Brad's Harley Life and Times.

Well, I bought another Harley, why not!

Here it is, a 2001 FLHRI-Road King

Screaming Eagle 95in big bore kit.

It has 125,540 miles, so it's seen some blacktop!

Chuck and I looked at a Soft tail that belonged to a friend of mine, Galen.  He had a garage full of Harley's. His wife has 2 and he had 2.   He also wanted to buy a new Road King.  I think that he was informed that to get a new one, he would need clear some space.   

Any ways, after Chuck left us, Anthony asked if I would see if he still would sell to him.  I suggested that he wait form a time, to be sure he was serious.

About 2 months later, I called Galen went to see him. We discussed Anthony buying the soft tail.   I was interested in the FLH and ask for a price, he said he would think on it.

 My interest in ridding again was ignited after the Chuck's Memorial Ride in Medford.   For me, it was remembering some enjoyable times on the road with my friend, Bob Morrell.

He and I ,  went on many great ride events,  Redwood Run many times, 

Laughlin, NV., Carson City, NV was always on my birthday.   Bridgeport and many dealer rides  and HOG rides.

Being a commercial fisherman at the time.  In 1988, I had a very profitable season.   Bob Morrell had purchased a Harley a short time before the end of the season.  It absolutely steered my interest. So I figured I owed myself a bonus for doing so well in the years profit.

Bob found me a very good bike at the right price.  My first Harley!

Bob being a very good mechanic, built him a shop in the garage of his girl friend Bev's home.

During the off season I ended up just hanging out at Bobs shop.  We spent a lot of time ridding and working in his shop.  I would do all kinds of things to help out in the shop and it was fun for me.

This photo is after a major drive train upgrade 

by Bob Davis @ MOTO WORKS.

The drive belt finally gave up after 130K

to change it was extensive , so might as well upgrade.

New tires perks it up don't you think.

Rosenberg, OR 2014

Errol & I visit with Al Beck in Sutherland, OR.

The 3 of us have a long history, going back to High School.

Starting with the forming of a "Band".  Then adventuring into the Rodeo scene.

Then we picked up and moved to Carson City, NV to catch Mustangs (really!).

Anyways down the line Al, along with Ken Hutchings and Butch Robinson,  formed a Rodeo Stock Company.  That brings us to our trip.

Al ended up developing Rodeo Bucking Stock in Sutherland.

That is the set up for Errol and My visit.   

We spent our time on the Ranch, helping with the stock, feeding, moving etc...

Looking from the Barn at the Bull Pasture

Errol gets to drive the Ranch Truck due to Al's conflict with the DMV

More BULL

This is the Bull Camp, where Al trains the Bulls and runs a Bull Riders practice/training arena.

 

    

Now off to visit with Ken Hutchings,  also the Best Man for My Wedding

Now off to Al & Ken's favorite "Watering Hole"

It has been a good visit, thanks Al & Vickie (Al's Wife)

Till the next time

Big Sur Campground 7/28-30/2014

Meet up with my Brother Dean, sister-in-law Kathy and their grandson Logan, south of Carmel. 

We were on our way to "Big Sur Campground" just north of Big Sur/Pheiffer State Park.  

The camp ground is located on the west side of Highway 1, along side of the Big Sur River. 

In the months of July and August the camp sites have dried out and things are somewhat dusty.  So, if your planning a trip, keep that in mind while preparing. The river is refreshing and clean for swimming or tubing.  There were lots of kids, and they were enjoying the water and each other. There was an abundant of activities / action going on.  So if your looking for serenity, this might not be the place. Although, the action ceases at 10 PM. The night was peaceful and quiet.

After getting camp setup and organized,  Logan was off to explore and recon ordering the the area. He ended up with a float tube and diving off the cliff (high rocky area) over the deep part of the swimming hole.

Dinner was great, Peg whipped up a peach cobbler in the Dutch oven. KATHY prepared cobed cord in foil wrap and red potatoes foil wrapped for steaming. Dean was in charge of the cooking part. While that was cooking Kathy & Peg Skewered up the chicken & beef with onion and green peppers. When the time was right Dean placed them on the grill. LOOKIN GOOD!  The Dutch oven hanging from the tri pod all this time and the cobbler prepairs to be devoured. Even topped the Cobler off with ice cream.

While we ware patiently waiting, I presented Logan with a gift of grate value.  A magnesium fire starter, that consumed the next hour of more of his time attempting to start a fire with it, supervised of course.

This will undoubtly instill many hours of conversation with his fellow Scouters. 

Then it was time,everything was perfect!!  Even the timing.

 I arose at my normal 6 AM, got the fire started and made Peg's coffee. Dean and Logan joined me and we enjoyed the early hours with coffee and conversation.

Breakfast was bacon, eggs, potatoes & OJ.

Logan's back to the river and friends.

We took a walk and ended up at the adjacent camp ground, Riverside Campground.  Along the river sites were spread out a bit more.  Would like to try this one if we return.

Dinner tonight is to be my nephew's chille and corn bread from the Dutch oven.  Grilled Hot Dogs on de bun.

Another fine success!

(Kathy: darn still no signal)

More story telling and off to bed.

You know that camping is all about the fire and the cooking.  

Breakfast was bacon, eggs and pancakes and of course COFFEE!

We had neighbors from France, camping next to us. They were on their last day and on their way to the airport to return to there home.

Packing up time, did not take long, at least it didn't feel like it.

