I have left the cold and dreary wheat fields of Kansas for the warmer climate of South Carolina and Central Florida to visit family for Christmas and New Years. Somehow the FJ found it's way along. Here are some photos to kick things off.
Fred,
Those are some awesome photos! Thanks for taking us along :good:
Joe
There are two Marine Corps bases where I grew up. MCRD Parris Island and MCAS Beaufort.
Fred
What is that concrete structure with that has "photography by Dawn". Looks like a bunker.
Quote from: wildfire on December 21, 2014, 09:49:17 PM
Fred
What is that concrete structure with that has "photography by Dawn". Looks like a bunker.
That is a photo of some of the remains of Fort Fremont on St. Helena Island.
www.fortfremont.org (http://www.fortfremont.org)
Fred
A Christmas Day ride with my daughter.
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Fred
Fred
You just posted to make us all feel jealous right? :biggrin: Some real nice pics ther eand a great way to spend part of Christmas day.
Tom
I used to take my daughter for early sunday morning breakfast rides, a great way to bond. She still talks about it. Have a great xmas / new year
Fantastic Fred...
Great Pics & Video Fred. What a cool young lady. :good2:
Awesome pictures Fred...........................Keep them coming! :good2:
It's currently snowing here, and I got called in to work at 2am. :negative:
But your post just made my night!
I took a short solo ride out to the Old Sheldon Church this morning.
Fred,
youre making me homesick. what a great father Daughter day for you both. is that St.Augustine Lighthouse?
The Villages is close to the Ocala national Forest, some good roads there.
I start my 2 day journey home in the morning, should hit Florida evening of the 28th and hope to ride with you before you head home.
Scott
Scott,
The lighthouse is the Hunting Island Lighthouse on Hunting Island South Carolina. I have spent a week in South Carolina and will head down to Florida tomorrow for a week.
Have a safe trip home from the Alaskan North. I am looking forward to riding with you, Steve, Nancy and Jeff.
Fred
What a great x-mas vacation riding to faraway places and seeing old friends and making new ones ,you are having an excellent time to be sure.
Keep it coming, the snowed in guys need it so they don't lose it . Just staring at the fj and not riding will drive you mad.
Took a ride south with my son to Historic River Street in Savannah, Georgia.
Cap'n Ron will like the first few photos. The ship is named the Peacemaker.
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Fried Oyster sandwich and Southern sweet tea for me, and Crab legs for my son. :nyam1:
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That will do it for the South Carolina and Georgia photos. Next up will be Florida. :yahoo:
Fred
Quote from: aviationfred on December 26, 2014, 10:30:13 AM
...I am looking forward to riding with you, Steve, Nancy and Jeff.
Gettin' ready for ya!
Last minute maintenance issues at hand (valve cover bolt seals, oil & filter change, chain lube).
PM Sent.
Steve
Quote from: aviationfred on December 26, 2014, 06:33:12 PM
Took a ride south with my son to Historic River Street in Savannah, Georgia.
Fred
Not that we Aussies would ever consider go`in one up on you blokes :pardon:.....but I too took a ride South with my youngest on Christmas day!
He`s only 9 months old and already plays Rugby, so I reckon it was time for some REAL Man stuff!
So I took him on his first Fishing Expedition, It got pretty serious but in the end I was the winner! https://vimeo.com/115454797 :drinks:
Great video with your grandson. :hi:
Fred
Quote from: The General on December 26, 2014, 10:34:43 PM
So I took him on his first Fishing Expedition, It got pretty serious but in the end I was the winner! https://vimeo.com/115454797 :drinks:
Doug, your video epitomises everything great about family and grand fatherhood. Enough to melt any old bikies heart.
However I suspect in winning you may have taken advantage of the young fellas lack of experience.
Noel
Quote from: aviationfred on December 26, 2014, 06:33:12 PM
Took a ride south with my son to Historic River Street in Savannah, Georgia.
Fred
These are the great times Fred, cherish them.
Great photos too.
BTW, kids think it's much cooler having a Dad who rides than one that plays golf.
Noel
Merry Christmas to everyone and happy new year. Just looking at the posts. Great photos. Would really love to get over there one day. I to occasionally take my daughter for a ride. Treasured moments.. My sons not interested unfortunately. Took my wife out about a month ago. First time in years on the bike. She enjoyed it, says she forgot what it was like. Am hoping she will do it more often. Now my daughter has her licence, so now both kids are independent it may give my wife and I more time to ride. Jeff
Ah yes , kids and motorcycles are the greatest memories and most cherished. :good2:
Quite the fishing trip there General . Awesome vid.
