| Author | Message | ||
     Pwnzor |
I like that red stitching on your shift boot. | ||
| Rick_a |
Thanks. It's a leather boot for another car...which I trimmed to make work...because it was inexpensive.  20200412_164105 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr | ||
| Pwnzor |
I knew it was custom. There's a guy on Spyderchat who makes custom arm rests, door cards, and other trim pieces for my car... I've got all three arm rests that he makes, as well as convex side view mirrors. There's so much cool stuff in the aftermarket that's made by enthusiasts since the advent of 3D printing at the consumer level. I've got door jamb braces that cost $40. If you want the TRD equivalent you can fork over $250 for something you can't even see unless the door is wide open and you bend over to look for it. | ||
| Rick_a |
Yeah. I kind of want inner fender braces but don't really want to disassemble the entire front end of my car. They say once you've done it a few times, it isn't bad. Last time I did something like that, it never lined up the same. It feels pretty solid now, but the people in the know, say the difference is pretty noticeable. Other than a turbo, that's all I need  I found out that the CRZ engine underbody panel fits this car with minor modification. It's supposed to be good for a 1mpg mileage increase. I like the idea.  I've been keeping the fan on low and cycling thr AC as needed. That has saved one to two mpg. I've also slowed down on the highway some. That has saved a couple MPG as well. | ||
| Rick_a |
I'm also continually amused and sometimes appalled at the behavior of some that apparently can't stand being passed by a tiny car. Just yesterday a guy nearly wrecked trying to get away from me in the previous generation Mustang GT. That extra three hundred fifty horsepower means nothing on a curvy road or in traffic. | ||
| 86129squids |
"I'm also continually amused and sometimes appalled at the behavior of some that apparently can't stand being passed by a tiny car." I'm getting the same feeling with my PC800. It now has about enough acceleration to surprise, but not shock someone. I keep wanting to find ways to make it a real "sleeper". even keeping the exhaust note quiet. Can't risk screwing up the condition of this bike though, it's super clean original. Maybe I'll just pour a can of NOS in the gas tank... | ||
| Pwnzor |
My buddy's K20 swapped Spyder was on the lift today when I went to get the oil changed in the family truckster. Rod knock in #4, time for a new engine. So, he's going for a K24 swap, get a little more torque out of it... but the block is another couple of inches taller, so there will be some cutting going on.  | ||
| Rick_a |
That's a shame. Nice car. Against my better judgment (broke/in debt/other priorities) I'm getting some extended ball joints to correct the angle of my lower control arm. It has a little more weight transfer/body roll up front than I'd like. It should mostly correct the effects of lowering the car and restore the geometry of the lower control arm. As it is, it is parallel to the road surface which is less than ideal.  I have a major service coming up and need tires, so it may not be the best decision at this juncture...but it's an area that needs improvement nonetheless. The car is getting old and I don't want my aftermarket parts supply drying out. Good excuse as any. | ||
| Rick_a |
I've been nabbed by the GA highway patrol twice in as many months whilst going the same speed as everyone else in my slow econo car. Sure is a bummer. The timing sucks....and I've been slowing down from usual to save gas. Sometimes ya just can't win. It's a little odd to be fairly well behaved on the road in the most pedestrian of vehicles and still get nabbed. I could see the those cops defunded just fine. | ||
| Zacks |
Defunding is why they are looking at alternate revenue streams... | ||
| Rick_a |
They're always extra randy on during the holidays...and the GA highway patrol are notorious for being extremely aggressive in their enforcement measures and tactics. | ||
| Rick_a |
Anyway...I've gained about 4mpg by slowing down 10mph. Saves me from stopping for fuel on my 400mi trip. | ||
| Pwnzor |
There's no defunding of police going on in Georgia that I'm aware of... ...in any case, countermeasures are an important part of spirited driving. I recommend Valentine One or Escort Max360c with ZW5 shifters front and rear. | ||
| Two_seasons |
Rick_a said "...are notorious for being extremely aggressive in their enforcement measures and tactics." Yes sir! I used to have an occasional run in with them on my "weekend with the boy" round trip who, back then, lived in Orlando! 2500 miles in 48 hours! Toothpicks held my eyelids open! | ||
| Pwnzor |
It all comes down to method. | ||
| Rick_a |
