But

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-10477688290949569302008-02-25T11:37:00.000-07:002008-02-25T11:44:29.934-07:00

I am doing this update from work on a lovely warm Monday morning. And Thursday is it for me. Then Friday we will be hauling and boxing and getting ready for a 4am getaway.The last three weeks have flown by. I mean Flown by. Hard to believe that soon I will be out of here and out of the state and we will be onto something new. T and I were talking the other night (yeah we actually talk, it is nice

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-85942461216378144432008-02-18T16:00:00.000-07:002008-02-18T16:11:08.551-07:00

So off we are going. Two more weeks to go.T and I have been trying to get everything set up and ready for this move. It seems to be going along ok. I am pulling some OT to cover a few costs, she is trying to get her bosses to get up to date on her pay and then we have deposits and paperwork and all the other good stuff to do. (Was that a hell of a run-on sentence or what?)Today T met up with a

S.G.noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-59172737920374370592008-02-11T11:34:00.000-07:002008-02-11T11:48:20.023-07:00

I am moving to the most Republican county, in the most Republican state, in the U.S.A thousand miles from the place that I have bitched about being my home for over ten years.Surely I am joking. Right? Wrong. So very wrong.My girl was offered a spot with her old company that will truly outshine what she has made since she has come back to Cali. And me, well what can I say? I am going along. Hell

S.G.noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-23791746355865945342008-02-02T15:01:00.000-07:002008-02-02T15:30:51.405-07:00

Well well. Here I am writing about something that I have DONE, not talked about doing. What in the world happened? Ahh yes, I got the Ultimatum.So today we all went outside. My little one was visiting his grandmother. So T and her little one came out for a little bit and practiced their Heelys. And I took a few pics.After that, I went into the carport and started doing a little bit of work. Just

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-85687255148185531542008-01-30T10:32:00.000-07:002008-01-30T10:39:29.544-07:00

That's right. T put her foot down last night about having pieces of a motorcycle in our carport. Last night we were in the bedroom talking and she says to me. "I want you to get the motorcycle finished by spring. Right now it's winter, so it's not a big deal, but you need to get it running by spring."Now how fucking cool is that? Come on guys. We all are familiar with the girls that give you a

S.G.noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-89873049296959869882008-01-12T00:33:00.000-07:002008-01-12T00:49:35.052-07:00

I just realized that I have been on this little journey for over a year now. December of 2006 this hunk of Japanese aluminum and American steel came into my life. And what a strange journey the chop has taken.Starting (supposedly) from Arizona. To camping outside the garage of a group of people that believe they are living with the second coming of Jesus. Really, they do. I cannot make this kind

S.G.noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-11376978479304218502008-01-02T09:29:00.000-07:002008-01-02T10:23:57.964-07:00

So yesterday afternoon, I brought an old member of the family home to stay. That's right, I finally got off my (heavier, post-holiday) ass and picked up the Honda. T was kind enough to let me sully up the back of her Jeep (with leather, even) to get it. Perhaps she didn't realize just how dirty this thing really is. Or maybe she kinda likes me. No matter, I did make sure to lay out my over shirt

S.G.noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-26781867291970572242007-12-17T14:44:00.000-07:002007-12-17T15:40:23.318-07:00

Ever get that sinking feeling in your gut that you really need a head check? I get those. Usually after I pull some stunt where I do the very thing I shouldn't do. So let me say that I am no great guy. Just an average ass that messes up things. But what I lack for in amount, I make up for in intensity. So I may not screw up thirty times in a day, but the few times I do mess up, I really screw the

S.G.noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-21843008216440305712007-11-06T10:22:00.000-07:002007-11-06T10:38:10.341-07:00

Well, a good day/afternoon/night/3 a.m. boredom session to you great internet readers.I have not died, quit, fallen off my tricycle, or been mauled by wild debt collectors (yet). As the title states, I have just been a touch distracted. Well perhaps that is an understatement, I have been wholly distracted and occupied by a life that has more turns than a rally race. I know I said that I was

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-6204085559934614742007-09-28T10:45:00.000-06:002007-09-28T11:27:55.579-06:00

That's right, beware of those that are clearly idiots. I have a tendency to see many morons first hand. And I am here to pass this knowledge of what to look for when traversing the freeways.To put it in the simplest terms. Everyone on the freeway is an idiot. But that really doesn't help you, does it? There are a few classes of idiots, and each have their own things that you should watch out for.

