Well, my friend stinks. I've been wanting him to complete his BE so we could have some fun together like the old days.
Sadly the BE (1380 etc) is still a ways away from completion
so the summer funfest was going to be on hold.
Not now. Lookie what he just bought. Caterham. New.
It should be ready to rumble next weekend and we should have the camera stuff sorted by then too.
0-60 in 3.8 seconds.
2 liter twin cam fuel injected 200 hp
6 speed gear box
Poor ol Screamin' Mimi is going to be eating a lot of rubber dust I fear.

Nice!

But yeah, he stinks for making me jealous!

I agree with Nial! I am GREEN with envy!!

The darn thing has been sitting in the crates since 2001.
It was just recently assembled.
He's a really good friend going back to High School circa 1970.
I'm very happy for him. I'll be even happier for him when I get to drive it.
I bet I swore at him for 5 minutes when he sent me a bunch of pics. I could feel his ear to ear grin through the phone.
Kind of like when I got the BE and his had been stuck in a garage for 20 years. I got the earful then.

My "childhood" pal has a Caterham 7. We've had waaay too much fun with it. Great cars!
"Keeps th' natives up onna sidewalks where they BELONG!"

He and his lovely mate drove the thing on the INTERSTATE on a 150+ mile round trip just for a visit a year ago. What a hoot.

Now THAT's a proper 'Tude , Dude!

Looks like lots of fun. Top Gear did a great episode on building one of these. Almost as much fun as an Ariel Atom.
Allan

I keep seein' the outtakes from that episode but never saw it.

I want to drive one when the wife is out of town. hehe.

Hi There Gundy,

A Local friend of mine has one of these little animals in his stable (Amongst Many). His does`nt have the HP that your friends has but what a blast to drive! He has a "Toyota" Hemi-Head engine in his!! He built his own Intake to accept twin SUs coupled to a 5 speed tranny.

I`ll have to take some pics for Y`All to include his "Outrageous" Rat Rod! Y`All Love that one!!

My friend is in the Bus. of "Car Restorations" so; He`s a sheet metal artist, upholstery guru etc etc. The only problem I have found with him; Is he is awfully expensive!! He keeps telling me; "I`m not a Bondo Body Shop" but a "Restoration House"! Does that qualify for a $100.00+ per hr. rate?????????

Have a fun ride,

Russ

Yes.

If that seems out of line, find some other shop to do the work... but don't whine when it isn't up to true restoration standards.

It may not be apparent but it takes years of diligence and skill to gain the knowledge and experience to do the job properly. It's not taught in schools, no university but the one where you spend a lifetime honing those skills. If he's busy, his rate is fine. To my mind it's even a bit low. Benz shops down here are over $100/hr to know which button to push on a computer. Bass-ackwards IMO.

Don't denigrate a man's abilities because YOU think his rates are outrageous. There are likely folks around who'd think what you did for a living for a lifetime is "excess to requirement" too.

I always say there is nobody on earth worth $300 per hour
but they still beat my door down to pay it. It's all about free market. Granny says "Ya get what ya pay for."
I think Russ was just joking around for what it's worth.
Wait till he gets MY bill. j/k Russ.

You pay peanuts, you get monkey's.

Hi Dx,

If I were "Whining" about a "Friend" of mines work; You`d be 100% correct.

Obviously; You can`t take a joke!!

Yes; I was just joking around!

I would recommend my "Friends" shop for "Restoration" work any day of the wk. for "Whatever" rate he charges!

Russ

I have always liked this little Youtube video on one of these...

David, did Sleepy buy the Cat??? good for him, bad for the Bugeye, it will never get done now, so thats why he hasn't bug the living crap out of me this week

OK, so we all got a hot rod now, I thinking Sunday for a mountian run, you wusses up for it

Cat or no Cat, I still have to wait on him at the top of the hill
You mark my word, we'll probably have tough time getting him out in thing, he's so darn obcessive, he'll be afraid of getting stone chip on it.

LOL...I told him we'd do a 276 run next weekend and he wanted to know if there was ANY gravel on the road. I said we'd send
the wife up in her MGB as a pre-runner to check for debris.
I'll have the camera bench tested by next weekend. I'm game but
lame, so please wait when we get to the top. That dang Cat should be a Whooooop ...brake.. Whoop...brake... whooop
I bet you couldn't open the throttle more than a second the whole way up.
BTW...Sleepy has lurked in this thread.
I'm on the phone with him now. He's game! We'll have the wife pack up a picnic lunch so she can use that antique basket of hers.

Man, that music sounds like the good ol boys pickin' n grinnin' just down the road every weekend.
Throw in some "special" spring water and ya got a pardy.
Yeee haa

Hi There Hap & Gundy,

Man; I`m only a few weeks away from joining you folks in all this fun.