I helped Peg get down to the river, she wanted to stick he toes in the water at least one time. 

Took snaps, said our good buys and headed home.

Had a great time.

Go to our "Scamp Duty" Blog

Starting anew.

After selling our Motor Home, we have a place to park a trailer.   Have been looking for a small trailer for a while now.  

When this one appeared it was perfect.   A 2002, in great condition and price.

A few minor repairs were necessary, but never fear I have to go through it any way.

The AC Converter (converts 110 vac to 12 vdc), was not working. There was no battery or cushions on the Dinette. One of the propane tanks, not here.

The first step was to deal with the DC system.  New battery, then run down all the wiring and make repairs.  Purchase a new Converter and install.  The 110 AC cord was fed through the outer wall, a very poor method, it allowed critters to enter the trailer.   The squirrels had been storing acorns in there.   Had to change that. Installed a 30amp bulkhead connector, that did it.

Next job was the water tank, it was located in the middle of the storage compartment. There was no room for any thing else.  I was able to move the tank and remount it. Then install a water pump, so now you get water automatly when turning on the faucet.

Camp Cook Box

Now to start thinking of  the Camping aspect of the trailer.

So far this is how I see it.  When the tailgate is removed it will be attached to the side of the trailer and used as an extension of the work/cooking area. Height of the table will accommodate a seating area. 

In side will be the "Cook Box" containing all of the cooking essentials as well as the dry food storage.

The lid of the box will hold the plates, utensils, paper towels, cups etc...

When open will be fixed upright while Kitchen is in use.

 

Not moving very fast at this point.  Have been trying to do design, how everything will fit and not end up with a 10 ton elephant.
A week ago at a garage sale I picked up an old Coleman Stove #413C that was made in 1947 for $. Kind of a Collector.   Had problems repairing the Generator, ( that's the thing that converts the fuel from liquid to a gas ).  Still working on that.
Anyway, Peg and I went Garage Sale'ing on Saturday and found another Stove , this on is a 413G that came out in 1974. and is just like new. Great buy at $10.00.  We also picked up a nice 2 person Dome Tent, the lady threw it in with the stove for free, nice Lady.

Today I spent assembling The bottom part of the "Cook Box".  On our Saturday adventure I also found an old "SENCO" Staple gun & Pin Gun Air Tools. Couldn't get the Staple Gun working but the Pin Gun works great.  I used the Pin Gun to assemble the box, should have gotten one of these long ago.    Now I need to figure out the top part, the lid and its contents.    Picture to come.

 

Here we are at the camp ground. 

The middle and right cubby holes have the stored items out and in use.  The Colman stove as you can see is in use where it is stored.   Normally we remove the stove and place in on it's own stand.  This allows you to use that shelf for things in use.

Smithwoods Vintage Trailer Open

Smithwoods Vintage Trailer Open House

 

This Saturday August 3rd 2013

 

Going to spend the better part of the day browsing through other peoples Camp Trailers.

It's always fun to see what others are doing with there projects. Who knows maybe some day I will be able to do the same.

 

Here are some pics from last years visit.

If your into Retro Trailers,

come on up.

4770 Highway 9

Felton, CA 95018-9623

10AM till 2PM

 

 

 

 

 



"Little Trailer" New project

After selling my pickup I thought that I had better fix up my little trailer for hauling stuff.  Also thinking of a bug-out trailer for camping.  With a cook box on the back and plenty of room for other camping gear, chairs, tent, firewood, ice chest,etc..

I need to figure out how to haul the boat latter.  

I decided to build it 24" high with back and thinking about a top.  

So far, 1 sheet ply 5/8,  and 1 sheet 1/2.

Today I dismantled the trailer to paint. Red.  Used stripper, sanded and prime red w/Rustoleum   Rust primer and finished Red.   

I'll assemble tomorrow.  Then epoxy the box for weather resistance.   Paint under side of box w/auto undercoating.  

The idea is to construct the box so as to be easily removable in panels.
More later.........


...............It is now later

 

More painting this AM.   Reattached the axel and springs. I'm going to replace these 8" rims with 12". There is just something strange thinking of the small tires going down the road.

 

Finished the painting on the frame and now painting the Tung of the trailer. 

Should be able to bolt it on later today. Then bolt on the bottom and epoxy the surface.  I hope the Epoxy is not to old, used it last when I built the Skiffs(15 yrs or so) 

 

Here is the photo progress so far.

Stripped down to the frame 

The beginning of the BOX

Frame painted andassembled

Waiting for the paint to dry.

The road side of the base

Still waiting for the paint to dry.

 

The metal was well rusted, as you can imagine. So a lot of wire brushing sanding etc.. 

I am using Rustoleum. The primer is for Rusty material. Covered well, so I won't have to worry about it down the road. Brushed on not sprayed.

 

 

 

 

 Well I decided to make a lid, so here it is. Now, Peg says that I need to also cover it with a tarp, I can do that.

 

 

The back drops in like a stake truck and when the lid is on it will stay put.

Yesterday we had some nice sunny weather so I decided to start with the epoxy.
Put a heavy coat on the floor and coated the lid and the tailgate. Much to my surprise it set up just fine. This AM I went over the same area with another coat.  The wood finish look pretty good , I may just leave it that way for a while. Although that means that it will be necessary to put on a finish coat with some UV protection.  Can't think of a trim color, maybe the Red I used on the frame I have plenty.