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-52766656426099075702007-09-12T15:16:00.000-06:002007-09-12T15:24:14.731-06:00

Let me give a brief idea on the layout of this wondrous system of roadways here in So. Cal.I have heard the line about the interstate and freeway system being the arteries of the nation. The same is true for California. The roads are what keep California alive and rockin'.But you have to understand these are not the arteries of a 20 yr old marathon runner. No. These are the arteries of a

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-61644633789796256982007-09-07T09:05:00.000-06:002007-09-07T10:01:08.445-06:00

Since I am currently in slacker mode for the bike build, I have been rather sporadic on my updates. Mainly this is due to the fact that there has been no progress on the Honda. With this in mind the blog has taken a slight detour into the slightly disturbing and convoluted corners of my mind. This might be a bit off-putting for some folk, but please bear with me. I will return to the roots of

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-893997357089635822007-08-22T09:37:00.000-06:002007-08-22T09:57:11.810-06:00

Hello, I am Shroom, and I am an addict.So for the past two weeks I have sat on the fence about getting another bike. So I look, ogle, and drool. But not bought. Well yesterday afternoon I get a call from a guy named Don that I met a few weeks back.He and his brothers were doing an estate sale for their mom that had passed away. I had just dropped by to see what deals could be there. That day I

S.G.noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-75342391389753516162007-08-18T11:53:00.000-06:002007-08-18T12:12:43.061-06:00

I promised that this blog would not be a bitch fest. I am too old to go all emo and shit on people. Whaa.Well you know, fuck it. If you don't like it, just close the window and don't come back. Bye. I backed out of the other KZ the other night. $200 was a good deal to be honest. I have put some shit together that looked worse and kept them alive indefinitely. But money is very tight at the moment

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-80910391969523022402007-08-16T09:19:00.000-06:002007-08-16T09:27:09.696-06:00

No updates on the chop lately. Busy and just a bit frazzled. So what do I do when I am not tweaking on the project? I go bike shopping! Maybe I did get dropped on my head when I was a baby. Or it could be one toke too many, or perhaps my liver has begun to poison my bloodstream. Right now I have a couple of leads on some late 70's early 80's KZ's. Both of them are projects, but not quite the

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-7290865054002957222007-07-27T12:00:00.000-06:002007-07-27T14:19:06.223-06:00

It is true you can't keep a good man down. But what many people don't know is that you can't keep this fucker down either. I gotta keep my priorities straight right now. The bike is totally backburnered. Gonna be for an indefinite run from the looks of it. I don't have the extra outlay of green to put in it. Plus it looks like I am gonna need a change of venue. Yep that's right. Off to see where

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-65703192155011732012007-07-24T11:50:00.000-06:002007-07-24T12:08:43.005-06:00

As my last post mentioned, I had gotten to ride the 600RR to work for the tail end of last week. And most of the weekend before I returned the bike. Yesterday I was down and didn't roll into work. So today was the first time since last Tuesday I have gone to work in a cage. What a letdown. I mean really a letdown. I roll out of town behind cars. Stop at the lights. Behind cars. I accelerate.

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-61383643190403273272007-07-21T10:12:00.000-06:002007-07-21T12:24:19.254-06:00

but it is an update of sorts.Nope haven't worked on the bike. I am hoping to go this weekend while my boys are camping with the grandparents and maybe do a little work on it. But today is probably gonna be busy.Ever had a week where you just have to ask yourself, "What the fuck did I do to deserve this?" I thought so. Family stuff has brought the bike work to a screeching halt. No wait, not

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-15015067257438724022007-07-08T11:01:00.001-06:002007-07-08T11:35:04.485-06:00

It has been hot out here. I mean hot. Maybe not Arizona or Nevada hot, but definitely not exactly the sit in the sun and wrench kind of weather. It has been a consistent 105f+ around here for the last few days, 40c+ for anyone that uses that Metric system thing. So most of the weekend has been just trying to stay out of direct sunlight and planning. I am currently trying to get my ducks in a row

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-30112182321083897692007-07-01T19:36:00.000-06:002007-07-01T20:00:31.583-06:00

Mostly truth.My weekend didn't have much to do with bikes. Some personal stuff has cropped up that kept me from spending much of the weekend wrenching. I did get the oil pan from Paladin333 on hondachopper.com. He mentioned that it came off of a blown motor. So you can guess what I expected to see what would come to me. Well I was absolutely wrong on that one. It was clean and had been bead

