I am heading to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania soon for a week to work at a client site.
I have never really spent any time in PA and am sorta looking forward to it. I guess it is only 8 miles from Hershey, PA so maybe I will gorge myself on chocolate while I am there. :-)
My hotel looks nice. Hopefully things will go pretty smoothly. The slightly cooler and less humid weather will be a nice little break.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
A "Name that Band" thrashing!
Tonight my friend Cap'n Jim stopped by Casa Galardi for a few ales, some chatter about cars and motorcycles and a spirited bout of "Name that Band".
On occasion he will stop by, usually when there is some sort of automotive or motorcycle chore he can "supervise". Tonight however, there was no chore, just the lure of attempting to defeat me in "Name that Band".
'Twas a nice and breezy and rainy night here in central Florida and we sat in the garage, in front of the Alfa 164 and next to the Alfa Spider and Guzzi Breva, with his BMW Z3 collecting raindrops in the driveway. The XM Boombox radio was tuned to channel 46, Top Tracks, which plays classic rock. Spurred on by some excellent ales left by my pal Scott the Canadian on a previous visit, I quickly jumped to an insurmountable 7-1 lead in "Name that Band". You see, my technique is to distract the Cap'n by discussing various automotive, airplane or motorcycle topics and then deftly naming the band when a new tune starts.
This worked unusually well tonight. Toward the end, I felt sorry for him and he closed the gap somewhat, but I won by a healthy margin, 9-6.
Ahh, yes, another exciting night in Deland :=)
On occasion he will stop by, usually when there is some sort of automotive or motorcycle chore he can "supervise". Tonight however, there was no chore, just the lure of attempting to defeat me in "Name that Band".
'Twas a nice and breezy and rainy night here in central Florida and we sat in the garage, in front of the Alfa 164 and next to the Alfa Spider and Guzzi Breva, with his BMW Z3 collecting raindrops in the driveway. The XM Boombox radio was tuned to channel 46, Top Tracks, which plays classic rock. Spurred on by some excellent ales left by my pal Scott the Canadian on a previous visit, I quickly jumped to an insurmountable 7-1 lead in "Name that Band". You see, my technique is to distract the Cap'n by discussing various automotive, airplane or motorcycle topics and then deftly naming the band when a new tune starts.
This worked unusually well tonight. Toward the end, I felt sorry for him and he closed the gap somewhat, but I won by a healthy margin, 9-6.
Ahh, yes, another exciting night in Deland :=)
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Stal's electromechanical bowling game update
Check out the progress on the cool bowling game my friend Stal is working on....
CLICK HERE FOR STAL'S BLOG
CLICK HERE FOR STAL'S BLOG
Moto Guzzi Breva 1100 tuneup
This morning I spent a little time in the garage doing some tune up work on my 2006 Moto Guzzi Breva 1100. It's been a rainy morning and those are good days to bond with the vehicles in the garage.
I need to check/adjust the valve clearances on the bike, an easy but necessary job every 6000 miles. I also wanted to hook up the Technoresearch VDSTS diagnostic software and check a few things on the bike.
Unfortunately for the mighty Alfa Romeo 164L she had to sit outside in the rain and wind so I had ample room to work on the bike. She took one for the team today.
The Breva's valve clearance were not far out of spec but needed minor adjustment, mostly on the intake valves. As well, the throttle position sensor (TPS) voltage settings were off slightly so I reset that via the VDSTS software and also ran several other diagnostic tests on the bike while I was at it. Pretty slick little piece of software.
Anyway, the job's done and here are a few pics
PHOTOBUCKET PICS CLICK HERE
Sad and wet Alfa 164L :-(
I need to check/adjust the valve clearances on the bike, an easy but necessary job every 6000 miles. I also wanted to hook up the Technoresearch VDSTS diagnostic software and check a few things on the bike.
Unfortunately for the mighty Alfa Romeo 164L she had to sit outside in the rain and wind so I had ample room to work on the bike. She took one for the team today.
The Breva's valve clearance were not far out of spec but needed minor adjustment, mostly on the intake valves. As well, the throttle position sensor (TPS) voltage settings were off slightly so I reset that via the VDSTS software and also ran several other diagnostic tests on the bike while I was at it. Pretty slick little piece of software.
