What did you do today?

TCABM said:
Depending on class, technique and skill will close the gap considerably.
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Yep. The one thing, by far, that I want this bike to do, is be reliable and keep running for many years with the rigorous maintenance and attention that I plan on giving it. I'm relatively old, compared to most people that ride these things. I do not need the fastest bike available simply because of that.

Again, this is for those less familiar with these things. Here are some examples of why initial breakdown and lubricating is so important on off-road motorcycles that will see extremely dirty conditions on the track and trails. You have to grease and lube it, because the manufacturers simply do not do it adequately.

These are swing arm and rear shock linkage bearings. They move, constantly. Axle bearings on these are typically sealed bearings and not much you can do to extend their life. However, If these suspension bearings aren't filled with a waterproof grease, they will fill with water and some small grit instead, and fail sooner than later.

Yes, I'm doing this in my living room, instead of the garage, so I can watch TV. There wasn't any grease or dirt on the bike to get everywhere, and I was careful with the grease that I applied.

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Fiveslide said:
Yep. The one thing, by far, that I want this bike to do, is be reliable and keep running for many years with the rigorous maintenance and attention that I plan on giving it. I'm relatively old, compared to most people that ride these things. I do not need the fastest bike available simply because of that.

Again, this is for those less familiar with these things. Here are some examples of why initial breakdown and lubricating is so important on off-road motorcycles that will see extremely dirty conditions on the track and trails. You have to grease and lube it, because the manufacturers simply do not do it adequately.

These are swing arm and rear shock linkage bearings. They move, constantly. Axle bearings on these are typically sealed bearings and not much you can do to extend their life. However, If these suspension bearings aren't filled with a waterproof grease, they will fill with water and some small grit instead, and fail sooner than later.

Yes, I'm doing this in my living room, instead of the garage, so I can watch TV. There wasn't any grease or dirt on the bike to get everywhere, and I was careful with the grease that I applied.

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Nice work, you need a lift table for working on your bikes since you have so many.
Years ago I built one with a ramp out of wood. Then bought a real one from Western manufacturing.
I have had a 3 wheel Atv since 1983. Couple years ago I finally put a clutch in it. I have had the table since 88 when I had a drag bike and a couple dirt bikes. All I have left is this POS antique.57D07C92-3C96-4691-999C-C7F5D5A9C0F9.jpeg
 
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Gary Ward said:
Nice work, you need a lift table for working on your bikes since you have so many.
Years ago I built one with a ramp out of wood. Then bought a real one from Western manufacturing.
I have had a 3 wheel Atc since 1983. Couple years ago I finally put a clutch in it. I have had the table since 88 when I had a drag bike and a couple dirt bikes.View attachment 146600
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I'd love to have a lift table! That's a great setup you have there.
 
Thanks.
When I was done drag bike racing I sold it to my late friend who was a huge dirt bike racer.
A big group of us went to all the big races in this area of the country, red bud Mi and Kenworthy sp?
When my best friend passed I bought it back from his estate. Too handy, I use for other stuff besides bikes also.
 
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Mooneymayhem said:
Then shortly thereafter, my son's parking brake failed in his 1st Gen Dodge, sending it over an embankment where it totaled itself. It only took us about an hour getting it to a point where a wrecker could reach it and pull it the rest of the way. View attachment 146568
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First and foremost, I’m glad your son wasn’t in it when it got to looking that way.

But that’s the second parking brake failure I’ve heard of in the last few months…my neighbor across the street had his fail, the car backed down his driveway, across the street, and far enough onto our driveway to bump a car. Good news, only a minor scratch on the bumper of our car. Better news, I had sold the car to my daughter the day before. :rofl:
 
Garmin elevator trim servo packed it in so flew it over to 6B0, Midldebury VT to Green Mountain Avionics to get it fixed. Fog in the valley's on the way over. All the leaves are gone and we're into stick season.

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went boating on a pontoon boat today in 50 degree weather and misting. The rain/mist was supposed to be over with in my defense.
 
Practiced in the Aerobatic box at Sebring for contest this weekend. Competition flights are Friday and Saturday for anyone in the AO who is interested or curious. Restaurant on field has excellent breakfast.
 
Drilled & ground out a bunch of spot welds and got the radiator support on the '66 Mustang mostly freed up. There was ample evidence of some old collision damage that had been poorly repaired, so I decided to just replace the bent up and rested bits with dozens of holes where someone had used a dent puller. Ordered a batch of sheet metal parts. I haven't managed to figure out the welding thing yet, but even I can use a spot welder like they did at the factory.

I figure between the car and the airplane I should have enough to keep me out of trouble for the winter (likely through 2035).
 
Watched the end of Dodgers Jays. Didn't start till the 8th and still got to see a full game. Have no rooting interested. But after the 12th I was determined to stick with it.

3 hours of sleep kinda sucks though.
 
Racerx said:
Watched the end of Dodgers Jays. Didn't start till the 8th and still got to see a full game. Have no rooting interested. But after the 12th I was determined to stick with it.

3 hours of sleep kinda sucks though.
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I gave up after the 12th.
 
Started moving into my (Rod Roddy voice) new hangar!