"I CAN`T WAIT"!!

See Y`All Soon,

Regards, Russ

PS: Please keep in mind; My B/E is "STOCK' 948 & slower than a snail.

Yeah, I talked to our boy a little while ago, he said the ladies were in on this run, which is cool, we'll behave ourselves. I assured Alan even though I talk alot of smack, and drive quicker than most in the mountains, (because most LBC drivers drive like freaking grandmas :)) I do keep it well within my limits, and try to avoid situaction where it becomes comptetitive between folks following each other, I drive on my side of the road everywhere I can't see what's coming, I drive a bit short of tire squealing, and reverse lock steering levels, don't drive the straights balls out (because thet takes zero talent to go straight) I mostly go to have fun, try to keep everyone safe, I guess these days the craziest thing I do is pass slugs, and Harley riders
I think Alan needed to hear me say that I'll make sure we don't get into trouble. So count me and MJ in for next weekend, I'm game for Saturday or Sunday based on weather. We'll have fun, go quickly thru some corners, and most importantly stay safe, I taught comp driving schools for years, so safety is a big one for me.


If we go Saturday, I'll turn you on the best beer I ever drank, hint, hint, it's in Sylva, NC.

Great Hap! I was thinking a short trip like run up
Caesar's Head and do a picnic.
Tomorrow night we're going to Saluda so we might get some
practice running through he watershed area.
Running between the lines and keeping the drifts to a minimum
is all I ever do. In our youth our friend and I were a little
crazy. Ask him about the time his BE went OFF the side of the mountain. I think that might be when he parked it. We're
all older and a little wiser these days. eh?
I should have the camera by then too. I figure I'll be the slow dog and take the tail gunner spot and put the camera so we we can get all cars in frame.
Tell MJ that Lynn says Hi!
David

I might join you guys. My wife has a granny that is not well and it depends on how things go with her. I live about 20 miles from Brevard, so the actual shortest route for me would be to go to brevard then down 276 to hwy 11 and then back up or go down Hwy 25 and over on 11 but that might take to long if y'all are meeting up in the morning. The way this thing has been acting, I will need to top it up with water before climbing back up the mountain. Wife works weekends,and she doesn't like curve slinging anyways.

Sorry to hear about your wife's Granny. Gob Bless her.
Please do join us. Details will be posted as they become clearer.
On another note: The drive up to Saluda yesterday was great.
The BE could pull the whole thing in 4th.
Coming home through the watershed was a like driving through a bugstorm. Nasty. It just about covered the windshield and
front end. ewwwww

We have a thing here called "Love Bug Season". Happens twice a year, actually. Durn'd things seem to be attracted to highways. They COAT the front-end and windshield. Awful things. Introduced supposedly to eat mosquitoes. feh. They have NO interest in that. And no known natural predators. Birds 'n bats ignore 'em.
Not sure how they taste (haven't ridden two wheels in decades ) but if the birds won't eat 'em they gotta be nasty.

...and they don't care for primer but they sure seem to come outta the woodwork if you shoot any kind of top coat outdoors!
I've entoumbed more than a few into the MG's paintwork.

Thankfully they all washed off today. Guess it was a good thing 'cause I haven't washed the BE but once since Jan. when I
waxed it.
Man, those Minilites were COVERED in brake dust. It was such an
even coat I hadn't noticed the "depth" of dust and the paint had a nice film of road dust going on.
She's all purdy now. I even shined up the valve cover.
It should be a lot faster now.

Hi Gundy,

Please send pics!!

"Thanx", Russ

Of what? Pray tell. Dirty Sprite? Clean Sprite?
I'll try to post any videos of next week's picnic
on Youtube...if I can figure out how to post 'em.
I've had an account there for years but failed getting
Crackberry movies to post. Wrong format or something.
Camera is due here the 23rd. I may shoot a test
video before the picnic and test post that. Maybe
just a little run up through the gears heading to
Pumpkintown's commercial district. (the blinking
light, 4 way stop at the diner) Boring stuff but
I need to start somewhere.

EDIT: Just for you Russ
I did a test up load to Youtube from my Nikon D90.
I'm ready baby! Now if that Goprocamera would just get
here.
WARNING useless video link..NON LBC RELATED
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3PU-mZriWY
I repeat WARNING...test stuff....useless...for Russ only.

Howdy Gundy,

I thought Hap & Yourself were going to do the "Hill Climb & Picnic" adventure this weekend & You were going to take some pics or video.

What I wanted to see is the "Hill Climb" from your B/E Cam mounted on your Roll Bar or somewhere.

