I loved the reference to keeping the phone in the pocket and not needing to know your location! I think the only way the ride could have been more fun would be with a 40+ year old BMW motorcycle. I always thought the R75/5 was the motorcycle equivalent of a 2002. I suspect that if you were given the opportunity, Sam, you would agree! ... View more

The driver's side valve cover gasket on my Catalina was leaking.  That's an easy fix so I replaced it and it seemed fine until I checked it after a short drive.  Replaced it with a slightly thicker gasket requiring longer bolts.  That fixed it, until again, after a short drive, it still leaked.  The third time I fixed it I had the engine running after to try to discover the exact point of the leak. I was having no luck until my hand brushed against the adjacent power steering pump hose.  It started squirting small amounts of power steering fluid onto the lower part of the valve cover.  Once I replaced that power steering hose, the valve cover gasket stopped leaking!!!   Oh wait!  I thought of a worse one.  I was working at a Suzuki dealership and purchased a brand new 1975 T500 motorcycle.  One evening shortly after I was going to pick up my girlfriend for a ride.  The bike wouldn't start.  After several attempts, I traced the problem to no spark.  I took off the gas tank, got my wiring diagram out and followed the potential source of the no spark condition.  After about an hour's worth of work, I traced the problem all the way to the handlebar kill switch.  It was in the off position!  It is amazing that my girlfriend ultimately married someone so stupid! ... View more

This is great! I have an old pair of bolt cutters that can only cut bolts made of butter. I will simply rename them cable crimpers and have a new useful tool in my tool box! Thanks! ... View more

Thanks! It was a fun build! ... View more

Lots of wet-sanding and the relatively small surfaces of a motorcycle helped make it work! ... View more

This is great advice. Pre-COVID, I spent about 20 minutes listening to this young man talk about his plans for an old Mazda RX that had the nose "stitched" on with zip ties. He was so enthusiastic! I think we forget about the measures we used when we were young. For example, I pounded an old speed limit sign into the space where the floorboard should have been on my '63 Falcon (when it was just an old rusty used car). I will say though. In spite of my sincere efforts, it is really hard not to make fun of old Hondamatic motorcycles! I guess I still have a lot of growing up to do! ... View more

So true!!! This week I bought a practical, somewhat boring car to serve as my daily driver. For the first time, cool didn't enter into the equation. I justified that to myself with the idea that my vintage car and my vintage motorcycles fill the cool niche. Too bad I'm only cool on nice warm days! ... View more

It's funny to consider these bikes "mid-size."  Of course they are now, but when new, they were the "big bikes!"  They are all fun to ride.  Like Steve, I have enjoyed a BMW R75/5 for over 20 years.  It is an absolute ball to ride! ... View more

Saab and Clarion! ... View more

Decades ago I was working at a gas station and someone drove in with an inoperable 8-track. (That long ago!)  Worked when I looked at it in the yard with the door open.  Stopped when the door was closed!  Oh yeah, somehow he had managed to use the interior light as a hot source!  Didn't want to pay me to fix it.  I suggested he drill a hole in the door so the switch wouldn't compress and take the interior bulb out.  I was being sarcastic, but that's what he did.  I'm sure the entire electrical system had 10-foot pole marks all over it! ... View more

Whenever a more modern daily driver fails (not often, fortunately), I get out and open the hood.  I look at what seems like a perfectly normal engine.  Then I wonder why I opened the hood to begin with and call for a tow! ... View more

A military "jeep" made by Ford in the sixties.  It should be displayed in the position it usually ended up in a tight off-road corner, upside down. ... View more

I am a big Pontiac fan.  Nonetheless, I think the best way to fix a Pontiac Aztek is with careful application of explosives. ... View more

Another fun article, Kyle.  I would ask you to give yourself a little bit of a break.  For me, "playing" in the garage is just that, playing.  If I create timetables, the "Zen-like" relaxation I get goes away.  The only thing I do is prioritize.  For example, I was working on a '51 AJS that some day aspires to be a basket case.  When my running '80 Yamaha XS650 "Hot Rod" had a sticking brake caliper, I took the AJS off my lift and put the Yamaha on it.  When that's all together, I'll put the AJS back.  Nevertheless, I really try not to impose deadlines on anything vintage in the garage.  Deadlines are for work and daily drivers! ... View more

Swearing at the designer!  Oh, how I remember the numerous tirades aimed at the folks responsible for the Triumph Spitfire! ... View more

Saw an interview with Jim Varney asking him if he gets called Ernest or "Hey Vern" everywhere he goes.  He said "Everywhere but the bank.  There they call me, "Mr. Varney!"  Gotta love that! ... View more

Sam, this was a ton of fun!!!  The only sound that comes close to those you describe is that of a Bennelli Sei 750.  Many years ago I was pursuing one on an organized and "brisk" vintage motorcycle ride. (I was holding my own on my R75/5 BMW.)  That bike accelerating out of turns sounded like a little Ferrari! It was truly awesome! Fortunately, I didn't suffer any ill-effects from that bout of foolishness!  Thanks again for a great read! ... View more

That sure is a Borgward, Tony!  My dad also owned an Isabella coupe and a wagon.  The wagon's gate opened to the side like an ambulance.  On the subject of corrosion, the Borgward's window mechanism was made of brass! ... View more

Fun article.  I started on a Yamaha DT2 at age 20.  Oh the lessons... "There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves."  - Will Rogers ... View more

I see we share an affliction.  Not only do we have vehicles that need attention, they all need a different set of tools (which feeds another addiction!) ... View more

Had a '66 122S for 36 years.  Awesome car! ... View more