Don't worry about what is or isn't wrong with it. And, your nephew is probably to young to REALLY appreciate it. I grew up in that era & will happily buy it off you for a good price. You can take satisfaction that it is going to a good home & I WILL take good care of it myself. Better to be on the road & appreciated, then sit in your storage garage. ... View more

Excellent article, even if some of the boys are ribbing you about the dirty funnels (they are pretty dirty lol). I have something similar, but mine are simply a U bolt attached to the side of 1 workbench which drains into empty clear jugs (I have two,1 for clean product & 1 for used). When full they either (as you said) go to the re-cycler or in my oil cans. ... View more

Loved those cars since they first came out. Even being a young guy at the time & into the Camaro/Chevelle/Nova type cars, the Monte Carlo did exude a certain kind of elegance. Would love to find a nice condition '70 now. ... View more

Very enjoyable article. Thank you Jack. Brought back lots of memories. Any bike is a GOOD bike if that is all you have/can afford, because it puts you in the wind. Not to be mean or ignorant (but having been a Factory mechanic for years) I would question the comment of the '69 750 1/4 mile time. More like 13.5 seconds as opposed to low 12's, even if it was "Healthy". Trust me, I rode/fixed/bagged 100's of them. Keep these story's coming. ... View more

Awesome, very happy to hear this great news. Can't wait to read what you print. Maybe, if this Pandemic ever ends & Kyle travels, I could let him take some vintage stuff ('70's Kawi Z's & early '80's GS's) for a rip! ... View more

Bought a '73 50cc for my children way back in the day. They had an absolute blast on it & that (and their mini-quads) is what gave them their base experience to motorcycle riding. ... View more

Good job Rob! I find these stories of yours quite humorous, simply because this is exactly the kind of thing I do. For various reasons (finances mostly in my case) I will go to great lengths to do things myself rather than paying somebody else. Not 100% because I can't afford it, but also because I love learning & also because there is a certain satisfaction knowing you did it yourself. Keep up the great work & stories! ... View more

I too have a little shampooing device such as the one you are talking about Sajeev & it is INCREDIBLE. I got it from my father upon his passing (It is an older version of some sort) & I use it EVERY SINGLE TIME on my vehicles when I put them up for sale (as well as when I 1st acquire them). NEVER thought I would need one, but wouldn't sell a vehicle now before using it!  ... View more

I have to agree with TonyT. I have owned numerous 1/2 tons with various HP configurations & unless HEAVILY modified (which this truck isn't.... in the right departments) I find it VERY hard to believe it can lift the front wheels! However, that aside, beautiful truck & awesome story! ... View more

Awesome! Good for you Kyle, I like your style. I am very impressed that you decided to tackle the building of the wheels yourself. Although I would never say that in my experience, doing that has been enjoyable, it has been a necessity. I have built my own wheels for decades (albeit, I thread & cut the spokes myself). It is a dying art. Too many people believe that it is just un-imaginable to do this and hence pay BIG $ to somebody else, when in fact it just takes a little patience & brain power. I also like the upgraded brake components. Keep it coming! ... View more

Interesting. I heard of this before (a buddy's business does it on industrial equipment), but I never put too much thought into it (the hassle of the dry ice didn't appeal to me). Although different, I chose Vapor Blasting instead. My forte is more about skipping scraping/grinding/polishing & coming out with a beautiful result in several different finishes much quicker & easier. Thanks for the article. ... View more

Great story. Might help some people (especially newbies) to think outside the box. Keep 'em coming. ... View more

WOW. Deadly! Fantastic job & GORGEOUS car. If you don't mind me asking, how long did this beautiful transformation take? I love the two tone & dual antennas. ... View more

Awesome story, thanks for sharing! That must of been 1 heck of a fun day. Glad you weren't hurt & please continue bringing us more of these adventures. Also, Kudo's to the photographer! ... View more

By the way, the seat looks great! ... View more

Good for you Kyle. As DougL said "That head IS nasty!" Hope you continue on & give us all the skinny, step by step. By the way, when you say "I will only have a few weeks between receiving my parts & the 1st event in May", not to crush your enthusiasm, but don't let yourself get down if that doesn't happen. Build enough projects & you soon learn that the 1 thing that can (or ALWAYS does) screw up is the stuff you have to sub out. Good luck Man! ... View more