Got a message yesterday that one of the newer hangars was available. Last I heard I was #7 on the list, but apparently everyone above me either didn't have a plane or didn't respond. It's 60% more money, but it's a little bigger and has an electric bifold door. I've always hated fighting with the 3 section sliding doors on my old hangar, so I went for it. The old hangar was 70s vintage and leaked as well. New one built in 2008.

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I have a rule that I don't pull my plane out of the hangar without flying her, so I got a couple approaches in as well.

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And I got new airplane tires today...For my chisel plow.

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Did my Mayo BasicMed two year quiz, printed my certificate, good until 2026.
 
Bill said:
Did my Mayo BasicMed two year quiz, printed my certificate, good until 2026.
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Did my doc appt for basic med. Good for 4 there.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
GoFly said:
Looks like your chisel plow is good for up to 225 mph with those new tires. Lemme know if you plan on plowing that fast, I gotta see that.
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What a time we live in...

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Jim K said:
What a time we live in...

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I asked chatgpt to convert the entire thermal output of Georgia's infamously overbudget plant vogtle nuclear project, and the 4GW it makes, to a thermal output that equates to approx 18M hp. So just need a couple nuclear power stations.
 
Jim K said:
Started moving into my (Rod Roddy voice) new hangar!

Got a message yesterday that one of the newer hangars was available. Last I heard I was #7 on the list, but apparently everyone above me either didn't have a plane or didn't respond. It's 60% more money, but it's a little bigger and has an electric bifold door. I've always hated fighting with the 3 section sliding doors on my old hangar, so I went for it. The old hangar was 70s vintage and leaked as well. New one built in 2008.

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I have a rule that I don't pull my plane out of the hangar without flying her, so I got a couple approaches in as well.



And I got new airplane tires today. For my chisel plow.
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You've got a lot of work to do. Move in a refrigerator, desk, desk chair, old sofa, television, wall clock and thermometer, posters from AirVenture, etc. Shelving for oil, cleaning supplies, maybe brake fluid, air compressor, etc.
 
Jim K said:
Started moving into my (Rod Roddy voice) new hangar!

Got a message yesterday that one of the newer hangars was available. Last I heard I was #7 on the list, but apparently everyone above me either didn't have a plane or didn't respond. It's 60% more money, but it's a little bigger and has an electric bifold door. I've always hated fighting with the 3 section sliding doors on my old hangar, so I went for it. The old hangar was 70s vintage and leaked as well. New one built in 2008.

View attachment 146645

I have a rule that I don't pull my plane out of the hangar without flying her, so I got a couple approaches in as well.

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And I got new airplane tires today. For my chisel plow.

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Won't you miss picking up all the golf balls?
 
Ed Haywood said:
Flew 30 minutes home, went to push my aircraft in the hangar, and something hit my leg. It was a broken tail brace wire. :oops:
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Oof. And it's streamlined? I haven't read enough of your posts to figure out what you fly, but I hope it's something for which someone has them available without needing to custom order.
 
Ed Haywood said:
Flew 30 minutes home, went to push my aircraft in the hangar, and something hit my leg. It was a broken tail brace wire. :oops:

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Scary.

Seems odd that it would break in the middle rather than at an end where the movement is constrained. Fatigue from vibration? I'm sure you look at those during pre-flight, but are they periodically checked more thoroughly, like maybe a dye pen at annual?
 
Half Fast said:
Scary.

Seems odd that it would break in the middle rather than at an end where the movement is constrained. Fatigue from vibration? I'm sure you look at those during pre-flight, but are they periodically checked more thoroughly, like maybe a dye pen at annual?
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Yeah on scary. I think I might check or just replace everyone on the plane
 
Albany Tom said:
Is that the second thing that's broken on your plane during aero in the last 2 months?
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Yes. Oil cooler flanges were the other. But I don't think either was directly caused by aerobatics.

Racerx said:
How common is this? Is there something else going on you can't see?
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DaleB said:
Oof. And it's streamlined? I haven't read enough of your posts to figure out what you fly, but I hope it's something for which someone has them available without needing to custom order.
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It is apparently more common with the streamlined wires. I am switching to round. I fly a Decathlon. Spruce has a pair en route to me via next day air. If they arrive tomorrow morning, I should be able to make the contest.

Half Fast said:
Seems odd that it would break in the middle rather than at an end where the movement is constrained. Fatigue from vibration? I'm sure you look at those during pre-flight, but are they periodically checked more thoroughly, like maybe a dye pen at annual?
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Internet sez it is caused by FOD. Rock kicks up, nicks the wire, and it grows over time. Logical it would happen close to the ground.

I pluck 'em every pre flight like a guitar string. This one picked up a buzz a few flights ago. Nobody taught me what that meant. Now I know. Dye pen at annual would be smart, but I think it progresses pretty fast.

luvflyin said:
Home from what/where? That don’t look good. Had you been aerobaticing?
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I flew about 20 minutes of aggressive acro at Sebring for contest practice. Landed, fueled up, and flew 30 minutes home. I think it happened when I landed on the rough grass strip at home.

Half Fast said:
Scary.
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At first it seemed terrifying. But I read several similar stories on the Internet, enough to suggest it's no big deal under most circumstances. The H stab and elevator have a lot of structure to them, and the mounting tubes are beefy. I think the wires mostly just take out the play so everything is rigid and precise.
 
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Melted some wire, set my monumental waste of time back on its tires. Did some flying.

Almost remembered how to MIG uphill. :raspberry:
 

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