Mikelly

Well yesterday was quite possibly the most frustrating and hardest day I have had in a while. Dennis (Contractor who has been helping me) arrived at 0700 and we didn't finish intil 1900 hours (That would be 7PM for you Civilian types). We still aren't finished with the footers, as we had to fill in the old, dig out ALL of the bad soil, strip the center where the pad will be, and then start digging new footers after all that was done. The new footer has to be 4 feet deep X 2 Feet wide, and then we had to fill the footer with #57 gravel for 2 Feet of the depth. We got off course late in the day and Dennis dug the last footer off center which has to now be filled and re-dug today. Guess what I'll be doing today??? Anyway, once I get that done, the rest of the 33 tons of gravel in place, and get the rebar in. I need Les Heath to give me a call because I'm gonna try to get the footer inspected by next weekend so Les and I can pour it. If all goes well, I should be able to have the block work done the following weekend so we can then by sometime in the early August time frame pour the pad and I can start the framing and actual building of the structure. This garage project is gonna be the death of me... I hurt in places a human being should experience pain... Mike

...Owen, I had that happen and was able to get the piece of the tool out without damaging the crank. See if you can take a small screw driver or seal chaser and back the broken piece out of the snout of the crank. Typicaly it is the shoulders of the balancer thast cause the bind and the tool failes, not due to cross threading, but due to torquing of the tool. DOn't panic.. On that same note, It must be a hybrid thing... Friday My 1990 Honda Civic dies in my driveway. 30 minutes later my 1993 GMC Dies in my driveway. I spend all weekend trying to troubleshoot the truck (When I should be relaxing and enjoying my 36th Birthday...). By Sunday afternoon I think I have it (The truck) sorted out. Monday evening I put the K&N filter in the bike and put half a gallon of gas back into the tank, thinking I should be able to get down the street to get gas the next day. Tuesday afternoon I stop off at Pepboy's on the way home thinking I'll grab the parts to fix the Honda... Of course they don't have the parts, so I get in the truck to go home and the truck won't start again. At this point I have rpelaced the starter, replaced the ignition switch, and now I go back in pep Boys to replace the battery... It still won't start. So I call the wife who swings by and picks me up on her way home from Dahlgren. I get home and call a tow truck, and then jump on the bike to gas it up since I'll likely be driving it to work the next day (Today...) I get half a mile down the street and the bike dies... I pull off the side of the road and turn the petcock only to find it is already on reserve (As I thought it should be) and that a piece of the petcock gasket has been slightly pinched, creating a gap for gas to ooz out of... It is moist. SO, Now I'm faced with the fact that I can leave the bike and go get the car to GET gas, or push the bike... Can't take it to the gas station because it won't hold much gas, and I really don't want to leave it and take a chance on it getting gotten like Katie's bike got stolen. SOOO I push it home. AND to add insult to injury the tow truck PASSES ME towing my truck to my house... What's worse, is that the truck is NOW STARTING! Heat soak does that... Turns out that it was the battery cables that were fried on the truck (I guess I shouldn't complain since the truck has 240,000 miles). I eventually got the gasket for the petcock on the bike squared away and drove it to the gas station AFTER I got the truck fixed (New battery cables I sourced from my race car...00 gage wire!) . The Honda is still broke down, but I know it is either the fuel pump or relay and I should have that sorted by tonight... nothing like having three vehicles and NONE of them working... Oh, and Chris Bracewell and I had some concern over the K&N filter messing with the tuning done at Fast Lanes, but I noticed that the throttle response was quicker after the swap to the K&N and other than that, it runs fine... Good thing that ZX9R is light... Pushing it 1/2 a mile wasn't too terrible, but there weren't any hills either.... Mike

Well after paying $1000 for about 45 minutes worth of engineering brain power and a free inspection and interface with the county, I now have an approved solution for the mess in my back yard... Hopefully I will start construction up again over the coming weekend... LES Read your e-mail buddy! I think we'll be in business shortly! Mike

I agree with Mike KZ... If you want to further throw money down the toilet, go ahead and start moving it around. As one financial advisor stated on a radio talk show I was listening to the other day, If you absolutely HAVE TO DO SOMETHING WITH IT, then take a loan out against it and buy land or a house or rental property. At least then you will be paying yourself back SOMETHING (Usually about 6-11%) on the loan of the funds, and hopefully getting something in the return on the investment... Apparently this is starting to become a trend, although I don't recommend it unless you don't have ANY other way of buying realestate property. It could get a lot worse, but right now is an excellent time to take a little "Play" money and invest in the NEXT Microsoft or Pepsico... Mike

