Small Two Car Operation

[1/2 Cup]

Herb, just looking at your pictures I can really understand your passion for touring on bikes.

Enjoy...

 

[drivesitfar]

Herb: i bet there are still safe and fun road trips to be had in our great USA, but i think good planning is needed more these days. your pictures could almost be said they were taken here in the PNW and i love when the leaves turn colors.

it's snowing here today. which i'm guessing you don't get a lot of or any?

good to have you back and hope even if you don't have time to spend time and post up new doings in your garage that you might spread your good thoughts on other threads as you have time to.

cheers

 

[HSpencer]

Drives

That snow out the pretty circular window dosen't look good, but I guess we have winter coming down the road here in the Ozarks. I am doing winter preps for the shop and home and will have some pics up soon.
We have only a small snow usually, and it is normally gone in a couple of days. I hope we are going to have a mild winter as we always do here.
I am finally home and cleaning the garage and outbuildings. Got a couple of changes in mind for my shed wood shop when I get rid of some junk. Like yourself, I am always thinking "organize" it!

Best
HS

 

[HSpencer]

Herb, just looking at your pictures I can really understand your passion for touring on bikes.

Enjoy...

1/2

A genuine pleasure having you post on the thread. I think of you often and I hope all is working in your behalf!

Best Regards
Herb

 

[HSpencer]

Winter Shop Preps

Spent the day cleaning and prepping shop for winter. First picture is a few scores I made on our vacation trip from a small hardware store in NE Arkansas. Pretty good stuff for the costs. Gerard if you run out of paint brushes give me a PM. Also got the tire shine from Amazon and it is great stuff. Not sure about the drill bit set, time will tell. They are made where everything else is these days---.
Got a new 30,000 BTU heater for the shop. It is overkill but heats the place fast.
Drives notice the Wilton is still naked!! I just may keep it that way!

You can see the plants hiding behind the tools. The fancy Coleus?plants have been carefully "raised" and must stay over the winter for next spring.
(I hope they make it in there) LOL. HWHL: Happy Wife Happy Life. (Whose fault will it be if they die?)

Anyway I am ready for what ever comes my way concerning the weather.

Best Regards
Herb

 

[zmotorsports]

Herb, good for you taking time to enjoy the fall scenery.

I agree that it is great to see it from a bike. I never thought I would enjoy a "touring" bike. I have had "hot rod" bikes for many, many years but the touring bug bit me about 6 years ago when the wife all of a sudden decided she wanted to start riding with me. Best decision I could have ever made, it is so much more enjoyable with the wife along for the ride.

We had planned to do a lot of riding this fall on our HD CVO but trying to get everything done around the new place before fall and winter got the better of me and it didn't leave much time for riding. I only put about 600 miles on the bike this year. Oh well, at least we have been able to spend a lot of quality time around the new house and I have really enjoyed my new shop and finally have it ready for winter. Not that I am looking forward to that white **** that falls from the sky, I am however, looking forward to enjoying this fall and winter much more than the last one.

Shop is looking great Herb, happy for you in being able to get it winter ready.

 

[BUGTHUG]

I wish I had some flat surfaces like you have, without all the stuff I have on mine Oh well that's what keeps me going to the barn, cause I can't find anything.

 

[drivesitfar]

Herb: I thought you might like a NAKED VISE especially that Pat. Pend Wilton cause they do look PURDY.

we were talking last month on the big vise thread about making a different version of BLO using REAL LINSEED OIL with a little thinner, japan dryer and some melted beeswax to avoid some of the bad stuff in BLO.

we were also talking about how to heat them with the linseed oil on them and not to use the family's oven you use to cook meals in. smokers are a popular way to do it, toaster oven if the parts will fit or a shop oven if you happen to have one. or if you have 100 degree days just sitting it in the sun will probably be enough.

if you have other old steel tools you might like the linseed oil on them too cause big clamps look amazing and it's also good for wood handles and benches.

speaking of benches i've always liked yours and i'm still trying to cure my FSD (flat surface disease). i do like the look of a clean shop so still trying to find spots for those things that gather on my benches as i GET ORGANIZED.

cheers and enjoy your day!!

 

[HSpencer]

Herb, good for you taking time to enjoy the fall scenery.

I agree that it is great to see it from a bike. I never thought I would enjoy a "touring" bike. I have had "hot rod" bikes for many, many years but the touring bug bit me about 6 years ago when the wife all of a sudden decided she wanted to start riding with me. Best decision I could have ever made, it is so much more enjoyable with the wife along for the ride.

