Chairmen of the Politically Incorrect

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Mon Apr 07, 2025 2:59 pm

Where I used to live in Hampshire the stands were much higher, I think these stands are more for Deer drives, I prefer hunting on the move or using natural cover for ambushing quarry.

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Tue Apr 08, 2025 6:15 am

Hey you won buddy!
I remember reading that the ones in Scandavia were for driven hunts too.
Took the old Jeep off the jack stands yesterday. Still too early to get it out, but I wanted to be able to move it around. I took a chance and put the snowblower away. Did a little work on the DRZ. I'm itching to ride!

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Thu Apr 10, 2025 3:30 am

Jay, I hope you don't regret putting the snow blower away, the weather here is unpredictable bright sunshine with a breeze that cuts like a knife. Still this is first year in the north east so I expect it to be cooler. I've been fighting off a cold virus too, taking vitamin C and zinc seems to work well I haven't even needed hot toddies

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Thu Apr 10, 2025 5:50 am

Haha yeah. These spring storms are weird. We only got an inch or two. It was gone by the end of the day. If there is old snow and we get a spring snow, the fresh snow will melt right off but leave the old snow behind still. The older stuff is frozen and more packed so it melts much slower.
I spent the day in the garage tinkering on my bike. Got the rear mini turn signals mounted and wired. I also removed the safety switch from the kickstand. I got my handguards and bars all adjusted to my liking. DRZs have a nasty habit if the kill switch sticking, so removed the little detent clicker so it's just a press and release button now.

I use Zinc for colds too.
What does NEED have to do with a hot toddy?

Walt · Post by **Walt** » Thu Apr 10, 2025 9:34 am

I have a couple of acquaintances who don't mind riding dirt bikes in a few inches of snow in the mountains but it had always been rather catastrophic for me.

Our daughter in Oklahoma City had a baby last night, her second daughter and our third granddaughter including our son's 13 month old. I'll drive my wife to OKC in the middle of May and she'll spend a couple of weeks there helping out. From there I'll drive down to the Ft Worth area and visit our son and his wife for a couple of days, then return home. Two weeks later I'll drive back to OKC and pick up my wife and bring her back home. I hope to do a lot of riding in the mountains during her absence. BTW, there are no direct flights between Albuquerque and OKC so whether by air or ground the trips take about the same length of time.

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Thu Apr 10, 2025 10:13 am

Congratulations Walt!

I don't mind riding in snow, but hate the mess. I don't like riding on frozen ground though. And I REALLY don't like crashing on frozen ground.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Thu Apr 10, 2025 11:25 am

Congratulations on the brand new granddaughter Walt...

Looks like you've a lot of miles ahead of you even before you get on two wheels

As I've said before all year round motorcycling was for a few years my only means of transport, I hated snow and ice but learned to respect road conditions in winter which a lot of non bikers never did.

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Thu Apr 10, 2025 1:12 pm

I was never one of the hard-core road riders. The other night it was snowing really hard and I heard a bike go down North Avenue. Nope....no thanks.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Fri Apr 11, 2025 3:52 am

Wild horses wouldn't get me on two wheels in the winter now..

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Temps here are around 65f in the day and 33f at night so I'm not using so much firewood.

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Fri Apr 11, 2025 6:08 am

Haha yeah me neither! It's snowing here again now! Hopefully it isn't going to amount to anything. But lately who knows.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Sat Apr 12, 2025 3:47 pm

I got to do some pistol shooting with my son today but only with UK legal CO2 pistols, I had a .177 Luger and my son used a .177 1911, I also got out my .20 Benjamin and my gas ram air rifle, we had fun but it just ain't the same without noise and smoke...

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Sat Apr 12, 2025 3:55 pm

I used to shoot a ton of air and Co2 guns. Growing up in town, it was all we could carry. My dad made me a shoulder rig for my Co2 pistol and I carried it everywhere. We never left the house without a pump up pellet gun, and in my case a pistol too. It was the wild west around our neighborhood. They were good days I think of often.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Sat Apr 12, 2025 5:01 pm

Yes good times. It was similar where I grew up in Birmingham, everybody had airguns and the local park was like Dodge city on a Saturday night...