Spent the last day and warm weather in South Carolina removing the luggage frame and doing the GSXR Hugger mod.
Every year is the same, work load builds up towards Christmas to the point of ridiculous. It makes finally knocking off Christmas Eve all that much sweeter. It's like crossing the finish line at the end of a Marathon (I imagine)
Christmas day was shaping up well, my wife and daughter were going to see their horses for a few hours in the morning, my son going to see his girlfriends family and that left me free to go for a well earned 3 hour/200km ride around one of my favourite short loops (The Yarra Valley to Yea and back through Flowerdale and the King Lake ranges)
Perfect weather forecast and empty roads.
Now, all I have to do is finish installing that oil cooler I kept forgetting to fit the last few oil changes and I'm good to go.
On the back of having worked 7 day weeks and many nights over the last month, I was really looking forward to this. I can't remember the last time I haven't ridden anywhere for this long.
Brackets all drilled and fitted etc, I'll just give that bracket a tweak with my thumb to square it up, then right on the stroke of mid night Christmas Eve.................
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8579/15516779083_308f04918b_c.jpg)
SNAP, the lug broke off.
I considered riding with it mounted at just 3 points but all things considered I decided it was a risk not worth taking.
So, Christmas morning was spent making this from a bit of angle iron and the end of the carby tapping rod I carry in my bag.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7560/15950749587_08591c2131_c.jpg)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7545/15949209700_d1c4fb793e_c.jpg)
Then I got busy again and still haven't ridden it.
My advice to others has always been to consider what jobs you tackle when the shops are shut if you need your vehicle, unforeseen things happen more often than not.
Perhaps I should take my own advice, it's a lot easier to give it than to act on it.
I consoled myself with some polishing (always works, instant grafification)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7510/16135960441_1f13427fbb_c.jpg)
(For those that wonder what I look like)
Noel
Quote from: ribbert on December 29, 2014, 08:27:11 AM
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7510/16135960441_1f13427fbb_c.jpg)
(For those that wonder what I look like)
Noel,
You're a lot thinner than I'd imagined. :biggrin:
Steve
Quote from: Steve_in_Florida on December 29, 2014, 09:05:49 AM
Quote from: ribbert on December 29, 2014, 08:27:11 AM
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7510/16135960441_1f13427fbb_c.jpg)
(For those that wonder what I look like)
Noel,
You're a lot thinner than I'd imagined. :biggrin:
Steve
Not to mention the short stubby legs, and the Yeti-like arms................ :shok:
Quote from: aviationfred on December 26, 2014, 06:33:12 PM
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YES..................Have Some!
Quote from: Firehawk068 on December 29, 2014, 10:32:57 AM
Quote from: Steve_in_Florida on December 29, 2014, 09:05:49 AM
Quote from: ribbert on December 29, 2014, 08:27:11 AM
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7510/16135960441_1f13427fbb_c.jpg)
(For those that wonder what I look like)
Noel,
You're a lot thinner than I'd imagined. :biggrin:
Steve
Not to mention the short stubby legs, and the Yeti-like arms................ :shok:
And,... a lot more shinier too.
Quote from: ribbert on December 29, 2014, 08:27:11 AM
one of my favourite short loops (The Yarra Valley to Yea and back through Flowerdale and the King Lake ranges)
Noel
Flowerdale! You mentioned Flowerdale as part of a great ride?
Just so happens I will be at the Flowerdale pub next Easter. How about we organise a Southerners Saturday ride, for those FJ & XS blokes, down there for the Broadford Bonanza.
http://www.ma.org.au/index.php?id=1808 (http://www.ma.org.au/index.php?id=1808)
There`s also accommodation available at the pub and it`s close to Broadford!
Ummmm......maybe you should put it up as a new thread, seeing you are the host.
ummmmmm......do ya want me to post that pic of what ya Really look like? (`scuse tha threat!) :drinks:
Quote from: The General on December 29, 2014, 05:28:18 PM
Just so happens I will be at the Flowerdale pub next Easter. How about we organise a Southerners Saturday ride, for those FJ & XS blokes, down there for the Broadford Bonanza.
http://www.ma.org.au/index.php?id=1808 (http://www.ma.org.au/index.php?id=1808)
There`s also accommodation available at the pub and it`s close to Broadford!
Ummmm......maybe you should put it up as a new thread, seeing you are the host.
ummmmmm......do ya want me to post that pic of what ya Really look like? (`scuse tha threat!) :drinks:
Excellent idea Doug, Flowerdale is only about 30 kays from Broadford and about an hour from here, there are some great roads around there although I imagine they would be crawling with traffic and cops that weekend.