You forgot to mention one of the most important tools (IMHO) for your shop/garage....a stereo! Keeps you out there that much longer. ... View more

Great story, thanks for sharing it. Power to you for keeping & restoring it. Enjoy! ... View more

If the hammer marks are a problem/un-wanted, cover the piece of metal with a heavy cloth or piece of material & strike much LESS often, with a much HEAVIER hammer. ... View more

Well, well, the word that got "BLEEPED" out, must have been taken out of context. My Bad. LOL ... View more

Love your articles Kyle! I spoke somewhat extensively about containers/boxes etc. in an earlier post, so I won't go there. Cardboard in my shop is temporary, which is to say, the ONLY stuff I keep (which is large in size... washing machine/TV/fridge boxes etc.) are used only a few times under one of the vehicles when doing an oil change, T-case R&R, Diff gear change, etc. to keep the floor clean & necessitate an easier cleanup, then re-cycled (if clean enuff). The listing of contents (of containers) is a MUST! Clean-up of tools in my shop, is done EVERY time before the lights go off ! I don't care if this seems **bleep** or a waste of time (cause you will be out there tomorrow....S--T happens). Something I have found handy (if space permits & it can be difficult doing this) is to put all the parts to 1 project in the same area of the shop (DUH). To explain, I built a 12' long heavy duty bench for 1 area in the shop (this is a "work" space). Underneath I divided it into 4 3' sections. This is my "Bike" bench. I can have (and usually do, if not more) 4 projects on the go at 1 time. The engine goes on the floor under the bench, the frame hangs from the ceiling directly overtop of that section. All other parts (varying in size) go either also under the bench, or on vertical shelfs that extend up to the frame. This keeps EVERYTHING organized & tidy. Take the time to design & build your shop correctly the FIRST time & you will be eternally grateful you did! Keep the excellent articles coming Kyle! ... View more

HHHhhhhhmmmmmmm. Interesting article. ... View more

My Dad was handy at fixing/working on things, as he came from the family farm. But it stopped short at mechanics (although they need that on a farm, he had 6 older brothers). Being a "Professional" man his interest didn't lie there. Hence, I had to learn EVERYTHING (mechanical) on my own. This was DECADES before Utube (unfortunately & not)! If I wanted all the things a young boy like me wanted, well......I was da_ _ well going to have to learn how to do THINGS myself. As others have said, started with bicycles, dirt bikes & go-karts, bigger bikes, then cars, trucks, boats etc. I have always been (and still am) interested in building things, automotive or not.  It is the knowledge/desire to create with your own hands that leads you down the path of life. Whether that be in the garage or house or field! ... View more

Good job Phillip! I have a long shallow wooden box (space is limited in my shop) that I throw ALL bits & pieces of all metals into when done the project at hand. Then when working on a future project & needing some material, I scour thru said box looking for something that will suffice. I love building stuff out of already owned materials as it gives me a sense of pride (my ingenuity & fab skills) & I feel good about saving money. Kudo's to you Phillip! ... View more

6 months ago, I walked into a business just as the guy was getting off the phone with a  tow truck driver. I heard the tail end of his conversation about a truck that HAD to be gone by the end of that day, orders from the community! I asked him about it & found out it was costing him $50 to have it towed. I looked straight at him & told him I would give him $50 cash right then. I said you save another $50 from the tow-truck, you are up $100! He thought for a minute & I pulled out my $ put it in his hand & he called the tow truck right back & cancelled. I towed my new truck (an '01 Silverado LS 4x4 5.3 4L60E G-80 with front clip damaged) home. Later the next day, I stopped in & he thanked me for getting him out of a bind. I told him it was no problem & asked him about the sparkling transmission in the truck. He went white as a ghost, then told me, "Oh I forgot" the owner had (less than 3 months before) had a new re-built GM trans installed. I thanked him!    ... View more

Bought a '73 Vega Hatchback off a buddy from high school (way back in the day). He had installed a 300HP 350 & suspension/exhaust to match, but nothing else. (Stock trans. & diff). Even so, I burned off all the 13'' tires I could beg, borrow, or steal! LOL. ... View more

