Thursday, December 20, 2007
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Road Trip
Instead of the 17 hour ride to WV we decided to drive 2.5 hours to Northern NH.
After working trying to get the light on Joel's 3-wheeler to work for a couple hours 3 of us went for a Friday night-ride in Berlin for an hour or so. We tried to stay dry (we never succeed) and ended up meeting a Moose in the middle of the trail. We chased him off the trail and into the woods. My bother-in-law and Burnsy got a good look at him, but I couldn't pick him out from the shadows.
Saturday Morning we went for a ride in Stratford good for 40 miles or so.
We started out at Burn's Truckstop and had lunch at Stratford Pond. Lunch cost $7 and all proceeds went to Make-A-Wish (good deal). This time we had 5 riders 4 Quads and a 3-wheeler. Joel played in the water/mud a little to much and we needed to stop for a few minutes to dry things out. Good thing we did, we discovered that the bolts in his front fork we loosening up (disaster avoided). A few miles down the trail Joel nearly lost the rear wheel off of his machine. All that was holding it on a few threads on one lonely bolt. We thought we would just steal a nut from each of the other wheels just to find out that there where only two nuts on the front wheel. Anyway the other guys borrowed a couple nuts off the other rear wheel while I got rid of my $7 lunch in the woods (baked beans... man they are quick). After this every time we stoped Joel was sure to make sure that they were tight. After watching him ride that thing all morning it's no wonder why those things were outlawed in some areas. He was all over the trail, stuggling to keep control of that thing.
Anyway we make it back in one piece. Next time I'm thinking we do it in the snow.
Also, Caleb got to bring up his 4 wheeler and drive it around my sisters house. My sisters kids and Burnsy's oldest also took it for a ride. We turned the throttle setscrew all the way in and told the kids to leave it in 1'st gear. It found it's way into a bush and got rolled over in a ditch. Didn't hurt anything except for some little boy's pride a little. Caleb was proud to show off his toy and did a great job sharing with all of his friends.
Instead of the 17 hour ride to WV we decided to drive 2.5 hours to Northern NH.
After working trying to get the light on Joel's 3-wheeler to work for a couple hours 3 of us went for a Friday night-ride in Berlin for an hour or so. We tried to stay dry (we never succeed) and ended up meeting a Moose in the middle of the trail. We chased him off the trail and into the woods. My bother-in-law and Burnsy got a good look at him, but I couldn't pick him out from the shadows.
Saturday Morning we went for a ride in Stratford good for 40 miles or so.
We started out at Burn's Truckstop and had lunch at Stratford Pond. Lunch cost $7 and all proceeds went to Make-A-Wish (good deal). This time we had 5 riders 4 Quads and a 3-wheeler. Joel played in the water/mud a little to much and we needed to stop for a few minutes to dry things out. Good thing we did, we discovered that the bolts in his front fork we loosening up (disaster avoided). A few miles down the trail Joel nearly lost the rear wheel off of his machine. All that was holding it on a few threads on one lonely bolt. We thought we would just steal a nut from each of the other wheels just to find out that there where only two nuts on the front wheel. Anyway the other guys borrowed a couple nuts off the other rear wheel while I got rid of my $7 lunch in the woods (baked beans... man they are quick). After this every time we stoped Joel was sure to make sure that they were tight. After watching him ride that thing all morning it's no wonder why those things were outlawed in some areas. He was all over the trail, stuggling to keep control of that thing.
Anyway we make it back in one piece. Next time I'm thinking we do it in the snow.
Also, Caleb got to bring up his 4 wheeler and drive it around my sisters house. My sisters kids and Burnsy's oldest also took it for a ride. We turned the throttle setscrew all the way in and told the kids to leave it in 1'st gear. It found it's way into a bush and got rolled over in a ditch. Didn't hurt anything except for some little boy's pride a little. Caleb was proud to show off his toy and did a great job sharing with all of his friends.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Toy Hauler
I finally picked up a trailer this week. Its 12 Feet Long with a 4 Foot V-Nose. It's a few years old but in pretty good condition. It has a both a Front and Rear ramp, it was really intended for snowmobiles, but it will fit 3 4-Wheelers very easily. A bunch of the lights were not working because of bad/corroded grounds, but I have most of them up and running now.