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-10287926608033151462007-06-24T16:50:00.000-06:002007-06-24T16:57:16.651-06:00

Alright, I hauled my tins over to my Pop's place and put them on the frame and took a pics.Damn it is coming together piece by piece.I snagged some seat springs off my sister's beach cruiser seat for a few hours just to see if they would work. And they hold up very well. Now to see if I can find a set cheap locally. Or even snag a seat at a yard sale.I had sat on it fairly carefully. I did bounce

S.G.noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-43596592199069815812007-06-23T23:42:00.000-06:002007-06-24T08:36:23.222-06:00

Some days you wake up with with the Midas touch and other days you wind up being Midas in a alternate reality.You know, the one where you touch anything and it turns to shit.A few things went on yesterday. I shifted the mount back for the seat it will be aligned better with the seatpan area of the frame and also welded in some lower bungs for the springs. They are a bit wider at the frame side

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-87936080128032722462007-06-17T11:24:00.000-06:002007-06-17T11:41:47.394-06:00

To anyone with a little monster or two jumping around. Me I made my own Father's Day gift. I finished up the frame. The downtubes have been slugged and re-welded. Along with cross bars to replace those gussets that it did have. Thanks to Honda500Chopper on hondachopper.com, I had measurements that I could use to pretty well make sure I won't have to re-slug it again. Even got that mangled section

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-208212529505715462007-06-16T23:11:00.000-06:002007-06-16T23:58:51.301-06:00

I drank beer and fixed me some frame. Lots of beer and lots of frame. Damn near 10 hours of it too. I have it all together but the MIG decided to be a fuck and cause me some grief about halfway through the ordeal and once that was figured out I had lost some time. So tomorrow morning I will be back at it for an hour or so to get the finishing touches on it.But for some other good news I do have

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-76810448774154115702007-06-15T14:21:00.000-06:002007-06-15T14:33:21.933-06:00

I got me some steel today!Been dreading the hit to the wallet. Which has held me off from going and buying the stuff I need for the frame. But today I figured, "what the hell" and rolled over to a place nearby called KH Metals. Yeah I am plugging them. People were decent and I got my steel at $0.90 a lb. Granted that was out of the cast off pile. Though I got a good single piece that will be more

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-63999279946155216322007-06-11T21:53:00.000-06:002007-06-11T22:03:21.575-06:00

Yes I did. And god damn does it feel good. Tonight I finally got some grinder and welder time and cut up the cluster fucked mount I had made last week. I'll be honest, there is nothing like fucking something up to just take all the enjoyment right out of making stuff. I really had no motivation to even get onto the bike this weekend. So I cleaned up around here and drank beer. But out of a sense

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-38808549418312351832007-06-08T09:16:00.000-06:002007-06-08T09:26:41.608-06:00

There are times I wonder where the hell did the saying "money isn't everything" come from. Surely didn't come from a broke fuck like myself. I had hoped to get that mount bar cleaned up this week, but it never happened. I have pulled hours on a side gig pretty much all week. The money will be very welcome and is definitely needed. But man, it sucks when you can't turn it away. Well I guess I

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-59420241636370201762007-06-03T11:27:00.000-06:002007-06-03T11:50:37.848-06:00

I ran around last week and got a couple things done on the tank. But it is far from done.Since I don't have a reserve petcock on the bike, I decided to make one of the side gauges out of clear tubing. Plus I like the way they look.There is my little helper. He had to be part of this photo set, so I put him to work.I also picked up the copper 90s from an Ace hardware. Those places are great for

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-37889242475971684772007-05-28T12:01:00.000-06:002007-05-28T12:23:20.052-06:00

No not really.I did start drilling for the slugs. I know they need to be made, so might as well do it now.The next one is a bit blurry, but you can see what I am doing. This is the first time I have done this type of repair on a frame, so anyone that sees where I could go wrong with this let me know. I saw a post on chopperweb.info that showed using slits instead of holes to make shifting the

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-51940854864509564222007-05-25T09:15:00.000-06:002007-05-25T09:26:42.666-06:00

I was tromping around at the office yesterday when my cell begins buzzing at me.Text message.Hmm, did I go over on my minutes? Someone telling me that they are watching me pick my nose from behind the dumpster? Did another creditor find me?Nope, none of the above.A buddy of mine has been keeping an eye out for anyone with old 750 parts and such. Looky looky, a picture message. Hot damn the

