So you have a passion for motorcycles, what else?

Longdog Cymru

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Jul 21, 2018
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1,665
Location
Swansea, Wales, UK
My first memory of racing cars was my dad's business partner bringing his Scalextric set over. It was a figure of 8 with a chicane, finger trigger speed controls and the two cars were a Vanwall and "sharknose" Ferrari.

Great fun was by the lads....He had two daughters. :D

View attachment 78824View attachment 78825
I was 9 years of age when I had my first Scalextric set, mine was and extended figure of eight too! It came with a Cooper and a Lotus, but I always wanted a Sharknose Ferrari and a Vanwall!
 

WJBertrand

Ventura Highway
Joined
Jun 20, 2015
Messages
4,516
Location
Ventura, CA
Ooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhh yes ..... that would be be very close to taking over my life if I had that ..... so lovely! You must be very proud.
I have loved them all my life, from being a kid. First time me and my wife took a trip to LA for a road trip around California we booked one for rent ... I was gutted when we got to the rental depot to discover that we were allocated a Chevrole Camero ... really nice to be fair but was a dream breaker!
Thanks, I too have wanted one since before I was old enough to drive. Finally made it happen. It’s a 2013 GT Premium with the Coyote V8, Brembo brakes and track pack. I added a Ford Racing tune re-flash, Borla exhausts and a short throw shifter, among other bits. It’s fun ride!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 

Stantdm

Active Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2020
Messages
174
Location
Belle Fourche South Dakota
I used to bird hunt a lot. Pheasants, quail, and grouse. Waterfowl as well. Some years we would hit Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, and South Dakota. I trained my retrievers with my wife and we were in a club that held training days and competitions. I stopped when the best dog I ever had died at seven of cancer. It just made me so angry I had to get away from it. Motorcycles were always a part of my life from the first bike I got when I was fourteen to the ST I ride now but the dogs were more of a passion than any other hobby I had.
 

kaptain_zero

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Joined
Dec 17, 2020
Messages
167
Location
Lost in Oblivia
I have had a large number of interests besides motorcycles. Too many interests in fact, and I bore easily.....

So...... my woodworking hobby came to sudden halt when I developed sensitivities to wood and wood dust.

Electronic interests come and go...... I am Amateur Radio operator with all privileges and back in the day before the internet, I built and operated a fully automated digital satellite communications system, but of course the internet came along and I promptly sold all my equipment before it became worthless. As of today, I am not active.... unless called out for an emergency when all the usual lines of communications fail.

I'll skip the photography era...... I had 35mm to 5" x 7" sheet film capability, a color dark room capable to 4" x 5" sheet film. Again, a fun hobby, but the digital camera, just like the internet, swooped in and took all the fun, never mind the thousands of dollars invested in gear, out of it.

Today, espresso is something I enjoy.... as well as having returned to motorcycles after 20+ years. My wife passed away last fall and as I have no children or relatives in North America, I figured I'd go back to riding a bike and drinking decent coffee! Besides, I've only got 220 km on my new Super Tenere and I've already dropped it..... so I'm drowning my sorrows in espresso!
profitec_pro_500_01-1_3740x3740_681479a6-a155-4c39-a874-388be30737ab_1200x1200.jpg
 

PhilPhilippines

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Joined
Jun 20, 2020
Messages
952
Location
Philippines
I have had a large number of interests besides motorcycles. Too many interests in fact, and I bore easily.....

So...... my woodworking hobby came to sudden halt when I developed sensitivities to wood and wood dust.

Electronic interests come and go...... I am Amateur Radio operator with all privileges and back in the day before the internet, I built and operated a fully automated digital satellite communications system, but of course the internet came along and I promptly sold all my equipment before it became worthless. As of today, I am not active.... unless called out for an emergency when all the usual lines of communications fail.

I'll skip the photography era...... I had 35mm to 5" x 7" sheet film capability, a color dark room capable to 4" x 5" sheet film. Again, a fun hobby, but the digital camera, just like the internet, swooped in and took all the fun, never mind the thousands of dollars invested in gear, out of it.

Today, espresso is something I enjoy.... as well as having returned to motorcycles after 20+ years. My wife passed away last fall and as I have no children or relatives in North America, I figured I'd go back to riding a bike and drinking decent coffee! Besides, I've only got 220 km on my new Super Tenere and I've already dropped it..... so I'm drowning my sorrows in espresso!
View attachment 78856
Awesome machine! Love my espresso too. Vienna/Full City roast for me...