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Sat Apr 12, 2025 7:26 pm

Haha yup. Kids are the same all over. Living in the same place today, I still see a lot of BBs and pellets stuck in all kinds of stuff.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Mon Apr 14, 2025 3:01 pm

The wooden post that my mom hung her washing line from was about 75% lead with the combined pellets from my brother and me

Looks like I'll need a new air rifle my gas ram Norica has lost a lot of power, I could get it fixed but that's not as much fun as buying something new

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Tue Apr 15, 2025 4:34 am

My dad told me he and his buddy used to shoot an old Winchester model 68 in his buddies cellar. His parents bought them a brick of .22s every couple weeks. He said there was hole chewed right into the foundation about 6 inches. I can't imagine his parents sitting upstairs listening to that!

No wonder dad can't hear anything. That same model 68 hangs over the window at camp and we shoot it now and again.

Well, I tore the entire rear suspension out of the DRZ yesterday. Everything looked pretty good, and there was still a little good grease in the bearings. I have read that stuck swingarm pivots are common, so I wanted to head that off. It's 4 years old with 1500 miles, but I don't know how it was used, so.....
I'm a maintenance junky, and stuff like that bugs me. For the last couple weeks, I'd been spraying Kroil in the swingarm joint seams. The cross shaft came right out slick. There was Kroil completely penetrated through the entire length. That stuff rocks.
I got the shock linkage all back in last night. The swingarm is all prepped and ready to go back in today. All the bearings and sleeves are filled with marine grease. I will probuse Never Seize on the cross shaft bolt. I'll do the wheel bearings and axles while I'm at it.

Walt · Post by **Walt** » Tue Apr 15, 2025 6:46 am

Very nice, Jay. It all looks cleaner than a whistle. There's not much of a problem with rust here cuz there ain't much water. Dust is definitely a wear issue, however. I'll bet you're itching to get outside. I hope it happens soon.

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Tue Apr 15, 2025 4:41 pm

Thanks Walt! I got it back on the wheels today. Went for a little ride so I could change the oil. When I put it back together, I swapped back to the stock 44t rear sprocket. I left the 14t on the front, however. I really liked the feel of the 47t rear, it would bave been great in the woods, but I feared it would be too low on the road. When I went for a ride I was glad I swapped it.
The culprit of the swingarm pivot isn't only rust, but dissimilar metal corrosion. Where the bolt runs through the engine case. I used marine grease on all the bearings and suspension bushings, but put Never Seize on the swingarm pivot bolt.
I also installed my mini front signals, my skid plate, and my frame guards today. Just have my case guards, a coolant change, and to clean the air filter left.
It's about ready to go......and so am I!

I have to get the TW out too!

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Thu Apr 17, 2025 8:30 am

Jay my friend you are definitely in the wrong job , you should either be competing or designing those bikes...

I only ever modified one motorbike and that was way back in 66 it did however attract a bit of attention when I was a marshall at different motorcycle scrambles and trials.

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Thu Apr 17, 2025 10:50 am

Haha well I don't know. Ive just always had to work on my stuff cause I didn't have the money to hire it done.

My first bike was pretty rough so I had to learn at a young age how to wrench on it.

Post by **Old Savage** » Fri Apr 18, 2025 9:58 am

Meanwhile back at the ranch here is my Opinel collection

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Fri Apr 18, 2025 10:25 am

That reminds me I haven't seen my Opinels since I moved, I had a few over the years my favourite was the number 9. I recently bought this Antonini Maniaghese slip joint but not very impressed with the quality.

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OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Fri Apr 18, 2025 4:14 pm

I've never owned one of those. I know they are quite popular and well liked though.
Since the invention of the pocket clip, Ive been spoiled for Jack knives and belt pouch folders. Before the clips, I always had a pocket knife or a Buck 112. Sometimes both.
If I don't carry a pocket clip folder, I usually carry a small fixed blade in a sheath.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Fri Apr 18, 2025 4:42 pm

My son dressed his first Deer with an Opinel knife. I have found them extremely easy to sharpen and they are very light in the pocket but I prefer something a little sturdier as back up.
My Marbles folding safety knife with a 4.48" blade is a good compromise between a folder and a fixed blade but I don't carry it often.

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OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Fri Apr 18, 2025 6:11 pm

Hey now! That's just beautiful buddy.

Can I have it?

Post by **Old Savage** » Sat Apr 19, 2025 12:28 am

Also ordered a #10 carbon.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Sat Apr 19, 2025 6:18 am

I once had an Opinel number 12 but unlike any Opinels I have used the blade was easily damaged, must have been from a bad batch as I've never seen a knife with such a soft blade. If I can't find my number 9 I too might try the number 10 with the carbon steel blade. The number 8 is a favourite rabbiting knife over here and probably the most common size. I bought my daughter in law the Opinel mushroom knife but I don't think she's had a chance to use it yet.