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-3497396552498345092007-05-19T18:51:00.000-06:002007-05-19T19:07:41.413-06:00

Hell yeah!I think it will hold gas now. Well I hope so. All of the welds this time was done with Oxy-Acetylene on an old Victor torch with a 0 tip. It has been a lot of years since I have welded this way. And it took me some time until I could get my hands to steady themselves again. But I like the slower pace of a gas weld. I could see just how each section was going to lay and also push my

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-78322546422689563722007-05-19T12:14:00.001-06:002007-05-19T12:16:20.610-06:00

I saw this a while back and had to find it and post it up here.It sure does hit the spot.I was able to get a piece of patch steel from what I chopped off my fender that will fill the opening of my tank. So today I am gonna go and get the tank ground down and get the panel worked into a decently acceptable shape. Pics later tonight.

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-32327048332516925502007-05-14T20:18:00.000-06:002007-05-15T10:48:31.635-06:00

So after a round of bull shit from the ex this morning, I called in sick this a.m. So once that was cleared up, I had lost two hours of work and figured might as well stay home and work on other stuff. So MGD and fucitol started up at 9 this morning. I cleaned up some of the apt. and began to wrench.But last night I got this doneGaskets are ready to roll. I made the openings for the bolts with a

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-66647121234621027782007-05-13T18:37:00.000-06:002007-05-14T07:17:06.480-06:00

More work has been done. I ground the fill welds off the frame and the fill welds off the fender.As I ground it down, I noticed things I still didn't like. Spots where things were not as clean as I wanted. And sections of the fender that need a lot of work. But as I go through each weekend. Welding, scrounging, begging and trading. I have realized that I just don't care. I know this bike is gonna

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-29551810679744803732007-05-12T21:29:00.000-06:002007-05-13T11:56:47.220-06:00

They look so good together. And I am feeling like a proud papa right now. Three handmade gaskets, and they aren't totally screwed up.I had the remnants of some gasket material that I picked up a while back for carb base gaskets on my Corvair. And since a Rochester is maybe 2x2 in size, I had plenty left over.As you can see they aren't done quite yet. But There is not much to it. I want to see if

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-82632415966012151152007-05-07T09:10:00.000-06:002007-05-07T09:42:03.340-06:00

Yesterday I realized two things. 1. My welding skills have gone down the tubes in the last few years. 2. Welding tans hurt. Ouch, ouch, ouch. You should probably avoid doing stitch welding without a hood. Right now my face feels like the skin has been run over 80 grit sandpaper. But I did get some basic things done yesterday.Since I am in a hurry to get back on the road, I decided against going

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-14327422194962666822007-04-28T23:13:00.000-06:002007-04-29T22:03:32.710-06:00

Trimmed!I took about 5 inches off the fender today and an inch off the sissybar mounts. This brought the lower edge of the fender to about 1.5" from the lip of the tire. Makes it look a bit cleaner all in all. The part that mounts to the frame is going to move downwards about 2 or 3 inches. And I am also going to use a 1 1/4" piece of angle iron for the mount there. That way I have a wider

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-23858594635540602622007-04-24T23:54:00.000-06:002007-04-25T10:29:33.010-06:00

I am getting to the end of the worst of this. Now it is time to finally compile the list. I need to get this list out, so I don't forget or get surprised by something stupid and simple. 'Cuz I would lose my ass if it weren't attached.So here I go...9 feet of 1" tubing. 3 feet of something to use as a plugs. Both of these are for the frame repairs. Plus a little extra 1" stuff to make a

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-86676850188928107412007-04-23T09:45:00.000-06:002007-05-15T10:47:58.127-06:00

I didn't touch anything on the bike this week. Got wrapped up in a little bit of my own crap. Even when you see the train wreck ahead, it can still catch you by surprise. And leaving you wondering what happened to the last year of your life. When did everything change. And why it happened. I am waiting on some cash to come my way soon and I have already found a steel supplier that has the stuff I

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-54915316328661629292007-04-15T23:34:00.000-06:002007-04-16T00:09:31.671-06:00

