Plus 1 Minus 2

It's a jungle....the corn is growing fast!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!  With Marie traveling to see the Marvins in NC I had all the time to dedicate to BKG.  Like the title of this blog states, Plus 1 Minus 2 is what happened here. 

Everyone knows by now that I love motorcycles, all motorcycles!  I grew up riding dirt bikes with my stepbrother in Texas.  We always had a blast riding some old Hondas.  My very first bike was a 1986 Honda XR80, I rode it for a couple of years out growing it before I knew it.  I needed something bigger and faster.  My next bike was a 1987 Honda XR250.  This thumper (single cylinder engine) was perfect.  It was tall to stand on and had power that I have never felt.  It was not the prettiest, but I scooted through the woods without any problems.  This bike ran fine for about 3 years, but due to an oil leak I eventually burned up the engine by stupidity.  So then I got a 1984 Honda XR350, this was a beast of a bike.  The compression was so strong that if you didn't kick start it at the high stroke the lever would spring back on you and feel like it would break you ankle. I rode this bike for the remainder of my dirt bike career and retired it when I moved off to college.  I haven't ridden a dirt bike since.  Well, until last Tuesday.  I found an old Honda, 1982 XL500 Enduro (on/off road) on Craigslist that was in our neighboring town of Centralia.  I went and visited with the owner about 2 weeks ago.  The bike wasn't running nor had it been running in the last 5-6 years.  The engine was greasy, tires flat, no brakes, no plastic side covers, dead battery, no headlight or tail light.  Sounds real attractive doesn't it?   The fellow wanted $275 and I kinda chukled.....We settled for $175.  I brought it home last Tuesday night stopping at the bike shop to order brake shoes for the front and back, front brake cable, and a spark plug.  I got my neighbor Blake to help me off load it.  I put in the new plug and about a pint of fresh gas.  5 kicks later I was riding wheelies in our vacant lot!

The engine as two oil leaks, a broken exhaust stud, leaking exhaust valve, and a cracked clutch pressure plate.  I'll have my greasy hands full for the next 2-3 weeks.  I hope to be thumping through the trails soon though.

So the Honda XL500 is the plus.  The two minuses are the KZ750's I sold them both last night to a bike builder in Vancouver, WA.  He paid me 1/2 down last night and the remainder on pick up Thur/Fri.

The Yamaha XS400 Bobber build is under way.  The engine fires and is removed.  I work hours on degreasing it.  The frame is prepped and ready for some welding to strengthen it. Everything else is torn apart.

Cleaning Up a Hardtail

A hard-tail motorcycle is a motorcycle without rear suspension.......ouch!  This bike was already hard-tailed when I bought it, but it was done by an amateur.  Welds needed grinding as well as some more fabrication.  Marie has been working long days out of town so I have been occupying my time in the garage.  My neighbor Blake has been helping me with this project....I can't pay him cash, but he does like mass produced corn beer.  Well he's in luck......BKG has all sorts of fermented beverages.  Since Monday we have installed carburetors, fired the engine, stripped everything down, degreased the engine, ground down some bad welds, cut off some unwanted frame tabs, and bull-shitted a lot!  It's been fun.

I don't think it came off the showroom floor this way...

Carbs, battery, starter fluid= engine combustion

We had to drain the oil and remove the filter to take the engine out of the frame...

Now she looks cool!!!

30 years of grease being removed.

grinding down some bad welds....primer and paint will make this unnoticeable.

Hopefully I can get a welder and finish up some fabrication this weekend.  I've had a blast with this little 400cc build.  I am thinking about painting the frame metallic red, the fenders, fuel tank, and wheels flat black.  And installing some fat white walled tires too!  What do you think???

Bare Knuckled Willie is out!!!

This Week Just Hopped On Out!!!

This was a very fast week.....what did we do?  The weather here was pretty cool with clouds and some rain.  With the weather not being favorable for some gardening I left the cover on the hoop garden all week.  There will probably be a good surprise when I raise the cover again.  The hops are loving life  right now.  I have about 8 bines growing and the tallest is about 8 feet.  The late August harvest will be here before I know it, I am hoping for 5+ pounds this year. 

I did some last touches on the KZ440 before I drove her for a 10 mile test run and then down to storage to await the future buyer.  This is a great true classic twin engine bike....someone will be happy with her.  Well, I hope!

1982 KZ440 for sale...

Bringing home the new project...

I am ready for the next build.  This bike is a 1980 Yamaha XS400 twin.  Someone started to turn her into a hard tail bobber.  I sure hope I can get her running on both cylinders and finish it up!  She sure is ugly!!!

She fits pretty good in the small shop...

My sweet wife has has some back issues since Thursday.  She couldn't walk at first and is taking better strides day by day.  She has enjoyed some baking this weekend and long naps with the kittens!

Strawberry scones... gifts for 3 different neighbors. Plus, she took inspiration from Mashley's wedding flowers to make the rose bouquets in silver julep cups.

