Headlight Restoration

I've noticed that the headlights on Willice's car were yellowed.  Well, the headlight cover looked dingy and hazy.  I figured that it couldn't be good for visibility.  Having seen all the headlight restoration advertisements, I was very curious - and sceptical.

Today, I bought a Turtle Wax headlight restoration kit from O'Reilly Auto Parts - it was on sale for $7.99 - $2.00 off their normal price.

So, here are the results :

Before - Hood is down

After - Hood is up

The stuff works!  It wasn't all that much time nor effort either!  Maybe 20 minutes total.  I did two applications because on the first one I don't think I 'scrubbed' enough.  Directions say "vigorous" application - but you need to put just a little elbow grease into it.  I mean, a little more than rubbing it on, but not like extreme force scrubbing either.

The great look alone is worth the time and money.  Does the light shine brighter?  It has to!  Look at the difference up there.

Kickstand Puck

My wonderful wife, Willice, had a brilliant idea!

I was talking about getting a stuffed animal and making a kickstand kritter...

As we were walking around the store looking for cute stuffed animals to kill, she pointed out the kids shoes... brilliant!

See the shoe on the kickstand?

Sexy wears a size 8

Yes, my motorcycle is named "Sexy"

Vicksburg Battlefield Park ride

Rode the Battlefield National Park today.  Here are pics:

At the Visitor's Center

First Stop - Cannons pointed at the original Visitor's Center

In front of the USS Cairo - a steam powered "Ironsides" battleship

Closeup at the Cairo

Some may notice that I now have a tail bag.  That is a drink holder on the back (blue).

Overlooking tributaries of the Mississippi River - they are VERY low.

The Trip odometer - from my driveway and home again.

Lay my motorcycle down...

They said it was inevitable.  I didn't believe them.  It just happened.

I was pulling into my local country convenience store when the loose gravel and a careless lean or something caused a slide and down the bike went.

The first things through my mind were, "What the hell? What's going on?"

"Oh, shit!"  "Is the bike hurt? Did I scratch it up? Will it run?!?!"

"Roll with it.  I really need an armoured jacket.  Is the bike hurt?!?"

"What is that white thing sticking out of my jacket at the elbow?"  --  just kidding, elbow hurts, but only bruised.

"Oh, by the gods! Don't let the bike be hurt!  ... ow... good thing I had gloves on!"

Then there was lots of cursing and dread before picking the motorcycle up.  All 760.7 lbs.of her.  Which, was much easier than I had thought it would be... almost no effort at all.

The right side (brake) foot rest was bent up to where it was touching the brake pedal.  Heart sinking moment there.

Fortunately,  all I had to do was step on it and it sprung right back into place.  Its a fold-up apparently. Whew!!

Then starting the bike... it wouldn't start in gear, wanted to surge forward, even with the clutch fully pulled in.  I put it in neutral.  Started right up.  I pulled the clutch in and put it in 1st - killed.  I finally got it started in first.  Then I rode the few yards to park in front of the store, got my stuff and back out.

I started it up in first, kind of wanted to jump even with the clutch fully engaged, but settled down.  Then I rode it back home.

Other than a scuff on a cover, it appears all I did was have to readjust the mirror and flex the clutch a few times.

I am now washing it to apologize.

Mod-bug

Okay, so I have the motorcycle.  I've joined a forum.  The mod-bug has hit.

Modifying your ride to be more like you (me...).

So, first one I am thinking of - after the sissy bar...

 Going from this :

 

To this:

 

I think I'd like it a lot...  I just did a quick and dirty GIMP'd up version, but the pipes would, I'd hope be the gloss black of the tank... or the black of the frame... ... tank?  frame?

Motorcycle

I recently acquired a new motorcycle on 11/24/2012.  It is a 2009 model Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Classic that had never been sold before.  Sweet!!

Even though the model didn't come with one, I got a Windshield free too.

This is a pic of the bike at the Overlook on the Natchez Trace around Jackson, MS.

I am over 500 miles of riding in just two weeks and a couple days.  To say "Loving It" is an understatement.  I will repeat what I said after getting the scooter - Any day on two wheels is just better.

I need some luggage - tank bag, tail bag at least.  Having to use a backpack to take my rain gear with me (just in case today).  Would love somewhere to stash a drink or snack for long Trace rides.  I don't want a bagger - just some carrying capacity.

Some more Pics :

I also couldn't help :

Doctor Who

Episode idea...

... okay, not a whole episode, but something cool to happen.  Maybe a mid-season thing...

Doctor drops off his companion to go on a mission, do something silly or some other reason...

Moments later, the TARDIS rematerializes and out steps someone completely different.  The Next Doctor!

Has to say something like "Well, I had to come now."  Companion says, "Why?"  Doctor says, "You told me that I did - its already happened.  But you can't tell me what happens next.  Spoilers."

They go on an adventure and he drops the companion back off at the same place, minutes later. 

Next episode, the current Doctor comes back and picks up the Companion.

Tough thing to do is make sure the "Next Doctor" plays the Next Doctor.

Also, while I'm on the Doctor... the Doctor's Daughter needs to show up again soon!  She went off planet-saving, so I want her to return to the show.