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Crusty
Posted on Wednesday, December 05, 2018 - 05:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Ode to Ground Beef


I love a good cheeseburger. Over the years, I’ve had some that were truly incredible. I’ve also had some that made a can of Alpo with Cheese Whiz look appealing, but I’d rather talk about the good ones.

Jimmy Buffett wrote a song glorifying them. I can agree wholeheartedly with the theme of the song, though I like mine a little differently from the way he prefers them. I don’t really care for lettuce and tomato on my burger. I do like Heinz 57, though. I can take or leave the fries, unless I’m in the mood for fries with gravy on them. Then they become elevated to exquisite in flavor. But that depends on my mood. He also likes his with a cold draught beer; I prefer either a cup of good coffee or a glass of Pepsi.

There was a little restaurant in New Lebanon, New York that I stumbled upon back in the 80s called the Hitchin’ Post Café. They made really good hand formed patties and the burgers were extremely delicious. However, as time went on, the quality began to slip. Then the restaurant got sold and the new owner didn’t have the same touch and the burgers devolved into the ordinary category. Then the restaurant got sold again and the name changed. I don’t know how the burgers are now.

When Melia and Kala were here in October, we went to a local Steak & Shake. Kala was beside herself. She absolutely loved the burger he had there. She loved it so much that when their flight back to Spokane got put off until the following day, she insisted on going back to S&S for dinner. She voted unanimously on going. (Melia and I didn’t get to vote).

I’ve written about it before, but one of the best burgers I’ve had in years was from the restaurant in Marysvale, Utah. I got it with fried onions and mushrooms and I put ketchup on it and it was almost Transcendental. I plan to go back there one of these days. I hope that the restaurant is still open and that the cook hasn’t lost his touch.

I cook my own burgers here at home and they’re adequate, but I’m not a true Maestro when it comes to cooking Burgers. I’m competent and I usually make a decent burger. Good enough for me. I stopped making hand formed patties. I got a burger press and it does what I want it to do. I weigh out the right amount of ground beef and the press shapes it into uniform, round patties. I prefer extra sharp cheddar cheese on my burger.

Occasionally, I’ll fry an onion in butter and put that on my burger. And sometimes, I’ll go all out and put sweet pickle relish, mustard, Tabasco Chipotle sauce, plus the onion and Ketchup on it. That becomes an instant mess as soon as I take the first bite, but it really does taste good.

Other countries have their special foods. Australia has the best steak sandwiches I’ve ever eaten (even better than the Rib Eye sandwiches from Coleman’s at the Springfield Mile) and the pork in Kenya was the best tasting pork I’ve ever eaten. Nobody makes a burger that can compare to a good burger made here in the USA, though.

I just had a cheeseburger for dinner, and now I’m enjoying a second cup of good Kenya coffee. The weather sucks outside. It’s been snowing lightly off and on since last night and the temperature has been hovering right around the freezing mark since this time, Monday evening. I’m not going anywhere on the bike, so I figured I’d come up with a topic for a Snippet. My burger tasted so good, I decided to write about it. I think nearly everybody enjoys a good burger. Except Vegans; they have my deepest sympathy.
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Airbozo
Posted on Wednesday, December 05, 2018 - 06:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Great stories Crusty, Thanks!

I too cook in batches. Helps when mine and the SO's commute gets us home late. We still have some good food to nuke and enjoy before the witching hour (7pm).

Our garden did not produce much this year. Combination of neglect, and a young dog. She's got holes all over the back yard. Mostly digging for gophers. She also helps herself to any of the tomatoes and peppers. She stripped the lower branches of my Granny Smith tree early in the season.

The SO and I have spent one day every weekend for the last couple of months emptying the chest freezer and making jam. Raspberry, Strawberry, Olallieberry, Blueberry, Blackberry, Plum (from our trees), Cranberry and Hot Pepper Jam (no hot sauce this year). We started with about 50 cases of 4oz and 25 cases of 8oz. They've been selling pretty good and surprisingly, the hot pepper and Blueberry are the best sellers. We also made hot Chocolate mix. Regular and Dark chocolate.

