@Chris MacDonald posted:If Karyn comes, the new baby comes and he tends to throw up all over the back seat when g-forces bang his head on both sides of the car seat repeatedly.
I have him on a physical strength program to beef up his neck muscles for next year.
Your Spyder doesn't have a back seat, so you'll need to put him in a car seat in the front. We'll give Karyn a pass this time.
Is the kept-man assassin coming?
Hi Lane, Chris Dauerer here. It’s killing me as I really want to go on this tour de smo, but our new car launch is at def con 3 and I simply cannot get away. Which is why I’m retiring in December. Hopefully next year…
@Lane Anderson posted:Carlos, really disappointed that you can't join us this year. Is your son also not going to make it?
Ok, how 'bout this, I know the following will be there (please let me know if incorrect):
- Me in Das Blaue Biest, the "tool truck" if needed.
- His Majestic Majesty, President Stan of Stanistan. Beloved by his people. No need for elections. He will be accompanied by the brilliant and beguiling Jeannie, First Lady of Stanistan. @Stan Galat
- Danny And Michelle Piperato, @DannyP
- Mike Warjas and Dianne Croxford, @MikelB
- Wrenn Smith (and?), @Wrenn Smith
- Phil Luebbert, our planner and navigator, @550 Phil
- Dave Whose Last Name I'm Not sure I Know, aka @Butcher Boy
- Ron and Maddie Mullis, along with the ever handy ERV, @Ron Mullis
- Chris MacDonald (is Karen coming?), @Chris MacDonald
- Marty and Sandy G2daZ, @Marty Grzynkowicz
- Still waiting to hear back from Chris Dauerer, my local friend who used to own the new Beck Speedster that is the centerfold for the updated Beck Speedster Manual, not sure of his handle here so I texted him.
12. Memphis Corvette Kelly?
@Stan Galat posted:Your Spyder doesn't have a back seat, so you'll need to put him in a car seat in the front. We'll give Karyn a pass this time.
Is the kept-man assassin coming?
The car seat wouldn't fit in the Spyder so he's stuck with just a lap belt.
No assassin this year. He's only let off the leash a few times a year and he has exceeded his allotment.
@Chris MacDonald posted:The car seat wouldn't fit in the Spyder so he's stuck with just a lap belt.
No assassin this year. He's only let off the leash a few times a year and he has exceeded his allotment.
@DannyP recommends 5 point belts, and he's pretty adamant about the crotch belt -- which would admittedly interfere with your son's diaper. So it looks like Jr. gets a pass this year, but I'm expecting a retrofit by next.
Regarding the Ranger -- alas, 'twould have been fun to run with the (truly) big dog again this year. I always felt a bit like a single hornet in a swarm buzzing around a lion's head when we were out for a drive with that SS. I LOVE that car.
Your brother always made me wonder if he had a plan to kill me if need be. I believe I even asked once, and the answer was "affirmative" or somesuch.
@Stan Galat posted:@DannyP recommends 5 point belts, and he's pretty adamant about the crotch belt -- which would admittedly interfere with your son's diaper. So it looks like Jr. gets a pass this year, but I'm expecting a retrofit by next.
Regarding the Ranger -- alas, 'twould have been fun to run with the (truly) big dog again this year. I always a bit like a single hornet in a swarm buzzing around a lion's head when we were out for a drive with that SS. I LOVE that car.
Your brother always made me wonder if he had a plan to kill me if need be. I believe I even asked once, and the answer was "affirmative" or somesuch.
I would've done better belts a long time ago but it would require fabrication of/on the frame.
I was surprised how well that car did (and ai believe he was too) with keeping up.
Don't let him scare you though. His specialty in the Rangers was a "fluffer".
@Stan Galat posted:12. Memphis Corvette Kelly?
No, sadly. He'll be diving in Curacao with his kids. Bad timing on their parts, if'n ya ask me.
@Chris MacDonald posted:I would've done better belts a long time ago but it would require fabrication of/on the frame.
I was surprised how well that car did (and ai believe he was too) with keeping up.
Don't let him scare you though. His specialty in the Rangers was a "fluffer".
Ok, I gotta ask what a "fluffer" is.
@Marty Grzynkowicz posted:Sandy and me are not going to be able to attend. There is medical stuff going on.
Real sorry to hear that, Marty. I hope everything turns out ok.