...That movie was a marketing tool. That's all it was... I have to constantly talk my 17 year old step son out of putting that stuff in his civic. These kids want that stuff so they can say they have it... It ads NOTHING to enhance DRIVING your car, and it isn't like your kids are gonna be able to watch it in the "BACK SEAT" while you are going down the road... DVD and video games are good for long road trips and kids... If you want to wathc a movie, get a damned conversion van or stay home... Now, since I unloaded how I really feel, keep in mind what I said in the previous post... Its your car.. and not everyone has the same taste! Mike

DP351Zcar, That is what happens when you remove several layers from skin. The guy basically reomved his protective layers and is into the meat of the flesh... It isn't bleeding and it won't... Zero, On a night ride two years ago I spooked a deer (It saw my lights but I didn't see it) and it took off and ran into my path inadvertantly and hit me from behind at the left side of my body. It fell in one direction and I went flying in another. After I realized what happened and it got up and ran off, I really was in a daze. I broke a couple of ribs and pooped blood for a week. I never want to hit ANYTHING alive again on a bike, pedal or motor driven... Mike

Lone, you have no idea... Great minds think alike... Mike

...I think I've said this a hundred times since this site was created... It is your car, do it YOUR way. Last year at the 2001 MSA there was a 260Z that had DVD, subs, killer stereo, AND a nintendo in it. The guy got there early and LEFT early. His car wasn't in bad shape, but he was asked to leave after an issue about the rules for the show arrose with Kirt, the buyer for MSA. Anyway, the car was pretty tricked out, lowered, had 17 inch wheels and NICE trim on the interior. Years ago I had a pair of 10 inch subs that vibrated my Z so hard that the side view mirror bolts wouldn't stay torqued without lock tite on them! Now days I look at all that electronic stuff as a fire hazard, but again, to each his own...Your car, build it YOUR way. As was mentioned though, you won't get much support here, as most guys want light and fast with little complexity in the interior. Mike

I love topics like this, although I'm gonna throw out the obligatory caution that topics like this should carry... Much like discussions about religion and politics... Lets be carefull not to start flame wars in this discussion. Just remember, stupid people are breeding in droves. Stupid people don't have a nationality, and stupidity is an affliction that spans every class of people, much like hate and biggotry. Stupid stupid people... Mike

...Yup, I too know what road rash is like, after being bumped by a Dodge wagon while riding my road bicycle at about a 20mph pace. I liken it to the sensation of being on fire... Knowing what wasin store for me, I went home and got out my own scrub brush (Still have it too) and got in a tub of epsom salts and scrubbed my own rash... AFTER drinking a couple stiff shots of Jack D.! Race Leathers with hard armor... Don't leave home without 'em! If you do, SHAME ON YOU! Mike

http://www.discountmotorcyclehelmets.com/ I have an HJC MILLER LT20 racer replica, and the fit and finish is great. I have owned Shoei, Bell, Bieffe, and Nolan helmets. My recommendation is that it be SNELL2000 and Dot approved. Another site you could check would be www.helmetsRus.com, but the above link beat every price they had. Go into a shop and try the helmet brand you are thinking of on, and then order online. You will save A BUNCH of money... Did I mention I love my new (To Me) ZX9R? Nothing like 130+ HP and 50+MPG!! Mike

...Nope, he just caught Darwin napping... Mike

I have seen these up close and personal. My former neighbor had them on a 55 Chevy. You can get them in 1 3/4 and yes, the two bolts are missing and didn't cause ANY problems.. He used them with a roots blower type setup and they are awesome... VERY good alternative. I thought these were the units BLKMGK bought, and I'm glad to hear they weren't... Yea, they are pricey, but if you see them up close, they look sweet... Mike

Pete, that is great...The car looks wonderfull. Nice clean execution. I really love that paint.... So did she enjoy the ride??? Mike

