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RJMatt
Intermediate Driver
since
25-05-2020
Online
38
Posts
45
Likes
581
Minutes online
Wednesday
2 Likes
I own a GL350 Bluetec as my only car. I've had MB off and on since about 1984, and still like SOME of the models.I know my vehicle is a truck, but used with 68K, it was a lot less money than a used Duramax with 250K on the odometer, and will still tow a 7,500lb travel trailer. I've NOT been impressed by most of the "new" models with the 3 point star, but they are getting better. The seem to be trying to go back to fun and reliable driving, the two main things I enjoy.
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3 weeks ago
2 Likes
As I'm getting older now, the true swing-away steering wheel would be nice! Easier to get in and really not a problem to work out. I agree with a lot of the people here that two tone paint, with REAL color options, would be great!
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23-04-2022
01:20 PM
2 Likes
The VW Bug is known by ALL generations in my family! I've never owned one, but did have a squareback for a little while. My grand nephews all love them, and they are driving age.
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08-04-2022
02:23 PM
1 Like
I had a riding friend who owned a Guzzi. Trounced me with a high gear roll on on my 750 Honda. One year later, me on my new XS1100 Yamaha, and even with him down-shifting, he could not catch me. There is always something faster, but that isn't always the most fun! I still like the Guzzi, and still ride my XS1100's.
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06-04-2022
02:01 PM
1 Like
I was looking for a used pickup for a tow vehicle. Duramax/6 speed is the only thing I "had" to have. I'm "retired, and want to pull a travel trailer. After over a year of looking, I ended up with a 2015 MB GL350 Bluetech. Yes, it needs DEF, but I can park almost anyplace, turn on a dime, have a smooth ride, pull a 7,500lb trailer, and get 23MPG around town. Oh, it is AWD, and does have some of the problems of "electronics age" vehicles, but has been working for me. I use packing quilts on the seats, and put 10' boards, pipes, etc. inside and close the doors.
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02-04-2022
01:01 PM
As one who owned a 1974 1/2 JH, I agree! I did want one of those while driving my white Jensen.
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14-01-2022
04:32 PM
1 Like
The battery you show has the SOLD ON DATE, NOT the build date! It may have sat for six months before being installed. There is usually a month/year stamp someplace on the battery for the build date. Winter tires DO make a difference if you drive in snow for part of the year. The second set of rims is a good way to do it. Other than that, good advise for people who need to drive in winter/icy conditions.
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04-01-2022
06:27 PM
1 Like
Yeah, but Zen and the art of Motorcycle maintenance is leaning on it. I think that counts as a few points in it's favor.
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11-05-2021
10:51 AM
1 Like
I also saw the collection, both old and "new". I loved going through the old museum, but just didn't have the time to see even a part of what was there.
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08-04-2021
11:52 AM
3 Likes
We all have something we try to hold on to! My case, a 1979 Yamaha XS1100. Yes, this is a 42 year old bike but, 1/4 mile in about 12 seconds, shaft drive so no chain noise or vibration, and because it's the special version, the damn 100 mile fuel tank! At 68, I'm still riding it, just not as aggressive as I did at 25, when I bought my first XS1100.
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05-04-2021
11:12 AM
1 Like
The most I've had to do is replace some of the carriage bolts with stainless and put in all new nylock nuts. Single car roll-up wood door about 1 mile from the Monterey Bay. All the zink plated bolts were rusted or loose. I spent about two hours on it and it was working great when we sold the house and moved out of state.
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26-03-2021
11:31 AM
1 Like
Also, on some calipers you can loosen the end of the grease gun fitting and it will go on the bleeder. Makes it easy, just loosen the bleeder and pump. I also put a short bolt and copper washer in place of the brake line to seal the caliper.
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26-03-2021
11:27 AM
VERY good way of doing it! I work on old motorcycles and have been using this trick for years.
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23-03-2021
11:34 AM
4 Likes
Great read! I'm NOT going to let my wife read it though, as we leave for a 2K mile road trip Thursday morning. Last thing I need is her saying "but what if it tries to tip over" when we're motoring down the two lane highway in the GL350. And yeah, pucker factor is watching the 40' container of swinging beef lift rear tires three feet of the road at 25mph in a cloverleaf, with you at the wheel!
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20-03-2021
10:24 AM
3 Likes
I did the same thing with an AC Cobra back in '73. $300 and it needed a starter...
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03-03-2021
11:54 AM
Spuds, The grill is functional. Cooling is needed for the controller and other electronics used in the motor control/charging systems. For charging, I'd like to see batteries built in a pack that could be removed and replaced in 5 minutes on ALL electric cars. Three or four sizes to cover the range of cars would be a 5 minute fuel up, about like now.
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15-02-2021
10:27 AM
2 Likes
I think it was ELF that did four small diameter front wheels in a race car. This was late 60's, early 70's I think. Tire tech wasn't what we have today, and that was how they tried to get grip and low overall height for higher speeds on the track.
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05-02-2021
11:47 AM
1 Like
But some conversions DO keep the transmission! I would want at least a two speed, so it's quick off the line and has a good top speed.
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04-02-2021
10:46 AM
1 Like
I stripped many screws on my old Japanese motorcycles as a kid. I've replaced most of the JIS with hex drive, or "allen head" Stainless steel fasteners on bikes. I like the look and ease of removal after they have been in for a year or six. As stated in the article, the cross head screw was designed to be used with powered guns on an assembly line. They are still used a LOT in electronics and other manufacturing both here and China.
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27-01-2021
11:26 AM
If it could be used to park/load, both directions, I would probably buy it. I park a 1979 XS1100 on my lift. I walk it up feathering the clutch now. To use some battery power would be quick and easier.
