Vulcan 800 Ape Hangers

I finally got around to installing my new bars. I ordered these a few weeks back, but I've been busy on the walkway and other stuff... I got the new throttle cables and clutch cable in on Tuesday, and the new brake line came on Thursday. I knew it was going to take a while, so I waited until this afternoon. It took most of the afternoon, and then Mel was complaining about not having her dinner, so I had to quit and cook and then eat. I was almost finished, and then I realized I don't know how to bleed brakes. I'd read about it, and I thought I did, but it turns out... I don't! After a quick call to Dad (who happens to know EVERYTHING about fixing on cars) I bled the lines and took her for a quick test ride. I did everything right! It clutches and shifts and brakes like it's supposed to. I'm really impressed with the Galfers stainless brake line. That is definitely worth the money. And they've got great customer service too! Always a plus! And I am impressed with my electrical skills! Everything works like it is supposed to. I figured I would solder everything and not worry with those quick connect pieces of junk. I didn't want one of them to come loose 50 miles from home, so I spent the extra effort to solder. And apparently I did it right. (Sorry for tootin' my own horn)

Quick test ride, then it started to rain! Typical.

Things left to do:
1) Get some bigger shielding for the electrical wires (I didn't realize there were so many wires in there) and install it.
2) Go for a long ride...................


Here are the stock bars


And the new ones! That's the 13" rise ape hangers from Flanders

Flagstone Walkway

I've been cutting stone and fitting it in for three days now, and I'm almost 1/3 of the way finished. At this pace, in another week I'll be done fitting stone. Then I can start putting in the grout sand and whatever else I decide to do to this walkway. I think it looks pretty good so far. I'll let you know my opinion when it gets closer to being completed. It's always a surprise when you work on something for a while, and then one day it dawns on you, "Hey this looks right, I've done a good job. Almost professional." I like that feeling. I'm almost getting that feeling looking at the pictures, but I'll know for sure in about six days.

Dia de las Madres... and Sand

So we had a great time on Mothers' Day. The family came over and we had fried chicken and the fixin's. Everyone was happy to either be a mother or have one... most everyone. There were at least two in the group who were celebra... spending Mothers' Day without a mother.


Oma, C, Douglas, Kaitlyn, Keith and Opa on Mothers' Day


Other side of the room: Tim, Opa, Leah, Larry and Cheri at the house


Oma and Cheri at the Mothers' Day banquet at their church

This afternoon I picked up my first load of sand. It went a little farther than I thought it would. I originally planned on three loads, but it looks like I'll only need one more. Tomorrow I'll get another load and order the flagstone for delivery. This is what the walkway looks like with the first load of sand put in. It is starting to look like an actual walkway.


The last time I went to the dirt store I got a piece of the flagstone I'll be using. This is what it looks like. It's sort of a brown with a little gray. It's more brown than it looks in the picture, and there is a lot of variety to the color. I think it will be a great looking walkway when I finish. Only time will tell.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

The tomatoes have been in for about 2 weeks, and they've more than tripled in size. One of them is even starting to develop blooms. I am really excited!


The herbs on top are doing well also. The basil is doing best, so here is a picture of it. The cilantro and thyme are also up, but not as big as the basil.


I've been working on our front walk for about a week now. I started last Thursday and have worked on it every day except Sunday since then. I still have to put sand on top of the gravel, then it's on to the flagstones. That should be fun... And one day maybe we'll get some real grass.


C finally pulled out his tooth last night! It's his upper incisor, and the other one is loose as well. So he may be able to sing about what he wants for Christmas and really mean it!

That's all I have to update on right now. Nothing much else is really happening... Except the weather, and it's always changing- kinda like us...

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Turn and face the strange (ch-ch-changes)
Don't want to be a richer man
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Turn and face the strange (ch-ch-changes)
Just gonna have to be a different man
Time may change me, but I can't trace time

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Turn and face the strange (ch-ch-changes)
Oh, look out, you rock and rollers
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Turn and face the strange (ch-ch-changes)
Pretty soon now, you're gonna get older
Time may change me, but I can't trace time
I said that time may change me, but I can't trace time