@Lane Anderson posted:Ok, I gotta ask what a "fluffer" is.
Some things are better left to Google. Just make sure parental controls are off.
@Chris MacDonald posted:Some things are better left to Google. Just make sure parental controls are off.
Now THAT'S FUNNY. Lane, don't google it.
@Carlos G posted:I'm truly sad to say, I'm not going to be able to make it. The reasons out way the excuses. It just isn't in the cards.
It sounds like it's going to be a great one though. I was looking forward to meeting a few more of the peanut gallery in person, and of course, the usual suspects.
I am very disappointed. You'll be missed.
@Marty Grzynkowicz posted:Sandy and me are not going to be able to attend. There is medical stuff going on.
I really dislike this one as well. Hope it all comes out OK.
Hotel check-in is at 3:00 EDT Wed. the 25th. When are folks planning to arrive?
It's 5-6 hours from home, depending on whether I stop for lunch, so I'll be there NLT 3:00 - hopefully before if I leave early to beat traffic.
We're 10-1/2 hrs out, so it's just the wrong distance. If it were me, I'd leave at 5:00 and go balls out since we lose an hour as well. Mrs. Galat is in the driver's seat on this one, whether we stop along the way or not.
We can keep the beer cold for you, Stan.
Oh, we’ll be there. The question is whether we leave Tuesday and drive at a stately pace, or Wed. and make it a slog.
We're 8.5 hours out. We'll be leaving early, I hope.
I hope to arrive on Tues. The idea was to do my laundry at the hotel, have a chance to look the car over and wipe it down. I'm sure a little extra sleep will be welcome too.
Weather should be highs in mid 60s to low 70s. We should start getting a better idea of weather in a few days. I plan on being there by check in on Wednesday depending on whether I have to dodge some rain. It’s getting very close now. I got my tach resetting cable from Greg so at least I’ll know what rpm I’m at.
A job is a job…if you know what I mean.
I've been checking the weather to see what is in store for me as I cross the country. So far it looks like I have perfect weather until I get to Memphis, where it becomes partly cloudy. Wytheville on the 24th shows light AM showers. I well be getting there in the afternoon so hopefully I'll miss the rain. Looks like I'll miss the desert heat. The temp the whole ride east will be in the 70's to 80's with some lows in the mid 40's. The car is almost ready. Just received my box from Greg with my new gas sending unit. The gauge has never worked, only showed 1/2 a tank when full. I'll put the new sender in today and see if it is fixed. If not I'll be using the old stick method and mileage to gauge my fuel needs.
Good luck Dave. May the force be with you. You are the man!!!
@550 Phil posted:Good luck Dave. May the force be with you. You are the man!!!
Thanks Phil ! It should be a great adventure in the speedster. The Big plus is I finally get to meet you knuckleheads in person, enjoy a cold one, tell some stories and feast on a Prime steak. Really looking forward to this.
Thanks again for doing all the routing and leg work to help make this happen. And thanks to all the guys who helped. See you soon ...........
@Butcher Boy posted:The Big plus is I finally get to meet you knuckleheads in person, enjoy a cold one, tell some stories and feast on a Prime steak.
Well, yeah -- we're awesome(ish).
Emphasis on "ish".
It's still not too late guys (@LI-Rick, @Bob: IM S6, @Joe Fortino, @edsnova, @Alan Merklin, @Panhandle Bob ).
@Stan Galat I wish I could. It's parents weekend at my son's school and I would be disowned if I missed it. Looks like great weather and amazing group.
@Stan Galat, I will be in NC that week. My daughter is getting married in Raleigh.
Sounds like an opportunity for a side trip, Rick. 
It sure does.
I changed the oil in the Spyder and did a valve adjustment. I haven't done it in a few years, as I really didn't put many miles on it lately.
Getting ready to get there soon!
.
@Butcher Boy posted:....with my new gas sending unit. The gauge has never worked, only showed 1/2 a tank when full. I'll put the new sender in today and see if it is fixed. If not I'll be using the old stick method and mileage to gauge my fuel needs...
Dave, if you've somehow missed the many threads here on balky gas gauges, this should be no problem, even if you can't get it fixed in time. If your trip odometer works, or even just the clock on your phone, you should be good.