Great article Kyle & Kudo's to you for all your hard work! Now, after all that said hard work, if you are going to ride this bike as hard as you say you are....do yourself a BIG favour. Being that the original plastics are VERY hard & brittle (don't bend much w/o ending up broken or at least with the big white crease line where bent), go and buy some Preston Petty or Cycle Am aftermarket pieces (Fenders/side plates are what I am talking about).They are not very expensive & will take ALL the abuse you can give them w/o previously said damage. Then, when you are ready to sell the bike, remove them & replace with the (near Factory) 1's you have re-done & PRESTO, your bike looks A..kickin.. & brings in enuff $ (hopefully) to compensate for the A/M parts! 🙂 ... View more

Too many comments to read thru, so I might repeat something already said....sorry. In my K5 Blazers (the 1's I use for off-roading), I keep a TON of tools/parts because, (as someone already said) I rarely get cell service where I go. Among the many things I take (already said & not), 1 of the things I have found VERY handy (Sick as this may sound) is a starter (complete) that I have re-built. I have found a few times that when using my K5 as a Submarine (can't afford a real 1) I have had starter issues after.(Yes, Yes, when I re-build them I seal them as best as they can be....but SHI. still happens). Rather than re-build it in the bush, it is only a 10 min. job to just replace it (trucks are lifted). Heavy to carry (the truck is doing it, not me), I like to cover ALL the bases. 🙂 ... View more

668 HP in a CT5-V, Hmmmm, sounds like that might be fun to drift.... er I mean drive! LOL. The main point is the $ is going to CHARITY......Nice. ... View more

Good for you, looks great. With a little thought & some ingenuity, anything is possible! ... View more

Depending on what year, what model bike, what Factory they came from, the "ORIGINAL" crates are/can be different! Some Japanese bikes were actually shipped to dealers from the United States. All "NEW IN CRATE" bikes required some "PDI". You could NEVER find a NEW IN CRATE bike assembled completely "Ready to ride". Period! Every bike holds different sentimental value to different people, rather than bashing the ones you don't like, lets respect each other & stick together as enthusiasts! ... View more

I use ALL (or mostly) of the previously mentioned: Peanut butter jars, old tobacco tins, baby food jars, 1 liter (Canadian eh.....lol) yogurt containers, store bought organizers, etc, etc. But some of my most favourite are wooden drawers from old kitchens (or bedrooms, or wherever) that most people throw out when doing home renovations. They come in a million different shapes, sizes & depths & can be easily cut down (re-shaped) to whatever suits you. Also they are FREE & can be made to stack or attach to wherever you need them.  ... View more

That particular bike was a big bore TSCC Suzuki. I did not cover the entire seat with the glue, rather, mostly the outer perimeter. Also, a few spots where the contours might be apt to pull (the vinyl) or make it let go. ... View more

Decades ago, when building 1 of my Pro-Drag bikes (NHRA Div. #6), I had to build a seat. I started with a Factory seat that I stripped to the metal base. I cut & re-welded the base to the shape of my desire. I then took a large block of foam & cut & shaped it to what was required. I purchased a large piece of vinyl & after several "Dry" runs of installing it on my custom built seat, I riveted & GLUED it over the seat. The rivets obviously held the vinyl in place, but the glue not only ALSO helped hold the vinyl, but sealed it as well. ... View more

(in response to GRP-Photo) OH and by the way, you can paint it in your basement, or garage, or shed (with a small heater), or living room (like I used to.....especially when between girlfriends {or not}).etc. THINK man THINK! ... View more

A swing arm bolt on a dirt bike should be greased with a QUALITY grease every year! More often if submerged frequently when riding. I like "Bel-Ray" but any good quality will do. (Don't have "Frozen" bolts in my riding stable).Ditch the original motor & go with your spare, it's GOT to be better than that! Clean, inspect, & pay attention to detail as you put it back together (you don't have to spend a fortune) & PRESTO! You will have a nice example (or hopefully better) of whatever it is you have. ENJOY! ... View more