We had planned to do a lot of riding this fall on our HD CVO but trying to get everything done around the new place before fall and winter got the better of me and it didn't leave much time for riding. I only put about 600 miles on the bike this year. Oh well, at least we have been able to spend a lot of quality time around the new house and I have really enjoyed my new shop and finally have it ready for winter. Not that I am looking forward to that white **** that falls from the sky, I am however, looking forward to enjoying this fall and winter much more than the last one.

Shop is looking great Herb, happy for you in being able to get it winter ready.

Mike

Thanks for stopping by and for your great comments. We are looking at touring bikes for next spring. I am not sure I could handle a Goldwing, but that is on my radar. I am 73 and wife 71 but we are still pretty active.
(May need something she can plug in her hair blower and curling iron though)
LOL.

Best Regards
Herb

 

[HSpencer]

I wish I had some flat surfaces like you have, without all the stuff I have on mine Oh well that's what keeps me going to the barn, cause I can't find anything.

(Many thanks for stopping in!)

I know what you mean on flat surfaces. On most days I have trouble finding them!!
Thanks again for your visit!!

Best Regards
Herb

 

[HSpencer]

Herb: I thought you might like a NAKED VISE especially that Pat. Pend Wilton cause they do look PURDY.

we were talking last month on the big vise thread about making a different version of BLO using REAL LINSEED OIL with a little thinner, japan dryer and some melted beeswax to avoid some of the bad stuff in BLO.

we were also talking about how to heat them with the linseed oil on them and not to use the family's oven you use to cook meals in. smokers are a popular way to do it, toaster oven if the parts will fit or a shop oven if you happen to have one. or if you have 100 degree days just sitting it in the sun will probably be enough.

if you have other old steel tools you might like the linseed oil on them too cause big clamps look amazing and it's also good for wood handles and benches.

speaking of benches i've always liked yours and i'm still trying to cure my FSD (flat surface disease). i do like the look of a clean shop so still trying to find spots for those things that gather on my benches as i GET ORGANIZED.

cheers and enjoy your day!!

Drives

YOU were right. The pure steel look of the Wilton is better than any color I could come up with. Sometimes I just want to stand and admire such quality steel and castings in it.
I put the initial coat of BLO on it, and it has held "tight". Nothing else has been needed.

Thanks for stopping in!

Best Regards
Herb

 

[rmalkow2]

Mike

Thanks for stopping by and for your great comments. We are looking at touring bikes for next spring. I am not sure I could handle a Goldwing, but that is on my radar. I am 73 and wife 71 but we are still pretty active.
(May need something she can plug in her hair blower and curling iron though)
LOL.

Best Regards
Herb

Herb,
The one suggestion I would have as a current rider is to look at all the cruiser brands and especially for balance first when you are on the bike and then when you and your wife are on the bike. A good dealer will help you experience this. Being a Harley guy myself I'm partial but this is not to push you that direction. Only to say that some bikes tend to be a little higher off the ground than others and the distance from saddle to ground is not always the same. When rolling along all modern cruisers are very well balanced bikes but then you come to a stop you have to be able to put your feet flat on the ground and easily maintain that balance to stay upright.
A good friend of mine switched away from Gold Wings for that very reason after many years and miles traveled on them. While they are an excellent long distance cruising bike he found it increasing difficult to hold one upright while stopped because he was so high up he was using his toes only on the ground. That's not a safe thing to do and he did lose it sideways once having to stop quickly behind another vehicle at a stop light.
Many motorcycle companies are finally now designing seats and frames to give a lower ride height offering to their customers and Honda may be doing the same. It's just something important to look at and, after all the shine, chrome and engine sound win you over, actually becomes one of the most important factors to consider. Especially with precious cargo on the back seat.
I hope you find one you like next spring and got out into the wind!

Bob

 

[zmotorsports]

Herb,
The one suggestion I would have as a current rider is to look at all the cruiser brands and especially for balance first when you are on the bike and then when you and your wife are on the bike. A good dealer will help you experience this. Being a Harley guy myself I'm partial but this is not to push you that direction. Only to say that some bikes tend to be a little higher off the ground than others and the distance from saddle to ground is not always the same. When rolling along all modern cruisers are very well balanced bikes but then you come to a stop you have to be able to put your feet flat on the ground and easily maintain that balance to stay upright.
A good friend of mine switched away from Gold Wings for that very reason after many years and miles traveled on them. While they are an excellent long distance cruising bike he found it increasing difficult to hold one upright while stopped because he was so high up he was using his toes only on the ground. That's not a safe thing to do and he did lose it sideways once having to stop quickly behind another vehicle at a stop light.
Many motorcycle companies are finally now designing seats and frames to give a lower ride height offering to their customers and Honda may be doing the same. It's just something important to look at and, after all the shine, chrome and engine sound win you over, actually becomes one of the most important factors to consider. Especially with precious cargo on the back seat.
I hope you find one you like next spring and got out into the wind!