Thanx, Russ

Just an FYI note for those visiting Fl. who run into our love-bug (AKA June bug)swarms...a simple removal method is to wipe them off with sheets of Bounce...the fabric stuff that one throws into the dryer with the clothes! Any other attempt at removing them is a real PITA, but they just wipe away easily with the Bounce!!

I just made a quick run up to West virginia to see the bride's grandma and everything up on tuesday and back yesterday and back to work today. Wife works this weekend so I plan on being there at 276 and hwy 11 on Sunday, if I am not imposing or anything. I don't want to ruin anybodies plans or anything. Where exactly do you folks meet at? Is there anything I should know or bring and what time will you meet or form up or whatever.

Good to hear you can make it! We will be meeting up near the
junction of #11 and #276 on #11 at the little pull over area known as Wildcat Wayside. The Boiled peanut guy should be there.
Ya can't miss it. About 10:00 a.m.
Sleepy's Caterham arrived today. Hap may or may not be with his wife. Sleepy and I will have wives with us.
Look for a BE, a Cat and a "B" GT. We should be easy to spot.
Hap mentioned he may want to go for a further drive than just up
to Caesar's head, maybe on to Brevard and such. I'm sure he'd love for you to chase him back into N.C.
Bring your on lunch and beverages.
I'll bring a portable TV so we can watch the video at Caesar's
Head where we'll stop to snack.
Glad ya can make it Pal!
David

ps: ANY drivers wishing to do this little soiree are welcome aboard. Just be at the designated spot about 10:00a.m.
No r.s.v.p. required...just a set of wheels

Howdy Folks,

I just wanted to say; I`ll be there in spirit this time but next time; "FOR SURE" with my B/E. See Y`All in Aug.

Enjoy the Ride as I`m sure you will.

Regards, Russ

NO, NO, NO Chris is not allowed to come Just kidding. Chris these guys are planning a vary short run to Ceasers Head Park for Hwy 11, David has got some errands to get taken care of Sunday, and Alan doesn't want to get too far away from home in his new "Catered Ham" :), so maybe you and I can continue back North from Ceasar Head Park, how this sounds, we go thru Brevard, stay on 276, thru the Pisgah Forset, then pick up the BRP, and head towards Pisgah Inn, which will be heading back your way, I'll do a turn around at Pisgah Inn, and you'll mostly back to Asheville by then. I'll PM you my shop and cell number, I mostly keep the cell cut off, but I'll have it cut on Sunday for the ride.

I should be woman-less Sunday, MJ will be clothes shopping with her niece and sister, so I'm free to act a fool


Chris I do need to warn you though, Alan and David are nuts (kinda loose marbles if you know what I mean), but I'm pretty normal

Hey Russ out of curosity, how close to Altoona are you?

That sounds like a good run to me. I have made the run from pisgah forest to mnt pisgah several times in the midget. It is 15 miles from the top of mount pisgah to my house going towards asheville and getting off at the 191 exit. I can practically coast all the way down the hill, but need to keep that input shaft turning because the 5 speed needs that to keep oil on the output shaft. I got the thermostat pull out so we will see how it goes. I plan on being there just before 10am allowing time enough to top up the water in the rad before the run back up.

Howdy Hap,

I`m about 3-1/2hrs drive directly East of there.

Why do you ask? Are you guys taking a Sunday Ride out that way!!!!

Have Fun,

Russ

Alan, a.k.a. Sleepy, says another LBC nut may join us as well.
As far as "further adventures" we'll see. Depends on how sore my and the ol lady's butts are from BE riding up to the top.
Hap, Alan has already had to order touch up paint for some
chips which he found in the paint.
The Cat Ham also had a loose tie rod he had to repair.
He's noticed the owner's manual advises to keep revs under 4K
for a period.
That's our boy!

Update: Alan has informed me that a couple of others may join us.
Maybe a Morgan and maybe a Mini Cooper or some such.
That would bump the train up to about 7 LBCs.
Plan seems to have expanded to include the run to Brevard
for all...at a minimum.
Please join us if you can.
Meeting is at junction of SC Hwys #11 and #276 @ 10:00 am
Sunday.
Check out this road!
Map: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?name=Caesar...amp;id=13055964

or try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&q=Caesars+Head,+Greenville,+South+Carolina&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=48.555061,112.763672&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=FYKsFwIdPUIT-w&split=0&ll=35.106077,-82.623968&spn=0.049363,0.110121&z=14

I'll see yall there, chances are now MJ will be with me now, which is cool, I got her trained good for spirited rides, our second date was me racing my Spridget at Road Atlanta Chris I have extra coolant in the B with me. Sounds like the Pisgah Inn run works for you, hopefully it's cooler up there

David, I talked to Alan this morning the tie rod jam nuts were loose, I advised him to nut and bolt the entire car, we do that on the race cars all the time, it hand built, and some hands are better than others. Good deal on all the other folks coming, should be a blast..

