Note to self: - Page 53

FixerDave · 03-28-2012, 10:48 PM

Number 1... when you buy a bike in 13 boxes that somebody decided to rebuild but didn't, and finally get the puzzle

together at 1am, and it actually STARTS

(2-stroke RD-400 with racing pipes, 1am) do not forget to put gas in the tank before going for a test ride... far, far from home, in suburbia, where no gas stations are open at 1:30am.

Number 2... do not, ever, put extra slippery motor oil additives (aka STP) in a vehicle with a clutch that runs in said motor oil, not if you want to get anywhere fast. On the bright side, you will NEVER wear out those friction plates.

Other than that, I try to learn from the mistakes of others... it's less painful. I remember a friend and I were cleaning the chains on our respective dirtbikes, getting ready for the next day. Bungie around the front brake leaver, stick under the footpeg opposite the side stand, engine on in first gear, rag on chain, listening to the radio... Newscaster saying ANOTHER idiot on a Harley managed to amputate his thumb while cleaning his bike. Second one that week, he said. How can somebody cut their thumb off CLEANING a bike? How could they be that stupid? Oh... engine off, lets not do that any more.

Okay, yes, I've left the gas line off the petcock and run out of gas 2 blocks from home, and had gas pouring down my leg after I remembered to turn the petcock on. Oh, and, yes, I managed to try to push my bike through the side door of the garage and up a step at the same time (done it thousands of times) but this time the kickstand was down... it was funny but rather difficult to extricate the bike and I. Oh, and I've done the "it won't start" routine and gone through all the diagnostics to find the auto not in park. Didn't replace the starter, though. Then there's bending a lugnut wrench, rattling an impact gun for ages, and busting a socket with a flex-bar and a pipe extension while trying to take a wheel of a Dodge pickup, then sitting there, exhausted and frustrated, wondering what the 'L' stamped on the head of the lug-bolt meant. And... well, I'm going to shut up now while I still have a bit of little self esteem left.

David...

thelen60 · 03-29-2012, 11:25 AM

Notes to self:

1. When siphoning gas out of a lawn mower to put my four-wheeler, take my mouth off the hose before the gas gets there. (I was 13 and burped the taste of gasoline for 48 hours)

2. When taking the transmission of my truck, put something underneath to catch it other than your testicles. (Watched my dad do that one)

3. General rule: Don't wear cut-off T-shirts when working on cars; even if it is 90* in the garage. (Bolted in sheet metal to repair rotted floorboards. Cutting off bolts with a Dremel can make them red hot and drop into your shirt. I have the scar to prove it.)

4. Don't wear hooded sweatshirt with strings while using an industrial size LeBlond lathe. After watching my strings bounce off the chuck, I had to go sit down trembling. If you don't understand this look up pictures of people getting caught up in lathes....

5. Don't have bottle rocket fights without a shirt on.

6. If you are on your motorcycle and see a woman on a cell phone, drive away from her!

martinnyc · 03-30-2012, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thelen60

Notes to self:
4. Don't wear hooded sweatshirt with strings while using an industrial size LeBlond lathe. After watching my strings bounce off the chuck, I had to go sit down trembling. If you don't understand this look up pictures of people getting caught up in lathes....

this is precisely why i pull the strings out of every hooded sweatshirt i buy, got one end caught in the fan belt of my old truck, it yanked out smoothly, but the pucker factor was still a 4.0

42 · 03-30-2012, 10:31 AM

When changing the timing belt on your Pathfinder, make sure you put the shortest bolt in the bottom of the lower belt cover. Unless you like ripping the whole thing apart again.

ADVMindset · 03-30-2012, 10:43 AM

"When welding the frame of your bike, remember the rod will strike an arc on ANY metal part of the bike directly connected to the frame.
Including the inner tube of your front fork, leaving a nice little crater!

Changing fork seals are now a part of every 5000 km service"

That's one HELLUVA of a first post !

Now be ready to have some ornery comments made ! But it's all fun !

Sorry to hear about your tube....

Welcome to the asylum !!!

jcmcc · 03-30-2012, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FixerDave

.......and had gas pouring down my leg after I remembered to turn the petcock on....

David...

Had a similar experience but with oil.. Forgot to put the oil cap back on after filling and was on the interstate before I realized what happened. What tipped me off was the difference in the way my jeans were flapping in the wind

ibafran · 03-30-2012, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sveinis

When welding the frame of your bike, remember the rod will strike an arc on ANY metal part of the bike directly connected to the frame.
Including the inner tube of your front fork, leaving a nice little crater!

Changing fork seals are now a part of every 5000 km service

I am surprised that the inmates have not advised this guy how to save his fork seals?
Here's my suggestion: Get a hard and very fine stone to hand work over the fork tube nick and knock off all the high spots. Fill the crater with epoxy and stone that down flush. Now the fork seal has something to glide over without getting nicked up. If the tube still pushes a lot of oil, the bushing is probably scratched/gouged. Hope that helps. Others can chime in with better stuff.

