Monday, September 30, 2013

The Importance of Float Height and Good Tunes

So the 1969 CB160 has had trouble idling lately, maybe the last 6-8 months, and I've been too busy to do anything about it (what with moving across the country and what have you). I wasn't sure what it was -- dirty points? valves? bad plugs? uneven spark? timing? carb issues? I had put a new throttle cable on and that's when the trouble had started, or so I thought. Someone told me to switch around the tops of the carbs (which is where the cable mounts into the slide) -- apparently there is a left and right one, which seems weird as the carb bodies are identical for the most part, except for where the choke is. I had also switched out a float bowl, as the right hand side one was leaking. And the new one was leaking now too. Was the float sticking to the gasket? I put up with it, and just puttered around the neighborhood in PHX and in Boston, but last weekend was the time for action.
I adjusted the valves -- they were close, but not perfect. I checked and cleaned the points. Seemed to be fine. I checked the timing -- slightly off, but got it right. I pulled the plugs and cleaned them; they're fine. I pulled the right hand float bowl, the one that was leaking and that I had tried to fix once. I slathered on a little more JB Weld, and that did the trick.
But it was the float height all along. I usually adjust float height by using a drain screw, drilling through it, and using clear gas line through the screw and help up next to the carb to determine float height. I couldn't do that with this one, since the mount for the screw hole was cracked and that was where gas was leaking from (well, one of the spots I found out). So I fiddled, thought it wasn't getting enough gas (but didn't think it could be getting too much... because then the gas would come out of the overflow tube, right?). Lo and behold, the float height was way off. I took off both carbs and adjusted them by hand using a caliper. Got 'em to within .5mm I estimate. Waited overnight for the JB Weld to dry, snapped the float bowl back on, gave it a kick, and boom! Perfect idle, and the idle adjustment actually works properly again. Float height was always on my list of things to do, but I finally got around to it and everything else. Now it purrs (and kind of rattles and shakes and spits, but in a good way).
So there is the new JB Weld, all around the drain screw and on the underside of the bowl. Hope nobody notices and gets all pissy about it. Actually, I don't give a shit. Thing rides killer, that's all that matters. Viva CB160!
 
Got my records all shelved but not quite sorted through. I will get to it. But I pulled out two records that are fantastic, and I am going to tell you about them.
 

First up is Tina and the Total Babes. It's Tina Luchessi, from amazing and legendary bands such as the Trashwoman (along with Kreashawn's mom!), the Bobbyteens, AC/DShe, Deadly Weapons, Top Ten and the Midnight Snaxx (with Dulcinea Gonzalez from the Loud Mouths!). This record came out in 2000, and on a trip to San Francisco, Matt Howe turned me on to it. It's amazing power pop at its best, rockin', one foot stuck in 60s bubblegum, and just plain tough. They do covers by Holly and the Italians, the Messengers, and the Demons. And the originals are killers. Check out her current band Midnight Snaxx, they're rockin'!
 
 
The second record I dragged out lately is one I hadn't listened to for a while: The Fluid's "Clear Black Paper." I listened to this at the record store I worked at (Fallout Records in Seattle!) when it came out in 1988 -- all of us who worked there dug it and we played it a ton. They were the first band outside of Seattle to sign with Sub Pop (it's SP016), and although they were a little like some of the bands that would get painted with the "Grunge" label, they were also full bore. The first song on side 1 is a killer, with some tambourine shakin' going on.
 
 
 
Man, couldn't find a studio version of this, but it rocks. Just ask Keith Morris!
They put out a couple more records, but none topped "Clear Black Paper" IMHO.