Bob

Herb, Bob gives some great advice. Go to different dealers and try them on for size and see what feels comfortable to you.

I have ridden many different bikes through my years of working on them and they all seem to have their pros and cons. My brother is a Gold Wing fanatic and has had many over the years but to me I would compare sitting on his Gold Wing similar to sitting on a log floating in the water when stopped. Seems like any small twitch or movement seems to be magnified for some reason. I am quite tall so I can sit flat footed on his bike similar to my Harley but I feel more a part of my HD Ultra where I sit down into the seat vs. sitting up on the seat if that makes sense.

Again it would be beneficial to try several and find one that feels comfortable to you and then have your wife hop on and reaffirm.

 

[drivesitfar]

Herb: also another option you might know of is the 3 wheelers for your bride or i've seen plenty of happy male riders driving down our roads in them.

I really don't believe you have FSD, but thanks for the hope that some day i CAN have a clean bench.

I thought you might like that NAKED WILTON so good for you for holding off a bit until you decided to paint it which you still can if that works later.

cheers

 

[HSpencer]

Bob, Mike and Drives

Wow you have given me a lot of information and I thank you as I had not thought of "seat to ground" height. I will most certainly take that with me when I am shopping for a bike.
Hearing the difficulty of the Goldwing, and sensing it's weight when stopped, it may be a bit much for me.
One thing I saw today interested me and that was the Suzuki Burgman 650 executive. While it is a scooter in sense, it seems to have a lot of heft and the brochure shows it to be pretty speedy and comfortable. Also there is the Honda Silverwing which is similar.

Most of our rides will be one day trips, on low traffic two lanes, probably out in the morning and back before "Oh-Dark-Thirty". There are many scenic rides within 100 miles of my house through the mountains. That scenario will be most of our riding, staying off the interstates and very few long trips or state to state runs.

I am very appreciative of your advice and thanks. I know there will be a lot to consider and I will most likely do a LOT of shopping before deciding on "what" I wind up with.

Thanks to all of you
Best Regards
Herb

 

[rmalkow2]

Oh and while we're on this advice giving kick, next spring, go and take a motorcycle safety training course. Many times you can find them offered through local colleges for minimal cost or from motorcycle dealers at a little more cost. You will only need to provide at most, a helmet, gloves, long sleeve jacket/shirt and shoes/boots that cover your ankle. ( Everyday stuff not special riding clothes) They usually provide the bikes.
It will open your eyes and mind to the aspects of riding that are above and beyond whatever your basic state driving test includes and typically it serves as the state test too. When I took the class it made me consider details about riding that I never thought about before and it also made me a better driver in my car/truck as I'm now very aware of what other bikers on the road with me are thinking and what they need to be safe.
You also might get the benefit of slightly lower insurance rates.

Ok, I'll stop preaching now but do hope you come to enjoy riding on two (or three) wheels and the freedom it brings.

 

[DynoDave]

Oh and while we're on this advice giving kick, next spring, go and take a motorcycle safety training course.

Totally agree. I took one offered through the Motorcycle Safety Foundation many years ago. Good stuff.

http://www.msf-campus.org/

 

[Htscheg]

I agree in the motorcycle safety courses, I take them every couple of years to remind me if what I am not doing lol

 

[HSpencer]

Bob, DynoDave, and Htscheg

Great advice guys. In my past I have had many "small" motorcycles, including a trail bike and I bought motorscooters for my daughter a couple of times.
As a note, I once asked my daughter (now 46 years old) what were some great times she remembered as a child?. She told me of the time we rode motorbikes to an old country store, and got snacks and drinks and sat on the store's front porch. Coming back home, a bunch of cows were blocking the road and we waited for them all to get across. Yes, great times that were cemented in her mind forever. (slight teary eyed over that one!)

So now picking up bikes again, me and wife, and we will most certainly want the biking course prior to doing very much of it. I will most likely look for a course, and get some riding experience on the bigger bikes PRIOR to having my lovely bride on the back. Don't think wife will want her own bike, but you never know.

Yes, and thanks so much for your input and kind comments!!

Best Regards
Herb

 

[drivesitfar]

HS: this is great information about motorcycle driving or owning so bumping up your thread so maybe a few other members can see it too.

hope you are enjoying your nice fall weather.