Vegans:
A good friend of the SO's turned Vegan years ago after an abdominal issue. Her Dr. told her to cut back on red meat and she went fully crazy into veganism. She has been hospitalized a couple of times for iron deficiency and some other dietary related issues. Her boyfriend got tired of catching her when she passed out. She was with us for dinner one night and asked the waiter if the chef could make her a "Vegan Hamburger". The waiter came back less than a minute with just a short simple: "NOPE" ... but he can make you a grilled veggie sandwich. When pressed, the chef came out and explained that there is no such thing as a vegan hamburger since by definition a hamburger contains meat.
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86129squids
Posted on Thursday, December 06, 2018 - 12:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Nice Snippet topic, Crusticle! I'm looking to buy a meat grinder soon- my work allows staff to purchase prime filet trimmings for $2 a pound. Yeehaa!!

My cousin was in to visit about a week ago, and we took him to a great burger joint in downtown Knoxvegas- Stock and Barrel. Check out their menu, very inventive recipes, and... FRIES COOKED IN DUCK FAT! I got the "Shroomin'", my honey got the "Ring of Fire".


https://thestockandbarrel.com/

"Barrel" refers to a ginormous list of whiskeys from around the world- Matthew's head would explode. IMHO they beat a decade's old establishment up in North Knoxville, called Litton's. And, they've done well enough to open a new location in Nashville, where the restaurant industry is white-hot.
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Tootal
Posted on Thursday, December 06, 2018 - 01:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Funny you should write about this. At the grocery store last week I actually bought some ground chuck and have been enjoying home made hamburgers for the first time in ages. I like cutting up some onion and putting it between two thin patties and slow cooking it. Now matter how you make them, they don't suck!
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Ourdee
Posted on Thursday, December 06, 2018 - 02:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

.
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Ourdee
Posted on Thursday, December 06, 2018 - 02:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

SUPER DOOPER CRUSTY!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I'm a 5 year old with a train for christmas!!!

I think I'll steal some of Freddie's words. I'm floating around in ecstasy. I'm gonna go, go, go
There's no stopping me
I'm {happy} at the speed of light
I'm having a ball
If you wanna have a good time
Are you ready, hey, are you ready for this?
Are you hanging on the edge of your seat?
Mmm num ba de
Dum bum ba be
Doo buh dum ba beh beh
Watching some good friends
Ee do ba be
Ee da ba ba ba
Um bo bo
Be lap
People on streets
Ee da de da de
People on streets
Ee da de da de da de da

All I can say with this big cheese eating grin....
WOOOOOHOOOOO!..
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Pwnzor
Posted on Thursday, December 06, 2018 - 05:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Gretchen makes some bad-ass turkey burgers, stuffed with chunks of some kind of tangy cheese.
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Crusty
Posted on Thursday, December 06, 2018 - 05:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Ourdee; That's why I like to do the things I do at Christmas!

Matthew; there are many great ways to prepare different foods. Those turkey burgers sound really good!

I think that the lowly Burger doesn't get the recognition it deserves.

As an old friend just told me, I should do an Ode to Pizza soon. That would be another great topic.
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04buell
Posted on Thursday, December 06, 2018 - 06:13 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Darn it Crusty!!! Now I want a big ole juicy cheeseburger with all the fixings and I have nothing in the house to remedy my want.
Had to settle for some ribeye beef stew I made in the instant pot. It was pretty good, but it wasn’t a cheeseburger.
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Zac4mac
Posted on Thursday, December 06, 2018 - 10:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Just finished a plate of Stouffers lasagna.
mmmmmmmmmmm, comfort food.