 

Monday, September 23, 2013

Evidence CXLX: Rhode Island bound

Some finangling, some shenanigans, some phone calls and texts, but the bottom line is that Sloppy convinced Gump to drain the bowl last weekend. Nobody from my zone could make it, Davey was out of commission with a shankle, Big Tim went to NYC, so I drove solo past Providence to shred some gnar. Killer pool, swimmer/skater, but not some cookie-cutter skatepark bowl. Slight rough surface, but smooth and fast. Killer little pocket, killer stairs, DB from deep to shallow, killer single pour, no seams coping. Session was three guys skating, three guys watching, but Will, Sam and I tried to keep it going. Above, Will gets the FS pivot.
 
Sam ollies from deep to shallow. 
Words to live by. Where's my shirt, Sam? 
Dorking around while I get the camera out means I will get a photo of the deep-to-shallow kickflip by Streetstyle Sam.
 
Let's rip this one again.


Friday, September 20, 2013

These colors don't run!

Ran down to Attleboro yesterday, wanted to make sure I brought my camera. And the cooler. And my pad bag. And a beanie and hoodie for the way home. And a water bottle. And an apple. Guess what I forgot? Yep, my skateboard. Genius strikes again. Took some runs on Pete's board -- new 8-3/8" deck, new Indys, new 58mm wheels with new bearings. That felt good. Davey went down trying the bs tailslide, which I thought would be fun to shoot, so instead I captured Big Tim laying it down in the sweet spot. Next time I will bring my board.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

No Bloggadocio, just Blagging

So, been blagging lately. Not for lack of activity -- shit's been going down! Been skating with Dug, Davey, Big Tim, and others, but just didn't take photos. Skated Attleboro last Sunday, killer BBQ session, but I didn't stop skating until it started getting dark, and everyone else had stopped, so no photos. Good food, though. Thanks Iggy!

But of course there are other loves in life. Records! Made one return visit to Deja Vu, and the nice old lady in there sold me a wood 7"box/carrier for $3, and a Shel Silverstein record for $4. He's reading stories from Where the Sidewalk Ends, and Meg and I cracked up.

I gave up on the old coot at Cheap-O Records, too much hassle, and the dude's douchey. Made a couple trips to In Your Ear, and am slowly going through their soul stuff. Pulled an original copy of Andre Williams' "Sweet Little Pussycat":
...and what I'm guessing is a somewhat obscure soul instro, "Nose Full of White" by Mr. D and the Highlights. Some kind of chilled out instro ode to the devil's dandruff? No youtube video, but you can look  it up and find it (or wait for my next soul comp CD!).
Might have a line on doing some DJing at some point... details to follow.
 
Got to see Vancouver, BC's DOA last week. Joey Shithead is punk royalty, and this is their last tour. Thanks for all the killer shows over the past 30 years, Joey! 

Will get back to at least shooting the perfunctory skate images next session. In the meantime, enjoy these shredders!
And been riding the bikes around as the temp drops. Don't mind riding in the cold -- and I've got the gear to prove it. Finding my way around Boston via motorcycle has been pretty fun when it's not frustrating, but I'm getting there. How about meeting up with the Runaways by bike? 
Little cold for this kind of activity... 
And before I go, one for the ladies.
 

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Life in the 'Dick, part 3 (and points elsewhere too)

More life in the 'Dick? That's Natick to you. You should come and visit. You can kick it in the 'Dick!
Meg and I made another trip to her hometown for a visit to the beach (possibly the last of the season?), and decided to take the Valiant. This is the lighthouse where we got married.
Speaking of Mattapoisett -- I'll come back to it in a second -- do you know why it's important to this guy? Any true fan of the Bruins can tell you who this is: Rene Rancourt, the dude who's been singing the national anthem at their games for the past 35 years. He lives in the 'Dick, but has a connection to Mattapoisett. There is a cool, old style burger spot named Casey's in the Dick, been here since 1922.