I like it, I'll work on it.
Noel
What are you coming down on?
Quote from: ribbert on December 30, 2014, 08:24:18 AM
Quote from: The General on December 29, 2014, 05:28:18 PM
Just so happens I will be at the Flowerdale pub next Easter. How about we organise a Southerners Saturday ride, for those FJ & XS blokes, down there for the Broadford Bonanza.
http://www.ma.org.au/index.php?id=1808 (http://www.ma.org.au/index.php?id=1808)
There`s also accommodation available at the pub and it`s close to Broadford!
Ummmm......maybe you should put it up as a new thread, seeing you are the host.
ummmmmm......do ya want me to post that pic of what ya Really look like? (`scuse tha threat!) :drinks:
Excellent idea Doug, Flowerdale is only about 30 kays from Broadford and about an hour from here, there are some great roads around there although I imagine they would be crawling with traffic and cops that weekend.
I like it, I'll work on it.
Noel
What are you coming down on?
Jetstar Easter Friday. Then Arnie`s Aprilia. Jet out Easter Monday. :drinks:
I made the short 5 hour drive to my dad's house at the senior citizens playground, (The Villages). And just like when I got to South Carolina, I brought the rain with me. I did get to see a cousin that I have not seen since 1990. My daughter under the snow machine and my son with my Uncle's 1929 Ford Model A.
There was also a gathering of FJ's and a great day of riding. http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=13076.msg131131;boardseen#new (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=13076.msg131131;boardseen#new)
Fred
Well, after my oil cooler installation mishap, the bike is ready to rip, only problem, it's 42 degrees today. Too bloody hot to ride anywhere.
I have said many times I like the look of, but not the extra work of polished headers. After removing the exhaust to install the cooler I was faced with replacing the pipes I removed:
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7494/15562894523_3c0856b549_c.jpg)
But then these were sitting in the corner with nothing but a layer or dust on them, hmmmm......... I weakened. Don't expect any future photos of them in this condition, I do not intend to keep them like this (actually, that's not true, I know full well what I'll end up doing and hate myself already)
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8661/15555716374_bc82cf05a8_c.jpg)
I still want to look into the black chrome option, but for now, they do look better.
I polished these pipes over time just for the exercise, each one using a different process and up close they all look different.
They were getting better by the end. These pipes have over 200,000 kms on them.
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8676/15949074638_9f70759489_c.jpg)
Noel
The vacation is about at an end. 1100 miles to make it home. By the way, Kansas got snow last night and more is expected this evening.
Noel those pipes are beautiful ! You do high quality work.
Fred I like your trailer. You did a good job modding that trailer. Ideal for a couple of FJ's. That would be nice to tow behind my fifth wheel.
George
Quote from: ribbert on January 03, 2015, 07:06:46 AM
I polished these pipes over time just for the exercise, each one using a different process and up close they all look different.
They were getting better by the end. These pipes have over 200,000 kms on them.
OK, so WTH Noel, you say the above, then don't offer an opinion as to which method was the 'best'/ 'easiest'/ 'most fun'... in your opinion? I've read varied accounts of folks getting pipes to look like that, and most of them seem to be a fairly involved and concerted effort. I know Father Pat, and Leon (I think) love the Simichrome, was that your end-state solution too?
Do tell.
Dan
Made it back to Kansas. A wonderful holiday was had by all. A week in South Carolina with Family. I met and spent a rainy afternoon with a new FJ owner, Mark (LtPwnzor). Rode to the beach with my daughter, made a trip to Savannah, GA. with my son. A week spent in Florida spent with more Family. The kids went to Disney World. An awesome day riding with Steve, Scott, and Jeff. Sadly as all vacations go, it had to end. After spending 2 weeks with temps above 65*f. I made it back to Kansas. Bitter cold, 4*f and snow.
This is what I came home to.
Quote from: Dan Filetti on January 04, 2015, 03:16:54 PM
OK, so WTH Noel, you say the above, then don't offer an opinion as to which method was the 'best'/ 'easiest'/ 'most fun'... in your opinion? I've read varied accounts of folks getting pipes to look like that, and most of them seem to be a fairly involved and concerted effort. I know Father Pat, and Leon (I think) love the Simichrome, was that your end-state solution too?
Do tell.
Dan
Quote from: Easterntide on January 07, 2015, 10:04:30 AM
......and very likely polishing the headers....though i'm still pondering that effort vs return.