I have a good friend and race engine customer, Fred McConnell, he just relocated to Altoona earlier this year. We all plan to meet up for a race at Summitt Point in WV in Sept.

I been playing all day. Took a ride on my little motorcycle over to hot springs to check out a motorcycle rally. Way too dang hot there, in the 90s. I kept moving and did about 150 miles and back to the house. Took the midget for a drive down the highway and then in and around Hendersonville and saluda but not down the hill. Midget seemed to do fine with the electric fan coming on and off in traffic as it should do and no overheating, but I only went about 45 miles or so. Its dang 85 degrees outside right now and 78 in here in the house(no A/C but a window unit in the bedroom). If anybody wants to get cool they will have to climb past Brevard and hit the route up by the davidson river and sliding rock to the top of the hill where it should be nice and cool. When I get this colling problem all solved, it would be nice to organize a ride up to Mount Mitchell, they always have good A/C there.

Is 95 here Kim. Miss Agatha temp will not go above 180, her thermostat. So it is possable and is appropiate.

That said I would expect that at 65 on a long hill for the temp to rise but not more than 15 to 20 degrees and drop again quickly as soon as you top the hill.

Here's the motley crew posing for pics at the top of
Caesar's Head.
Fun little trip. 24 miles total there and back for yours truly.
Hap and Kim continued onward.
Sleepy's new Catered Ham is VERY nice. Some glitches still need sorting. The alt wasn't putting out today so he had to bust
it home before the tiny little battery gave it up for ghost.
That 4 seater Morgan was SWEET!
Kim made the climb in the Midget without overheating in his
beautiful Midget.
Hap was scooting away so fast in his hot rod MGB that he's out
of frame in the video.
All in all a fun little picnic. The tourists sure liked the LBCs.
Lots of people posed by them for pics while we ate our lunch.
I should have some edited video on Youtube in a few days.

Just back from the ride. What a blast, trying to keep up with hap was hard work
Nice to meet everyone and we must do this again soon. Man, was it hot. Beautiful cars. Loved that 7 and never seen a Morgan like that before. Would love a ride in one of those rear seats just to see what it feels like

And how was the temp situation?

Here is a short video from today's ride up Caesar's Head.
Sorry about not having Kim and Hap in the thing. Cars
got in between from the start and those two got away from
us quickly.
This is a short clip so it wouldn't take ALL day to upload.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92Jyhs-NIM4

It did ok for the way I was driving for sure, but it started to get up there towards the end. Luckily it was all down hill from there.

I had great time, think I ended up putting 160 miles on the BGT yesterday, Kim and I went a good bit further than the rest of the group. They were tons of lolly-gaggers out there yesterday, but we did get a few clean runs, needless to say I probaby made a few enemies along the way, cause ole Hap will flat-arse double yellow line pass you, if you're asleep at the wheel or poking, and I don't need alot of real estate to go for a pass . Most Harley riders drive me nuts, riding talent is not required on those things when you buy one, thats for sure. I often think, wouldn't it be cool to mount machine guns on the front of my GT, that would clear the road

Alan's Cat is one cool machine. Dang it I wish one of us had gotten a picture of the Morgan with all 4 passengers aboard, that was cool.

I would like to publicly apologize to Kim, for calling him Chris in this post, and probably before in other post, I got him confused with another poster here, but now we've tore the mountian roads up together, I'll never confuse his name again, Kim it was fun running the mountains with you.

Days like yesterday is why I got another road sport car, to get out there in the mountains and backroads, look at all the cool stuff and run the curvey roads, I'll take a day like yesterday over a dozen car shows anyday. Working on thes cars is cool, showing them is cool, but nothing matches the fun of driving them. What we did yesterday is exactly what I did in my youth, hit the backroads and just enjoyed the fun of driving a sport car.

OK, now for the funny part of yesterday. Week before last I guess I had a senior moment, in short I pumped 24 gallons of gasoline into my almost empty tank of my F350 diesel truck, needless to say they don't run to great on gasoline . I syphoned 24 gallons back out of the F350, so they couldn't have been much diesel in the gas. Well, anyway being the cheap you-know-what I am, I decided I give it a try in the BGT, while the car ran good all day, on deacceleration it would give out a puff of smoke, and the fumes smelled alot like someone burning a charcoal grill, I'm down to almost a 1/4 tank now, and have 16 more gallons of this stuff in containers, I probably give away.

Amen, Brother Hap. You are preaching to the choir!

Lawn mower fuel.