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Post by **Old Savage** » Sat Apr 19, 2025 10:21 am

Top is a Buck 112 light. Bottom is a Gerber, used one like it to field dress my first antelope.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Sat Apr 19, 2025 10:50 am

I popped into the local farm supply store today and they have a display of Opinel knives although I intended to get the number 10 this little number 7 caught my eye.

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I have never owned a Buck knife, had a few cheap knock offs must remedy that.

Post by **Old Savage** » Sat Apr 19, 2025 11:03 am

I have that model, long time, limited use.

Most used knife …. this or a Camillus 51 Barlow I had as a kid.

Post by **Old Savage** » Sat Apr 19, 2025 11:07 am

Looks like we have the same carpet

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Sat Apr 19, 2025 11:50 am

Looks like you've modified the handle..the number 7 is illegal to carry in the UK on two counts, the blade is 3.1" and the locking collar

Post by **Old Savage** » Sat Apr 19, 2025 3:41 pm

Got a carbon 10 today. To me they are kind of a curiosity but very popular world wide.

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Sat Apr 19, 2025 8:14 pm

Nobody stocks good knives around here. Sucks cause I like to handle them before I buy them. Some look great in a picture but don't handle for beans.
Motorcycles and women are like that too.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Sun Apr 20, 2025 2:22 am

AIN'T THAT THE TRUTH.......

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Mon Apr 21, 2025 5:21 am

Had a nice Easter.
We went to our middle sons place to watch our granddaughter hunt Easter eggs. She did well, and Ollie (their golden retriever) only beat her to one. We had a great visit, then came home so they could have their day.
We had a nice dinner here. My parents and our oldest son and his wife came. It was a nice day.
Last night (or time) we FaceTimed with out Alaska crew. The kids were running wild and they all had a good day. Good to see and hear them, but we miss them. My boy just has 4 years left and hopefully they'll be back.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Mon Apr 21, 2025 7:57 am

Easter was just a case of going next door to my son and daughter in law to exchange customery chocolate eggs and as it was sunny we had tea and cakes in the garden

The estate has several vacation cottages so holidays are busy with strangers walking through the woods, not a good time to go hunting

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Mon Apr 21, 2025 6:54 pm

Sounds like a nice relaxing day GK. The best kind!

Man! I was out straight all day today. It was nice here so o figured I'd better get something done.
In 2018, they started putting this stupid "pair valve" on them. It's a little Mikuni unit about 2"x2" and bolts to the side of the engine on the shifter side at the base of the cylinder. It has vacuum lines running to the petcock, the carb, and into the exhaust at the head. Between that and the garbage vacuum petcock, it all had to go. If the diaphragm in the petcock fails, it can flood the bottom end with fuel and wipe out the crank bearings. No thank you!
I ordered a regular shutoff petcock on Amazon. Today I made a block off plate from 3/16 aluminum to cover the port at the head where the pair valve tube went. Then i made a gasket from high temp gasket material. I stripped off all the useless garbage, put a vacuum plug on the open nipple on the carb, then replaced the petcock on the tank. That was a good job done!
After that I went over the lawn with the tractor and vacuumed all the crud from winter up. Then I put the grandkids trampoline back together for the summer. I also got out their little battery powered 4 wheeler and put a charge on it.
Not bad!

Walt · Post by **Walt** » Tue Apr 22, 2025 4:12 pm

Jay, one of the issues I've had with my DR-Z is the jet getting plugged up. At least on my bike, it's not good enough to turn off the fuel valve and run it until it starves for gas. If I'm not going to ride it for more than a month it's imperative that I get all of the fuel out of the bowl. I took out the bowl drain plug and epoxied in a brass 1/8 mpt x 1/4" tube elbow and attached a 3" piece of clear plastic tubing, just long enough so the gas I'm draining doesn't leak all over the chain and front sprocket. I haven't had a problem since I did that and even after several winter months it starts easily and runs smoothly.

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Tue Apr 22, 2025 5:37 pm

I run ethanol free fuel. I still keep Sea Foam in it and dont have any trouble. The biggest reason for doing it is that with the stock petcock the fuel can't be shut off. It runs on vacuum, but if the diaphragm in the petcock fails, it can flood the base with fuel. Then if you run the bike you'll take out your crank bearings and lower end.

Been riding your TW? How I'd it going?

