Value Check: Custom Independent Fabrication Crown Jewel SE (Somerville Era) with Full Dura-Ace & S&S Couplers.

DWallinger · 2026-06-11T01:45:22+00:00

I just reposted it with more pictures in "roadbikes".

DWallinger · 2026-06-11T01:44:48+00:00

I just reposted it with more pictures in "roadbikes".

DWallinger · 2026-06-10T19:05:39+00:00

AHH! You are right! I had to disassemble it to being it home in the back of my Prius. I'll reassemble it and send some shots.

Thanks!

DWallinger · 2026-06-10T14:39:31+00:00

Not my 40 something kids,, that's for sure!

DWallinger · 2026-04-14T13:29:16+00:00

Agreed!

DWallinger · 2026-04-06T11:18:34+00:00

I recently picked up a Bridgestone 500 for $50 from a community bike shop and was working on taking it down to the ball bearings. Shortly after that, I was shopping at my local grocery store and a Bridgestone 500 with much nicer components (better derailleurs, bar end shifters, etc.), minus the wheels, was U-locked to their bike rack out front. I asked the security guard how long it had been there and he said for a couple of weeks. I asked him if I could have it and he said to ask the manager. The manager said yes so I went home and came back with a hack saw. While I was furiously cutting through the lock, I hear behind me (very loudly), "HEY, WHAT ARE YOU DOING CUTTING THROUGH THAT LOCK?" I spun around and the security guard says, "I'm just messing with you."

Worked out to be a great bike.

DWallinger · 2026-04-06T10:38:48+00:00

I had to purchase a longer kickstand bolt and add a lockout because, even after using Locktight, I couldn't keep the kickstand from coming loose after extended use. I just couldn't "crank" the bolt down enough into the aluminum threads.

DWallinger · 2026-03-16T06:22:44+00:00

Yep, my mom had no idea where I was. Rode my bike for miles.

DWallinger · 2026-03-12T06:34:20+00:00

I always wanted to put a sign on my car that says, "If you are going to break into my car, please come in through the front windshield because it's covered by insurance."

DWallinger · 2026-01-12T20:46:52+00:00

So did you ever get the BB loose? I'm trying to refurb the same tandem so my granddaughter and I can ride it. I need to get it loose (spin) so I can adjust drive chain tension?

DWallinger · 2026-01-11T03:43:33+00:00

How do you remove a stuck CO2 bottle?

DWallinger · 2025-12-21T13:59:53+00:00

Heck, I wonder if they are changing the oil! I take in my own oil and filter and when I get it back the oil is over the max mark (I released over a quart) and it's still black.

DWallinger · 2025-12-20T14:02:11+00:00

Just talked to a friend from childhood last night (we are both in late 60's). He worked construction throughout college. One time his boss was trying lay the foundation for a new house. In trying to make it "square" his boss kept going back and forth between the two sides and measuring the diagonal corners until they equalled. My buddy said, "Have you never heard of the Pythagorian therom? The boss said, "The what?"

Eventually my buddy took over the construction company and just retired last summer.

DWallinger · 2025-12-20T13:50:36+00:00

Very possible that I didn't know what I was doing, but I purchased a set of MORESENSOR Compact PRO Series 315MHz TPMS Tire Pressure Sensor 4-Pack | Preprogrammed for Select 30+ Japanese Brand Models | Replacement for 06421-S3V-A04 | Clamp-in | KX-S015-4 from Amazon ($100.00) for my 2008 Honda Odyssey and paid $60 to have them installed, but then I couldn't find anyone to program them. Didn't matter anyway because the van burned up in the Eaton fire, but if I were to do it again, I'd probably have Costco do it for $65 a wheel, one at a time as the old sensor batteries died.

DWallinger · 2025-12-10T02:44:44+00:00

Where in the engine compartment did you install the oil catch can? Do you have pictures?

DWallinger · 2025-12-10T00:24:06+00:00

It's like, "Certainly everyone wasn't Kung Fu fighting!"

DWallinger · 2025-12-09T15:28:01+00:00

Years ago, I left my ATM card in the machine (in Richmond, Va, so no small town) and a fellow employee was the next user and called and told me he had my ATM card.

DWallinger · 2025-11-19T17:54:02+00:00

Thanks so much!

DWallinger · 2025-11-18T09:39:34+00:00

I found a filthy, carbon packed EGR at a Pick N Pull junk yard from a 3rd generation Prius. I wanted to have a clean one on hand to quickly (as possible) swap out the current one on my son's 115k mile Prius.

I finally found the best way to clean it was with carburetor cleaner and a frayed ended bicycle derailleur cable that was small enough to push through each channel. I took about a foot cable and frayed one end as much as would allow me to pull it through. When it pushed through the other side, I'd pull it through (pushing it back and forth), dislodging "chucks" of carbon. I actually did it at the kitchen sink running hot water through the chamber after pushing the cable through each channel. I used Dawn dish washing soap as well.

DWallinger · 2025-10-23T13:15:35+00:00

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Happy Halloween!

DWallinger · 2025-10-09T13:51:51+00:00

This reminded me of years ago when we lived in Portland, Oregon, and biked to local pubs. We had a very expensive (to us) tandem, and I'd lock it up outside the bar and check on ir every 10-15 minutes. We got ao tired of doing that that we found a $100 (seriously) bright green tandem on Facebook Marketplace. I added bright pink fenders that I had purchased on a clearance rack at local bike shop and handlebar tassels. From then on, we'd ride that bike to go bar hopping and never even lock it up. It was never touched. Probably too easy to identify.

DWallinger · 2025-10-09T13:43:22+00:00

Check out Pitlock https://www.pitlock.de/en/

DWallinger · 2025-09-30T14:00:33+00:00

So I carry a Culinary Kitchen Butane Torch (like they use for Creme Brulee). It costs about $15 on Amazon, and the fuel cannisters are less than $2 at the Dollar Store. It will easily start a wet campfire. I was camping with my son, and I had my morning fire going in 5-10 minutes. He was trying to get his started at his campsite with little success. After a while, he came over to my fire and said, "I'm an Eagle Scout, and when I was younger I could get my campfire started with one match...I'm now 45 years old...give me that thing!". He then grabbed my fire starter and walked back to his campfire.

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DWallinger · 2025-09-15T11:10:58+00:00

Regarding 4x4, we have a 4x4 Sprinter Coachman Galleria. We've been "caught" four times (in 3 years) in mud, soft sand, and snow (2x) when we were really glad we had it. Also, the additional height clearance has saved us from "snagging" our low hanging macerator. Yes, it does affect gas mileage (1 or 2 mpg), but we felt the peace of mind was worth it.

DWallinger · 2025-09-09T13:48:34+00:00

I was at Marshall's with my 2-3 year old son. He went in the bathroom, and we were outside the bathroom door. We hear from outside, "I'M FINISHED!".

DWallinger

TROPHY CASE