Nah, Hap. Lets burn it out and have some fun. We could go hwy11 over to hwy 9 and then up through lake lure and bat cave then the really curvy part of HWY9 from bat cave over to Black mnt. Or old 74 from lake lure up too ashville through the hickory nut gorge and all that is fun too, except for going through chimney rock that is pretty slow. Maybe you got some place down that way we could ride, I am game for it, Just carring a jug of water and top her off every once in a while. Maybe you could drive mine and see what a 1275 with 5 speed and 3:55 gear feels like. 60mph is around 2700 rpms.

Hey Kim a new trip sounds great. I'm game for a longer drive...the wife is even game.
#11 to #133 into Cashiers is nice and curvy.
#11 to #178 going past Sugar Likker road ain't bad.( love that name)
Stretches of #64 in N.C. are nice too. There is a waterfall you can drive right to up there. Us old off roaders call it the LONG road to Murphy. Once we met a Bus going the other way when
we had a FJ40 on a trailer and the road was so narrow we both had to stop and get out spotters to pass. The bus had to fold
in mirrors and we had a trailer wheel scrubbing a small rock wall along the drop off.
The drive up to Clayton into Hiawasse is a great drive.
Sense a theme? Hill climbs and tight turns just do it for me.
Anywho...just pick a date and any spot and we are game.

Edit: just looking at some goggle maps. #11 to #130 to #64 to #28 looks neat.

That sounds fine. This coming weekend is the 4th of July weekend, so I figure most people have plans already for that one. I really don't other than my wife usually works weekends but is off the day of the 4th but the 3rd and 5th she works so I am free to do whatever.

Yeah, I understand I have honey-dews at the house this weekend, and since I never do anything around the house, I guess I better be good, but after that I'm game. Hopefully all the idiots and Harley riders get it out of thier system this coming weekend and stay close to the biker bars for the rest of the summer

Howdy Gents,

I`ve been watching your posts and just can`t wait to get down there!

"IS IT AUG 1ST YET"!!

I believe I may have a problem keeping up with you people. My "Stock" 948 puts out a whole, Whopping 43hp when its "Dyno Tuned"!!

Hap; You may have to do something to my B/E so I can keep up with the pace.

See Y`All Soon,

Russ

Russ, be careful what you wish for August arew brutal here, it get about 10 degrees cooler in the mountians, but it get real hot here, and humid, it takes some getting used to.

Oh as for the 948, I know a guy down this way that can get you a hot rod 1275 going

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/188-Top-Gear-Caterham-RS3_205201.htm
They didn't show the final result of this video, but the Caterham was much faster than that big stainless bath tub he drove after and also had the 4th fastest Top Gear track time beating out the Pagani Zonda, Bugatti Veyron, and many more very very expensive cars.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7i43JHHgvo

The old DYI Caterham, fun stuff!

August in South Cackalacky = "Hotter than a goat in
a pepper patch".
Got that one from an apron we bought for a friend at Goats on the Roof at the Poker Run Hap took us on.
Cool place. Great Bon Bons. Their Bermuda onion cheese was great on some burgers this evening. Yummy!
I think Lynn and I are going up #130 to Cashiers on Thursday morning in Miss B. Maybe stop at Whitewater Falls.
Do some antique'n and a nice lunch.
Leave out about 10:00 a.m. or so before the heat builds.
Roads shouldn't be full of holiday traffic then.

Sleepy went home after our trip and took a nap. I did see him break the rear end loose once or twice on the run. Awesome machine.
Talked to him today and we agreed it was wise he turned back due to the alt light staying on.
Battery was down to 6 volts by the time he got home.
He's bugging the poor guys at Catered Ham about it now.
Hap...you know how persistent he can be.
I wish I'd taken a picture of his face when the tourists
were leaning on his Cat. The look was priceless.

Howdy Hap,

I`m pretty familiar with the temps down there. We have been going to "FRIPP ISLAND" just outside of "Beaufort" for yrs. in Mid to End of July! 100+ deg in the shade but who cares when there`s a pool, ocean & most importantly; A cooler filled with Ice Cold Beer!!

Stay Cool Gents,

Regards, Russ

Yeah, that was so inconsiderate, it just proves that the vast part of the population is idiots. That would have been good time to have a firecracker and a fake gun that looked real, some bubba teeth and starting hollar, "squeal like a pig, hey boy, hey boy I said squeal like a pig", dang he's got a purty mouth" , then there also the old stand by, in a deep raspy voice say "how much for the little girl" Sometimes the illusion of crazy is good thing for the idiots of the world.

Trust me, I was only seconds away from scaring the begeezuss out of those folks.

Hmmm...
Look who is know a dealer for the gopro
http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=79264

Illusion?, what is this illusion of which you speak?, we drive LBC's isn't that crary enough?

Probably uses cheap China castings version.