Walt · Post by **Walt** » Tue Apr 22, 2025 7:52 pm

I'm going to take it out on its first dirt road tomorrow. I aired the tires down to 12 lbs like you suggested. The turnoff to the road, which is an easy loop, is about 8 miles up a 2 lane paved state highway. I'm not progressing with it very quickly; I've only got 120 miles on it. At this rate I should get my 1000 mile break-in period done by 2027.

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Tue Apr 22, 2025 10:12 pm

Haha well mine isn't even out of the cellar yet! You got me beat. Have a good ride Walt! Be safe. Let us know how you make out.
I changed the coolant and cleaned the air filter on the DRZ today. That should be about it. Now I can ride the danged thing! I like to get to know a bike first. You can only do that by wrenchin.

Walt · Post by **Walt** » Thu Apr 24, 2025 8:00 am

Jay, my ride was only a little over 30 miles and only about half of that was on dirt. I discovered a couple of truths; neither the bike nor I particularly like washboard dirt roads and about 30 - 35 mph seems to be its most comfortable speed, at least where I rode. The bike encourages taking it easy, sightseeing to an extent and stopping to look around periodically. I enjoyed it.

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The road to Diamond Tail Ranch and the coal-mining ghost town of Hagan which went belly-up in 1924.

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Thu Apr 24, 2025 8:43 am

Beautiful pic Walt! I'd love to ride the west someday.
I agree with your impression of the TW. For me, that's part of the enjoyment. I can cruise the country and not miss anything. It's also easy to get into tougher spots with no work or stress.
I WILL get choppy in washboard or whoops. My opinion is that this is partially suspension, but also the short wheelbase. The wheelbase makes wheelies difficult too. Especially if you want to hold them for any distance. Standing will help in the chop and whoops. IMO, the single biggest improvement is stiffer fork springs. The Forks are definitely the most lacking. It's a cheap fix, but I haven't done it yet.

I love that little bike.

Walt · Post by **Walt** » Thu Apr 24, 2025 9:31 am

You and Kristi come on out. We have a guest bedroom waiting for you.

Best of all, you won't need to bring your bikes cuz mine are just like yours!

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Thu Apr 24, 2025 10:19 am

Thank you Walt! I really appreciate the offer. I'd bring my Jeep too! Lots of places to see out there.

Well, dad and I went to camp yesterday. It was really nice out. There was only a few patches of snow here and there. Still 4 wheeler only going as the frost is going out. I even hit a couple spots that were spongy with the 4 wheeler. The old ice shack and the out house doors were sticky. Lots of frost in the ground this year. The camp didn't seem to move much, if any.
I split up the end of the wood that I cut last winter. Some was buried in snow or frozen in so I couldn't do it before.
We took the four wheeler down to the clearing by the stream. A big spruce had fallen last in some wind so I cut that up and stacked a little by the fire pit down there. It was a good day.

Walt · Post by **Walt** » Thu Apr 24, 2025 4:00 pm

As always, I enjoy your pictures, Jay. Thanks!

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Thu Apr 24, 2025 5:22 pm

Anytime Walt. I know GK likes camp pics too, so I try and post a few here and there.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Fri Apr 25, 2025 3:41 am

Jay I always appreciate your photos of camp (my Idea of heaven) as I have hunted in some beautiful places but I have never owned anywhere to call my own. Watching you build the cabin from that old trailer was inspirational. One thing sprang to mind looking at your last photos is your nicely cut and stack of firewood, my son now keeps me supplied with wood but it has been cut and split by others so I don't get uniform sized logs like I did when I cut it myself, still I can't complain it's free and requires no effort on my part, he does bring me some to split now and then just so me and my axe don't get too rusty

Back at my old place in Hampshire.

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OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Fri Apr 25, 2025 6:18 am

Cool pic buddy!
I must confess, however, you've probably done more wood than I have. We've always burned oil at home, so Ive only used wood at camp or when I've helped someone put their wood up. That pile is pretty sketchy in truth. When we started the stack, there was snow, and when it melted part of the pile fell over. We stacked it back the other day. It still isn't the best but we have to move it again.
We are planning on building a shed behind those two piles of wood. We will have to cut those small poplars and a couple pine. It will be about 8x 20 or 24. An end wall will be open on the right so we can drive the tractor in. The left end will have an opening in the face towards camp for wood. Nothing fancy. Just cut some spruce for posts and build off those. Haven't decided what we will do for the roof yet. I meant to do it last year but never did.
If I somehow manage to actually do it, I will take pics and keep you up to date on the project. I have SO much to do up there I'll never get it done.