I used to go five to seven times a week to Star*ucks here in Mangla. Most have the manual La Marzocco machines without the hopper, but their policy is a 18-23 second pour (to get you out the door), I got so disappointed with the quality - from dishwater, to satisfactory, to sipping a liquid cigar - that I started to research what made my espesso drinkable.

After a great deal of research I learnt that an espresso is not just one blueprint, is subject to personal preference and wide interpretation. As a result I would visit Cafe McDon..., oops, Star*ucks and politely request that they grind for me, which they did. I would check the dose, tamp, pressure, temp, pour and extraction, etc. Fortunately, my pedantry was entertained as the requests were polite and Filipinos are generally very nice people. In fact, many would stand around and and have in-depth conversations about their craft - oh, we had a crack (sic). And, bonus, if it was not what I paid for they would happily (mostly) try again...

Still, it was always a little disappointing though, as Star*ucks use a very dark roast. For speed of extraction and consistency, I believe.

And then, voila! After 15 years of trying to find a decent espresso, I found one!! I had done my six monthly google search and went to a place a short distance from me to check out a new cafe. However, although they knew how to extract a decent espresso the profile was not my thing. It was a first crack, citrusy-tasting, high altitude(?) blond bean. I am not in the new, fashionable light roast camp and, although it was very good, it was not what I was looking for. After a great conversation the barista very kindly pointed me to their competitor only 200 meters away.

Wow! Eureka! Group and Boiler is the go to! The barista knows more than me and the espresso is the best I have tasted here in Mangla (still a ssslightly lighter roast than I like, but hey..) https://primer.com.ph/food/restaurant-type/cafe-resto/group-boiler-coffee-co-alabangs-chillest-and-friendliest-coffee-shop/ Sadly, covid has curtailed visits.

Hope you like the La Marzocco Leva that Group & Boiler use Kaptain_Zero. It's a work of art and in keeping with the forum it's a twin!La-Marzocco-Leva-X-2GR-380V.png
 
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Dirt_Dad

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Condolences kaptain_zero. That's a tough one.

Like you and many others have mentioned, I've gone through a lot of hobbies, only to stop them cold and move on. Motorcycles seem to be the only one I can never walk away from for long trem.
 

Onenoodles

Active Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2021
Messages
156
Location
Worcester UK
Thanks, I too have wanted one since before I was old enough to drive. Finally made it happen. It’s a 2013 GT Premium with the Coyote V8, Brembo brakes and track pack. I added a Ford Racing tune re-flash, Borla exhausts and a short throw shifter, among other bits. It’s fun ride!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Its a beauty my friend ... I would polish it to within an inch of its life! :cool::)
 

StefanOnHisS10

Converting fuel into heat, noise and a bit motion
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Apr 8, 2020
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2,158
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The Netherlands, Friesland.
I enjoy a lot of things but most are burning fuel related. There is just something about turning fuel into noise, heat and a bit of propulsion.

Besides that enjoy good cigars and Japanese and Scottish whisky’s.
 

Onenoodles

Active Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2021
Messages
156
Location
Worcester UK
Mountain biking at 61 is pretty impressive, your body just doesn't bounce back the same. The risk is far higher then a pedaling the tarmac.
That pic was in Morzine Sept 19 ... I stacked it about an hour after that pic and did my hamstring :rolleyes::) ... made for an interesting ride back to the UK onmy ZZR14 ... could hardly get my leg over the seat. That was the last proper MTB'ing I have done, just do cross country trails now ... oh to be young again!
 

Sierra1

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Joined
Nov 7, 2016
Messages
14,812
Location
Joshua TX
I hope he had a great trip?
I loved Arizona, everything about it ... it was hot though!
Arizona is probably my favorite place that I've lived. He had a great trip, but got snowed on while he was in Flagstaff; still loved it.
 
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ballisticexchris

Guest
I enjoy turning wrenches and fabrication for fun. I'm getting more and more into fun little projects. My latest is converting my truck into an off grid vehicle. My latest project is a dual battery with marine automatic isolator and solar voltage contoller.

All my ground and power wires are 1/0 and going through a 400 amp buss bar. The only OEM wires are the starter battery and fuse distribution wire. Every other wire was ditched in favor of 1/0. I replaced the low 145 amp alternator in favor of a Mechman 250 amp. I replaced both starter and "house battery" with 34/78 series Deka AGM combo start/deep cycle batteries.