G'nite
Z
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H0gwash
Posted on Friday, December 07, 2018 - 11:58 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I had to confirm that our ground beef was not part of the recent recall... before we could have cheeseburgers. Pepper jack cheese, 100& beef, 80% lean, plenty of salt, don't overhandle the patties or they will be bruised!
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86129squids
Posted on Friday, December 07, 2018 - 01:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

A good buddy made us some venison burgers recently... gotta love leftovers!
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Mnscrounger
Posted on Friday, December 07, 2018 - 02:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I made a bunch of Slow cooked venison in bourbon tamales earlier this fall.Last night i reheated some of them. This was my first try at a homemade sauce idea. I kept it super simple, tomatoes, roasted poblano, cumin, a dash of salt a touch of cocoa, and Mexican style crema but it never tasted "done".
As I was washing up afterwards, I sprinkled a little garlic powder and red pepper flakes in the saucepan just to see if that was what was missing. Yup, with a fresh clove of garlic, and serrano peppers, I'll have a better base for next time.
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86129squids
Posted on Friday, December 07, 2018 - 02:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Oh heck yeah!!! I love tamales. Here lately I've been bugging my sweetie to work up a batch of homemade Cuban bread, then I'll take care of the rest. We've got a place nearby that makes awesome Cuban sandwiches, but honey has NAILED the bread recipe. Here ya go:

https://icuban.com/food/pan_cubano2.html
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Crusty
Posted on Saturday, December 08, 2018 - 11:32 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Errands and Such


I’m stalling. It’s cold outside and I’m waiting for the temperature to get a little closer to the freezing mark. The thermometer in the back porch is reading 22 F (-5.5 C). I’m getting soft; Temps in the 20s weren’t even a consideration a couple of years ago. Hell; when I rode to Daytona in ’06, it was 19 F at my house and the temp dropped as I rode through the Connecticut hills. I didn’t see the freezing mark until I was in New Jersey. Now, it’s in the 20s and I have less than 10 miles total and I’m hanging back. Maybe I’ll get a car for next year. Then again, if the temperature would get up to Average for this date, I’d be out on the Roadster and comfortable. Maybe next year, the temperatures will be as far above Average as they’ve been below this season. Or maybe it’ll warm up as the winter progresses. (And maybe I’ll win the Lottery, too!)

One good way of stalling is to write a Snippet. I’m not sure what to pick for a topic, though. I could write a bit more about Christmas, but there’s over two weeks to go, and there’ll be additional things to write about it, so I think I should wait. I could write more about Flat Track, but I’m going to wait until after the first of the year for that. After I wrote about Cheeseburgers, a friend recommended I do an Ode to Pizza. That’s definitely worth a Snippet, but I want to wait a bit.

One thing that has me thinking is that Liquid Assets (the people who bought out EBR Motorcycles) are doing low volume builds. What I’ve heard so far is two variants of the 1190 RX and an 1190 SX Black Mamba. I guess it’s a variation of the Black Lightning. It has the original SX suspension and not the shorter suspension of the Black Lightning. I don’t know if it has the higher bars or lower footpegs or the more comfortable seat. More details will appear in time. The other thing I don’t know is the price. Even if it’s being sold at a bargain price, I probably won’t be able to afford one. Still, if it is priced low enough, maybe I could work out a way… we’ll see. I’m trying to make assumptions from insufficient data. That’s bad science and it’s also a bad way to live. But it is a nice subject for Daydreaming.

Well; the temperature has risen all the way to 27 F (-3 C). I guess I should get off my duff, put my gear on and gitter done.
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Tootal
Posted on Sunday, December 09, 2018 - 05:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I installed a new windshield on the Geezer Glide yesterday. It's a National Cycle V-Stream and is supposed to not only blow the air over you but around you. So in honor of Crusty I took a 34 degree ride today to try it out and by golly, it works. Much warmer than before, although the heated hand grips were on high!! The cruise control is working again as I found a used unit on ebay and all is well!
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Hughlysses
Posted on Sunday, December 09, 2018 - 05:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

John- I hope the new SX variant makes it to market and you can swing one.

I’ve had my SX almost 1-1/2 years now. Although on paper it has a slightly taller seat than my Uly with XT suspension, I find it significantly easier to handle. The front of the seat is much narrower than the Uly and that’s a big help.