Don
Dan, we're all men here, you can say WTF.
I had though about posting this at the time but thought better of it, so, against my better judgement and because you asked so nicely, here it is.
I have said a number of times I have no interest in polished pipes but I must say after a few days of riding with them I have taken quite a shine to them.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7551/16044172047_398143f9f1_c.jpg)
Getting that sort of finish was not the point of the exercise, expediting the process was.
If I had something handy to remove the paint, then the whole process is probably 30 mins per pipe and involves
NO hand polishing, it is not labour intensive.
In the absence of something to dissolve the paint I rubbed it off with emery cloth under a running tap. The cloth degrades at just the right rate so at first it removes the paint quickly and then progressively smooths the metal enough to move straight onto mechanical polishing. Having a stripper (yes, I know you can get it) and not having to rub the paint off would make it a lot easier. I will do this on the next set. A couple of grades of W&D would have the same effect but take a lot longer.
Then it's simply a case of working it on a rag wheel. I did try a stitched wheel and course polish as an intermediate step but it was a little too aggressive and turned out not to be necessary.
Polishing is a bit of a black art and is about speed, pressure, duration and heat and constantly assessing the results as you go and that is impossible to describe.
Heat plays a big part in closing the pores of the surface over and these parts at times were so hot I could barely hold them through leather gloves.
I only used one grade of polish on the rag wheel, green. That was enough to jump straight from rubbing the paint off to the finish you see.
I cannot imagine how long it would take to do this by hand or believe the same standard could be achieved, it is a job I wouldn't even consider taking on. I imagine you would have to work up through many grades of abrasives to get there with an incredible amount of rubbing, this is where mechanical polishing allows you to jump some steps without compromising the end result.
I do the same on my screens, they a mostly machine polished.
SS is great stuff to polish, it has just the right level of hardness and the surface is fine.
I just did this (below) half an hour ago. This was with the SS underneath unscratched, as it would be if chemically stripped (I just polished straight through the paint)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7489/16228655302_dc7937ecd6_c.jpg)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7484/16203926826_a1d08c1e60_c.jpg)
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8569/16042447450_ff5b8ac7e1_c.jpg)
These I started refitting as they came off and looked pretty bad, I quickly cleaned them up on a wire wheel which scratched shit out of the soft aluminium and then buffed them really hard on the wheel, 5 mins each and while not perfect, they are good enough. These got so hot I couldn't hold them through leather gloves. You can't do that by hand.
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8670/16145535972_6a98e83910_c.jpg)
This is the rag wheel that makes it a breeze and the single grade of polish I used.
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8587/16227594281_bee3fff7a6.jpg) (https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7555/16042091220_57119300a2.jpg)
So, the bottom line is, find something that will chemically strip the paint ( or rub it off, but this makes more work getting rid of the scratches) 30 mins playing around on the rag wheel and you have one of these.
I did try hand polishing one of the finished pipes to see if there was any further improvement, there wasn't.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7570/16042819188_f02537bdb2_c.jpg)
Despite my misgivings about something else to keep polished, they do look good.
I realise these are only photos and not video, but it did happen :biggrin:
So maybe now we can debunk the myth about polishing pipes.
Noel
Thanks Noel, very cool... :good:
A lesson I learned was to wipe off my fingerprints before I heated up those shiny tubes (engine start)
The fingerprints have a way of burning into the finished surface....aaaagh.
Multiple rundowns with laquer thinner or alcohol is your friend.
Quote from: ribbert on January 08, 2015, 08:00:05 AM
Dan, we're all men here, you can say WTF.
Ha! The funny thing is that I originally did have 'WTF" but went back and changed it to 'WTH' so as not to have you think I was actually emotional...
Good write-up, thanks. I suspect Pat and Leon think you're a polishing heretic though....
Dan
Quote from: Pat Conlon on January 08, 2015, 11:14:19 AM
Thanks Noel, very cool... :good:
A lesson I learned was to wipe off my fingerprints before I heated up those shiny tubes (engine start)
The fingerprints have a way of burning into the finished surface....aaaagh.
Multiple rundowns with laquer thinner or alcohol is your friend.
When doing the final buff and fitting them to the bike I wear cotton under gloves. They're a dollar a pair at the supermarket and last until you loose them.
Noel
Quote from: Dan Filetti on January 08, 2015, 03:20:49 PM
I suspect Pat and Leon think you're a polishing heretic though....
Dan
...and you know what they do with heretics on the forum, they digitally tie them to a digital stake and digitally place them in the digital camp fire. I can feel my digital arse getting digitally hot already.
Noel