Harley ignition switch

Last time I took the Harley out, I went to lock the ignition switch and the key cylinder came out of the switch. 

After I got it home I could see that it was held in by a little pin which had fallen out from all the vibrations I guess.  So I ordered a replacement switch on eBay, put it in and put the dash back together and all worked fine.
But afterwards as I was looking at the old switch I found that the little pin that had fallen out was lodged in another part of the hinge.  I was able to retrieve it and put it back where it belongs holding the key cylinder. 
The new one is not a 'geniune' harley switch and I could tell the quality wasn't as good as the original so I decided to put the original back in.  If the pin falls out again I will go back to the replacement.

Solstice oil change

My daughters relatively new car came due for its first oil chage today.  2009 Pontiac Solstice with a cartridge filter.  The filter is tucked tightly at the back of the engine newr the firewall and just under the manifold.  Its under the yellow dipstick handle in the pic.  I had to get a suitable filter wrench and put a flex socket on the extension to get at it.   But I'm set now for future changes...

lawn maintenance

I have been bagging the grass clippings forever.  I just like the look of the neat lawn and thought it was better to take the clippings away.  But the main reason is that I have this old lawn mower which I bought used over 25 years ago that I can't seem to part with.  It starts every time and works great except it doesn't do such a good job mulching the clippings.  It was made to be a bagger and left large clumps of clippings on the lawn if the bag wasn't on...until I added this little piece of sheet metal...

It is so simple...it blocks the bag attachment and keeps the clippings swirling around to give the blade a better chance of cutting them up and spreading them evenly.  The lawn looks good and it takes a lot less effort to get it done.  Why didn't I think of this years ago? 

I guess I could have gotten a new mower to solve the problem but I kind of want to see how long this damn thing will keep on running.

Carbs pt 2

just another reminder that even though I have been messing with cars for a long time, I am still very much an amateur.  When I put the 67 carb back together a few weeks ago I apparently didn't seat the float and valve properly so the damn thing was just pouring gas out the bowl.  So I took it apart again and put in a new float valve (as long as I  had it that far apart).  This  time I think I seated it properly.  We'll see....

Ok. Carb is back in the car.  Started and ran good.  The gasket seems a little wet but I am hoping it was residual from my leak or maybe from pumping it to start it because it didn't get any worse as the car ran.  We'll see....

'67 power steering pump pt 2

the new pump is in.  No leaks.  Seems to work fine.  A happy ending....

Heading to the shore today to see what needs to be done to get the place ready for the first renters of the season.  They are coming on May17th...

Words of wisdom

"No, you can be ugly and get laid. You just gotta be willing to screw someone uglier than you."

Shit my Dad Says is not as popular as it was in the past but it is still entertaining.