The other thing worth noting is this suspension is much stiffer than the XT suspension, even with the compression damping backed off to the max recommended for improving the ride quality. I suspect a lower suspension on this bike would be bone-jarring on real-world roads.
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Crusty
Posted on Monday, December 10, 2018 - 06:55 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Baby; It’s Cold Outside


I think the temperature got above freezing today, but I wouldn’t put money on that. The cold was causing a sharp pain in the sides of my neck up by the jaw. I have a neck warmer that I usually wear in cold weather, but it was sitting on the helmet shelf at home, nice and warm. I really thought it was going to get close to 40 F (4.4 C); so I told myself that if I was dumb enough to believe the forecast, then I deserved to suffer a bit. I’ve only been riding during the winter for a couple of decades or so,; I guess it’s understandable that I’d leave an important piece of gear off. I won’t be making that mistake again for a while.

I was in the supermarket getting a couple of necessities, Cheddar cheese for burgers, a rack of bottled water and a few other items and I bought two cans of Blueberry Pie filling and a couple of pre made crusts. The Blueberry Pie I had at Thanksgiving sucked. I’m going to bake my own.

Now; I don’t know squat about baking pies. I’m going to give it a shot, though. I don’t think it can taste much worse than that last pie that I bought. I’m pretty sure that one can of filling will be enough for a pie, but I bought two, just in case it isn’t. I researched a bunch of recipes, and I’m pretty optimistic that I’ll be able to do the job successfully.

The Roadster likes these temperatures less than I do. I have to run with the choke pulled out for a few miles or else she doesn’t really want to run. The poor spark plugs don’t really get a chance to burn all the excess carbon off. I hope we get a few warmer days so I get a chance to take it out for a few miles and let it clear itself out.

I almost started buying up parts to stockpile for a new Roadster. I ran across the handlebars that I like while looking at parts on eBay. They cost a third of what the MoFoCo wants. I keep looking at gas tanks and rear fenders and even front fenders. If I could build up a stash of parts, then it would be that much sooner that I could get them painted and get the new Roadster set up properly. The one thing that really helps me to not buy is how low my funds are. After Christmas, I should be in a little bit better shape, money wise.

While I like to dream about setting up a new Roadster, I think I’m going to have to make the changes slowly, like I did with The Roadster. I rode it pretty much stock for the first year. Then I got that set of Hepco & Becker mounts for cheap and I got a beat up old Custom gas tank, and Vern worked his magic and made it look really nice, but it wore the stock tank until April of 16 and it was a couple of more months until I had the mounts modified to fit the bike and I put the hard bags on. I still have the soft bags, and I could use them again if I have to. We’ll see.

Getting back to Christmas; I’m planning the same meal I had for Thanksgiving, and I’m hoping it all turns out on Christmas day like it did then. And I’m hoping the pie comes out right. I have about half a pound of Kenya Medium roast coffee that I’m saving for the holiday, so even if I blow it on the pie, I’ll still be able to savor a good cup of coffee or two. With the steak, Italian Green Beans, baked potato, gravy and biscuits, I won’t really need the pie, but if I have it, it’ll be a perfect capper for the occasion. All the while, with Christmas Music playing and all the lights lit.
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Zac4mac
Posted on Monday, December 10, 2018 - 11:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

When I was in California, two or three lifetimes ago, I got a parcel from up north.
My mom was at her aunt's in Ojai and sent me a cooler with 10lbs of cheddar cheese and butter - USDA surplus for the elderly.

I made 3 pies(2 apple and one pumpkin) with 7 lbs of the butter folded into the crust).
Swedes know their pastry.
Haven't had a better pie since...

Z
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Crusty
Posted on Thursday, December 13, 2018 - 09:56 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

And So It Begins

Coming up with a title for this Snippet wasn’t easy. At first, I was going to use I did a bad thing. Then, I thought Damn the torpedoes would be a good title. I also thought And so it begins would be good; and I just came up with The next Roadster. Whichever one I use will be appropriate.

I have a habit of cruising fleaBay looking for various items. That’s how I got the gas tank that’s on my Roadster. (It took Vern and his excellent skills to make it as nice as it is now). I also found the mounting brackets for the Hepco saddlebags for cheap there.