Wow. That's a trip!  Eight hours driving is my limit. Anything further affects my sanity. I've done sixteen hours a few times and that sucked. | ||
| Rick_a |
The Fit is no go. Hydroplaned on the highway. Hit the retaining wall. Was not speeding due to conditions. Conditions had been worse all day. It let go suddenly and immediately went sideways. Car totalled. I'm fine. I had just dropped my son off to his mother. I'm just glad he wasn't in the car. Happy new year. Tow truck driver said that happened often in that area. I'm stuck 250 miles from home. Not happy at all. | ||
| Court |
I'd agree. I've been commuting about 1,400 miles, each way, to and from work. When I leave NY . . it's right at 21 hours until I pull into Palm Beach. I have to have myself in the right mindset . . . takes me back to when I was doing it on bikes. But, a car is MUCH less stressful than a bike. A 1,000 mile day on a bike is serious stuff. Chauly . . .how far did Martin ride that 167cc Zündapp in a day? | ||
| 86129squids |
Dang! Rick, hate to hear you crashed and totaled the car, but very glad you're OK. The car will be replaced, NBD- bodily injury would have been a much worse problem. Ummm... happy new year? Happy indeed that you and your son are intact. | ||
| Chauly |
Martin averaged about 1100/day IIRC, still has the smallest bike to have completed the IBR. He had an 11-gallon gas rank made for it... | ||
| Pwnzor |
Noooo....! Rick, where are you? | ||
| Ratbuell |
I will routinely do a nonstop (nearly - last run included one fuel stop each way) run from Maryland to Florida and back, to visit family. Love the large tank and good mileage on the big diesel truck! I limit my food/fluid intake, hit the head when I fuel the truck, and otherwise simply use cruise control, and steer. Pace traffic, and stay safe. Went to FL in late Nov. to pick up a car. Trip down, towing an empty trailer, sucked because of Thanksgiving traffic. Should have been 11 hours, took 16. Trip back, with the car on the trailer...cruise on 77, 11.5 hours door to door. I'm good with that. One thing I like a LOT better on the bike, compared to a car/truck? I can STAND UP on the bike, and work out the numbness in the legs! | ||
| Rick_a |
I'm in Adele. Getting a cab/bus/ride. What a pain. Everything is closed. Can hardly get a hold of anyone. All car rental companies are booked/closing early and/or not answering phones. Thanks, anyway. This car has always been good in these conditions. Only thing I can think of is that I got hit by a big side gust while on plane. Trooper said I had "bald tires" and gave me a citation despite not being to the wear markers yet. I pointed this out and he threatened multiple additional citations. The outermost edge of the tire is worn from exuberant cornering but the rest is fine. The inside most groove is almost to the wear marker and I was going to replace them soon. (Message edited by Rick_a on January 02, 2021) | ||
| Ourdee |
Get pics of the tires! Sorry about the crash. Glad you're safe. Some police are kind, some need a bite in the butt by Karma. If you can afford it, show up to court. | ||
| Rick_a |
Yeah. It tends to cost more to fight it. I did take pics. That's when he went off on me. I'm not sure I want to travel five hundred miles round trip for that. It's a relatively miserable trip. First traffic jams and city traffic then droning along in trooper lined highway. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Did you make it home? | ||
| Rick_a |
Yeah. Stayed in a motel overnight. Everyone was closing early/not renting cars. Spent the entire next day waiting for a bus in the rain. Bus ends at the most ghetto of stops in downtown Atlanta. They were urging everyone to get indoors or they'd end up robbed. Finally got home at around midnight. Just found out today that my car has depreciated $2K since I bought it. Insurance still hasn't got in touch with me. Thinking about maybe going Mini... There are so few cars I actually like. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Dude I'm beating myself up that you rode that bus. You can take my bike for as long as you might want it, and you call me next time you're stuck somewhere like that. Six7eight 4zero4 zero2six4. I can drop the bike off tomorrow afternoon. It's not much but it's insured and registered | ||
| Rick_a |
It's cool. I appreciate it. I've got a rental for now. Adjuster hasn't even looked at the car, but believes it'll be a total loss. I'm hoping I'll get reimbursed for the aftermarket parts. I'll either get a 2nd Gen Mini Cooper S or recreate the Fit. The only thing the Fit was missing was turbo | ||
| Pwnzor |
It's amazing how little damage is required to "total" a car. They tried totaling my Spyder when my bitch neighbor ran over it with her 4x4... Talk to the repair shop before they send their estimate to the insurance company. |