Already planning a trip this weekend to hit some trails!!
I finally picked up a trailer this week. Its 12 Feet Long with a 4 Foot V-Nose. It's a few years old but in pretty good condition. It has a both a Front and Rear ramp, it was really intended for snowmobiles, but it will fit 3 4-Wheelers very easily. A bunch of the lights were not working because of bad/corroded grounds, but I have most of them up and running now.
Already planning a trip this weekend to hit some trails!!
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Loaner 2007 Caliber SXT...
I've got a loaner for a few days while they work out a gremlin with the Durango. It rides OK, a little noisy on the road. I verified today that will reach the red line at 6000 RPM. It's no HEMI, just a little 4 cylinder. At least it gets 30MPG instead of the 15 that my pickup gets.
Update: Oops... Now the check engine light is on. Maybe I pushed it a little hard.
I've got a loaner for a few days while they work out a gremlin with the Durango. It rides OK, a little noisy on the road. I verified today that will reach the red line at 6000 RPM. It's no HEMI, just a little 4 cylinder. At least it gets 30MPG instead of the 15 that my pickup gets.
Update: Oops... Now the check engine light is on. Maybe I pushed it a little hard.
Monday, April 09, 2007
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Lesson Learned...
Last Friday I took my Pickup to the garage for an oil change and yearly safety inspection. About 30 minutes after they took it in, the service manager come up to me and tells me that it's going to need 4 ball joints, a wheel bearing, and possibly a radiator. After doing some quick numbers in my head, I started to think to myself, "Cool, the extended warranty is good until the end of the month". That's when I remembered the date February 2nd. CRAP!!! I asked them if they could get the manufacturer to cover it under anyway. "No, we cannot do that" was their reply. My response was "You need to find a way". Anyway they were kind enough to provide me with the information I would need to call the warranty people. I talked to a nice lady on the phone that notified me she would review the situation. A half hour later the warranty people called the dealership to get a complete price quote and they agree to cover the cost even though I was a couple day past the end of the contract. PHEW!!!
Next time I'll pay a little better attention to the date, when I'm nearing the end of a contract.
Last Friday I took my Pickup to the garage for an oil change and yearly safety inspection. About 30 minutes after they took it in, the service manager come up to me and tells me that it's going to need 4 ball joints, a wheel bearing, and possibly a radiator. After doing some quick numbers in my head, I started to think to myself, "Cool, the extended warranty is good until the end of the month". That's when I remembered the date February 2nd. CRAP!!! I asked them if they could get the manufacturer to cover it under anyway. "No, we cannot do that" was their reply. My response was "You need to find a way". Anyway they were kind enough to provide me with the information I would need to call the warranty people. I talked to a nice lady on the phone that notified me she would review the situation. A half hour later the warranty people called the dealership to get a complete price quote and they agree to cover the cost even though I was a couple day past the end of the contract. PHEW!!!
Next time I'll pay a little better attention to the date, when I'm nearing the end of a contract.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Friday, December 15, 2006
Larry's Random Thoughts
Ginnea Pig - Update.
I got around to charging the battery and putting some gas in it today.
It started right up! YES!!! I let it idle for a few minutes then I drove it around the house a few times. (I hope Caleb doesn't notice the tire marks in the dirt). Swapped out the engine oil.
Almost ready to ride.
Ginnea Pig - Update.
I got around to charging the battery and putting some gas in it today.
It started right up! YES!!! I let it idle for a few minutes then I drove it around the house a few times. (I hope Caleb doesn't notice the tire marks in the dirt). Swapped out the engine oil.
Almost ready to ride.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Ginnea Pig...
Everytime I ask someone "Hey, you ever known anybody that has tried one of those Kids ATVs from China? I can't believe the price.", I get the same response. "No, but they look really nice."
ARGH!!!!
So what do I do? Do I buy a new well known brand name ATV for $2500 or do I buy a used one that is 3-5 years old for $1200. These machines typically will be 90cc (max) without lights, without electric starter, without reverse, and often without a suspension.