In my quest for a new Roadster, I realize that I’m going to have to make several changes to the bike to get it set up to my specifications. New handlebars, gas tank, and both fenders are among the changes, so I’ll surf the offerings on fleaBay to see just how much getting what I want will cost. Some of the prices are ridiculous. A used gas tank with multiple crater sized dents will sell for almost the price of a new tank (unpainted) from Harley; and more than the price of a new aftermarket tank. I frequently wonder whatever happened to the principle that a good used part was worth 50% the cost of a new part?

Anyhow, last night I was looking at Custom gas tanks and one came up for less than half of what the vultures are asking for their dented pieces. I looked at the various pictures. There are a few scratches and chips in the paint, but that’s it. No dents and the Buy It Now price for a 2008 Custom tank was $120.00. That’s the cheapest I’ve seen one in a long time.

Now, I’ve overspent by a bunch for Christmas. I can’t help it; it’s the way I am. I can not only accept that about myself, but I get so much enjoyment doing it, I expect it. Property Taxes will be coming up just after the first of the year. I’ve kept an eye on that and kept the other eye on my bank balance and my incoming pension and I’ve managed to keep everything pretty much balanced. I won’t be eating Rib Eye steaks next month, but all the bills will be paid as will be the Property Tax.

So I did what I shouldn’t; I bought the gas tank. I’ve figured out how I can afford it. This might turn out to be like the time I figured out how to afford that pair of Wesco boots (that would be a good story for a Snippet), but I’m 99% sure I figured it out right.

It’s the first step in getting a new bike. I’d need a bigger tank eventually; now I have one. The day is coming when I’ll be riding up the Dempster Highway towards Tuktoyaktuk on a new(er) red Roadster.

When I first decided to hit the road back in 2014, there were a couple of seemingly overwhelming obstacles that had to be dealt with. First was that I had to get a Sportster and the second was that I had to get my blood drawn every couple of weeks to check my PTINR. I knew that both issues were solvable, but I didn’t know how. Still, I continued with my plans and eventually, everything fell into place. The right bike appeared and it was affordable and I found a way to obtain my own blood tester. By the time I was ready to move out, everything had fallen into place.

I’ve set my goal and my timetable. There are a few obstacles in my path, but I’m certain they will be overcome. If I have to eat cheap for a month or two, I can do that. I think the right bike is at a dealership fairly close to me. I won’t be ready to even consider buying for at least another month, but if I’m meant to get that bike, it’ll happen. I have a little over a year to get it all together; I’m positive that if I keep a positive attitude and just keep doing the Next Right Thing it will happen.
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Ourdee
Posted on Thursday, December 13, 2018 - 11:34 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

First, A Very Merry Christmas to You! I went for a little ride on Lil Red yesterday. It was in the 40s and sunny out. The wind picked up a couple of hours in. All in all a very needed trip. I may have ruined the capacity of the fairly new battery with my loose connection fiasco. I am considering removing some of my extra electronics. We don't really need to jam everything around us do we? I keep looking at the battery tray on Lil Red and want to have over 300 CCA. That requires another inch in width right where the 1" wiring harness sits. I so wish Buell had thought of making that an option from the factory.

I want to know what color of red you are thinking. I keep thinking candy apple red with or without airbrushed black shadows on the edges for your sportster.
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Airbozo
Posted on Thursday, December 13, 2018 - 11:50 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Crusty:
For folks like yourself with a good heart and great intentions, things fall into place. Lessons will be learned and rewards will follow. It's what I've seen in my life happen to those that deserve it. You work and plan (mostly) for what you want and it happens. I am sure you are right about your next bike being at a dealership near you. Wherever you may be.

Ourdee:
I guess I'll have to call my S3T "Li'l Purp" (although I've never named or assigned gender to any of my vehicles). It was 34 degrees yesterday morning when I left my house. It was a little foggy and the roads were slightly damp. It was much nicer on the ride home, but I also had to deal with the wind trying to blow me into the next lane or into the side of the hill.