Daamud · 03-30-2012, 05:26 PM

Learned this one from 100 yards away today.

Note to self;

Do not take an old single axle pop-up camper and convert it into a flat bed trailer. Do not place two garbage dumpsters on trailer. Do not fill dumpsters with scrap iron. And most definitely do not pull the whole works behind your mid-90's Toyota 4Runner at 65 mph down a counrty highway!!!!

I tried to get a picture after I made sure he was OK, but it didn't turn out.

Let's just say; High speed wobble, near roll over, jack-knife, 3 or 4 broken windows, ditch, bent to hell front suspension and a shit ton of iron tossed into the ditch.

troidus · 03-30-2012, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daamud

Learned this one from 100 yards away today.

Note to self;

Do not take an old single axle pop-up camper and convert it into a flat bed trailer. Do not place two garbage dumpsters on trailer. Do not fill dumpsters with scrap iron. And most definitely do not pull the whole works behind your mid-90's Toyota 4Runner at 65 mph down a counrty highway!!!!

I tried to get a picture after I made sure he was OK, but it didn't turn out.

Let's just say; High speed wobble, near roll over, jack-knife, 3 or 4 broken windows, ditch, bent to hell front suspension and a shit ton of iron tossed into the ditch.

And this is why there should be a requirement for a towing endorsement on one's license, as well as inspections for trailers.

disston · 03-31-2012, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daamud

Learned this one from 100 yards away today.

Note to self;

Do not take an old single axle pop-up camper and convert it into a flat bed trailer. Do not place two garbage dumpsters on trailer. Do not fill dumpsters with scrap iron. And most definitely do not pull the whole works behind your mid-90's Toyota 4Runner at 65 mph down a counrty highway!!!!

I tried to get a picture after I made sure he was OK, but it didn't turn out.

Let's just say; High speed wobble, near roll over, jack-knife, 3 or 4 broken windows, ditch, bent to hell front suspension and a shit ton of iron tossed into the ditch.

I got the picture, I can see it now, WOW would you look at that. I can't believe the mess. He appears alright, OK. WOW would you look at that...

Lonestar2112 · 04-02-2012, 05:41 PM

When you are packing up your gear for a nice 3 day get away with 150 other inmates, make sure to check your gear bag to verify that your riding boots are in there.

You can skip this step if you wear a size 9 - 12 siz shoe. 13+ Not so good.

Thankfully the store in town 70 miles away had 1 pair. So now I have a spare pair of boots (Tech 3's). I will have to say that the Honda shop in Ridgecrest CA (I don't remember the name) didn't bend me over when he heard I forgot the boots.

He was actually simpathetic that he didn't have anything cheaper.

MiteyF · 04-02-2012, 08:06 PM

Note to self: be careful when waxing horizontal band saw blades. I did this today at work. Cut straight through one tendon, mostly through another. It'll be a badass scar/story though

Daamud · 04-02-2012, 08:09 PM

JimVonBaden · 04-02-2012, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiteyF

Note to self: be careful when waxing horizontal band saw blades. I did this today at work. Cut straight through one tendon, mostly through another. It'll be a ~~badass~~ dumbass scar/story though

Fixt!

Jim

MiteyF · 04-03-2012, 12:18 PM

OK, badass scar, dumbass story

03-28-2012, 10:48 PM	#781
FixerDave KLR-650 Joined: Jul 2006 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Oddometer: 260	I got one... er... two Number 1... when you buy a bike in 13 boxes that somebody decided to rebuild but didn't, and finally get the puzzle together at 1am, and it actually STARTS (2-stroke RD-400 with racing pipes, 1am) do not forget to put gas in the tank before going for a test ride... far, far from home, in suburbia, where no gas stations are open at 1:30am. Number 2... do not, ever, put extra slippery motor oil additives (aka STP) in a vehicle with a clutch that runs in said motor oil, not if you want to get anywhere fast. On the bright side, you will NEVER wear out those friction plates. Other than that, I try to learn from the mistakes of others... it's less painful. I remember a friend and I were cleaning the chains on our respective dirtbikes, getting ready for the next day. Bungie around the front brake leaver, stick under the footpeg opposite the side stand, engine on in first gear, rag on chain, listening to the radio... Newscaster saying ANOTHER idiot on a Harley managed to amputate his thumb while cleaning his bike. Second one that week, he said. How can somebody cut their thumb off CLEANING a bike? How could they be that stupid? Oh... engine off, lets not do that any more. Okay, yes, I've left the gas line off the petcock and run out of gas 2 blocks from home, and had gas pouring down my leg after I remembered to turn the petcock on. Oh, and, yes, I managed to try to push my bike through the side door of the garage and up a step at the same time (done it thousands of times) but this time the kickstand was down... it was funny but rather difficult to extricate the bike and I. Oh, and I've done the "it won't start" routine and gone through all the diagnostics to find the auto not in park. Didn't replace the starter, though. Then there's bending a lugnut wrench, rattling an impact gun for ages, and busting a socket with a flex-bar and a pipe extension while trying to take a wheel of a Dodge pickup, then sitting there, exhausted and frustrated, wondering what the 'L' stamped on the head of the lug-bolt meant. And... well, I'm going to shut up now while I still have a bit of little self esteem left. David... __________________ Random thoughts on dualsport biking, including Vancouver Island camping and trails, ride reports, enduro racing, tech tips with an emphasis on the KLR650, and anything else that wanders into mind.