I have to say I'm disappointed in the sound quality.
I tried the "hi" setting but all you get is a buzz
in a car. I couldn't even hear me shouting at the camera.
I do like the wide angle however and it is soooo easy to use.
I'm going to shoot some with the Nikon D90 tomorrow and see how the sound comes out with that.
I'll let the wife drive for the test.
We're doing a little trip up a nice mountain road for some antique shopping and lunch.

Amen Brother!

We've decided to do the #11 to #130 to #64 to #28 trip tomorrow.
Lunch in Highlands.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=s&ie=UTF8&ll=34.949554,-83.020248&spn=0.411979,0.871353&z=11

Would love to join but my brother decided to roof my mom and dad's house this weekend and I must participate. You can just imagine which one I would rather do, ride with y'all or put down shingles in July. Take some pictures, maybe the next weekend, sorry.

I`m in Gundy,

At least mentally!

"THIS IS A WARNING": See Y`All Soon.

Russ

just back. Great trip..except for #64. Man ther is a LOT of trucks..big rigs...on that section #64. Great road just nasty traffic.
Hey Russ, we went right by your new digs on #288 getting to #11.
#130 is very nice. 4th gear drive most of the way with big sweeping curves of the 60mph range. Neat climb.
Lunch in Highlands was $$$. Bought a Navajo peace pipe for my
collection of native artifact and reproductions.
Found some Bon Bons at a candy store and some yummy pecan turtles.
We doubled back on ...ughhh...#64 and came back down the mountains on #178. I love that road. Fast turns to hairpins...it's got it all. Bob's Place, a.k.a. Scatterbrain's
was packed so we didn't stop.
Hap, me and you need to bust a move to the joint one day.
Maybe eat bite at the Roadkill Grill.
All in all a wonderful Thursday diversion.

When I worked on appliances for sears I would have to drive 64 every day to highlands. get behind big trucks and people from Florida that go 70 in the straights and 10 every time they see a curve and very few places to pass. There is a nice bypass from Cashiers to highlands called whiteside cove road, or wild cove road. From Cashiers, you head down 107 a bit and it will e on your right and just follow it and it comes out in highlands.
I took that one a lot because 64 became a rolling road block in the afternoon. What you gonna smoke in that peace pipe Gundy

Thanks for the bypass tip Kim! Funny thing on #64 was the trucks would even be slowed due to the tourists.

Speaking of smoke....coming down #178 I rather quickly came
up behind a couple of guys in a new Dodge wagon. One of those Magnum deals. Upon seeing me closing on him he hit the gas.
It was hilarious watching him SMOKE the brakes coming down
the mountain. Tires squealing on every curve and the nose diving as he approached a curve. You could SMELL
his brakes after a few miles of that stuff. All the while
I kept a safe distance behind in Miss B doing the same road and curves etc without so much as a chirp from our tires and seldom using the brakes. Just downshift and roll through the curve and stay in my lane. It was funny as chit! We did make some good time.

As for the peace pipe, it will use the sacred herb. Tobacco.
In the Cabin I keep some traditional "twists" of the stuff hanging.

That sunday, when I was coming down 276 to meet y'all, I got behind a dodge neon (new model) and they kept speeding up every time I came to pass. Their brakes smelled like a big rig going down that hill. Like brakes on fire. Meanwhile I am barely touching my brakes. They were staying ahead by laying on the brake in the curves and then gunning it in the straights, neext curve I was on them again. There is a definite advantage to having a light car that is low to the ground and short wheel base and tight turning radius

I've lost my best friend today. Scout, our 16 year old Boykin
Spaniel, went M.I.A. today. She walked out to the Chestnut trees with the wife today and when the wife turned to go back...no Scout. It's just a short distance from the house.
The neighbors, the wife and I have searched the woods over. No Scout. No response to my mega decibel return call. Nothing.
She NEVER strayed from home. Never in 16 years.
She had been suffering lately as one would expect from a 16 year old dog. We just couldn't let go.
She made the call for us today. That's just the kind of wonderful girl she has always been.
My wife is guilt/grief stricken. I can't console her enough.
Today had been a good day for ol Scout. She "helped" me wash
HER truck, Gundy the FJ40, and we went for a ride. She was smiling the whole time. I thought there was a spring in her step I hadn't seen in quite a while when we returned home.
She loved the woods at Point-o-View, our home. I guess she wanted to remain a part of it forever on her terms.
God Bless her. I love her so. Best darn dog I know.
All the property lights are on for the duration of the night.
It's going to be a rough night here.

My heart goes out for you about Scout. I recently lost my Cavalier King Charles spaniel to mouth cancer. Since Scout was 16 and suffering, I suspect you know why she wandered off. Rollo did the same thing--it was just from by my side to the kitchen, in my case. Dogs seem to know when it's time for them to go. It's almost like they leave to save their masters having to watch them.

