Topic: The Happy-ish Thread. Share your small wins and mixed blessings.

[Terry in Australia]

Thanks guys, no, it's been sitting in the shop since March. Apparently there was a problem with the ECU not recognising the "Smart Keys" (or whatever they're called) so they had to send the ECU and keys and some other parts to Melbourne to get sorted, and during that 3 months they had one guy resign, another mechanic's wife had a baby, and of course, my car wasn't their highest priority. No biggie, my little Mitsubishi is going great, so as I've never even sat in the "New" (22 year old) Ford Ute, I wasn't too fussed.

Here are the pics from the original ad on FB Marketplace, you'll notice in some pics it has the stock wheels and in others there are some nicer alloys, Gary (the 84 year old that I bought it from) has included both. I'll take some more pics on the weekend, when I actually see it in the flesh for the first time. My cuz dropped it off to my mum's place today, and he loves it, he reckons it looks and drives like a new car. My Ma said she loves it too, so I told her to take it for a lap, it's insured, so no biggie........

Terry’s new ute 13 Feb 2024 5 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

Terry’s new ute 13 Feb 2024 7 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

Terry’s new ute 13 Feb 2024 9c by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

Terry’s new ute 13 Feb 2024 9d by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

Terry’s new ute 13 Feb 2024 4 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

Terry’s new ute 13 Feb 2024 3 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

[Terry in Australia]

But wait, don't send any money, there's more good news! I've been working from home all week because my poor old mother in law is in hospital and not going great, by comparison some of my bikes are in better condition than her, if you can imagine that. That's not the good news, the good news is that the Defence Department's computer system wasn't working all day, so I had to amuse myself at home, while still on the clock.

Hmmnn, so how do I fill my day waiting for the computer geeks to sort out the problem? I couldn't go for a ride, but wait a minute! I had a BMW in pieces that needed some love, so as disappointed as I was that I couldn't do any paid work, I crawled underneath the white BMW, and first replaced the (now nice and clean) oil pump pickup:

BMW K100RS SE Thursday 9 May 2024 1 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

I cleaned the pan and very sparingly applied a little sealant that came from Germany via Britain, so it must be good.

BMW K100RS SE Thursday 9 May 2024 2 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

Once I bolted that back up, I attacked the pump. Completely disassembled it, cleaned it in my ultrasonic cleaner then flushed it with water and air dried it. To be honest, I was a tad frightened of pounding in the mechanical seal as per all of the Youtube video's I watched, so was relieved when I read the instructions that came with the rebuild kit, suggesting that rather than risk damage bashing the sh1t out of it, rather, install the shaft through the oil pump seal, then pull the mechanical seal/bush down using the water pump's impeller bolt and a heap of washers, until it was seated properly. Happily it worked fine, so I was happy, and relieved.

BMW K100RS SE Thursday 9 May 2024 4 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

I pulled the pump cover out of the cleaner, and had I had more time, I would have repainted it, but what the heck, I didn't even know if the engine was gonna run, so I just applied more gasket sealant (no gaskets, it's German...) and bolted it on.

BMW K100RS SE Thursday 9 May 2024 5 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

I filled it with oil, and added a pint of Lucas oil additive (because I found it in a tub) and after a short prayer, fired it up. The oil pressure light when off after a couple of seconds, and the engine ran as smooth as silk! Woohoo! I couldn't run it for too long because I didn't refill the coolant (PITA job as Spotty will attest, you have to remove 4 panels and the tank to fill it) so I'll do that tomorrow. With luck the Defence system will still be kaput tomorrow, and once it stops raining, I'll have to take it for a ride, and hopefully, I won't be going home in a tow truck......

BMW Sunday 21 April 2024 3 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

[RAFster122s]

Sharp looking bike and so glad to hear it had no noises other than those it is supposed to...

Sent you email at your of couple places in Williams AZ you will want to enjoy on Route 66. Book a train ride from Williams up to the Grand Canyon and spend the night if you want good photos for the canyon only obtained either after it rains or in the low light of as sunrise approaches or in the golden hour around sunset and just after when the colors are intense. During the day the bright sunlight washes them out.  The overnight stay at the grand canyon will make you bend over and grab your ankles but unless you are driving in way way early and driving back after dark (not recommended on a MC because of chance to hit a deer or elk) then a stay is the only way to go. The tacos and beer at Fiesta Mexican restaurant are pretty good and the canyon club dive bar next door can lubricate your whistle, if a beer or two won't do it, given Williams is a tourist town I would not expect things to be cheap , but far cheaper than the Grand Canyon lodging will be...