It was a much needed break from the cage... My sanity requires it.
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Ourdee
Posted on Thursday, December 13, 2018 - 12:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Lil Red got named after meeting the engine from Big Red up north.
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Etennuly
Posted on Friday, December 14, 2018 - 10:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

My Buell is definitely a male if by nothing but his deep voice, his name is Ulysses. It came to me with that name and I could not come up with anything better.

Crusty, thanks for the card. It put a big smile on a tired face as I got back from my last trip in a particular truck.

Don't worry about what ever color your parts come to you in. If you like, send them to me, I'll make it happen. I have a brand new pack of sharpies in my cabinet.
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Ourdee
Posted on Friday, December 14, 2018 - 10:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

If there is a big enough pile of parts needing colored, I'll fire up the Jeep. Road trip!
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Adrenaline_junkie
Posted on Saturday, December 15, 2018 - 07:46 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

We could have a sanding party. I'm a very good sander.
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Crusty
Posted on Saturday, December 15, 2018 - 08:06 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Custom Boots

When I was around ten years old, my dad took me to the department store to get a new pair of shoes. They had a pair of Engineer boots in my size, and I thought they were the coolest things I ever saw and I talked Dad into buying them for me.

When we got home, my mom was beside herself. They weren’t quite the usual footwear for school and she figured the nuns would have something to say about them. I went to a Catholic school, and we had to wear white shirts and blue neck ties and nice pants. The boots didn’t quite match the ensemble. I loved those boots and wore them until I wore them out.

I wore Engineer boots most of my adult life. I had good ones and bad ones. I got them from various Manufacturers. For many years, I wore Herman Boots. They had four rows of stitching in critical areas. They were very well made boots until they moved overseas. I wore Engineer boots on four continents. I was wearing Engineer boots long before they became known as Biker Boots.

In the mid 90s, I heard about a boot company that made custom engineer boots called Wesco Boots. They made heavy duty work boots for Loggers and Ironworkers and they had a good reputation for making durable footwear. I really liked the idea of getting a pair of custom made boots, so I sent for their catalogue.

There were all kinds of options available. I didn’t think I needed the Kevlar lining to protect me from chain saw cuts, but it was available if I did. I drew an outline of each foot on the form, so they could make my own personal lasts, and picked out which soles I wanted, and other features and figured out the price. My custom boots would cost me $300.00. That was about five times the going rate for good quality Engineer boots, and I really couldn’t afford it.

At the time I was working as a miner on a flood control tunnel. My job was being a signal man for the trains that came into the Tunnel Boring Machine. The open cars would pull up under the conveyor and as each car would fill, I’d signal the Operator of the train and he’d move back a little until all the cars were full. Then the TBM would stop boring and the train would leave. While the train was gone, I’d jump down and shovel the rock chips that had spilled off to the side. Then the next train would arrive, and we’d do it all over again. I was in pretty good physical shape then, but still, shoveling rock for a shift was tiring.

Now, I was working second shift. My hours were 4:00 to Midnight. One night, the third shift was shorthanded, and I was asked to work a Double. I figured, “Why not?” I could use a little extra money. By 3:00 AM I was falling asleep on my feet. It was a tough shift, but I made it through. During that shift, however, I’d figured out that the extra money I got for pulling a double would be enough that I could buy the boots.

So I sent in my order forms and a large check for my Custom Made Engineer Boots. I knew that by the time the check came back to my bank, I would have gotten paid and would have the money in the bank to cover it. There was only one problem; I had figured the amount of money I was making wrong. I only made half of what I thought I’d earned. Doing math in my head after 12 hours of shoveling rock was a bad idea. Not checking that math once I’d gotten some sleep was an even worse idea.

I had a very lean month. I had to cut every corner I could to get by, but I survived. And I got my boots. They were everything I’d hoped they’d be. They took months to break in, but they were really well made. Wesco had lived up to their reputation and in the end, those boots were worth what I paid. Not just the money, but the effort and wear on my body. I wore those boots in the USA and in Australia. I wore those boots in sub-freezing temperatures and when the thermometer was reading well over 100F. They got waterlogged in the rain and parched in the sun. They held up like no other boots I’d ever owned. I wore them until my ankle got crushed. Then it hurt too much when I put them on, so after waiting a couple of years for things to improve, I finally resigned to the inevitable, and the boots went away. I’ve never regretted buying them.

