Dun.....Man!!!!

Day 159

Here she is!!!  Finally the KZ400 project is complete.  I tell you what folks.....I have really enjoyed this build.  I have learned a lot and really pushed myself on my mechanical skills.  There are a few loose ends to tie up like installing side mirrors and tucking away some of the electrical wiring but nothing major.  I rode her around last night for about 20 minutes before the rain hit and it was a blast.  I would say that she runs better than a new Singer Sewing machine.  Hope you too enjoyed.  Here is a list of things that I did:
New paint
Tires
Rebuilt Carbs with larger jets

Pod Filters
Brake cable
Seat
Sprockets
Chain
Handlebars
Grips
Bobbed fenders
Signal lights
Tail light
A few engine seals
Piston rings
Top end engine gaskets
I am sure I did more I just can't think.  I just want to take it for a ride!

Day 1

Off the show room floor

One moto project down and one to go!

Building it Back

After 2 coats of primer

These last few weeks have been quite a learing experience in the painting department.  Luckily I have some friends in the auto/collision industry and they have been giving me some pointers.  After tearing down the entire bike, I degreased, stripped and prepped for priming.  I chose a Rustoleum sandable primer.  After two coats of primer and few passes of  600 grit sandpaper it's time for the top coat.

Starting to put back together.

 The top coat is a Dupli-Color Flat/Matte Black with a Dupli-Color clear coat.  Everyting will be flat black except the gas tank and side covers.  Originally I wanted a metallic light blue....but I couldn't find a decent sample.  I did find a nice metallic red....Retro Red from Dupli-color.  Retro red is a metallic red in a spray paint can (rattle can).

Primed and sanded

Retro Red

Along with a nice new paint job, I purchased some new tires.  I went for a classic/vintage tread.  Dunlop tire is remaking a tread from the 70's.

 Tonight I started piecing together the bike.  I didn't get too far, but hopefully I will have it done by the weekend.

Back to a roller

Stay tuned. 

The first Sunday of Advent 2012

Advent is becoming one of my favorite times of the year... Probably thanks to the influence from Aunt Pat!  The advent season is meant to represent a time of quiet anticipation for the coming of Jesus.  Jesus represents hope, love, and a fresh start for our world.
While I don't get too involved in all of the religious aspects of the season, I do thoroughly enjoy church, advent wreaths, and advent calendars.  Remember how Aunt Pat used to send us advent calendars every year and we would fight over whose turn it was to open the door and get mightily upset when someone else had "peaked" and opened the door first?  Good times.
Here is a picture of my peaceful first Sunday of Advent for 2012...Two sleeping cats and my true love in the couch corner.

Football on the TV. My first batch of Christmas cookies (Icebox Pinwheels) in the oven (making a different Christmas Cookie each Sunday during Advent for Daryl and Connor).
Peace. Joy. Love. To all of you!

We're Thankful...

For SOOO many things.  Fresh seafood to name one.

You may think that this picture is from a fine-dining establishment along the water's edge here in the Pacific Northwest... you would be correct. The Tucker House restaurant has been cooking up some fine food. The fat cat is loving it...

He's holding a seat for you...

This guy has clearly had too much to be thankful for...

It was a lovely holiday weekend. We drove to Port Angeles to spend Thanksgiving and Friday with Aunt Pat and Uncle Alan. 

Pat preparing to serve the meal.

The table decor was so beautiful; the picture really doesn't do it justice.

Great Grandmother's china... gorgeous candles...lovely table linen...

We brought dessert. Grandmother Milliren's pumpkin pie and a pecan pie.

 On the drive home, we spotted numerous bald eagles hanging out at Hamma Hamma Creek. 

At the Hamma Hamma Seafood Co., we picked up some oysters and butter clams to make for dinner on Saturday.

Oysters on the half shell with homemade cocktail sauce for appetizers. Clam linguine for the main course.

 We made soft ginger cookies and pumpkin cinnamon rolls for a weekend treat.

We have so much to be thankful for... all that we possess is a gift. Our family and friends make our life a fulfilling adventure.

xoxox The WA Tuckers

Tearin' Down

Maybe the last time this bike is complete...

It's time...finally got the KZ 400 dialed in perfectly.  She runs well and is ready for the next step....Tear it down and off to paint. I was able to take her for about a 15 mile joy ride last Saturday before disassembling.

