September  quickly going away from us with 2 days left.  Brings back a memory of the time I went to Canada and hit a cold front up there on the 1st day of Oct. which turn the air to 30F and ice on the bike. Not good. Still took another whole day do get out of Canada, cross the border and head South to warmer weather. Ahhhhhhh the memories.

Back to the present starting with what's been done on the Car lately.
New antenna and grommet installed and working.
Windshield wipers still not doing their thing and was going to get a cover and circuit board only to find all have it back ordered with no date. So, got one off ebay that was listed for my car group but the inside is different. So tried a few things on the one in there but no go. So was going to just swap out the whole motor but the wipers are really on there and don't want to destroy them getting them off. Next time I have the hood up I'll spray them to see what happens then. Course, I may see if I can swap the arm on the circuit boards and try that. We'll see. ;-)
The Cruise control is a bigger mess. 1st of all, the turn signal assembly in the steering column is bad loose on engaging the left turn side. But, if you pull it to you a bit , does work.
Tested all under the hood on the cruise system and all is good except for no voltage to the vacuum pod. Had change blow fuse a while back and it still didn't work and check fuse again after finding no voltage and it was still good.  ?????????.  So, while driving about a few days ago, decided to attempt the cruise again and got a burnt wire smell for a bit. Not sure where it was coming from but rolled a window down and it went away. Getting home, checked the Cruise fuse again and it was blown. So, back to the drawing board on that and find what's shorting out that fuse. One splice goes to the steering column and one to the relay under the passenger dash.
So, gonna put that project on hold till I fix the set up in the steering column. That's on hold till I recoup my back account from having to spend 550 bucks on a new washing machine this month along with parts and tools bought for the carvette.

Next is Homecoming parade duty in which I told a gal I would ride her daughter in the parade. That worked out pretty good.

Found out that even 1st gear is too fast for a parade. Had to drag brakes near the whole 1/2 hour route. But, was a fun experience. 

A nice 211 mile afternoon on Bandit was good therapy but tiring to do it in 3.5 hours, Been a long time since to that stuff. LOL! 

Wife's bro in hospital since yesterday with pneumonia and coughing up blood a bit. Gonna be here for a few days and going check on him later this morning.  After the walk and FD visit.  

And that's about it for this run so till the next.   

And the rains return! Saturday morn and much stuff coming our way at 06:13 out of the SW seems. But, such is life and it's been a wet Summer so far down here.

Had the meet and eat with the Class of '61 at Mike's. Took a look at the room we would be renting. Pretty nice and they do all the setting up. Only a week away and will be glad to see the old classmates once again.  Suppose to be around 50 showing so that will be good.

Did go ahead and order the cover/circuit board for the wiper motor on the car. Had asked if they had the circuit board for a '95 Vette and they responded with " the cover comes with the new circuit board ". So , while ordering that from their website, went ahead and ordered a replacement antenna also. Get the message back later via email that the circuit board was out of stock and no delivery date. So, replied to cancel the circuit board and cover and just sent the antenna kit.  Got notice yesterday afternoon that it had shipped and they were refunding the money for the other part to my Paypal account.
Then, went to Ebay and check on used motor assemblies and found a newer entry with a 30-day return policy. So , ordered it and received notice that it was shipped by yesterday afternoon also. If all goes right, I'll be installing those parts next week.
Hopefully, that'll be two more issues scratched off the Fix-it list. And adds around 200 dollars to repair bill. But, thankful that so far, I can do most of that myself.

Did change out the front tire on Bandit. The job went well and balance was pretty fast. Pulled one weight and added two more at different locations. Checked brake pads and good for a while yet even though I have a set in stock. Wheel bearings felt good and have only been in there for about 22,000 miles so should go another 30 to 40 thousand easy.

Then, noticed a couple days ago that the low beam light  went out. So, yesterday afternoon started working on that fix. Having to take the whole fairing assembly off to get to the bulbs.

Gone to get replacement bulbs this morning when the parts stores open. And, change both the Hi and Lo due to time to do the job. Probably about an hour in the teardown and another hour minimum going back together with cleaning and lubing.

First time I've done more than normal maintenance to Bandit since the wreck 3 yrs ago. Except for playing with luggage options I have here in the garage.




Bren and I went to visit my cuz in Tepetate last week in the Vette. The First time she had ever been there. Enjoyed the visit and he seems a bit better. Still needing to go back to MD Anderson for chemo check- up. Also got to talk more to their youngest son, Barry. He is laid off at present so helping lots with taking care of his dad. Neat guy.

And today is barbecue from the little church on W. Division as our norm Saturday meal. And that pretty much catching up with the week.
So, till the next.

Wow! Yesterday without a rain storm down town. Was all around but missed Jennings. In probably the last couple weeks this has happened 2 times. Makes for some very soggy conditions.

Did get a tire ordered for Bandit and was notified yesterday that it's on the way from Bike Bandit's supplier. Have over 10 thousand miles on the front and it's really showing the hard ridge in the middle. I'll take a pic before it comes off the wheel. Yes, I still do all my own tire work on my bikes, including balancing and checking wheel bearing and brakes while apart.

On the car, played around learning how the passenger door courtesy light operates and changing the bulb.  A visit to Mark's Auto to talk with my friend about a couple options I was thinking about for the corvette. And things still needed to be fixed on it.

