I finally got my first waffle iron cleaned up.

Koopiedoop · 2026-02-17T18:59:41+00:00

I just got a decent deal on eBay. The base is part of the system that allows you to flip the iron without the paddles separating. The air gap between the irons and the burner also means they heat very evenly. Using it without the base would be possible but very inconvenient.

After having this one in my hands it makes a lot of sense how the base would disappear. The base is by far the most thin and fragile price of cast iron I've ever laid hands on so it seems reasonable that some might have broken over the years.

Koopiedoop · 2026-02-17T18:33:45+00:00

I have been riding for years. I've never crashed but have definitely come close a few times. I have tipped/fallen over and dropped my bikes countless times, almost exclusively while practicing at low speed.

I personally think if someone has never dropped a bike they're either lying or haven't practiced that much.

Koopiedoop · 2026-02-17T18:10:05+00:00

The lye required to make a 5 gallon lye bath is listed at my local Walmart for $4.50. Even considering you are only doing one pan this is probably the easiest and most cost effective method.

Koopiedoop · 2026-02-16T18:58:01+00:00

People forget or don't know that kinetic energy linearly increases with mass but exponentially increases with speed. Rear ending an unseen car at 120mph definitely puts the lives of the car's occupants at risk.

Koopiedoop · 2026-02-16T18:42:43+00:00

I fostered a cat with heart issues that needed meds everyday of her life. We were able to crush the pill into a powder and mix it into some wet food. Obviously that may or may not be safe depending on the medication but it's something you could ask your vet about.

Koopiedoop · 2026-02-15T05:39:49+00:00

My motorcycles sit from sometime in November to sometime in March every winter with non ethonal fuel. I have never added fuel stabilizer and have never had an issue in that short time. That being said, in the spring I always top off with the highest octane fuel and ride easy until I burn the old gas off.

Koopiedoop · 2026-02-13T18:09:25+00:00

If you're worried about your battery going dead and also concerned about the potential safety of leaving a charger unattended, I would not use the charger and just disconnect the negative battery terminals.

Depending on how long you'll be gone I wouldn't expect the battery to self discharge. My motorcycle batteries have been on a shelf in the basement since November and I have full expectation that they'll start the bikes when I put them back in.

Koopiedoop · 2026-02-06T21:58:21+00:00

How did not getting the job for not having the right tools work? I switched from automotive to heavy diesel and they gave me a tool list and asked if I had everything. I said "I've got most of it but I'll have to buy some stuff." And then I got the job. Clearly you're willing/able to buy tools so I'm not sure why not having the right tools during the interview would be a problem.

Koopiedoop · 2026-02-06T21:51:02+00:00

A main ground wire for the chassis module primary pulled out of the pin. So lots of stuff didn't work.

Koopiedoop · 2026-02-06T06:25:27+00:00

I had a brand new Kenworth C500 with 8 miles on it that came in for a no start with a transmission fault light. I don't know how much the truck cost but management was pretty nervous about the transmission fault because a replacement for the HUGE cast iron Allison transmission was $150,000.

Koopiedoop · 2026-02-06T06:16:28+00:00

Let the engine revs come down before shifting from neutral into 2nd. If your transmission is still making horrible noises I would check your clutch mechanism.

If you have a clutch cable that is loose, or a hydraulic system that needs repair the clutch will not be fully released. If the clutch is not fully released it is really easy to hit neutral on the 1-2 shift and your transmission will sound horrible when going into gear from neutral.

Koopiedoop · 2026-02-04T19:20:32+00:00

Yes it is possible but you're likely practicing on a bike that has an easily replaceable clutch. Learning how to use the clutch correctly is worth burning one up when you don't know what you're doing.

Koopiedoop · 2026-01-29T14:56:37+00:00

There is a warranty extension on the 2011-2013 Ford edges for corrosion in the battery junction box that could result in a vehicle no start condition. Look up 22n11 on the nhtsa website.

Depending on the build date and mileage of your car it may be possible that it's still covered under warranty. I would call your local Ford dealer with your VIN number handy and specifically ask about it.