These bundles of warm love are better than any medicine...

 Until next time..................

Ode to the Mother's!

We are grateful for our wonderful mothers.  We would just like to take a minute and recognize all that have influenced us throughout our young lives.  One mother that is sometimes forgotten is Mother Nature.....she has really blessed our little garden this year......Thanks to all!!!

Hope every mother had a wonderful day!!!

The New Fleet

Well the garage has been so busy the last week and half that I haven't updated the readers about the new fleet.  Before we went on vacation the BKG was empty, empty means no $$$ coming in!  Well as I returned to the PacNW I was scanning the web looking for a new buy.  Long story short.....I found a 3 bike deal only an hour from the Pastime.  The bikes were Kawasaki's answer to the British twins....The KZ 750 twin.  The seller stated that they all must go, so I grabbed my neighbor's trailer and took it to work with me hoping I could venture on down to Oregon to see the bikes.  The seller's place was an American Picker's dream place.  There was junk everywhere....you had to dig in barns and under lean-to sheds....here, there, and everywhere to find the hidden treasures.  I found the three bikes right away and learned that he had other bikes too!  He said, "everything is for sale, just make me an offer."  After about 3 hours of digging bikes, searching his files for titles, and negotiating prices......I settled for 6 bikes.

Looks like an indoor junk yard!

1982 KZ440

1978 KZ750

1977 KZ750

1980 KZ750...parts bike

1975 CB500 Twin

1980 Yamaha XS400 Hardtail

As you see these are projects.  I sold the black KZ750 yesterday.  The blue KZ440 is almost finished....I did get this one running and drove it around the block.  I ordered some gaskets and need to rebuild the front brake caliper.  After that it should bring about 2/3 of what I bought the lot of 6 for.  I have two people coming this week to look at the red CB.  Looks like I need to make some more purchases and keep the garage going.

A blissful Saturday morning

Sometimes I wonder where my life goes. What do I do with my time? I feel busy all the time...but never have much to show.  How do I know so little about so much? Shouldn't I be smarter? Shouldn't I have some hobby that showcases my talents and helps me become an expert at something?  Hmmm. The meanderings of a content mind.

As I prepared some wholesome and deliciously beautiful dishes (deviled eggs, macaroni salad - combo of this and this, cheddar/jalapeno muffins) this morning, I reminded myself, yet again, that I do not care much for the current ways of the world. I don't need any more projects than I already have.  And, I am content in my quiet world. My family and short list of friends are the most important things to me. Most of my free time is spent thinking of them and trying to do things for them. I try to take care of my own...and if everyone did that, this world could be a much better place. In my humble opinion.

The view of my backyard is quite enticing. I am sure my farmer hubby will be posting more later.  So, for now, I am done thinking about how little I know about music, movies, and books.  I know that I love you. :)

A Trip to the Lone Star.........part 2.0

We had a wonderful time in Daingerfield.....it is so nice to go and relax and enjoy the nature.  Mom treated us like royalty (as always).  We were very sad to go, but we must move on and visit with more family.  Next stop.......Longview.  Dad moved into a new office during the first of the year and we have heard all about the work he has done.  We had to visit!

I don't know if he owns a sprinkler business or is a farmer???

Lot's of tomatoes!!!

Marie had to show Neana all the bridesmaid goodies...

We got to meet Anniston Grace Dooley.

It was nice to visit with Grandbet at Summer Meadows...

Neana practiced some church hymns for us...We got the real show on Sunday at church...

Sister and Brother got lots of work outs!   Look at how pooped they were!  We missed Poohnastic...

Neana had never seen such......We got carbed up before our big bike rally!

20 miles, here I come!

On your mark, get set, GO!

Dad and I did 40 miles!!! I could barely walk the next day.

It was hard to pack up and head back to WA.

'Til next time....see ya TEJAS!!!

A Trip to the Lone Star.......part 1

Upon departure from the lovely wedding in AR; our melancholy that the weekend was over was replaced by excitement as we crossed the Red River and entered Tejas territory! First stop, Daingerfield TX!

Lots of moo-moos greeted us....

Mom had homemade tamales waiting for us and a delicious Texas chocolate sheet cake. She spoils us!

Notice the pretty flowers in the middle...compliments of Matt/Ashley's wedding.

We mostly spent time just relaxing and enjoying the country. Lots of running up and down the road to go to Papa's farm...

Sighting in.

Happy Dog makes a good ottoman!

 

Several rides on the "engagement chariot"...

The donkeys were really cute... this is Fuzzy Brown.  Son/Daughter of Curly Brown.  Friend of Jenny.

Such a perfect picture. We have a favorite little bobtail cat at the farm... and she has already had at least one litter of kitties...and now she has another litter.  This is one of her baby's babies.  I wish they could be fixed...

Connor... Making his mama proud.

Supper with Papa and Orabelle.

It was a quick visit...and Marie spent a lot of it catching up on sleep!  We never do have enough time...
Next post.  Part 2.