These cars, Suby or T1, seem to get pretty predictable gas mileage, especially on long, steady-speed road trips. You're sure to get at least 20 mpg, and probably closer to 25 on the road. So, stop every two hours early in the trip to get a feel for your fuel burn, and you should be good.
For most of us, stopping every two hours or so will probably be necessary for other reasons, so this shouldn't hinder your progress.
At first, I thought you were towing from our sunny shores back east, but now I see you're doing it the old-fashioned way.
Best of luck, and don't forget to bring Stan some real fish tacos.
.
@Sacto Mitch posted:Best of luck, and don't forget to bring Stan some real fish tacos.
Shrimp tacos. All you Kalifornia guys meet down at the surf-shack after work (say, 3:30-ish) for shrimp tacos.
Until Dave came along, I was unaware that anybody out there even ate red meat. I suspect they hide it in their kale.
@Stan Galat posted:Until Dave came along, I was unaware that anybody out there even ate red meat. I suspect they hide it in their kale.
^ (nailed it)
We have pretty good fish (and shrimp) tacos here on the right coast. Maybe we should have some steak fajitas since Dave's bringing us tasty dead mammal flesh. Mmmm!!!
Speaking of Dave, he'll be rolling into the hotel in a week, with the rest of us following the next day. WOOHOO!!!
.
Uh, well, yeah Stan, this whole kale thing is a rather sensitive point with me.
The thing is I hate the stuff — must be my east coast upbringing.
But since it's now the state vegetable here, I need to be careful. If I forget and just blurt out my dislike in conversation in a public place, there's this awkward silence, and some people get downright huffy.
In some restaurants, if they find out, they'll just plain refuse to seat you, or pretend there are no tables available. If I hide the fact, most places will still have a few items on the menu that don't contain kale, so I can just order 'around' the issue.
The real problem is that the governor's making noises about banning the sale statewide of any leafy greens other than kale by 2030. It's probably just a political move to catch some headlines, but if it goes through, I may have to move to Oregon.
Up there, the state vegetable is the coffee bean.
.
@Sacto Mitch posted:.
Dave, if you've somehow missed the many threads here on balky gas gauges, this should be no problem, even if you can't get it fixed in time. If your trip odometer works, or even just the clock on your phone, you should be good.
These cars, Suby or T1, seem to get pretty predictable gas mileage, especially on long, steady-speed road trips. You're sure to get at least 20 mpg, and probably closer to 25 on the road. So, stop every two hours early in the trip to get a feel for your fuel burn, and you should be good.
For most of us, stopping every two hours or so will probably be necessary for other reasons, so this shouldn't hinder your progress.
At first, I thought you were towing from our sunny shores back east, but now I see you're doing it the old-fashioned way.
Best of luck, and don't forget to bring Stan some real fish tacos.
.
Thanks Mitch, I connected with Greg and he sent a new sending unit. Turns out that the stops on the sending unit were not allowing the arm to reach the top of the tank. I adjusted the unit while out of the tank, to work the whole sweep. Now it's working as it should full is full and empty is empty.
I was having an intermittent problem with the GPS speedo, so I couldn't rely on the mileage all the time. I now have a new GPS unit from Greg and will try to get it installed before I leave. I think I'm almost ready to hit the road, yes, the old-fashioned way.
@Stan Galat posted:Shrimp tacos. All you Kalifornia guys meet down at the surf-shack after work (say, 3:30-ish) for shrimp tacos.
Until Dave came along, I was unaware that anybody out there even ate red meat. I suspect they hide it in their kale.
I'll bring you your "shrimp tacos" but you won't like them by the time I get there !!lol
I was born in the sawdust of a meat market and have been feasting on RED solid amino acids for 74 years. My Father told me I was gumming jerky before I could walk. Yes I am a meat eater through and through.
We don't need no stinking Kale ......... I'm with Mitch, its a sensitive subject in parts of Kalifornia.
To me Kale is a wonder food.
I wonder how so many people think that it's edible. Give me some collard greens with ham hock any day.
20 mpg? I doubt I can manage that. Short freeway trips and some spirited driving makes mine a consistent 11.5 mpg. I carry a couple spare liters to be safe.
@Teammccalla posted:20 mpg? I doubt I can manage that. Short freeway trips and some spirited driving makes mine a consistent 11.5 mpg. I carry a couple spare liters to be safe.
Wow, remind me what engine you're running.