Get some others to go with you and share a room as most rooms are setup for 2 double or queen beds. Given you are tall, you like me, you likely would will prefer a queen bed so feet don't hang over the end. If you don't mind sharing a room with someone else snoring...

If you want a detour or two...

Went ahead and attached ideas for others to see...

Chloride, AZ a  bit of a detour
And Williams has a cool metal archway wrought iron type sign coming into town on Rt66 I think, or one of the state routes. It is a good photo op... Tall enough big semis won't hit it

[vfourfreak]

BOOM!

I really hope not mate, once is enough…

87 years today since the kaboom.

One of the survivors of the inferno of LZ 129, and for a while chief suspect for the conflagration, can be seen in the movie "Marathon Man" playing Klaus Szell.

Ben Dova (!!!!) otherwise Joseph Späh is involved in what is probably the most bizarre car chase in film history, involving himself and one of the Pep boys.

The resulting crash and fire is hopefully, Terry, not at all indicative of the future for your German  steed.

Kev

[PeWe]

Terry, you fixed the knocking BMW?
I guess so and can only send you congratulations!
It must feel very good.

You turned it off in time

It looks very good and will hopefully run well and safely take you where you wish.

[grcamna2]

BOOM!

I really hope not mate, once is enough…

87 years today since the kaboom.

One of the survivors of the inferno of LZ 129, and for a while chief suspect for the conflagration, can be seen in the movie "Marathon Man" playing Klaus Szell.

Ben Dova (!!!!) otherwise Joseph Späh is involved in what is probably the most bizarre car chase in film history, involving himself and one of the Pep boys.

The resulting crash and fire is hopefully, Terry, not at all indicative of the future for your German  steed.

Kev

Lol 

[Terry in Australia]

Thanks Kev, and good to see you’re still around! I haven’t seen that movie in years, I’ll have to watch it again! Yeah Bill, it appears that I dodged a bullet with the BM, hopefully I’ll get it out for a ride this afternoon when the rain stops and have a pleasant ride.

I bought some more used parts for the Hindenburg from a guy in Western Australia, to further spruce it up. The intent is to pass a Roadworthy Inspection and get a red plate (classic permit) so I can use it as my daily rider when I’m able to ride it to work. It’s obviously in rougher condition than the white one, so I won’t be too worried about leaving it parked in the rain, K100’s are pretty cheap now, but the white SE is a bit more collectable so I’ll only take it out on nice days.

One of the parts I bought was a new metal plenum chamber that I’m hoping will work with the  Luftmeister turbo kit, as the Luftmeister plenum and exhaust pipe back from the turbo was missing when I bought the kit from Ted. If I can adapt it, then I only need to fabricate an exhaust and it’ll be good to go. I’ll install it on the Hindenburg and see how it goes before I finally remove the fairing and other fibreglass pieces and paint them, which will be the last scorched pieces on the bike. Should be fun.

[grcamna2]

Terry,I hope you removed every last bit of that clear paint-like/cellophane looking garbage from your nice blue/white K100RS SE.

[Terry in Australia]

Thanks Bill, so do I! I’ve just filled it with coolant and ran it for 15 minutes or so to “burp” the cooling system, engine sounds fine, and the oil pressure light went off after a second or so, so I’m tentatively calling it good.

The work computer system is still down (or was last time I checked it, so once the road drys out I’ll take it for a ride and see if it’s running ok under load. I’ll drop the oil pan again next week (won’t be home on the weekend) and search for any more crap, but I think it’s ok now, it’s had 2 oil and filter changes since it happened, (but only one since I cleaned the muck out and cleaned and rebuilt the pump) so I’m hoping that I didn’t do any permanent damage.

[grcamna2]

Thanks Bill, so do I! I’ve just filled it with coolant and ran it for 15 minutes or so to “burp” the cooling system, engine sounds fine, and the oil pressure light went off after a second or so, so I’m tentatively calling it good.

The work computer system is still down (or was last time I checked it, so once the road drys out I’ll take it for a ride and see if it’s running ok under load. I’ll drop the oil pan again next week (won’t be home on the weekend) and search for any more crap, but I think it’s ok now, it’s had 2 oil and filter changes since it happened, (but only one since I cleaned the muck out and cleaned and rebuilt the pump) so I’m hoping that I didn’t do any permanent damage.

Run it through it's paces,even lug it a little Terry.
How long have you owned that nice machine:from new?

[Terry in Australia]

Thanks Bill, no, it's a "Special Edition" 1989 K100RS that cost considerably more than the standard model when it came out, so I could never have afforded to buy one new, but I picked it up for peanuts (from a very pissed off seller on Ebay who wasn't happy that the winning bid was so low, but needed the money) in 2013 or 14 (I can't remember) and have had it parked in my storage unit since August 2014, according to my log book. I bought a Yamaha FJ1200 at the same time, and enjoyed riding it so much I sort of forgot about the BMW, until recently when I decided that it needed to be put back on the road.