Testing stuffing 1/0 through the RVC. GM uses ground amps to regulate voltage. The way they do it is by the block ground and front crossmember where headlights are grounded. This creates a ground path through the RVC and regulates voltage to the battery. My way is more accurate at regulating voltage than OEM. I have every single ground going through a buss bar and then a single one through the regulator along with the crossmember ground for headlights.

340F7B20-CAFA-4359-A74F-C4F4D1E8CC14.jpeg4BBCFC2A-5A42-4B2E-80B8-A6F9FDDB8085_1_201_a.jpeg

Mechman alternator:

EF50EF2A-82B5-4303-9EB7-334754F39A30.jpeg

Final battery control panel layout:
E75647CB-4FD6-4594-844A-5432D4D06D16.jpeg

Finished up and working. My MPPT charge controller is blue tooth and I can set all kinds of different parameters and charge algorithms.
I even have an aux power distribution box. Everything is fused for the wire and I am using terminal fuses for all the big wire and a small
breaker to switch off distribution box for service.
2D95F43D-2ADD-4B42-97A8-A7E7E952E060.jpeg
262618BE-9FD7-4202-950D-F36EA9C28FE5.jpeg

I ran #4 ground and power wires to a distribution block in the back of the truck and have marine grade 30 amp cig plug, 40 amp Anderson plugs, and USB outlets. Also Have a voltage monitor as well:

B8D7B16B-FFEF-45C4-8532-17B09EE1F50E.jpegB8A36FB2-A7A2-4C2A-AAEB-FC65C38451AE.jpeg
 
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ballisticexchris

Guest
LOL!! I have to have something to do while on the injured list. FWIW, this kind of project would normally be a full weekend at most. It took me over 2 months to complete. Less than one hour at a time before I was so wiped out I had to stop. Almost all left handed too. Dominant right shoulder not working.

The Mechman Alternator has the plug clocked differently than the stock one. Since my truck is a stick shift I simply cut out the automatic kick down from bracket and welded it with some 6013 rod. How about these left handed welds LOL!!

F220EE4E-0495-4931-9698-CDCE22C405C6.jpeg3F6F6E2E-83C5-4631-8035-5ED2B5AAC777_1_201_a.jpeg

The blue tooth feature is really cool. No more putting wires through the firewall!!

A0A6F052-E45F-45AE-A869-DA1A540FB2B2.jpeg

Next project is a mild stereo install with Google Play screen. That one I'll be having Best Buy do. My body does not cooperate in under the dash tight quarters.
 

Onenoodles

Active Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2021
Messages
156
Location
Worcester UK
I enjoy turning wrenches and fabrication for fun. I'm getting more and more into fun little projects. My latest is converting my truck into an off grid vehicle. My latest project is a dual battery with marine automatic isolator and solar voltage contoller.

All my ground and power wires are 1/0 and going through a 400 amp buss bar. The only OEM wires are the starter battery and fuse distribution wire. Every other wire was ditched in favor of 1/0. I replaced the low 145 amp alternator in favor of a Mechman 250 amp. I replaced both starter and "house battery" with 34/78 series Deka AGM combo start/deep cycle batteries.

Testing stuffing 1/0 through the RVC. GM uses ground amps to regulate voltage. The way they do it is by the block ground and front crossmember where headlights are grounded. This creates a ground path through the RVC and regulates voltage to the battery. My way is more accurate at regulating voltage than OEM. I have every single ground going through a buss bar and then a single one through the regulator along with the crossmember ground for headlights.

View attachment 78875View attachment 78876

Mechman alternator:

View attachment 78877

Final battery control panel layout:
View attachment 78879

Finished up and working. My MPPT charge controller is blue tooth and I can set all kinds of different parameters and charge algorithms.
I even have an aux power distribution box. Everything is fused for the wire and I am using terminal fuses for all the big wire and a small
breaker to switch off distribution box for service.
View attachment 78882
View attachment 78885

I ran #4 ground and power wires to a distribution block in the back of the truck and have marine grade 30 amp cig plug, 40 amp Anderson plugs, and USB outlets. Also Have a voltage monitor as well:

View attachment 78880View attachment 78881
I just wish I knew what you are doing and saying here but I am hopeless at anything mechanical but hey ... looks great! ;)
 
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