Anyway, the job's done and here are a few pics
PHOTOBUCKET PICS CLICK HERE
Sad and wet Alfa 164L :-(
Friday, June 5, 2009
I lost 100 dorlars
I bet my friend Mike $100 that Cleveland would win their NBA series against Orlando.
Well they lost last week. Dammit. That'll teach me to drink ale and make bets.
Well they lost last week. Dammit. That'll teach me to drink ale and make bets.
Monday, June 1, 2009
The Breva's back and ready to eat some asphalt!
The last few weeks I have been dealing with an increasingly worsening crack in a weld and on the body of the crossover exhaust pipe on my 2006 Moto Guzzi Breva 1100.
The purpose of this crossover pipe is to take the exhaust from the two header pipes (one from each cylinder of the Guzzi 90 degree V-Twin motor) and provide for a balanced flow of that exhaust out of the single muffler.
Over the past several weeks I have tried a few different "cold weld" products off the shelves of local auto parts stores, like Thermosteel and JB Weld. These products were not able to withstand the heat and vibration emanating from the Guzzi motor and they eventually would crumble and fall off, leaving the exposed and worsening crack on the crossover pipe.
The time had come to do what I should have done in the first place and get the job done right. So over the weekend I endeavored to remove the two header pipes, muffler and some other bits including the starter motor so that I could finally get that crossover pipe off and have it welded.
I was very lucky to have my friend Keith Williams, a British motorbike racer and collector, agree to properly weld the pipe. So off to the welding supply store I went and as instructed by Keith I bought some 1/16 stainless steel welding rod. After work I stopped by Keith's place and he quickly got to work on welding the cracks up very nicely.
It did not take long and Keith was done and the weld looks great!
Thanks a lot Keith for getting my Breva back on the road!
Here are a few pics, including the pipe before welding showing the long cracks(s) and then after, etc.
The purpose of this crossover pipe is to take the exhaust from the two header pipes (one from each cylinder of the Guzzi 90 degree V-Twin motor) and provide for a balanced flow of that exhaust out of the single muffler.
Over the past several weeks I have tried a few different "cold weld" products off the shelves of local auto parts stores, like Thermosteel and JB Weld. These products were not able to withstand the heat and vibration emanating from the Guzzi motor and they eventually would crumble and fall off, leaving the exposed and worsening crack on the crossover pipe.
The time had come to do what I should have done in the first place and get the job done right. So over the weekend I endeavored to remove the two header pipes, muffler and some other bits including the starter motor so that I could finally get that crossover pipe off and have it welded.
I was very lucky to have my friend Keith Williams, a British motorbike racer and collector, agree to properly weld the pipe. So off to the welding supply store I went and as instructed by Keith I bought some 1/16 stainless steel welding rod. After work I stopped by Keith's place and he quickly got to work on welding the cracks up very nicely.
It did not take long and Keith was done and the weld looks great!
Thanks a lot Keith for getting my Breva back on the road!
Here are a few pics, including the pipe before welding showing the long cracks(s) and then after, etc.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Furter of the frank
Wiener. Frank. Hot dog. Tube steak. Frankfurter.
These are just a few of the names which describe one of America's favorite culinary delights. A cylindrical mass of non-discernible bits of various meats, spices, fillers ans sweet Jesus knows what else.
After a lengthy discussion about wieners over the past two days with my co-worker Lew "Trixie" Butina, I decided I was long overdue to consume a delectable frankie.
So off the the grocery store I went, intent upon locating the object of my desire. Based on Lew's advice, I knew that no skinless wiener would suffice, but only one with all of its meaty goodness contained in a natural casing, that is, the intestine of an animal.
Oh some may scream foul, others may reel in horror at the thought, but the wise people, oh yes the wise ones, they know the beauty of a natural casing wiener. The natural casing works to contain all of the juicy goodness of the frank and provides for a nice "snap" when you bite into it, an explosion of flavor in one's mouth.
