Thanks for recommending the book, Jay. I picked up a copy and it's wonderful. My Dad was a Tool and Die Maker, and I grew up in a machine shop. I've always been fascinated by "How We Got Here", and this book is a treat!   - Jim ... View more

Having been envolved in various motorcycle dealerships from the late 70's until I retired a few years ago, I've owned each one of these bikes, sometimes 3 or 4 times over the years as castaways customers didn't want fixed or trade-ins I bought from the sales dept and while they're fine examples, I own and ride 2 other bikes that I enjoy more although they are slightly newer.....my silver and blue 1982 Yamaha XJ650 Seca and my 1999 Kawasaki EJ650 W2.... ... View more

Have pulled many dashboards over the years in automotive... and 42 years in my own repair shop. If you don't think they are nearly all a nightmare, then I would have to wonder exactly what you were working on.  I had said for (many) years that the dash should be made in two or three sections with an easily removable top or windshield filler plate (which some cars do have).  On small aircraft you have a pressed firewall which is fairly heavy aluminum, roughly 1/8". It holds the engine mountings and is (obviously) extremely strong.  Why not make the basic dash parts this way, then fit them on locator pins, and secure with flange washer nuts like a steel wheel? This would help with structural integrity, too. The driver's side could stay the same or similar and then add a removable center and right side section. It could be configured in roughly a 40-20-40 set up.  Imagine your next heater core, evaporator core, HVAC blower or blend door motor replacement! Pull off some trim, loosen the stud nuts and remove the panel. Reassemble and torque the plate to specs. Sounds too easy to me.  Design and production could not really be that difficult to do, right? There are currently many hidden parts behind the dash that routinely fail after 8-10 years and WILL need service (not so much in the older cars.   ... View more

You'd restore it on the likely chance it will make decent money when you sell it.  Perhaps you haven't seen how much people pay for them now? https://bringatrailer.com/audi/ur-quattro/  ... View more

Speaking of bleeding the brakes, that’s some pretty grim looking brake fluid I see. The darker it is, the more water there is in it, the lower the boiling point and the greater the likelihood of corrosion happening. Periodic flushes are a must! ... View more

Can someone proofread this, please?    " The result for the freakshow time-attack truck was a mighty 11:25.065, besting Mercedes-Benz’s efforts from 2015 with the C250D 4Matic’s 11:22."   Either the 11:25 or the 11:22 is incorrect, damned if I know which. ... View more

Yes.  The roll hoop is a bit short.  But it also has a butt weld tight in the middle of bend which probably is not good for strength.  And it doesn't have turn signals (I loved the hand signal while making a right turn), and no door beams in case of a collision, nor any 5 mph bumpers, or a windshield, or a whole bunch of other nanny stuff.  Why do you throw shade on this man's work?  This is an example of how old time hot rodding was done and I am glad to have a chance to view it.  If you ask me, the real danger is driving this 36 inch high vehicle on public roads where all the texting and cannabis medicated drivers reside, not on the race track. ... View more