...Man this thing is SOOOO Much fun to ride... I'm having a ball with it. The speed, handling, fit and comfort is awesome... The bike had a rashed upper and left side faring and I found both on Ebay for $325 shipped... Should be returned to like new condition by next week... It came with a Micron Exhaust, so really I don't need to do anything to it... I'm gonna install some fraem sliders, and bar sliders, as well as a carbon tank guard. I am gonna be in a NESBA class at Summit Point on the 21st of July...1st time on a road course on a bike in several years... Can't wait! The only thing I might change on this bike is the color... Kawi Green is a little loud...Might have to change it when it gets cold! Mike

Unfortunately, I have to agree with DRAX, and I'm making a chunk of change off selling you guys MIG welded stuff... That I weld up. Those welds are awesome and it would depend on some seriously perfect construction material, and the right welding equipment AND a skilled welder to get anything close to those kinds of welds. Mike

Well the other issue with those aluminum bushings is...Well, they are aluminum and tend to move around ALOT! They also wear out quickly. I really don't recomend them. Not pushing my rear arms here, but slot the towers, buy some camber plates (I have a set of carreras I'll sell you cheap...) or do something else.. DON'T buy those bushings.. Mike Gibson and others will back me on this... Mike Kelly

...Amen Lone! They treated me pretty crappy, and as far as I'm concerned, I'll do everything I can to steer people away from them until SAL gives me a call. I've dealt with Sal for years. To be treated like that after flying all the way out there was unspeakable. What's worse is SAL lied to me at the show telling me (In front of his BUYER, KURT) that they wanted to carry my product in their new catalog. Not sure why it is that all the other model vehicles we're competing directly with seem to have oceans of aftermarket support and Z car enthusiasts have to rely on people like myself, Mike Gibson, Ross, and a hand full of other suppliers to provide TRUE Customer service... Their buyer Kurt told me that they sell 4 sets of coil overs per year (Mike Gibson probably sells that many FULL kits per month, and probably more...) and that they aren't into catering to the racer crowd... And they are located ON THE SAME PANET AS ME??? Read the post in the Announcements section about the numbers of parts I've sold since June 2001. Does that sound like to small a market to move a product to you? I don't have a website up, don't take credit card sales other than paypal, and the only advertising I have done is through this site and one magazine article in SportZ... I've tried NOT to be successfull because I didn't want to get flooded with orders I couldn't fullfill... Sorry for the RANT guys, but the largest supplier of ZCar parts in the USA is truly NOT customer friendly, and their reputation FAR preceeds them. Mike (I can't get no respect) Kelly

...This is very timely since I just picked up a ZX9R that has been tweeked and tuned to get dyno'ed 132HP out of this 405 pound motorcycle... Just took it for a spin around the "Block" which is a 2 mile route that basically is the primary roads that border my subdivision. I'v had this bike exactly one day when this tool in an Integra thinks he is gonna jump me at the light. I eased out in first, grabed 2nd early and reved 2nd to a third gear redline shift since I gave the tool plenty of lead out... I grabbed third and the front end stood up on me AS I passed him (DID NOT EXPECT THAT!). At the next light the guy rolls his window down and says "Man I'll never rev on a sport bike again!". Guess we can say I educated both of us on that one... Won't be craking third hard anymore... This is gonna be a FUN bike! Mike

...Well I still want one of those...But I'd have to do that X2, since I have a stepson who would KILL me if I didn't get two! Mike

Yup, I have a guy coming to pick it up today...$4500! I also made a deal with another guy to pick up a 1998 ZX9R for $4700. Much more comfortable, makes 132HP (Dynotested) and is just an overall MUCH better day-long ride! I bought the GSXR750 for $3500, so I'm getting into the ZX9R for a total of $3700!!! I Can't wait! Mike

Talked to that guy last year at the MSA show and that bar is a custom one off piece he had made for the car. BTW, that whole car is truly a sweet ride, right down to the Electromotive ignition and custom FI setup hidden under the one off air breather! Mike

Guys, Contact me offline as I may have enough part for both your needs... Dat74z@yahoo.com! Mike

My recommendation is to contact Jamie T. (Member name here) off line because he does this for a living and his experience in aluminum (And I've seen his work, which is the reason he makes the rear arms for my ZF Racing kits) would really lend well to your quesations here. All of the aluminum furniture he makes at the company he works at is $1000 or more. The quality is seriously high end. Mike

The webbers or the FI setup??? Mike