It's a roller...

Do you think I can put it back...I guess I am committed now.

Lots of pieces.

I am using liquid stripper as well as wire brushes attached to my drill to remove the factory paint.

I finished up the frame this afternoon and hope to start prepping for paint tomorrow and putting on at least one coat of primer.  The final paint color will be a flat black on the frame and fenders.  The tank and side covers will be either a metallic light blue or red. 

Ode to the Kitten Kats...

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways... Oh how my precious kittehs bring joy to my days.

Lefty likes to be the back spoon. He can nuzzle his nose into Eno's back that way.

Came upstairs to find Eno chillin on the bed one night...

"Just warmin' things up. Care to join me?"

Where's Eno?

At their favorite rainy-weather posts. Guarding the back door from various varmints. They like to earn their keep.

This cat will climb in any box, drawer, or bag. He is special.

Woke up one morning to find this on the floor. Usually they are on the bed... which isn't the most comfortable arrangement, but it is fun!

Eno keeping cat hairs all over the guest bed. Just in case we have any visitors.

So, that is all for now. I know my dad will love this post...since he loves Kats. You just have to see them in person to know how loveable they really are.  I am definitely a crazy cat lady... And proud of it!  I learned it from my hubby...so it must be a good thing.

Guns, Salsa, Cider... and that's just the first week of November!

Where to begin? Well... let's start at the very beginning. A very good place to start.
No, not really. Way too much to tell from that vantage point. :)  How about if we start with November?
Marie started November in Ohio with her beloved Mother and Father. She also got to sneak in some QT with Max, Mark, Amber, Winnie, and Karen!! Unfortunately she didn't get many pictures of the adventure, but she got a classic one of PC:

Be afraid. Be very afraid. (Note: This is also the guy that cried through the entire second half of Steel Magnolias.)

Upon returning to WA... Connor decided it was time to utilize our tomato harvest from a few weeks ago.

We are totally impressed with how well our green tomatoes ripened after we cut them from the vine.

He cooked up a salsa batch using lots of our home-grown chilies as well.

Beautiful quart jars.

Then, this weekend, he was roasting chilies for his beer brewing...and decided to create a masterpiece for dinner as well.

Marie made a kale salad from Joy the Baker (minus the cherries) - it was seriously delicious.  Connor served up beautiful pork stuffed with a spicy apple chutney (smoked on the BBQ for several hours) and citrus mashed sweet potatoes. It was gourmet.

This picture does not do it justice... Marie should have inspected. It was gorgeous... glowing candlelight... bright food. Guess you will have to use your imagination...

Since apples are a big thing out here in WA, we have been enjoying lots of locally pressed/harvested apple cider. Connor decided to try his hand at turning it into hard cider. Marie was cool with that.

Next up... an ode to the kittehs. Cause they are soooo TUTE!

Did it Again!

Well, I did it again....I purchased another motorcycle.  Marie thinks I am crazy and really isn't the happiest camper about the new project.  I did promise her that I would sell it after I got it running and shined up.  Yes, another motorcycle that doesn't run!  This is what I love to do....turn some wrenches on a bike.  This beast is a 1978 Honda CB 750K...this is where the modern superbike "crotch rocket" came from.  I have always wanted a vintage CB 750...put some flat bars on it and go!  I found this cycle on good ole ebay.  It wasn't on an auctuon but a classified ad.  There was a blurry pic and it was posted as a 1975 ( the year I really wanted).  So I contacted the seller and scheduled a showing with him....he lived 2 hours away so I took a trailer just in case I just had to have it.  Well long story short.....It's a 78', but the $$$ was right.  Now it resides in the garage next to the KZ.

Starting to polish up a little and remove the carburetors.

This rack of carbs was super crusty.  They are going to need to be rebuilt...meaning new jets and needles.

 Rebuilt with pod filters

The bike started right up and ran pretty good.  I went around the block...a little scary though, NO BRAKES!

A little KZ update.

I had the top end rebuilt (new gaskets and rings).  I purchased smaller signal lights and a tail light.  I installed and I am ready to strip it down and paint it.  I did get some new tires and I will install them after it gets painted.  The color I chose was a soft blue with metal flake (similar to Carolina Blue). If I painted it Duke Blue Marie might kill me!