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20-01-2021
11:56 AM
I have a house with a "2 car" garage, 20' X 22'. I NEED a shop for the motorcycles/car projects, but don't have the money left to build it, as I'm now "retired". This move was from a 1 car garage that only had motorcycles and tools, with little room to work. As I write this, both cars are outside, and I'm using the one car space to prep tanks and covers for a re-paint. Nature will ALWAYS fill the room you have!
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19-01-2021
11:36 AM
2 Likes
GM only? And even then not a good representation. The headline should have been a GM collection for sale. The only car I kick myself for selling was my '66 442 convertible. Yeah, had an auto but it was still fast, and I used it for commuting to work every day. This list is missing the Cuda 440 sixpack, Shelby GT500, Ford Torino, and a bunch of other great cars from the mid 60's.
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16-01-2021
12:04 PM
2 Likes
Great list! My dad had an Indian before I was born, and I'd love to get one in his honor. I have two late '70's Yamaha XS1100's. One running, one a work in progress. I know they will probably never make the list, but I can ride all day and not worry about it breaking. The '78 was the fastest production bike in a 1/4 mile when it came out, and that is with a drive shaft!
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07-01-2021
12:22 PM
1 Like
If I had the money, I'd buy one in a heartbeat! I've been riding motorcycles for over 50 years, and one like this would be fun! I'm too old to try and break 200mph, but just cruising on something like this has to be a blast.
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16-12-2020
11:08 AM
2 Likes
The dial DOES work with magnets. Been used on High end two way radios and test equipment for years. My problem, I will NOT run ANYTHING off my phone, and I will NEVER buy an Apple phone for myself! Growing up in Cupertino, and seeing how Apple did things gave me that view. I like my 2015 GL350 Bluetec SUV. Seats 7, and will pull a 7,500lb travel trailer for my retirement home.
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06-10-2020
11:47 AM
Somehow that just does not look as good as a V8 with headers in the front, and the beer keg fuel tank out back.
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05-10-2020
11:53 AM
2 Likes
The Ford in the picture is the tow vehicle for the Porsche. There is an empty trailer behind it.
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26-09-2020
11:30 AM
I'm riding my 1979 Yamaha XS1100SF almost every day. The FIRST sub 12 second 1/4 mile production bike, shaft drive, and good for around town or an iron butt.(I did one on a 1979 standard in 2006) I've owned and ridden many bikes in my 50+ years of riding, and still like the XS1100 for it's durability, speed, and smooth road manners.
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25-09-2020
11:26 AM
2 Likes
At 15 years old I helped my dad swap a 445 Wildcat running gear into a 1952 International Harvester 1/2 ton long bed pickup. Did the swap in the yard at home, and I got to drive it now and then at 16! It was a real sleeper, as it wasn't painted and had two glasspacks per exhaust that kept it quiet unless you really put your foot into it. SW gauges, speedo was corrected, and I still saw 145 on I280 in San Jose. My dad had someone in a Firebird formula 400 cut him off on the freeway, and he was able to keep up, and then pass him! The truck died while I was in the army, we had too long a driveline on it and the front U-joint let go under acceleration at 70mph. Tore the trans off the engine and rolled the rear end off the spring mounts.
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25-09-2020
11:12 AM
2 Likes
Enzo had it down, the best looking car ever built! Even today they look like they are going 120mph when parked, and the curves on the body are to die for.
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22-08-2020
12:51 PM
I'm riding my 1979 Yamaha XS1100FS today! It's my seventh XS1100 I've owned. Their cheap to buy, cheap to fix, and run forever. I've put over 100K on two of the bikes, and been across the country on them a few times. Much more dependable than the 2007 BMW R1200RT I used to own, and easier to service than the Kawasaki Concourse 1400 I sold two years ago!
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16-08-2020
12:29 PM
2 Likes
8:30am, Firebird Raceway, ID Firebird Raceway, Eagle, ID 08:35 08/16/2020
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15-08-2020
10:47 AM
I drove a Jensen Healy for about 4 years. Loved it, and it was my daily driver to work, 35 miles each way, as well as vacations. Keep up the maintenance and they will take you far. Treat it like an American V8 and it will bite you.
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27-07-2020
12:18 PM
1 Like
I owned a white one, '74 1/2, in the late '70's. Factory hard top, tan seats, 5 speed and no air pump. It was fun to drive, and gave a few "sports car" drivers a lesson in handling. by the time I sold it, about '80, I was still able to get my $5K out of it.
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06-07-2020
12:46 PM
2 Likes
I also started at a young age, 12 years old riding my dad's trail 55 Honda. My first bike was a Suzuki 120 I paid $200 for in 1970. I also did a LOT of "dumb" things, but survived so far. Now at 65 I'm riding my 1979 Yamaha XS11 SF, and have over 1 million miles on two wheels.
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03-07-2020
11:52 AM
French, I think it's a Peugeot, 1960's 400 series? I knew someone who liked them back in the '70's.
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11-06-2020
12:12 PM
In 1978 Yamaha came out with the XS1100. 11.84 1/4 mile time stock, 130mph+ top speed. This was a SHAFT DRIVE bike! I owned one from new, had to put it together as the local shop was between mechanics. I could lift the front tire in the first four gears, with the Pacifico fairing and hard saddle bags on the bike! Sold that after four years and 35K miles to a local LEO, but I have a '79 I'm riding today.
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25-05-2020
11:19 AM
My grandfather owned a gas station in Los Altos, CA at the time. I remember one pulled up, and I was asked to find the dip stick for the oil! As it used hydraulic oi, it shared with the transmission as I remembered. I was 11 at the time!
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