~OR~
Do I buy an ATV from China??? Reviews are all over the place. Some people hate 'em, some people love 'em.
I needed so see one myself to judge how well they were built. I also wanted to get an idea of how large a 50cc compared to a 90cc and how that compared to the 110cc. Luckily, just over the border in ME, there is a guy that sells the RedCat brand. He had a 50cc (that fit Zach perfectly, sorry not this year Zach) and a 90cc that was OK size for Caleb right now, and he also had a 110cc that was a little big (in my opinion) for Caleb. The owner of the shop was great, he brought me to his house and even showed my his own son's 80cc ATV that was on a larger frame than the 90cc, but still smaller than the 110cc. My problem was that he wanted around $1000 for the 90cc and $1300 for the 80cc. I left there thinking that I wanted the 80cc, but wasn't willing to fork over the cash. I also new that I could get the same model online for under $1000.
After a few more weeks of research...
I called a few online dealers, read a bunch more forums, finally decided to buy a Kazuma Baby Falcon 110.
I went this direction based on price and features.
$$$ UNDER A GRAND $$$ Delivered to my home
Driving Lights
Electric start
Keys
3 speed with Reverse
Baby Falcon (110cc motor) but sits a couple inches lower that the normal 110 Falcon.
Better than normal foot guards.
Easy access to parts online.
Delivery: This was delivered from Georgia in less than a week. It came in a crate, that was re-enforced with a steel frame.
Assembly: Once I got the crate apart, assembly is basically just bolt on the wheels, attach the plastic foot guards and straiten and tighten the handle bars. They also suggest swapping out the engine oil, after running for a few minutes. I also chose to "lock-tite" a bunch of stuff as most of the complaints on the forums were about pieces rattling loose and then getting broke.
So, there it is Dads I'll be the ginnea pig on this one.
I'm pretty sure this gets me the #1 Dad award on Christmas morning. Little does he know that he is not getting anything for his birthday for several years. :)
Here are a few pictures.
Everytime I ask someone "Hey, you ever known anybody that has tried one of those Kids ATVs from China? I can't believe the price.", I get the same response. "No, but they look really nice."
ARGH!!!!
So what do I do? Do I buy a new well known brand name ATV for $2500 or do I buy a used one that is 3-5 years old for $1200. These machines typically will be 90cc (max) without lights, without electric starter, without reverse, and often without a suspension.
~OR~
Do I buy an ATV from China??? Reviews are all over the place. Some people hate 'em, some people love 'em.
I needed so see one myself to judge how well they were built. I also wanted to get an idea of how large a 50cc compared to a 90cc and how that compared to the 110cc. Luckily, just over the border in ME, there is a guy that sells the RedCat brand. He had a 50cc (that fit Zach perfectly, sorry not this year Zach) and a 90cc that was OK size for Caleb right now, and he also had a 110cc that was a little big (in my opinion) for Caleb. The owner of the shop was great, he brought me to his house and even showed my his own son's 80cc ATV that was on a larger frame than the 90cc, but still smaller than the 110cc. My problem was that he wanted around $1000 for the 90cc and $1300 for the 80cc. I left there thinking that I wanted the 80cc, but wasn't willing to fork over the cash. I also new that I could get the same model online for under $1000.
After a few more weeks of research...
I called a few online dealers, read a bunch more forums, finally decided to buy a Kazuma Baby Falcon 110.
I went this direction based on price and features.
$$$ UNDER A GRAND $$$ Delivered to my home
Driving Lights
Electric start
Keys
3 speed with Reverse
Baby Falcon (110cc motor) but sits a couple inches lower that the normal 110 Falcon.
Better than normal foot guards.
Easy access to parts online.
Delivery: This was delivered from Georgia in less than a week. It came in a crate, that was re-enforced with a steel frame.
Assembly: Once I got the crate apart, assembly is basically just bolt on the wheels, attach the plastic foot guards and straiten and tighten the handle bars. They also suggest swapping out the engine oil, after running for a few minutes. I also chose to "lock-tite" a bunch of stuff as most of the complaints on the forums were about pieces rattling loose and then getting broke.