ALL: thanks everybody for mentioning something that i didn't really know existed that even if i don't ride i can pass on to my kids or friends and other members.

cheers

 

[HSpencer]

ALL

Wishing all visitors to the thread as well as ALL garage journal members, a VERY Happy Thanksgiving!! Best to all of you!!

Best Regards
Herb

 

[Vieux]

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[jon72vega]

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

 

[drivesitfar]

Herb: Hope you and your family gave a relaxing day planned. Happy Thanksgiving and it's a pleasure knowing you.

Cheers

 

[BUGTHUG]

Herb, hope all your upcoming Holidays are warm and fuzzy with family and friends, and GJ acquaintances Herb

 

[WarrenJ]

Herb
Happy belated Turkey Day.

 

[Htscheg]

Hope you had a great thanksgiving as well!!!

 

[drivesitfar]

Herb: i haven't seen a post from you for a while and just making sure you are OK cause i miss your positive thoughts on a few of the threads i read besides yours here?

hope all is well and you are just eating pie and enjoying your nice weather.

 

[HSpencer]

Drives

Thanks for looking me up! Yes things are really going well here and I have been pretty busy. Thanksgiving was great, and Thanks to all who replied to my greetings!
I hope your doings have gone well with your front yard mailbox stands and other yard and home work.
I stand accused of having not posted much of anything lately and I will be admitting my guilt. I am planning some shop work, but not seeming to find the time to get on it.

Thanks again for your visit as always!

Best regards
Herb

 

[drivesitfar]

HERB: i'm heading to pick up this Cedar from a mill so i can store it until i'm ready to install it as my new deck surface. you can't just find this stuff at Home Depot and wondering if you approve? the longer boards are 2x6x16's and since they are from the mill they are 1.75x5.75x16

cheers

 

[jon72vega]

Herb,
Merry Christmas to you and your family!

 

[1/2 Cup]

Herb, I would like to wish you and yours all the best for Christmas and the New Year, enjoy..

 

[drivesitfar]

HERB: i hear shopping for a new car from now until the end of the year might be the best prices so maybe a NEW MOTORCYCLE OR TWO for you and your bride to finish off 2017?

hope all is well and we all miss your friendly and informative posts.

in case you do find time to fly up or ride one of those NEW BIKES to the PNW this summer i'll be planing some CEDAR and building a deck or fence so feel free to stop by and give some advice or just smell the fresh planed cedar.

hope you have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and thanks again for helping to make 2017 a fun year for me here on GJ.

cheers

 

[don long]

Herb
I haven't said much on your thread this year but I still drop by to catch up often. I wanted to thank you for the enjoyable time I've spent here and to wish you and your family a very merry Christmas.

Next year I promise to do better

Don

 

[WarrenJ]

Herb
Merry Christmas to you and the Misses.

 

[HSpencer]

Jon, 1/2 Cup, drivesitfar, Don Long, WarrenJ

Thanks for your great Christmas greetings, and I am returning them to you as well.
I have been a little "disposed" due to a stupid accident here in the house for most of the month and and have not been doing much. It all happens when one does not get one's full foot on the stairs and is half asleep, but nothing is broken thankfully!!
Best wishes to all of you!!! Hopefully the new year will be one of many shop projects to post on my thread!! I have them stacked up high.

Best Regards
Herb

 

[HSpencer]

ALL

I want to wish all members a wonderful and blessed Christmas and a great 2018. I have been a little off my chart lately with non-garage things but I am looking forward to getting you all very bored with my doings in the upcoming year!! I have many plans for the first three months of 2018, and will be posting them as they occur.
I want to wish you ALL the best!! Thanks for such a fine forum and so many great friends!

Best Regards
Herb

 

[Finallygotit]

....... Thanks for such a fine forum and so many great friends!

Best Regards
Herb

Merry Christmas Herb and likewise!!

 

[drivesitfar]

Herb: it's a WHITE CHRISTMAS here today cause it snowed last night. it doesn't happen often, but it sure makes it feel like Christmas when it does. I'm only posting this picture on your thread so you can maybe enjoy a little White in your Christmas today too. our 3 little grandkids played in the snow last night until their parents took them home around 11pm. they had a blast and weren't even close to dressed warm enough.

hope you feel better and falling is never a good thing when we get older.

cheers

 

[HSpencer]

Merry Christmas Herb and likewise!!

Dan

Thanks and same to you and yours! I hope your 2018 is great! Thanks for your greeting I really appreciate it.

Best Regards
Herb