Excellent job Sajeev! Amazing what a little paint & some ingenuity can do! ... View more

Strangely enough the older I get, the more I appreciate SOME of the vehicles I disliked in my youth. Guess it's because if you lived in that era, it made a different impression on you than the people that are looking back (and never had the chance to experience it 1st hand). Each to their own. Keep up the excellent articles. Thanks. ... View more

I normally would say, you can NEVER have a big enough garage, BUT, you might just have shown me I'm wrong! (My wife frequently does that.....tells me I'm wrong... LOL). Love your articles. Keep up the excellent work. ... View more

Good luck! Be safe! And most of all ENJOY yourself! ... View more

Happy New Year to all ! Great article Kyle. As F360Spider mentioned, EVERY day (in my humble opinion) is a better goal to shoot for. That way, if you miss 1 (or 2) it is easy to remember that you must get back on it immediately. For me (personally) if it was "weekly" it is too easy to keep putting off until ANOTHER day later in the week & as we all know, it doesn't always happen. Another thing I have found helps making "working" in the shop easier is to have it "Set-up" to be comfortable for yourself. Ex. Lighting, heat/air, music or whatever (and of course organization) etc. AS SteveNL points out, clutter in the shop, which, in my last "redo" of my shop, I have gone back to my old ways of NOT storing ANYTHING un-shop related in it. Hence coolers, lawn chairs etc. etc. etc. now have to find a home in some OTHER viable location (makes a WORLD of difference) other than my shop. In conclusion, make a plan (a realistic one, whatever it is) and stick with it! Best of all to the Hagerty community & enjoy 2021! ... View more

I actually began (& finished) a total re-do of my shop. Probably been twenty-five yrs + (for a COMPLETE re-do). In the process, I brought out (& fondled.....lol) some of my oldest bikes I haven't seen in that time! Doing inventory of engines, frames, gasket kits etc. has renewed my enthusiasm! I am now in the planning stages of which project will be the 1st. 2021 WILL be an awesome year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ... View more

Great article, well written! ... View more

So long as you are "In the Wind", I don't give a **bleep** what you ride! ... View more

Sajeev, it is much easier than you think. Most people over-think it. I have been plastic welding for over 40 yrs (out of necessity.... limited funds as a young man, wanting to spend my $ on horsepower as opposed to plastic). All you need is a solder gun (using the "flat blade" attachment). "Stitch" the 2 sides together first (simply push the end of the attachment all the way thru the plastic where the break/crack  line up, then "weld" a bead (just like any other type of welding----pushing attachment into plastic & back out w/o penetrating all the way thru), over top of the seam & use an external plastic source for filler (if needed). Sand & paint as required.  ... View more

Power to him to stick to the project for 17 years! Build what YOU want, don't worry about every one else. ... View more

Just to clarify before the V-Max guys start crying, it is ALWAYS about the operators knowledge of their machine & SKILL at operating it!  ... View more

Excellent article ...... BUT, beware of trying to give ACCURATE info on things of the past based on magazine articles of the era! I lived those times & "Spun" wrench in several big shops of the time. I have owned/worked on MANY of said bikes & still own a # of them. For instance, the CB1100F was a nice bike, but was realistically just a 750/900 with bigger displacement. It WOULDN'T hold a candle to the GS1100E, not even CLOSE! I know, because (at the shops) we mechanics were ALWAYS trying to outdo each other with what we had (or could borrow) & I put my Z1's & GS's up against ANYTHING (even the Yamaha V-Max) & would regularly "EAT" them. In '81, one of the "BIG" magazines said the Honda CX500 Turbo would destroy a GS1100E in a 5th gear roll-on starting at 100kph. DUH, Ya! The GS was almost stalling (lol) at 100kph in 5th gear! Same test (But 2nd gear on the GS, at 100kph) & the CX500T was nowhere in sight (WAY behind!). Just say'n. Again, great article!  ... View more

Excellent article! There will ALWAYS be bickering as to what SHOULD have been in the list! Everyone has there own opinion (and have a right to it) and that is what makes life so enjoyable. Continue. ... View more

Excellent article! Thought provoking. Now I just NEED a warehouse to store all this stuff (lol).  ... View more