3/16" tubing is fun to mess with..

Today, my co-worker mentioned that he was afraid to work on cars. If you take each subsystem for what it is, cars become waaay less overwhelming. Today's gig was to delete the traction control and ABS, running new 3/16" brake tubing in its place..

Thought it'd be more fun with an extra pedal..

I'm starting to work on the Lexus again. My GS was never offered with a manual transmission, thus there was no provision for a clutch pedal. I've seen a couple of Lexus manual conversions first hand, and noticed that the pedal placement wasn't to my liking. One clutch pedal in a GS was way out to the left, bottoming out on the dead pedal. Another swap in a SC, though using a factory SC clutch pedal, neglected to change out the brake pedal-- While stepping on the clutch, your left toe would catch on the brake arm, pushing the brake too. Instant seatbelt check.

My intent was to have proper clutch modulation by way of correct leverage and stroke ratios, to have no foot interference, and to have proper pedal relationships. Total cost: $30, plus gettin' dirty. Props to people who have done this conversion before (!) for showing me what the pitfalls can be, and to my neighbor Curtis for always helping out. Mybad for the weak phone camera pic.

Something new every day..

At work, I was talking to a planner from the machine shop, named Bob. He was a former machinist, and we ended up talking about his trade. As I'm a totally untrained, amateur machinist, Bob was kind enough to spend an hour walking me through the art of grinding lathe tooling. He showed me some basic shapes for turning, for facing, the groove that serves as a chip-breaker, clearances and reliefs, the easy way to set your tool height-- and even his method of sharpening drill bits.

I realized that I'd been fighting with poorly shaped tooling for years.

I guess the reason that I was so stoked was that from the get-go, I was hoping to learn from the experience that surrounds me every day, and this was one of those times. Thanks Bob.

Sporty Harley

Here's my first go at building a Harley.. Sportster engine / 4-speed tranny.. Goosed rigid frame, shortened springer fork, narrowed tank, and a load of used (junkyard) parts.. It's comfortable with the mid controls, and super fun to ride. It fits me well, is easy to start, and (knock on wood) has been reliable as hell..

The thing that's especially true about putting a bike together is that your sensibilities show up in everything that's done. Every choice, every decision, every shortcut, every shortfall.. Money (or lack thereof), skills (or lack thereof), and style (or lack thereof.) You build something, people look at it. I don't really care whether or not it fits their style, though I do care if they catch me with my balls hanging out. Button yer shit tight. Everything reflects back.

The beater GS300

In 2008, I found a beater GS300 to drive to work.. Sucker's fifteen years old now, but the A/C still works. It came with some donk-spec chrome wheels and some shiny, shiny tires. Found a new set of Zeal sus, threw on a set of 18x10.5 RPF1's from my old S13.. Changes underway to alleviate the boredom..

The Kickoff

The kickoff of "Can't Leave Well Enough Alone.." I've realized that the stuff that the fellas and I do is what we'll be doing forever.. A throwup here and there will keep you all in touch with what's happening on my end..