Here are a couple pics I took of the Jungle Room when I visited Graceland.
CLICK THE PIC TO ENLARGE
Saturday, April 30, 2011
For the Heart
Good Elvis tune from 1976. Recorded at Graceland in his living room...he called it the Jungle Room. It is decorated with some interesting art from Africa I guess and had green shag carpet on ceiling and floor if I recall correctly from my visit there. Interesting 70's decor :)
Here are a couple pics I took of the Jungle Room when I visited Graceland.
CLICK THE PIC TO ENLARGE
Here are a couple pics I took of the Jungle Room when I visited Graceland.
CLICK THE PIC TO ENLARGE
Thursday, April 28, 2011
LeMans maintenance
Spent a while in the garage tonight pulling the tank off the Guzzi Lemans so I could replace the fuel filter and the spark plug wires.
Pretty straightforward procedure. As seen in the picture below the fuel filter is clamped to the frame. The plug wires I think were original ones so I figured might as well replace them while the tank was off.
Everything went back together ok and it actually started right up afterwards so I guess I didn't screw anything up too badly.
Pretty straightforward procedure. As seen in the picture below the fuel filter is clamped to the frame. The plug wires I think were original ones so I figured might as well replace them while the tank was off.
Everything went back together ok and it actually started right up afterwards so I guess I didn't screw anything up too badly.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Easter visit to the beach
My Easter morning consisted of a nice visit to New Smyrna Beach for a good long walk. The ocean was rather agitated with a good amount of surf breaking on the beach. I ended up walking about 5.25 miles at a good clip whilst listening to Elvis gospel tunes on my headset.
Click the link below to see some pics :)
New Smyrna Walk Easter Morning 2011
Click the link below to see some pics :)
New Smyrna Walk Easter Morning 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
The story of a giddy boy and his Guzzi
Today at work was a Friday like many others I have experienced in the past. A glorious Florida morning, clear and in the low 60's. Perfect for the ride in on my 2002 Moto Guzzi LeMans.
As I arrived early the parking lot was mostly empty, so I procured the parking spot right near the doors. I parked the Guzzi in the far right of the space as is my wont, to allow for another bike or two to share the space.
As I climbed the four stories to my cubicle, I hurriedly set my stuff down and scurried to the window to look at my bike, something I do every time. Just to make she she is alright, you know. Sure enough she was just fine.
A while later, after I slaved away furiously in my cubicle on the work of the day, I sprinted back to the window to check on my Guzzi. Sweet heavenly Christ what is this I see?! Another Moto Guzzi parked in the space next to mine?! This can't be. It never has been! But it WAS!
After a quick photo from above, I ran like a frightened schoolboy down the stairs to photographically document this historic event. There in all it's glory was a red Moto Guzzi Breva parked next to my red/grey LeMans.
A tear trickled down my cheek and as I fought to stave off further tears, my quivering hand took a couple more photos as proof.
There is certainly a God I thought to myself, to make this come to pass. Thank you sweet Lord for this day. It is one i sha'n't soon forget.
CLICK PIC TO ENLARGE!
As I arrived early the parking lot was mostly empty, so I procured the parking spot right near the doors. I parked the Guzzi in the far right of the space as is my wont, to allow for another bike or two to share the space.
As I climbed the four stories to my cubicle, I hurriedly set my stuff down and scurried to the window to look at my bike, something I do every time. Just to make she she is alright, you know. Sure enough she was just fine.
A while later, after I slaved away furiously in my cubicle on the work of the day, I sprinted back to the window to check on my Guzzi. Sweet heavenly Christ what is this I see?! Another Moto Guzzi parked in the space next to mine?! This can't be. It never has been! But it WAS!
After a quick photo from above, I ran like a frightened schoolboy down the stairs to photographically document this historic event. There in all it's glory was a red Moto Guzzi Breva parked next to my red/grey LeMans.
A tear trickled down my cheek and as I fought to stave off further tears, my quivering hand took a couple more photos as proof.
There is certainly a God I thought to myself, to make this come to pass. Thank you sweet Lord for this day. It is one i sha'n't soon forget.
CLICK PIC TO ENLARGE!
Retirement talk...
I have been riding motorcycles since 2002. Since then I have surpassed 115,000+ miles on bikes.
From Florida to California on my coast to coast ride a few years ago. All along Route 66 on that great ride. To the Southernmost point of the USA in Key West. For many thousands of miles in numerous states covering this great country of ours.