03-30-2012, 10:31 AM	#784
42 Bokononist Joined: Mar 2009 Location: Comfort Eagle Oddometer: 13,596	When changing the timing belt on your Pathfinder, make sure you put the shortest bolt in the bottom of the lower belt cover. Unless you like ripping the whole thing apart again. __________________ "The sword of time will pierce our skins It doesn't hurt when it begins But as it works its way on in The pain grows stronger...watch it grin".

03-30-2012, 05:26 PM	#788
Daamud AAAAAYYY! Joined: Aug 2007 Location: In the 715, Wisconsin, U.S.A. Oddometer: 1,621	Learned this one from 100 yards away today. Note to self; Do not take an old single axle pop-up camper and convert it into a flat bed trailer. Do not place two garbage dumpsters on trailer. Do not fill dumpsters with scrap iron. And most definitely do not pull the whole works behind your mid-90's Toyota 4Runner at 65 mph down a counrty highway!!!! I tried to get a picture after I made sure he was OK, but it didn't turn out. Let's just say; High speed wobble, near roll over, jack-knife, 3 or 4 broken windows, ditch, bent to hell front suspension and a shit ton of iron tossed into the ditch. __________________ WARNING: Most things posted above contain sarcasm.

04-02-2012, 05:41 PM	#791
Lonestar2112 Crash test dummy Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Ventura County CA Oddometer: 5,204	When you are packing up your gear for a nice 3 day get away with 150 other inmates, make sure to check your gear bag to verify that your riding boots are in there. You can skip this step if you wear a size 9 - 12 siz shoe. 13+ Not so good. Thankfully the store in town 70 miles away had 1 pair. So now I have a spare pair of boots (Tech 3's). I will have to say that the Honda shop in Ridgecrest CA (I don't remember the name) didn't bend me over when he heard I forgot the boots. He was actually simpathetic that he didn't have anything cheaper. __________________ Where am I? "I love the wild spaces above the border, takes some work to get here, ain’t a Starbucks run." jdrocks F*CK Cancer

04-02-2012, 08:06 PM	#792
MiteyF Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2010 Location: As NW as the US gets Oddometer: 1,007	Note to self: be careful when waxing horizontal band saw blades. I did this today at work. Cut straight through one tendon, mostly through another. It'll be a badass scar/story though __________________ People tell me I have a motorcycle problem. I tell them, I may have problems, but motorcycles are the solution.

03-29-2012, 11:25 AM	#782
thelen60 Adventurer Joined: Mar 2010 Location: Michigan/Kentucky Oddometer: 12	Notes to self: 1. When siphoning gas out of a lawn mower to put my four-wheeler, take my mouth off the hose before the gas gets there. (I was 13 and burped the taste of gasoline for 48 hours) 2. When taking the transmission of my truck, put something underneath to catch it other than your testicles. (Watched my dad do that one) 3. General rule: Don't wear cut-off T-shirts when working on cars; even if it is 90* in the garage. (Bolted in sheet metal to repair rotted floorboards. Cutting off bolts with a Dremel can make them red hot and drop into your shirt. I have the scar to prove it.) 4. Don't wear hooded sweatshirt with strings while using an industrial size LeBlond lathe. After watching my strings bounce off the chuck, I had to go sit down trembling. If you don't understand this look up pictures of people getting caught up in lathes.... 5. Don't have bottle rocket fights without a shirt on. 6. If you are on your motorcycle and see a woman on a cell phone, drive away from her!

03-30-2012, 10:43 AM	#785
ADVMindset Americana Adventurer Joined: Sep 2004 Location: Between here and there... Oddometer: 1,068	"When welding the frame of your bike, remember the rod will strike an arc on ANY metal part of the bike directly connected to the frame. Including the inner tube of your front fork, leaving a nice little crater! Changing fork seals are now a part of every 5000 km service" That's one HELLUVA of a first post ! Now be ready to have some ornery comments made ! But it's all fun ! Sorry to hear about your tube.... Welcome to the asylum !!!

04-02-2012, 08:09 PM	#793
Daamud AAAAAYYY! Joined: Aug 2007 Location: In the 715, Wisconsin, U.S.A. Oddometer: 1,621	__________________ WARNING: Most things posted above contain sarcasm.

04-03-2012, 12:18 PM	#795
MiteyF Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2010 Location: As NW as the US gets Oddometer: 1,007	OK, badass scar, dumbass story __________________ People tell me I have a motorcycle problem. I tell them, I may have problems, but motorcycles are the solution.

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