I Think Spring Is Here In The PacNW!

The Cascade hops....

I think Spring has arrived.....finally!  Today the rain and clouds broke just long enough to get some yard chores done.  With Marie away I get bored real quick and need to find something to do.  Since the motorcycle is a stand still because my parts aren't here I decided to trim the grass, turn over the garden and compost, weed some flower beds, re-pot some plants, and feed the chickens some delicious worms.  I keep plastic over my hop boxes for a little warmth in the winter months.  Today I decided to peel it back and take a peek.....I was happy to see some green growth.  I can't wait to watch these babies reach for the sky. 

Chinooks

Here is a look at our bare backyard.  Hopefully in a few short months it will be lush with flowers and vegetables.

I hope to add the plastic over the hoop garden when I get back from St. Louis.

I am making my own soil mixture from our kitchen compost.  Rich with worms.  It even has a hint of citrus from the fruit peels.

Marie makes carpet patterns with the vacuum and I make them with the lawnmower.

Eno has been sleeping here for 2 days!

When the cat's away...the mouse will play!!!

My love has been working out of town all week in northern Washington and now she is away helping her mom and dad move to North Carolina.  We love each other so much that the best part of each others day is when we meet up in the evenings after work.  We walk, cook, piddle, shop, play with the cats, and just veg out together.  She's my partner in crime.

Marie left Lefty in charge of guarding the house.  He sure is fit!

While Lady Marie is away I'm trying to keep occupied with my hobbies to pass the time.  I have been spending a lot of my evenings working on my motorcycle and today (Saturday) I brewed a Czech Pilsner.  Here are some pics for your enjoyment.

Starting to tear down to remove the engine.

This is the oil pan....there are some crunchy bugs and metal shavings down there.

Doing some valve adjustments on the head.

Engine reinstalled.

Mise en place for a triple decoction Czech Pils.

1st decoction.

Second decoction.

Waiting for fermentation.

So far I have been keeping myself occupied, but I am running out of project with weather permitting.  I am waiting for some motorcycle parts before I can finish it up, I have brewed 2 beers in a week, the garden is still too cool to plant, the clothes are washed, dishes are done!  Oh, I can always scoop litter.....it's a never ending job.  Those cats!

March... Be filled with Joy

...from my favorite Seester.

 Our March came in like a lion!  On Friday, we finally closed on our refinance for our little house in Durham. After about a year of intensive effort, it feels really good to be done with that!  And spring was definitely in the air with a little sun every day this weekend.  We went on long walks each afternoon and just enjoyed life this weekend.
Sweet neighbor Beau-bug got some new chicks....

Special cats doing special-ed antics all weekend long...

We told Eno... "if it fits it ships... shape up or ship out!"

So, he got busy reading a motorcycle manual so he can help out in Busted Knuckle Garage. He usually has a busted nose...so that will fit in nicely.

 Certain birthday girl eating lots of birthday food...

"I think I will just get plain fat!"

After Connor witnessed that atrocious breakfast, he made me a delicious and healthy dinner. :)

 We received a lot of birthday love from all of our family and friends this weekend...

Flowers from Ceci-mom

Flowers from Sweet Daryl

...so in closing, we share it right back with all of you.
'Cause, Ho Hey, I belong to you...You belong to me... You're my sweetheart.
We have Stubborn Love for all of you!

Delicious ...from Aunt Pat. Oh my!

Twins!

Yesterday the Busted Knuckle Garage made another purchase.  Twin Twins.  Some people think I am crazy for adding two more cycles, but I know what I am doing....just bear with me.  Completely original 39 year old bikes with titles are selling great (collectors are always looking for this type of bike....I won't have any problem selling these).   I found a killer deal on Craigslist yesterday morning and went looking at 10am.  That's right, the early bird gets the worm!

Good Looking Birthday Girl

These are two 1974 Kawasaki KZ 400.  They are complete bikes and both have titles.  The blue one runs and I think I can get the orange bike running in a week or so.  These are some projects.....I'm not going to do a full restore, just a little tinkering to get them running good and road worthy.  Then they will go up on the auction block.

Update on the CB 750's (Yes plural...remember?  There are two/were two.)

I sold the first CB bought in October last night.  An Army boy is going to completely rebuild. Good luck to him.

The CB750 I purchased about a week and half ago is very ill.  I put close to 100 miles on it before it went down.  Not a crash, but engine problems.  I rode it to work on Tuesday and it was running great. 

Before it got ill.

I jumped on it around 4:00pm that afternoon and it made a horrible grinding noise when I pushed the starter button.  My initial thought was that the cam chain broke (similar to the timing belt on a car).  If this was the case the engine would need a total rebuild from the crankcase on up to the head.  I trailered the bike that evening to my mechanic so he could fit it into his schedule to give me a diagnosis.  He called my Thursday and gave me a little news.  Long story short was that it's not the cam chain!  Looks like on cylinder #4 the valve is bent and stays open.  When the piston drives up it bangs the valve shut (hints the noise).  I could have left it with him and it would cost $700-$900....I chose to take it home and fix myself.  I have a great neighbor willing to help.  The main cost in this repair would have been the labor (motorcycle shop time is $70/hr).  The complete engine needs to be removed.  That thing weighs in the neighborhood of 250lbs.  I'll keep you posted.

Yesterday morning I was in HOT water with the Boss having 4 motorcycles.  Today there are 3 and 2 of them are on their way out.  The water is still warm....but cooling.

Stay tuned for some repairs....