I had trouble opening the door the first time I went (see "Life in the Dick, part 1"), but I got it under control now. Good hot dogs and burgers. So before we headed to Maine for Labor Day (along with everyone else on the East Coast, judging from traffic) I had a burger there. There are only 10 stools (most people get stuff to go or to eat outside), and there was a spot at the end next to this older guy. I have a copy of the NYT, he makes fun of me and asks me if I am from there, I tell him no, Seattle by way of Phoenix, but my wife is from here, a small town called Mattapoisett. "Do you know it?" I ask him. "Know it? I lost my cherry there!" he responds. He proceeds to tell me in graphic detail about how he was in college, had a trip to Mattapoisett, met a girl at a party, and got a BJ. "It was dark out, and it was only when we went back into the party that we could see the grass stains on her skirt!" Then I found out who he was -- Rene himself! He is now a hero and I am hoping we can chill again at Casey's  -- he lives in the Dick, too! I texted a few friends that day and told them the story, and they didn't believe it for a while. But how could I make that up?
Later that day, we went up to Maine to visit Meg's Aunt and Uncle, and her cousins, and their kids. We stopped at Bob's Clam Hut on the way -- a tradition for us and Meg's family. Amazing whole belly fried clams, and Meg's digging in to her lobster roll.
We had such a great time swimming and kayaking and playing Scrabble, croquet and badminton that I didn't take any photos. I also shaved off my beard in 5 stages, and was going to post photos but I'm feeling a little selfie conscious.
 
I take it back. I took a photo of this sign. All the beaches were for "residents only" -- I decided that people in Maine need to learn how to share.
After returning, our friend Erin came to town, on tour with Blondie and X. We picked her up at the airport and dropped her off at her hotel. While she and Meg were inside dropping off her luggage (and apparently getting a complimentary glass of wine!), I stood outside by the Valiant and chatted with Blondie's bass player about music in Boston in the 70's (Real Kids, Neighborhoods, DMZ, etc., etc.).
The next day, Meg and I headed up to Hampton Beach, NH, to see the show. It was in this very historic hall that dates to 1898 (!), and they have banners of some of the acts who have played there over the years, going back to the Jazz Age. X was great, and yes, Billy Zoom is still creepy but cool. 
I had never seen Blondie, so this was fun. Debbie Harry came out in this get up (I-Phone, shitty light, bad photos, what can I say) because it is the "No Principles" tour. Get it? She's a principal. They were great, and it was cool to see kids and the old fogies rocking out -- and a few of the fogies get kicked out. Thank you Erin for the tickets, great to see you, have a blast on tour, and see you in New Bedford in October!
Last weekend we went to a motorcycle show in Oxford. It's a little over an 80-mile round trip, and we decided to ride bikes out there. Meg killed it on the SR250, getting up to 65mph, her farthest and fastest trip on her bike so far. Very cool bikes. Won't bore you with the details., but took a few photos of some of the cooler Hondas. CB75o above, shiny tank and side covers. 
CB175 sloper racer. 
CL175 with a fat ass seat. 
Very cool, original and unmolested CB77 Superhawk, this is the speedo/tach combo where the needles go in opposite directions. 
And this is the whole bike. I want one of these bad, 
Another CB77, nice and restored. 
I've skated Dug E. Death's Hellgate ramp a couple times now, and finally remembered to take photos. Last session was just me and him. Tight corners, and some construction obstructing the lines. Always fun to skate and BS with Dug. 
Finally, for your viewing pleasure, Meg with our cats. Whenever both cats are on her, which is rare, she always insists that I take a photo. The photos, of course, go nowhere but just sit on my phone. Until now!
 

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Evidence CXLIX: Goodbye again, Phoenix


Final day in Phoenix last Wednesday, early Thursday flight, means gotta get some last licks in. The Tuesday session fell through and Hoss and I did some scoping. Wednesday it was back to the front and the Pick Up Sticks bowl. Brad made the back D after a couple tries, but I blew the shot and asked him to do it again, so he did. 
Courtman taking out a pound of flesh... or tile. 
Hoss is particularly interested in finding new lines. 
Hole in the dark clouds, sun not yet setting. 
A little debris remains... 
As does the evidence. Thanks guys, see you in a month or so I hope.