During all that time one thing has been consistent.....one pair of gloves that have accompanied me on every trip. My Olympia gloves have been with me each time. Sure once in a while they had to share duty with another pair if the weather turned colder, but they were always there, ready for duty.
I think the time has come though to let them finally rest. The left hand glove has holes completely worn through the leather, in the heel of the hand and the thumb. But I still go back to them every day. Familiar as an old friend.
Now I will try to find something suitable to replace them. Thank you for your service Olympias...a job very well done.
From Florida to California on my coast to coast ride a few years ago. All along Route 66 on that great ride. To the Southernmost point of the USA in Key West. For many thousands of miles in numerous states covering this great country of ours.
During all that time one thing has been consistent.....one pair of gloves that have accompanied me on every trip. My Olympia gloves have been with me each time. Sure once in a while they had to share duty with another pair if the weather turned colder, but they were always there, ready for duty.
I think the time has come though to let them finally rest. The left hand glove has holes completely worn through the leather, in the heel of the hand and the thumb. But I still go back to them every day. Familiar as an old friend.
Now I will try to find something suitable to replace them. Thank you for your service Olympias...a job very well done.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
The Beer That Made Milwaukee Famous
Just the kiss of the hops. Schlitz beer.
The Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company was an American brewery based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and was once the largest producer of beer in the world. Its namesake beer, Schlitz, was known as "The beer that made Milwaukee famous" and was famously advertised with the slogan "When you're out of Schlitz, you're out of beer".
Schlitz first became the world's top beer producer in 1902 and enjoyed that status at several points during the first half of the twentieth century, exchanging the claim with Anheuser-Busch multiple times during the 1950s.
The company was founded by August Krug in 1849 but acquired by Joseph Schlitz in 1858. Schlitz would eventually be bought by Stroh Brewery Company in 1982, and subsequently be sold again along with the rest of Stroh's assets to the Pabst Brewing Company in 1999.
After a several decade period of decline Pabst reintroduced the original Schlitz beer in 2008, back-formulated to recapture the brew's taste before over-competitive zeal caused the original to be changed.
The Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company was an American brewery based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and was once the largest producer of beer in the world. Its namesake beer, Schlitz, was known as "The beer that made Milwaukee famous" and was famously advertised with the slogan "When you're out of Schlitz, you're out of beer".
Schlitz first became the world's top beer producer in 1902 and enjoyed that status at several points during the first half of the twentieth century, exchanging the claim with Anheuser-Busch multiple times during the 1950s.
The company was founded by August Krug in 1849 but acquired by Joseph Schlitz in 1858. Schlitz would eventually be bought by Stroh Brewery Company in 1982, and subsequently be sold again along with the rest of Stroh's assets to the Pabst Brewing Company in 1999.
After a several decade period of decline Pabst reintroduced the original Schlitz beer in 2008, back-formulated to recapture the brew's taste before over-competitive zeal caused the original to be changed.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Guzzi Stelvio erl change
A busy Sunday so far here at Casa Galardi, Deland. Yard work galore has been completed and so the time came to change the engine oil and filter on the Moto Guzzi Stelvio.
Now generally with the new line of Moto Guzzis it is no longer necessary to remove the oil sump from the bike, as the oil filter is now accessible externally.
But what the heck, I thought I would remove the sump for old times sake and plus it is a good bonding experience with the motorbike. One never knows what might lurk in the sump full of oil!
So anyway here are a few pics. Unusually I did not have a sump gasket in my inventory so I have ordered a couple which should get here in a few days.
Now generally with the new line of Moto Guzzis it is no longer necessary to remove the oil sump from the bike, as the oil filter is now accessible externally.
But what the heck, I thought I would remove the sump for old times sake and plus it is a good bonding experience with the motorbike. One never knows what might lurk in the sump full of oil!
So anyway here are a few pics. Unusually I did not have a sump gasket in my inventory so I have ordered a couple which should get here in a few days.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
ALFA Romeo Spider "gearing" up
This morning I had the pleasure to work in the garage on my 1986 ALFA Romeo Spider. Pretty simple maintenance really, just checking and adding gear oil if needed to the gearbox and differential.