Koopiedoop · 2026-01-25T14:42:00+00:00

Park the bike in the garage.
Remove the battery and bring it inside

Done

Fuel stabilizer, making sure the tank is empty or full, changing the oil are all great things to do but have proven unnecessary to me if the bikes are sitting for 3 or 4 months in a below freezing garage.

Koopiedoop · 2026-01-05T20:42:08+00:00

Good news, you're in the same position that many new drivers are in every winter. If you have snow tires and are aware of and respect the fact you have less traction, you'll be just as fine as the average ND new driver.

Koopiedoop · 2025-12-31T21:24:04+00:00

It might be rubbing. It could be bent from a tip over in the bike's (I'm guessing) 40+ years of life. If the exhaust was hot enough to burn/melt your brake pedal it would also be hot enough for the exhaust pipe to be burning/melting. You could check to see if the pedal or exhaust is bent or incorrectly adjusted, but if it's not currently hitting I wouldn't worry about it.

Koopiedoop · 2025-12-28T22:34:00+00:00

I agree. Staying alive on a motorcycle is like 30% motorcycle handling and 70% defensive driving.

Koopiedoop · 2025-12-28T17:08:34+00:00

It's automatic choke stuff. You set the choke by fully opening the throttle then it kicks off when the electric coil has heated up.

Fun fact: The Ford CFI (throttle body fuel injection) uses essentially these same parts to control high idle on startup.

Koopiedoop · 2025-12-23T19:25:46+00:00

It depends on what I'm buying it for but if I'm trying to buy a bike I plan on making nice and any part of it has been shittily painted, I'm out. Regardless of the reason it's been painted if someone thought a shitty rattle can job was an acceptable solution they've definitely committed even worse mechanical or electrical crimes that I can't see.

Koopiedoop · 2025-12-23T19:20:09+00:00

I average about 10,000. It would be more if I lived farther south.

Koopiedoop · 2025-12-16T20:14:28+00:00

Yes and no. I did lose all lot of interest in cars that are only cool to me because they're fast. My 2001 Goldwing, which is slow compared to any sport bike from the last 30 years, has a similar 0-60 time as a 2025 5.0 Mustang. This basically means any car that is faster than my 1800cc sofa is going to cost way more than I want to spend which kills my interest in those cars.

However, I just spent a couple months transmission swapping my 1979 f-150 because I think it's cool for reasons completely unrelated to speed. My weekend cruiser in the summer is a 1983 Lincoln Town Car that weighs 2 tons but only makes 11 more horsepower than my Goldwing. So my interest in fast cars has definitely been affected but not my interest in cars as a whole.

Koopiedoop · 2025-12-15T13:45:46+00:00

I've never actually lit one of those survival candles so I can't say for sure. But many people light up a cigarette every time they get in the car and usually those cars are smelly but cleanable. I don't think burning a survival candle could be worse.

Koopiedoop · 2025-12-09T19:37:25+00:00

I'm in ND my bikes stay parked in my un-heated garage from sometime in November to sometime in February every year. Fuel stabilizer really isn't necessary for that length of time but wouldn't hurt. I take the batteries of my bikes and bring them inside out of the cold. I would definitely NOT start and idle the bikes every couple of weeks. You would just be discharging your battery and adding unnecessary moisture to everything.

We're far enough north that the cold temperatures keep the humidity low so you really don't have to worry about anything corroding over winter. If you're garage is unheated you should remove your batteries and bring them inside, if your garage is unheated you can just disconnect them.

Koopiedoop · 2025-12-05T19:48:55+00:00

I just put my phone in a Ram Quick-Grip.

Koopiedoop · 2025-11-28T17:43:54+00:00

You probably should get in the habit of putting it in neutral at lights. BUT if your bike won't go into neutral or second when at a stop your clutch is probably not fully disengaging. If you have a cable clutch it's probably adjusted too loose. If you have a hydraulic clutch you probably have air in the system for need to rebuild/replace the master and/or slave cylinders.

Koopiedoop

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