My wallet thinned out on me this weekend. So my work was kinda limited. Grabbed the rear wheel and began to fit the fender and seat. And it is confirmed. The seat will not play nice with the sissy bar. If you sight it, the mount for the sissy bar and the rear of the seat are off. No matter how I set the seat it will not line up right. The only way I can get the rear right is kick the seat and

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-77259375848298958872007-04-09T06:49:00.000-06:002007-04-09T10:30:21.540-06:00

The tank, that is. Got up on Easter and started the running around for stuff. I picked up some 1/4 20 stainless nuts and cap screws for the fender, sissy bar and oil bag. Then I went looking for tools I could convert to metalworking use. My first stop was Harbor Freight. Closed... What, you would think today was important or something. Oh well, I guess not everyone can be a godless heathen. So I

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-28452675346019452292007-04-07T08:42:00.000-06:002007-04-07T08:47:29.193-06:00

I saw this on both hondachopper.com and jockeyjournal.com . I know it is scripted, but still good for a laugh.The kids are supposed to be spending the night with their grandparents, so I am gonna try and cut open the tank tonight. If I get it open, I'll post some progress pics.

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-80794321621627564132007-03-31T19:48:00.000-06:002007-03-31T20:17:07.173-06:00

Ok, anyone on dial-up has my deepest apologies. There are going to be a lot of pics this round.Today I planned on doing more than I did, but I guess all in all I got a lot accomplished. Gone are a couple of extra loops and fittings that were on the bike. I also removed the gussets at the neck and cleaned up the welds. All of my photos are hosted with Flickr.I wanted to get the tunnel opened up on

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-67307520199385941832007-03-28T21:36:00.000-06:002007-03-28T21:38:09.372-06:00

Yep that's right. I am hopefully going to get a few big things started up this weekend. I will be back to show what has been done to the bike.

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-35602384515085328012007-03-11T08:23:00.000-06:002007-03-11T08:38:32.648-06:00

I picked up a couple of wire wheels for my grinder the other day. So on Saturday I stripped the frame down to metal.She doesn't look as good naked as I hoped. I found assorted bad repairs and cover-ups.And there is a crack on the downtubes right at the gussets. I will be taking cleaner photos of them later today.And there are a few other repairs that have me concerned.It isn't beyond my ability

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-35120065394858641532007-03-04T08:30:00.000-07:002007-03-04T17:48:38.259-07:00

Though it has been pretty dull stuff. Primering and sanding, getting it ready for paint. I am trying to get the worst of the high and low spots out and making it look at least presentable. It is a cheap build, but I am not in the mood to build something that is total shite. I am OK cutting a couple of corners, but not cheaping out on the whole thing. Yesterday I went and tore down the last of the

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-15492163218981357212007-02-11T10:56:00.000-07:002007-02-04T08:48:07.083-07:00

Still no pics, but I do have a quick story to tell.I started my new job a couple weeks ago. So far I am digging it. No one really wants me to work on their stuff yet since I am still the FNG and the last tech did a good job for everyone. So it has been a few days of cleaning things up and kind of forcing myself on people. "Hey I am the new guy. Nope, she is working on other stuff so you gotta

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-25187926580703831132007-02-04T08:34:00.000-07:002007-02-04T08:46:14.364-07:00

Hit the wall this week. I started a new job on the 29th and my mom has been in the hospital for a bypass, so no work was really done on the bike.I did buy a can of black primer and bombed the tank. I had begun to think, "if this is supposed to be a ratbike, why the hell am I being so damn careful about it?" So I slapped on a coat of primer and let it dry. The finished product brought out the

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-15633677237421947792007-01-21T21:21:00.000-07:002007-01-21T21:51:36.535-07:00

Bare metal is beautiful thing. I took the tank and girder arms to the place where I am keeping my project at and began to sand. The belt sander was a stupid idea. Totally worthless. But luckily I got access to another sander. I only had a couple sheets of sandpaper, so I was only able to finish up one girder. If I can get this girder pieced together, I think that I am goint to go with maybe a

S.G.noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37988456.post-67098825377531578282007-01-20T21:23:00.000-07:002007-01-20T21:43:59.415-07:00

One of the more liberating things about having a place all to yourself, is the fact you can tear apart shit in the kitchen and no one will bitch at you.I tried to pull the shocks off the top tree again today. But it still ain't happening. Damn things are pretty well stuck. But I did pull the coils off and got a better look at how they are constructed. The shocks are so worn out that really they

S.G.noreply@blogger.com0