Hi There David,

"REALLY SORRY" to hear about Scout. What a Gorgeous looking Pup. When you first told me about the type of breed she was; I really was un-familiar about them. Now that I physically see what she looked like; I can understand your grief & hopefully "NOT" your loss.

Lets all Pray, Keep the Lights on & I feel quite certain she`ll come back home.

Keep the Faith Gundy,

Best Wishes, Russ

Those animals become so much a part of our lives and families, it hard to let go. I am still hoping for the miraculous return. It was one year ago this very day that I had to take my cat "kitty" and have her put down. Hardest decision I had to make, she was my buddy.

David,
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Scout she was beautiful! .

Thanks for the kind words fellas.
It helps.
We've moved on if not healed.
I like to think her spirit will always roam our woods.
I suspect I'll catch fleeting glimpses of her for the rest of my days.

Yep, that fleeting glimpse from the corner of you eye lasts some while and will cause you to choke up just a bit as well.

Condolances.

Bless her heart. She sent a confirmation of her demise today.
A large tuff of her fur was lying in the front lawn when we came home from work today. Clearly not just shed fur.
No doubt about, ol Scout sent her ol tracking
buddy a sign so clear even he could read it.
It helped the wife a lot with a lot of issues.
God Bless Cherokee Scout, always thinking of others.

David, sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. Wish there was more I could say, but I know it wouldn't help.

Thanks Basil. The kind words of friends have helped more than they could imagine.

Sorry about your dog, we got house full of pets, dogs and cats, they for sure become part of the family. When I lose one, I had many over the years, I just remind myself that I gave them a good life, and I always find comfort in that.

I have 4 rescues pets right now, Mo, the black Lab (he walked up into the shop), and Mac the Boston Terrior (MJ nabbed hime right before he walked into six lanes of traffic at Cherrydale), Otis, a big 20 pound tabby (got him at the pound), that rules the roost, and lucy, a calico, (I got her as wild kitten, I had to trick her to catch here, she bout bit my finget off, she was so wild).


David, here's MJ's B-day cake from a few weeks, ago, I got Straussners to make it for me, it has each of the animals on it, maybe this will help to cheer you up a bit.

Also a funny picture of Mac, he's the clown of the bunch.

Thanks Hap. That pup sure looks to be a hoot.
We LOVE Straussners. Yummy stuff.
We're already checking out breeders for another Boykin.
Not immediately but soon there will be another Boykin prowlin'
around here.
Edit:
Not Boykins but I love this pic

Hey Gundy, I just read an article in car and driver about the Cat 7 like that guy friend of yours has. Wow, are they expensive. I had no idea. I still would love to ride in that thing just one time. Anything lower than a spridget intriges me.

Hi There Gundy,

While your searching for a "Boykin" breeder & I hope you come across one (I`m sure you will); Please save one for myself!

I loved the way "Scout" looked. I`ve even put her on as a screen saver!

See Y`All Soon,

Russ

I just deleted about 50 or so Boykin Spaniel pics on my screensaver.
http://www.boykinspaniel.org/

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/boykinspaniel.htm

http://www.breederinfocenter.com/index.php?a_id=20041020134102

http://www.brandywinecreekboykins.com/

http://www.boykinspaniel.com/bss_stan.html

You take one look at the puppy pics and it's over.
It's a neat breed. Check out the history.
Sellers are REAL finicky about buyers.
Scout was purchased BEFORE she was conceived.
After I had to furnish references and home pics and a statement from my vet.
The Doc who has offices down below me bought one a couple of years after we bought Scout from the same breeder. Dually
is now 14. Doc and family love him greatly and were sad
about Scout's passing.
That particular breeder has passed away, hence my search
for a new breeder.
Many breeders will not sell unless you hunt and school your dog.
Some of my friends donated to Boykin Rescue in Scout's name.

Kim, I'm sure Alan would take you for a ride, just make sure you're freshly bathed, wear rubber gloves, and willing to entomb yourself in a plastic drop cloth for the ride If you know Alan, thats funny, he's the biggest neat freak you ever met in your life, I bet he goes straight home take a shower when he leaves my shop Maybe if I keep picking on him, he finally post here, he lurks here for sure, Alan you freaking neat freak, lurker you

He still hasn't got the alt light to go out. The alt he took out
has the remnants of that yellow die stuff from a scrap yard
and some gray silicone gooped on it.
Ooooooo...he's not a happy camper right now.