Well the happy-ish news is that the beautiful BMW appears to be running fine. I waited all day (well, I was working from home, sort of..) for the rain to stop, and happily it stopped around lunchtime. Sadly by around 3 when I decided to go for a ride, it started raining again. Bugger it, I'm a manly man, so I dressed myself in my best wet weather attire, and rode off into the gloom.

Of course I'd forgotten that it was a Friday afternoon and when it rains here, traffic stops. I got onto the freeway, and it was just a big carpark. My vision was pretty poor as my visor was fogging up, so I couldn't attempt any daredevil moves, plus it was raining, and as good as the "as new, but 10 year old" Pirelli tyres are, I don't trust them on cold wet roads. I got off the freeway and no matter which way I pointed the bike, the traffic was almost at a standstill.

I turned for home, only doing around 10 miles total, but the bike went well, I'm sure I could actually feel the ABS brakes working which was a plus, because as good as Brembo brakes are, they're pretty grabby and good for skids, but not as much fun on wet roads. I had to grab the brakes a couple of times when cars were cutting into my lane, and was happy that the bike rapidly slowed, without locking up the wheels.

Anyway, I got it home in one piece, and it seems to be running fine. No rides this weekend as I'm going to visit my Ma 200 miles away for Mothers Day and to pick up my new (to me) truck and drive it back home Sunday, but the white BMW will be the next bike that I ride next week. (if it's not raining) I'm happy that it appears to be good.

K100RS SE Friday 10 May 2024. by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

K100RS SE Friday 10 May 2024 1 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr 

[grcamna2]

Good 

[jgger]

 :DTerry, does thar camo rain gear make it harder for the water to see you comming?  Maybe I should get some too!

Good to hear the Beemer isn't dead. If you are going to replace those tires soon, look into those Kenda KM1,  I am really liking mine. If they have them in the size you need, mine were just over $200 US for the pair, not mounted of course.

[Terry in Australia]

:DTerry, does thar camo rain gear make it harder for the water to see you comming?  Maybe I should get some too!

Good to hear the Beemer isn't dead. If you are going to replace those tires soon, look into those Kenda KM1,  I am really liking mine. If they have them in the size you need, mine were just over $200 US for the pair, not mounted of course.

Ha ha, they’re just an old pair of Army wet weather pants I was issued many years ago, they’re good in that they’re lightweight and can be rolled up into a very snall bundle, and they’re breathable so I’m not wetter on the inside than out. Add them to my old steel cap work boots and they’re very fashionable, don’t you think?

As I only intend to ride it on dry roads and the bike was parked in a dark storage unit they’re still remarkably soft, but of course probably not as good as new ones, although I watched some pro’s testing 10 year old NOS tyres on a race bike in the US and comparing them with brand new ones and they said that they couldn’t tell any difference in grip, or lap times. If they were rock hard and cracked, that’d be a different matter entirely, but the way they’re stored does make a difference apparently.

I don’t see Kenda tyres around here, but Stinko’s are great, I put them on just about everything now, the price has crept up a bit lately but when I put them on my CB750 and Kawasaki Z1-B they were only $229 per pair (AUD, so around $150 USD) fitted and balanced.

[grcamna2]

:DTerry, does thar camo rain gear make it harder for the water to see you comming?  Maybe I should get some too!

Good to hear the Beemer isn't dead. If you are going to replace those tires soon, look into those Kenda KM1,  I am really liking mine. If they have them in the size you need, mine were just over $200 US for the pair, not mounted of course.

Ha ha, they’re just an old pair of Army wet weather pants I was issued many years ago, they’re good in that they’re lightweight and can be rolled up into a very snall bundle, and they’re breathable so I’m not wetter on the inside than out. Add them to my old steel cap work boots and they’re very fashionable, don’t you think?

As I only intend to ride it on dry roads and the bike was parked in a dark storage unit they’re still remarkably soft, but of course probably not as good as new ones, although I watched some pro’s testing 10 year old NOS tyres on a race bike in the US and comparing them with brand new ones and they said that they couldn’t tell any difference in grip, or lap times. If they were rock hard and cracked, that’d be a different matter entirely, but the way they’re stored does make a difference apparently.

I don’t see Kenda tyres around here, but Stinko’s are great, I put them on just about everything now, the price has crept up a bit lately but when I put them on my CB750 and Kawasaki Z1-B they were only $229 per pair (AUD, so around $150 USD) fitted and balanced.