Radio antenna doesn't retract but you can here the motor run ( maybe $40 if lucky )
Cruise control doesn't work  ($ ????  )
Drivers door panel loose  ??
LCD display for speedo needs to be sent off for replacing film strips.  ( $ 200 plus shipping )
Windshield wipers operate on slow and fast but not else where or do they shut off and park without turning the ign key off then back on.  ( $ 100 hopefully)
Oil leaks on engine and don't even want to put a pressure washer on it with the type ign it has  and need to pull the engine to do it right ( $1500 - 2000 ) Depending on parts needed .

Gave that to Mark as Option One.

Then, asked him if this was his car, would he do all that or sell it in the Spring and hunt for a newer C5 car. As , some of the reason for getting this car was to see if I really wanted to drive one on a near daily basis.  He didn't even stutter about going to a C5 and the advantages.  So, Probable going to fix things that I can fix like the antenna and the wipers. Maybe send the LCD off for refurbing and just have fun with the car till Spring and put it up for sale.

Also selling my 04 Nitro LX700DC  w/ 90 merc and 24v trolling system on it this spring when it's fishing time. I don't use it enuff for it to be about and letting something set is not good for it.

Meeting this evening with the Reunion Committee at Mike's for finale decisions on the Class of 61 reunion the 24th of the month.  Last was 5 yrs ago and at least 3 have died since then.  Hopefully, this won't be our last one.

Oppps, time to get dressed, get the dog, go walk. ;-)  Till the next.

In the days gone by, one day leads to the other, an endless trip and loving it.
On the car, Old ox sensors out without too many problems for my 1st time doing it. Going back with the new ones, egad. After about an hour of trying to get them started by hand and having no luck, I decide to get the car up higher and on jack stands. So, that happen and moved the ramps out of the way. But, was starting to be hot and worn by this time so stopped that for the day.
Next was grass cutting before the rains. Had to do the lots next door with the Craftsman self propelled mower as it was just too wet for the Dixon.   Did something I had not done in the 14 r so yrs I've had this Craftsman , left the gas cap off  or didn't tighten it enough and it fell off and I ran over it. Sheesh! Made it un-usable for sure. And, On all the way, made the engine suffer for gas, on loose had gas coming out from the cap. Luck was that I had the bad stuff done so did the last 10% with the Dixon. Then our front yard with the Dixon.
Found a cap on Ebay and ordered it for about 6 bucks,  The Craftsman site only had the whole gas tank for sale for 50 bucks.
Took the next day off from working on the car as I was a bit sore from crawling and fighting with the ox sensors trying to get them started.
Next morning , went at it with a different approach of trying to get all straight and holding with one hand and operating a box end wrench to get the threads engaged. Worked! Both in finally after about an hour. Took a break and took the car off the jack stands.  Took a test ride about town for a bit and no Service Engine Light on and car running smooth. YES!
Did notice that the left front spoiler I had glued back together broke again. Oh well. Maybe later , I'll replace it. See they have replacements on Ebay.
In the following days, took the car out for more ride about and is running better than has since Ive had it.

Had to give a morning to Da Truck and wash it  and really clean the interior as had been ignoring it since all the work on the car.

Put more rat poison out and saw some had been ate at the shop door. Good deal, Something was getting into my Dog Treats so we are stopping that. Did kill one with poison in the garage and didn't fine it till the smell led to it. Yuk!

Worked on the Back Glass mechanics today on the Car, Cleaned, lubed, fixed broken plastic protectors on the Targa storage system. All is good. Then waxed the back glass and side windows front and back. Cleaned and lubed the gas cap door also.

Gas cap came in for the Craftsman and put it on and mowed the back yard yesterday so all is good there now.

Took down the light under the carport that had quit working and cleaned and service it and painted, Back working now but going to wait till wife has her carpenter do what she wants before rewiring and putting the light back up with it's separate switch .

And, that about catches me up till today so , till the next. ;-)

Getting into September already quickly. And did have a few days without rain but that returned yesterday afternoon. Bad was I did not get grass cut due to motorcycle racing live feed most of the day. By the time it finished, Hello rain.
Other things happening is mostly working on the Vette and it's many little problems. Still reading all I can find and my brain can absorb on it. Chasing the " Service Engine Soon " light with terrible idle with the light off. Changed the MAF and the old one was terribly dirty , but didn't solve the problem. Changed the MAP and disconnect the battery for about 30 mins to erase all codes. Wow! Computer didn't like that and the car was spitting and missing on gentle acceleration getting on to the interstate and worst was boxed it with traffic so I could  not play. But it did get to running smoother. Once getting off I 10 and on a back road, was able to play with speeds and coast down. Light STILL comes on and STILL runs better with it on. But, stays off longer when I make it do so with acceleration to about 80 or so and letting it coast down.
Next is the Ox Sensors, hopefully today.
As per the bikes, a few quick 70 plus mile runs on Suzy and mostly around town stuff on the KLR. The truck gets used just in town lately also when need to carry stuff or the dog is with me. She still is not really comfortable in the Vette.
Friends still dying before me. That's good I guess and I hardly ever see them anymore. But, we have , in the past , traveled the same paths together and keep in distant touch. Getting to where I know more people in the graveyard than on the streets of town. Sigh! RIP Joe Comeaux ( and his wife Brenda whom died 2 weeks ago ) and AB Richard.  On the Comeaux's, I ran around with John , his next older borther, and his sister, Marie, hung with my sister a bit, Wilbert " T " was a bit older but well known and dated my 1st cuz for a bit, and Edward , a year older than I was the whole sibiling set up. Marie and John are left now with John up the East coast somewhere's having stayed up there and married after getting out of the Navy.
So, Life continues.