RCs, Motorcycles, Cars, Trucks, and Trips
Follow the Rabbit Trails & fuel your inner child
Miata MX-5: Hairdresser’s Car or Just FUN?
I went to Portland for some meetings. The highlight? A spontaneous fling with a Mazda MX-5 RF rental. I used to laugh off Miatas as “hairdresser’s cars,” but after two days of commuting and carving through Mt. Hood's twisties, I’m rethinking everything. It’s not the fastest, but it might be the most fun I’ve had on four wheels.
KTM LC8: Not a Katoomer…It’s the BOMB!
I have the opportunity and privilege to ride a KTM LC8. It is a very nice bike, and it is incredibly fun to ride. This bike ends up being a Paulie’s pick.
Harley Davidson V-Rod… or V-Rad? (For Sale)
There was a time many moons ago where motorcycles were a very big part of my life. I know that there are many 'communities' however, there is nothing like the motorcycling community. I honestly have no idea what it is, but people just geek out over each other’s bike. People love to swap lies… I mean tell stories… about the big ride or the crazy ride. If the person is a good storyteller, you can kill some valuable time and not even feel bad for procrastinating.
I had an F650 Dakar. Man, I loved that bike. I rode that bike everywhere. I remember…. (insert squeaky wiggle voice while standing and hobbling over a cane)… when my wife would leave for work and I would jump on the bike. At that time we lived in California and I loved riding the Sierra Nevada mountains. I still think that California has some of the best roads to ride in this great nation of ours.
Fast forward to today… I was visiting an elderly widow in my congregation… He had a Harley Davidson V Rod… Now, I am not really a Harley guy... So, why would this bike intrigue me you might ask?
Heading Home: Devil’s Tower
We go to Devil’s tower, and get possessed by the landscape! What a cool sight or is that site….. either way it is worth a look.
Iron Mountain Road
Are you near Rapid City South Dakota? Did the Pioneer Auto Show close early for you too? Well, then check out this road! It is worth the trip!
Road Trip Report: Makoshika State Park
Intested in pulling off the road to stretch your legs? Why not pull off near Glendive and check out Makoshika State Park?
A Little Mix and Match
I give an update on the Traxxas Slash and update some of the Tamiya projects we have lying around. I also show my love for Tamiya by
Road Trip Report: Pompey’s Pillar/Tower
We do a bit of a road trip to North Dakota. We decide to explore a few places. Here, I report on our visit to Pompeys Pillar. This is one Lewis and Clark’s exploration of the west. In fact, Clark signs his name in the rock. Does that make our explorer an early tagger?
So close, but no cigar
Out with the old, slash and in with the new. Okay, so it is not a new slash, but I report on the new body with a full how I did it. It is a little tricky to paint these bodies, but there is a certain joy to it even if one is not that skilled at painting.
Reviving the Slash
It is time to give the Traxxas Slash some love. The original body had a dent on it, and I may have done some cartwheels with it myself. So, it is time to get a fresh body, play with some supplies, and see what we can cook up.
Loving the TT-02RA
I review the installation of the Tamiya TT-02RA steering upgrade. We also ponder whether or not Moses played with RC cars in the wilderness. I think Chat GPT has given us ample proof that he did. Or this could just be made up. I will let you decide.
4Runner Cruising with the Cruisers: 406 Cruiser Vintage Days
My friend invites me to tag along with some of the older trucks in our club. It was a good time out, saw some great scenery, and give a trail report on the White Tail Reservoir.
Tuning the Slash
Whoops! I did manage to get the truck tuned, and then WHAMMMO! More details coming on that next week, but this week I talk about tuning the nitro engine,
Slash: She’s a Rippin’…. Not just playing Air Guitar
We got the Slash Running! I am doing the break-in and some of the tune. I produced a video, yeah…. made it on my mac…. and you can see that the Slash actually runs!
Update on Slash… Nitro, not the Guitarist… although I hope he is well
I get my new motor from Traxxas. I summarize some of the challenges in getting the motor into the chassis, and walk through some solutions.
My Love for Tamiya
Are you looking for something to do in the winter? Well, this is how we pass the time. I do find the RC hobby rewarding even though I am more of a basher rather than a serious racer.
Slash Nitro: Tuition Paid to School Hard Knocks
I lament my holy engine. I discovered why the engine would not stay running and sorta fired. I pulled the motor only to see the window into the engine’s world.
Nitro Slash: Hopefully a Winner
So, what can turn an electric guy to branch out into nitro? I am not sure that I am sold at this point, but the truck does look pretty awesome!