So I made my purchase, Nathan's natural casing "beef" franks. I put beef in quotes as I figure it is merely a suggestion by the good folks at Nathan's as to what truly lies within the walls of the casing.
My method of cooking? The grill, well seasoned from various previous meals. With a steady hand I placed the wiener(s) on the grill, the flames licking the casing. I shut the lid an walked away, as I learned to do from Bobby Flay. Don't disturb the meat, you see, or tears will form where once was glee.
I few moments later I returned and deftly rolled the wieners so as to ensure a well-rounded and thorough cooking. Again I left, only to return mere moments later for removal of the tube steaks from the grilling surface.
I plunged a fork into the frank, its natural casing at first resisting but eventually yielding to the laser sharpened tines of the fork.
Upon a plate they went and I let them rest for a moment whilst I prepared the wiener fixins. Tonight I would try the dogs in two different ways.
Firstly, a traditional addition of Plochman's yellow mustard and diced onions, placed along with Mr. frankie on a freshly baked bun.
Second, a "southern" style wiener, as my neighbor Jerry calls it, just the sweetly grilled frank on a bun and smothered with cole slaw.
Oh happy day! I thought I died and went to heaven. Both preparations of the wiener were outstanding. The natural casing yielded a wonderful "snap" as my choppers sank into it. The combination of mustard and diced onions made the meal complete, an orgy for the senses.
The "southern" furter of the frank was best described in one word....sublime. The crunch and moistness of the cole slaw slathering the wiener made every bite a sheer delight.
'twas a great meal. I snapped a few pics below for those who cannot read this enchanting tale.
Do yourself a favor. Chomp down on a wiener real soon. You won't be sorry friend.
These are just a few of the names which describe one of America's favorite culinary delights. A cylindrical mass of non-discernible bits of various meats, spices, fillers ans sweet Jesus knows what else.
After a lengthy discussion about wieners over the past two days with my co-worker Lew "Trixie" Butina, I decided I was long overdue to consume a delectable frankie.
So off the the grocery store I went, intent upon locating the object of my desire. Based on Lew's advice, I knew that no skinless wiener would suffice, but only one with all of its meaty goodness contained in a natural casing, that is, the intestine of an animal.
Oh some may scream foul, others may reel in horror at the thought, but the wise people, oh yes the wise ones, they know the beauty of a natural casing wiener. The natural casing works to contain all of the juicy goodness of the frank and provides for a nice "snap" when you bite into it, an explosion of flavor in one's mouth.
So I made my purchase, Nathan's natural casing "beef" franks. I put beef in quotes as I figure it is merely a suggestion by the good folks at Nathan's as to what truly lies within the walls of the casing.
My method of cooking? The grill, well seasoned from various previous meals. With a steady hand I placed the wiener(s) on the grill, the flames licking the casing. I shut the lid an walked away, as I learned to do from Bobby Flay. Don't disturb the meat, you see, or tears will form where once was glee.
I few moments later I returned and deftly rolled the wieners so as to ensure a well-rounded and thorough cooking. Again I left, only to return mere moments later for removal of the tube steaks from the grilling surface.
I plunged a fork into the frank, its natural casing at first resisting but eventually yielding to the laser sharpened tines of the fork.
Upon a plate they went and I let them rest for a moment whilst I prepared the wiener fixins. Tonight I would try the dogs in two different ways.
Firstly, a traditional addition of Plochman's yellow mustard and diced onions, placed along with Mr. frankie on a freshly baked bun.
Second, a "southern" style wiener, as my neighbor Jerry calls it, just the sweetly grilled frank on a bun and smothered with cole slaw.
Oh happy day! I thought I died and went to heaven. Both preparations of the wiener were outstanding. The natural casing yielded a wonderful "snap" as my choppers sank into it. The combination of mustard and diced onions made the meal complete, an orgy for the senses.
The "southern" furter of the frank was best described in one word....sublime. The crunch and moistness of the cole slaw slathering the wiener made every bite a sheer delight.
'twas a great meal. I snapped a few pics below for those who cannot read this enchanting tale.
Do yourself a favor. Chomp down on a wiener real soon. You won't be sorry friend.
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