Shinko 712?  How long do they last on your CB750K0?

[Tracksnblades1]

:DTerry, does thar camo rain gear make it harder for the water to see you comming?  Maybe I should get some too!

Good to hear the Beemer isn't dead. If you are going to replace those tires soon, look into those Kenda KM1,  I am really liking mine. If they have them in the size you need, mine were just over $200 US for the pair, not mounted of course.

Ha ha, they’re just an old pair of Army wet weather pants I was issued many years ago, they’re good in that they’re lightweight and can be rolled up into a very snall bundle, and they’re breathable so I’m not wetter on the inside than out. Add them to my old steel cap work boots and they’re very fashionable, don’t you think?

As I only intend to ride it on dry roads and the bike was parked in a dark storage unit they’re still remarkably soft, but of course probably not as good as new ones, although I watched some pro’s testing 10 year old NOS tyres on a race bike in the US and comparing them with brand new ones and they said that they couldn’t tell any difference in grip, or lap times. If they were rock hard and cracked, that’d be a different matter entirely, but the way they’re stored does make a difference apparently.

I don’t see Kenda tyres around here, but Stinko’s are great, I put them on just about everything now, the price has crept up a bit lately but when I put them on my CB750 and Kawasaki Z1-B they were only $229 per pair (AUD, so around $150 USD) fitted and balanced.

Is that your official Aussie camo pattern..

I’m still like the US woodland pattern the best..but it’s old and discontinued now.. wearing a M65 fj and matching bdu’s one will blend right in, in our timber here....blaze orange is safer during hunting season..🎯

[Terry in Australia]

:DTerry, does thar camo rain gear make it harder for the water to see you comming?  Maybe I should get some too!

Good to hear the Beemer isn't dead. If you are going to replace those tires soon, look into those Kenda KM1,  I am really liking mine. If they have them in the size you need, mine were just over $200 US for the pair, not mounted of course.

Ha ha, they’re just an old pair of Army wet weather pants I was issued many years ago, they’re good in that they’re lightweight and can be rolled up into a very snall bundle, and they’re breathable so I’m not wetter on the inside than out. Add them to my old steel cap work boots and they’re very fashionable, don’t you think?

As I only intend to ride it on dry roads and the bike was parked in a dark storage unit they’re still remarkably soft, but of course probably not as good as new ones, although I watched some pro’s testing 10 year old NOS tyres on a race bike in the US and comparing them with brand new ones and they said that they couldn’t tell any difference in grip, or lap times. If they were rock hard and cracked, that’d be a different matter entirely, but the way they’re stored does make a difference apparently.

I don’t see Kenda tyres around here, but Stinko’s are great, I put them on just about everything now, the price has crept up a bit lately but when I put them on my CB750 and Kawasaki Z1-B they were only $229 per pair (AUD, so around $150 USD) fitted and balanced.

Shinko 712?  How long do they last on your CB750K0?

I think the K0 has done around 3000 miles so far Bill, and they’re still like new. I must sort the ignition and rebuild the brake MC this winter and get it ready for some rides again.

[Terry in Australia]

:DTerry, does thar camo rain gear make it harder for the water to see you comming?  Maybe I should get some too!

Good to hear the Beemer isn't dead. If you are going to replace those tires soon, look into those Kenda KM1,  I am really liking mine. If they have them in the size you need, mine were just over $200 US for the pair, not mounted of course.

Ha ha, they’re just an old pair of Army wet weather pants I was issued many years ago, they’re good in that they’re lightweight and can be rolled up into a very snall bundle, and they’re breathable so I’m not wetter on the inside than out. Add them to my old steel cap work boots and they’re very fashionable, don’t you think?

As I only intend to ride it on dry roads and the bike was parked in a dark storage unit they’re still remarkably soft, but of course probably not as good as new ones, although I watched some pro’s testing 10 year old NOS tyres on a race bike in the US and comparing them with brand new ones and they said that they couldn’t tell any difference in grip, or lap times. If they were rock hard and cracked, that’d be a different matter entirely, but the way they’re stored does make a difference apparently.

I don’t see Kenda tyres around here, but Stinko’s are great, I put them on just about everything now, the price has crept up a bit lately but when I put them on my CB750 and Kawasaki Z1-B they were only $229 per pair (AUD, so around $150 USD) fitted and balanced.

Is that your official Aussie camo pattern..