The gearbox fill/level plug location requires me to jack the car up a bit. Then I snake a clear tube from the engine compartment and slot it into the gearbox. You can see all this exciting stuff in the pics below. Next I lower the car and then add gear oil a bit at a time and let it drain into the gearbox, until a bit spills out. That's it...I replace the bolt and am done adding gear oil. The gearbox took somewhere around 300-400 ml. Not a whole lot which is good as I know it does drip a little bit so it's not losing too awful much.
The differential is a lot more accessible. I can just lay under the rear of the car and get at the level/fill plug. The diff didn't need any oil. This is good news!
Anyway that concludes this exceedingly exciting blog post. Thanks for reading and have a happy day, wherever you are!
The gearbox fill/level plug location requires me to jack the car up a bit. Then I snake a clear tube from the engine compartment and slot it into the gearbox. You can see all this exciting stuff in the pics below. Next I lower the car and then add gear oil a bit at a time and let it drain into the gearbox, until a bit spills out. That's it...I replace the bolt and am done adding gear oil. The gearbox took somewhere around 300-400 ml. Not a whole lot which is good as I know it does drip a little bit so it's not losing too awful much.
The differential is a lot more accessible. I can just lay under the rear of the car and get at the level/fill plug. The diff didn't need any oil. This is good news!
Anyway that concludes this exceedingly exciting blog post. Thanks for reading and have a happy day, wherever you are!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Givin' Stelvy the once over
This morning I took a little time in the garage to perform a little maintenance on my 2009 Moto Guzzi Stelvio aka Stelvy.
It was about time for the 6000 mile valve clearance check/adjustment. As well I needed to change the air filter and check to make sure the throttle position sensor (tps)voltage was within spec.
Good news the valve clearances were all still where I set them 6000 miles ago! The spark plug gaps were within spec as well. The air filter on the other hand was a filthy mess so that was changed. The tps reading was spot on.
Next up is engine oil, gearbox oil and shaft drive oil change. Maybe next weekend. I gotta source some 10w60 engine oil from the web! Until next time, make sure your Eagles are flying forward!
It was about time for the 6000 mile valve clearance check/adjustment. As well I needed to change the air filter and check to make sure the throttle position sensor (tps)voltage was within spec.
Good news the valve clearances were all still where I set them 6000 miles ago! The spark plug gaps were within spec as well. The air filter on the other hand was a filthy mess so that was changed. The tps reading was spot on.
Next up is engine oil, gearbox oil and shaft drive oil change. Maybe next weekend. I gotta source some 10w60 engine oil from the web! Until next time, make sure your Eagles are flying forward!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Kid Guzzi going Coastal
Friday a.m. I am hopping aboard the Guzzi Stelvio for a trip over to the Tampa/Clearwater area on the Gulf coast. I am going to visit my Omaha friends Dennis and Ann who are down for a visit. Looking forward to a fun ride and visit!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
A Sunday of cycling with pals
This sunny Sunday I met up with a group of my motorcycling pals for a great ride. The main reason for the ride was to get together with our great pal Rob who moved to Georgia a couple years ago. Rob has a sweet Kawasaki KLR 650 which he rode down from the Atlanta area this weekend so he could ride with us :-)
I ended up covering just shy of 290 miles in central Florida. The group of bikes was diverse. We had 2 Harley Davidsons, 2 Ducatis, 1 Kawasaki, 1 Triumph and 1 Moto Guzzi.
We headed out about 8:30 a.m. and took a scenic route through the Ocala National Forest north toward our lunch destination, the Outback Crab Shack. This place is out in the boonies with nothing much else around it. The food is great and the ride there is well worth it.
The route up was a lot of fun with lots of interesting roads. On the way back we headed to the coast and road the A1A coastal hwy for several miles before darting back toward I-95 for a final 60 mile power blast back home.
Here are a few pics....click them to ENLARGE!
I ended up covering just shy of 290 miles in central Florida. The group of bikes was diverse. We had 2 Harley Davidsons, 2 Ducatis, 1 Kawasaki, 1 Triumph and 1 Moto Guzzi.
We headed out about 8:30 a.m. and took a scenic route through the Ocala National Forest north toward our lunch destination, the Outback Crab Shack. This place is out in the boonies with nothing much else around it. The food is great and the ride there is well worth it.
The route up was a lot of fun with lots of interesting roads. On the way back we headed to the coast and road the A1A coastal hwy for several miles before darting back toward I-95 for a final 60 mile power blast back home.
Here are a few pics....click them to ENLARGE!
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