Well, we've managed to pass a few hurdles. I managed to convince a couple of breeders we are Boykin worthy even though
we will not be hunting or doing field trials. They all seem
to despise mere pet owners.
Today one relented after hearing our previous breeder sold
us one of their prized pups. "If she sold you one of Mule and Ginger's pups and she knew you didn't hunt the dog ya'll must
be special owners!" "I never sell to non-hunters but after we meet I may have to make an exception".
They have stock from our prior breeder who has gotten too old to run the kennel. They want to see Scout's pedigree papers and vet records.
In the next couple of weeks I'll visit his kennel and bring my "papers and references" and inspect his "papers" and kennel. They sell trained gun dogs.
I'll have to pay before the pups arrive. Man the prices have shot up in the last 16 years.
Hoping to bring a prized female home in time for the holidays.
Cool tidbit: He raced SCCA in Triumphs. I think I'll drive
Screamin' Mimi for the mutual look overs. It can't hurt.

Tell Alan that I am an electrician by trade and have been working on car electrics all my life and I would be glad to help him sort it all out and get some correct, trustworthy electical drawings for his car. I only had a cheap meter on me that day but I would love to help him, I will bring all my stuff and help him out if he would like. In something like that he needs it to be right, would love to help. Please pass that on. The drawing that he had is not easy to understand and we can make him up a much better one than that. The best way is to get the meter out and ohm out the wiring and figure out what you actually have before changing anything. I would be upset too if I found a junk yard alternator on that car. I imagine he has the small ford alternator on it like is used in the festiva and some mazdas that are pushed for room. Please tell Alan I will help and not for any profit, just to help him see it through.

I have not heard from Alan lately, the Bugeye project has cooled off, now that he has the Cat, he only calls me, when he needs me
All jokes aside, call me at the shop and I'll give you Alan's shop number.

Heads up Hap! Sleepy gets the 1380cc block back from impregnation this week. Expect to be pestered very soon.
Good Lord, he explained this impregnation process involves
some stuff that is absorbed into the metal for lubing but
seemed overkill to me. But, that's Sleepy for ya.
Anyway, with the block in hand he'll need to button it all back together quickly. That's going to be a screaming 1380cc
judging by it's component parts. Expect a call very soon.

BTW, Alan has solved the ign light dilemma. A diode has
to be installed in line to get the light to go out.
Some Electrical Engineer he knew fixed him right up.

I don't know all this talk about impregnating blocks, sounds a bit preverted to me

LOL, but it makes them so preaty when assembling them.

Well, that is good to here. I got bogged down anyways. Got one brother I am helping roof a house, another wanting me to paint a motorcyle tank and a nephew wanting me to rebuild his motorcycle carbs after he stripped the main jet screwdriver flats out. I am tired, no time to play with stuff of my own.

Sounds as if you're the family "sin eater" Kim!

When is it YOUR turn?

The stuff goes by RC-80ND. It's an organic compound
applied under pressurization.
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*

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* Water Washable





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RC-80ND is a specially formulated Two-Part thermo-setting resin designed for the impregnation of all types of micro- and macro-porous, ferrous and non-ferrous alloy castings as well as other metal and non-metal parts. RC-80ND is a result of IMPCO's ongoing research and development efforts to provide users with a superior sealing impregnating resin with outstanding physical and chemical resistance properties. Cured, RC-80ND impregnating resin is resistant to fuels, oils, alcohols, glycols, solvents, salts, mild acids and freons. And it has excellent dielectric properties. RC-80ND is uninhibited by copper based alloys.



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RC-80ND impregnating resin is designed and formulated for short cycle operations of 10 to 20 minutes. It is easily cleaned and rinsed from the part surface. Parts processed with RC-80ND come out clean, completely cured, and "job ready" for immediate testing or use. Overall part quality is improved through the virtual elimination of bleedout problems on the part surface.





Water Washable



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Yeah, yeah, ken has already told me all that too, I get the same guy, Ken, to clean blocks for me form time to time, but I never saw the need in block impreganting, not like it going to rust in there or you need to seal the pores of the block, but ocassionally we do this by coating race block, it more for show that anyhting else, it's 100% overkill in my book, does nothing to amke anyhting perform or last longer. May be the hot ticket if you never palnned on changing your oil The guy does a great job cleaing rusty, grimey block, best I've ever saw, he also cleaned some rear end and suspension parts for me years ago when I restored the Huffaker MGB race car that was in Classic Motorsports magazine, he does good stuff, but this process is over the top for our stuff, while it works great for train tuck unit that have to live in that of enviroment for decades, our engines live much easier lives, for us it's smoke and mirrors.

That's Sleepy for ya. Alan is a sucker for stuff like this.

I'm sure Ken is gifting it to him, so what the hey.

I hope soon, I want to go on a poker run on my motorcycle this wseekend but it don't look good. I went through and put rebuild kits in my nephews 3 mikuni carbs this evening, he has a cool old bike. It is a 3 cylinder water cooled 2 stroke 750cc. Not many of them around any more. he had two stopped up idle jets that were keeping it single lunging at idle. Hopefully that will be cured now.