Extreme Makeover: Motorcycle Edition

A few pictures of the mostly white KTM.







It's been a pretty busy few days off; went running, did yoga, raked the front yard, organized the shed and garage a little, looked @ new phones, cleaned the house, grocery shopping, waxed two snowboards, and folded laundry. Guitar lesson tonight, then brewing beer tomorrow.

Kingston Peak

Kingston Peak from Jeremy Smith on Vimeo.

A few minutes of video from a ride today. The contrast is bad in a few places but it was a fun, rocky trail.

Filling up the garage.

A big brother to keep the little bike company.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
Manufacturer (Make) Yamaha
Model Name FJ 1200
Year 1990
Category(class) Sport-touring

Engine
Engine Capacity (Displacement) 1188 ccm (72.5 cubic inches)
Engine Type inline, 4 cylinders
Bore x Stroke Ø77.0 mm x 63.8 mm (Ø3.03 inches x 2.51 inches)
Bore/Stroke Ratio 1.21
Stroke 4
Valves per Cylinder 4
Timing System DOHC
Cooling System Air

Powertrain
Gearbox 5 speed

Chassis/Suspension/Brakes
Front Brakes Dual disc
Rear Brakes Single disc
Front Tire 120/80-16
Rear Tire 150/80-16

Dimensions
Curb Weight 259 kg (571 lb)
Fuel Capacity 22 litres (5.81 gallons)

Performance
Max Power 130.00 HP (94.9 kW) at 9000 RPM
Torque 70.1 ft/lb at 7000 RPM
Power/Weight Ratio 0.5 Hp/Kg
Top Speed 150 MPH
Acceleration time
0-60 mph 3.5 seconds


...and now it's raining.

The Big Dig- Colorado Style

My friend Charlie texted me at work last week saying he needed a "laborer" to help with some "demolition work". A typically understated way for him to ask for help removing the concrete floor in his basement along with ten inches of dirt. The "demo" portion consisted of him hiring a couple guys to come saw the slab into 4'x4' sections which we then broke up further with a sledgehammer. The "labor" involved us hauling the concrete out in chunks and the dirt in five gallon buckets. Here are the results.




I have a greater appreciation for the work done by the miners here in Colorado during the Gold Rush days. I spent the better part of two and a half days carrying buckets up and down stairs to and from the basement. The scope of the work that they did is enormous compared to what we did and our working conditions were pretty decent, too.

Charlie owes me huge now....

The New Chair.

Since I've been playing guitar more lately I've decided that I need something better than a ten year old imitation leather office chair to sit on. I drove around town a bit, but this is what I ended up with.

One Man and a Trailer...

...or, How to get a couch in the house by yourself in three easy steps!

Step One: Remove patio door.

Step Two: Grunt!

Step Three: Relax.

Extreme Makeover: Bathroom Edition

The big reveal!

I still have a couple little things to touch up but this installment of the bathroom makeover is pretty much wrapped up.

Great Gray Grout

Got the grouting done this morning, pretty happy with it. On my computer the grout is a bit lighter in color than in real life.

As with much of this project, grouting started out slowly until I remembered/figured out what I was doing. It's been 7 years since my last tile project. Typing that just made me feel really old. Of course, so did crawling around on the floor for four days. Time for some stretching.

Yesterday on my while my tile was setting up and I wasn't working in the bathroom I went mountain biking and hit the climbing gym. Actually thought I was coming down with a cold when I got home last night. Maybe I overdid it. Feeling just a bit of crud in my chest today so I'm taking it easy the rest of the day.

The Great Belated Bathroom Remodel...

...only three years in the making!

What started as a week off from work and "just a little painting" in the bathroom, has evolved into a new tile floor and no painting.

I started out taping joints and patching some drywall in the corner:


That was taking a while to dry so I looked around at what else I could fix/demolish, and my gaze fell upon the floor. Marvel at the layers of ugly:


Found some water damage:


Time to shift gears and go full bore at the flooring. New plywood and cement board:


Four or five trips to Home Depot later:



Grouting tomorrow.