I just bought a gas tank for a bike I don’t have yet. I hope I figured my finances better than I did at 4:00 AM while shoveling rock and falling asleep on my feet back in 1995. And I hope that when I get that bike, it’s as good to me as those Wescos were.
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Court
Posted on Saturday, December 15, 2018 - 10:53 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

>>>> I heard about a boot company that made custom engineer boots called Wesco Boots.

I climbed in Wesco boots for years. If you rally want to have some fun get on their WESCO WEBSITE and custom build a pair of boots. I had the ones I loved.

I have to add . . . while we're on boots and $$ . . . a shout out to Red Wing. I have long kept Red Wings around and only once have I neglected a pair so bad they were toast.

My current set of 4418'sa, that I spend 88 hours a week in, was looking a bit long in the tooth so I searched "rebuilding Red Wing Boots" and lo and behold Red Wing now has such a service and it's only $125 so I figured I'd give it a try.

I wanted mine completely rebuilt, restitched, re-soled and so forth. I also wanted a couple other things done and sent a sketch of some stuff. I figured I'd get the "sorry, we can't' do that" or here's what it'll cost . . . the note never came back.

But . . the boots did . . . perfectly rebuilt and with the requested mods done precisely as I drew them.

I love boots.

:-)
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Crusty
Posted on Saturday, December 15, 2018 - 11:45 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I just went to Wesco's site and priced out what a set of boots similar to those boots I got in 1995 would cost. If I thought $300.00 was expensive back then (and I still think that now), the price now would be more than double. I did make a couple of changes; I added the shifter patch on both boots, and I changed the color from black to brown. Basically, the boots would now cost $660.00.

Nice boots, but way out of my price range.

If I hit the Lottery, though...
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Crusty
Posted on Monday, December 17, 2018 - 08:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

And He’s Off!

The gas tank arrived this afternoon. It was exactly as described; a few chips, scratches and scuffs, but in good shape. No dents. There were a couple of rags stuffed inside the tank, and a bit of rust flakes and other particles. I shook out what I could, then I stuck the vacuum cleaner nozzle inside and got it all out.

The tank is bare metal on the inside. Harley used to coat their gas tanks, but I guess they decided it wasn’t cost effective or somethin’. Now that the tank’s here, I’m pretty psyched. I keep looking at that fender that Joe (Gravydog) posted the link to. Maybe I’ll be able to swing that once I get my S.S.deposit next week. I’d sure like to. That is, if someone else doesn’t snatch it up first. With fleaBay, that’s always a possibility.

Of course, once I get the rear fender, then I’ll have to start looking for a front fender and a fender extender. I’ll also have to get a tail light and a turn signal relocation kit and side reflectors and little plastic covers for the front mounting tabs on the tank and who knows what all, but I can see the new Roadster materializing before my eyes.

I’ve pretty much decided that I’m going to want the parts painted Soul Red. That’s the color of my brother’s Mazda. I think it would be a great color for the Roadster. The other color I was considering is a flat desert tan. I think that would also be an excellent choice. However, the red is calling me a little more seductively, so I think that’ll be my color choice.

I’m keeping the tank under my little Christmas Tree until after Christmas. I consider it to be my Christmas Present to myself. The tree is an artificial tree that’s about 3 feet tall. I have it sitting on a small table and the tank is on the floor under the table. It’s a pretty sight.

I knew that the tank was supposed to be delivered today, it didn’t surprise me in the least that it didn’t arrive until I’d gone out to run a few errands. I had borrowed David’s car to get everything home, and when I pulled up, I could see the box sitting on the porch. I took the time to open the box and do a quick inspection of the tank, then I had to return David’s car. After I got home from that, I inspected the tank a bit closer. I saw the rags inside and pulled them out, then went outside to shake out as much rust and dirt as I could. Then I got the vacuum and sucked out what I couldn’t shake out.

I really am pumped. To misquote Humphrey Bogart, “Louis; this is the start of a beautiful friendship!”
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