I’m still like the US woodland pattern the best..but it’s old and discontinued now.. wearing a M65 fj and matching bdu’s one will blend right in, in our timber here....blaze orange is safer during hunting season..🎯

They’re about the second version of our cams mate, the new ones have a different pattern again. They worked pretty well in the day, but I rarely go bush anymore so haven’t bothered to get issued the latest pattern wet weather gear. The jacket is pretty good too but of course has no crash protection so whenever I rode to work when on duty I’d wear it over my bike jacket.

[grcamna2]

:DTerry, does thar camo rain gear make it harder for the water to see you comming?  Maybe I should get some too!

Good to hear the Beemer isn't dead. If you are going to replace those tires soon, look into those Kenda KM1,  I am really liking mine. If they have them in the size you need, mine were just over $200 US for the pair, not mounted of course.

Ha ha, they’re just an old pair of Army wet weather pants I was issued many years ago, they’re good in that they’re lightweight and can be rolled up into a very snall bundle, and they’re breathable so I’m not wetter on the inside than out. Add them to my old steel cap work boots and they’re very fashionable, don’t you think?

As I only intend to ride it on dry roads and the bike was parked in a dark storage unit they’re still remarkably soft, but of course probably not as good as new ones, although I watched some pro’s testing 10 year old NOS tyres on a race bike in the US and comparing them with brand new ones and they said that they couldn’t tell any difference in grip, or lap times. If they were rock hard and cracked, that’d be a different matter entirely, but the way they’re stored does make a difference apparently.

I don’t see Kenda tyres around here, but Stinko’s are great, I put them on just about everything now, the price has crept up a bit lately but when I put them on my CB750 and Kawasaki Z1-B they were only $229 per pair (AUD, so around $150 USD) fitted and balanced.

Shinko 712?  How long do they last on your CB750K0?

I think the K0 has done around 3000 miles so far Bill, and they’re still like new. I must sort the ignition and rebuild the brake MC this winter and get it ready for some rides again.

Terry,did you ever get a Shinko 712 that was 'out of true' ? possibly something to do with a defective manufacture where it wasn't set in the mold correctly,possibly.. ?

I bought a bike with a 712 with fresh tread like that;the bike had sat still for years..

[Terry in Australia]

No mate, all of mine have been great, and great value for money. I have bought bikes that have sat for years and if the tyres, ( regardless of brand) were flat for a long time they rarely ran true after reinflating them.

[grcamna2]

No mate, all of mine have been great, and great value for money. I have bought bikes that have sat for years and if the tyres, ( regardless of brand) were flat for a long time they rarely ran true after reinflating them.

The tire on mine had sat too long.

[newday777]

No mate, all of mine have been great, and great value for money. I have bought bikes that have sat for years and if the tyres, ( regardless of brand) were flat for a long time they rarely ran true after reinflating them.

I haven't tried stinkos because of the bad ones I've seen and replaced on other peeps goldwings. Lots of cracks in sidewalls and between treads.

Off the stinko subject, and onto the main subject, I met a bloke and his squeeze yesterday in New Hampshire, they are touring this country and Canada in a rented black hearse(his words)/minivan, from the the land of down under. They have a place at the beach and a big cattle station up in the high country. They say they have a collection of bikes, he rides all over the world and has a blog. They were a hoot as Sean and I had coffee with them. Christopher and Laura. They invited us to stop by if either of us get there.

[Terry in Australia]

It must be something to do with the air in the US, I haven’t had a bad Stinko yet, and have them on several of my bikes. My family hails from the High Country and my mum lives only an hours drive away now, in my home town. I haven’t been up there for years but it’s a beautiful place, so well worth a visit.

I couldn’t log on to the Defence network today so to amuse myself I wired in a new fuel pump harness with much heavier cables, a relay and a fuse, into the Hindenburg BMW. Surprisingly it worked really well, and I took it for a short ride when I finished. It’s a lovely old bike, and I keep replacing the scorched items as I can find them. I only need a mirror now and I can take it in for a Roadworthy Inspection and get a red plate.

[newday777]

It must be something to do with the air in the US, I haven’t had a bad Stinko yet, and have them on several of my bikes. My family hails from the High Country and my mum lives only an hours drive away now, in my home town. I haven’t been up there for years but it’s a beautiful place, so well worth a visit.

I couldn’t log on to the Defence network today so to amuse myself I wired in a new fuel pump harness with much heavier cables, a relay and a fuse, into the Hindenburg BMW. Surprisingly it worked really well, and I took it for a short ride when I finished. It’s a lovely old bike, and I keep replacing the scorched items as I can find them. I only need a mirror now and I can take it in for a Roadworthy Inspection and get a red plate.

I've seen movies of the high country and always wanted to get there.

That's great news about the fuel pump working well now.

[RAFster122s]

That's good news Terry