So, there it is Dads I'll be the ginnea pig on this one.
I'm pretty sure this gets me the #1 Dad award on Christmas morning. Little does he know that he is not getting anything for his birthday for several years. :)
Here are a few pictures.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
SUCCESS!!
I went for my first ride in a long time this weekend with my Brother-in-law (Dennis) and a few friends. I got to Dennis's house at 11:30, it was a little over a 2 hour drive from my house. There were 4 of us there ready to ride, so we geared up. It was a little chilly, in the mid 30's (I could see snow off in the distant mountains) so everyone added a few layers. One more guy was going to show up around 1:00, but we couldn't wait. Off we went....
Luckily we can hit the trails right from Dennis's house, just a few minutes through the woods your right on the trails.
I went for my first ride in a long time this weekend with my Brother-in-law (Dennis) and a few friends. I got to Dennis's house at 11:30, it was a little over a 2 hour drive from my house. There were 4 of us there ready to ride, so we geared up. It was a little chilly, in the mid 30's (I could see snow off in the distant mountains) so everyone added a few layers. One more guy was going to show up around 1:00, but we couldn't wait. Off we went....
Luckily we can hit the trails right from Dennis's house, just a few minutes through the woods your right on the trails.
Unfortunately, We got about 5 miles out and Pee-Wee (don't ask its been his nickname since childhood) lost the master link in his chain. So Dennis headed back to the house to get a few parts and tools as the rest of us walked up and down the trail to see if we could find the master link. About 15 minutes later as I was walking up the trail and the other guys where walking down the trail towards me, we stopped to talk and when I looked down, there it was, right in the mud puddle beside us. TOO STRANGE... We didn't find the clip, but Dennis was back with all the parts needed. After we (Dennis) fixed the bike, we harassed the Polaris owner and headed out for a quick ride before we headed back to the house to pick up the guy that was running late. My sister (Amy) made beef-stew and corn bread muffins for lunch, we ate quickly and headed back out.
Dennis checking out the damage.
Dennis and PeeWee putting it back together.
Yes, that's snow!
Success Pond
Success Pond
Success Pond
The Gang (Luke-350Honda, Larry-450Honda, Ray-500ArticCat, Dennis-400Bombardier, PeeWee-250Polaris)
We rode almost 60 miles. Lots of water, mud, and fun. We are trying to plan a trip up to Errol in November. I'm nearly crippled to today, I need to ride more often so that it doesn't hurt so much to have so much fun. :)
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Happy Talk Like A Pirate Day!
In case you didn't know (I didn't until I got an email), September 19 is talk like a pirate day.
Ahoy, silly me, I should have known. Aye.
For more information go to http://www.talklikeapirateday.com/wordpress/
In case you didn't know (I didn't until I got an email), September 19 is talk like a pirate day.
Ahoy, silly me, I should have known. Aye.
For more information go to http://www.talklikeapirateday.com/wordpress/
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
So many questions... So little time...
So tonight I checking the batteries in something that was not working with my volt meter, something that would normally just take a few seconds without any distractions . (cue Zach 4 years old)... "Dad, what is that", not wanting to explain Ohm's Law to him I flippantly responded back, "It's a rectal thermometer". This is usually where he would just shrug his shoulders and walk away. (cue Caleb 8 years old)... "Dad, I know what a rectal thermometer is". "You do", I responded. "Yes", he said, "It's an old broken thermomter that has been wrecked". "Yup that's right", I said.
I'm pretty sure I'm gonna get a call from his teacher tomorrow. :)
So tonight I checking the batteries in something that was not working with my volt meter, something that would normally just take a few seconds without any distractions . (cue Zach 4 years old)... "Dad, what is that", not wanting to explain Ohm's Law to him I flippantly responded back, "It's a rectal thermometer". This is usually where he would just shrug his shoulders and walk away. (cue Caleb 8 years old)... "Dad, I know what a rectal thermometer is". "You do", I responded. "Yes", he said, "It's an old broken thermomter that has been wrecked". "Yup that's right", I said.
I'm pretty sure I'm gonna get a call from his teacher tomorrow. :)
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