Have been busy and not taken time to post on the forum, so here are a few things that have kept me busy.
After replacing the 2004 350Z with the 2006 350Z because of to many problems with that model year, the 06 had a transmission/clutch issue at 18k miles. To make a long story short, Nissan decided to stick me with a $ 2,400 repair bill stating it was not normal wear/tear. So well it was in the shop for two weeks well I argued with corporate, the decision was made to replace it.
Decided to try a 2007 Mini Cooper S, less insurance cost, better gas mileage, and BMW has the 4 year warranty with 3 year service included. So after placing the order and waiting 9 weeks for it to be produced and shipped from Oxford, it arrived here safely last August. Today it is going in for the first service which for BMW is 15k, so at this point it has been far better than the two Z's as it now has 15,200 miles and have not had one issue, and this will be the first time in the shop since delivery. In the Mini world, owners tend to name their Mini, so meet Skeeter.
Being a Disney freak, decided to have a custom roof graphic made, that was a six week project.
Next project was replacing the 2006 Yamaha V Star 1100 that I had purchased after having the first heart attack, after having a second one in 02/07 I just did not feel comfortable on two wheels any longer.
Well recovering last February I found a web site with a new design of a trike, it looked very interesting. So after waiting for dealerships to be established, I placed a deposit and was on the waiting list. A few months later BRB had units out on tour and over the summer I was able to do several test ride of the bike I had already purchased.
After some delays in production, shipping and such, I took delivery of # 409 last September. BRB had a promotional program for the first 2,500 owners, a free jacket and limited edition plaques on the handle bars. Jay Leno was involved with the promotion so of course he received # 0001.
So here is Spydie, the Can-Am Spyder.
Next I decided to purchase a trailer so when I travel, I have the option of taking Spydie along. Because of the long wheel base and low ground clearance, the usual bike trailers was not the best plan. So I went with a company out of Colorado that has designed a fully air ride suspension trailer, advantage is with a flip of a switch, the trailer deck drops to ground level. So it is a simple ride on/off operation. Only issue was the owner tends to not tell all the facts, so once the trailer arrived I spent the next 5 weeks making improvements, mods, re-painting the trailer as it did not match as stated. Any ways, here is the Spyder Transport.
Before mods.
Spydie & Skeeter
Last summer is was apparent that the garage was becoming over filled, so decided to build a garage for the Spyder and roomies Ninja 650. A usual with my projects, the garage ended up being more involved than a simple shed, decided to run an underground feed from the house panel to a sub panel in he garage, add a skylight, custom sized roll up door, and paneled the interior.
A few months ago I found a good price on a Panasonic 65" Plasma, so could not pass on that. Only issue was it involved a major mod to the HT system to accommodate it. Well it is in place and working, I still need to do a major rewire of the HT equipment racks to remove/install new components.
So this is some of the things that have kept be from posting much on the forum. I have plans on making a trip up the coast back home to Everett on Spydie as soon as I have good weather in WA/OR.
Also I have another new interest which is powered parachutes, I'm fortunate to have one of the few airports that welcome them, so have become friends with a few owners and will be learning how to fly these great toys.
I'll try to post a bit more often, more so about the HT system changes/updates as I do them.
