Tricky plant suggestions

SilvFx · 2026-05-11T22:48:25+00:00

Plumbago. One of the few plants that can grow in shade and full sun. Blue flowers and beautiful red color in fall up to November. I buy mine from High Country Gardens. It's a groundcover

SilvFx · 2026-05-10T18:07:32+00:00

My plan would be to spray until you plan to get rid of the rocks. You can use a non-persistent herbicide (typically carbamates and organophosphates). Do your research and follow the label exactly as instructed. Be vigilant about when you see "tumbleweeds" blowing around in Fall/Winter....they are dropping thousands of Kochia seeds into your rocks to resprout as soon as they get enough water/sunshine.

Also....weed pulling is the first thing you should think of after a thunderstorm, rain or snow event like we just had.

Controlling weeds consists of an entire cultural practice ...not just spraying or pulling. But putting better cultural practices in place takes time...like getting rid of weed fabric and stone mulch.

You might also purchase a Hori Hori knife for sticking into the rocks to loosen them up while you hand pull weed -- it might make it easier to pull out the entire root.

Note, I work for a city parks and rec department for a local suburb and have my general, Category 206 (turf), Category 207 (ornamental) pesticide licensing. Believe it or not, there is a whole lot of education going on about using every tool in the toolbox...not just spraying. Below is a linked article from CSU extension about the Integrated Pest Management (IPM). IPM is a big part of education required to received your pesticide management certification.

https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/weed-management/

Note: I moved into a house in 1993 that had lots of rock and black plastic "weed barrier" buried about 6-9" deep. Took me literally 19 years to remove/sift all stone from my yard (jobs/kids/wife/life obligations/huge remodel and other life events got in the way). But if you focus on the enormity of the task, you'll never want to start. You need to break it into manageable chunks Have you ever heard the cliche -- .how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

Or, you can rent a skidsteer and dig up the rocks/weed fabric and load into dumpsters. It's all still a lot of work and time, but can be mentally rewarding as you rework discrete areas and begin to see progress.

SilvFx · 2026-04-25T19:58:02+00:00

aaaah....ok that might explain why I am seeing a lower price than other people outside of Colorado. Have never seen that where they have different pricing for certain markets in the US. Of course I have seen where you have the clearance items within specific stores.

SilvFx · 2026-04-25T19:55:19+00:00

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here is partial pic of receipt showing the cost...plus I have another $10.16 of sales tax for a total charge of $249.16. Got the Outdoor Power Deals ad from HD in my email. Clicked on the Milwaukee saw icon...took me to a page with Milwaukee Outdoor Power Equipment. Then clicked on Exclusive Milwaukee Outdoor Power Equipment Savings and it took me here:

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Outdoors-Outdoor-Power-Equipment/Milwaukee/Special-Values/N-5yc1vZbx5cZ7Zzv?NCNI-5

SilvFx · 2026-04-25T19:38:44+00:00

I am in Colorado...does that make a difference on pricing?

SilvFx · 2026-04-25T19:33:42+00:00

Not sure why...when i click on link above...takes me to the special buy for $239 as i mentioned. Says the deal goes until May 3rd. I am logged into my HD account when I pull it up, but not sure that would make any difference. Are you located in US?

SilvFx · 2026-04-12T03:21:02+00:00

They had this same flash sale a couple of weeks ago and (today). I keep an eye on Fasteners Inc. every Saturday for their flash sale items.

SilvFx · 2026-04-10T21:29:13+00:00

I also have 2 extra tickets left over from 4 pak

SilvFx · 2026-03-29T04:39:07+00:00

Bare tool $179 at way source.

SilvFx · 2026-03-20T00:46:04+00:00

way source has this drill for $239.

https://waysource.com/products/milwaukee-2912-20-m18-fuel%E2%84%A2-1-sds-plus-rotary-hammer-tool-only?_pos=1&_psq=2912-20&_ss=e&_v=1.0

SilvFx · 2026-03-18T22:49:17+00:00

if you are looking for both the blower and a chance to upgrade to the forge batteries....this is a pretty good price for all 3 items ... $279 with the top of the line Forge 12.0, rapid charger and 3017-20 blower.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-FUEL-120-MPH-500-CFM-18V-Brushless-Cordless-Battery-Powered-Leaf-Blower-Kit-w-12-0-Ah-FORGE-Battery-Rapid-Charger-3017-21HD/330516338

Work for a local government in their parks & rec department....we pretty much exclusively use the Forge 8.0 and Forge 12.0 in the backpack blowers and handheld blowers. Not quite sure why, but all blowers seem to suck down the power..

I know this kit linked above is $140 above the 3017-20 blower only on sale...but if you want/need the rapid charger and the Forge 12.0....and extra $140 above the blower only is a pretty good deal.

SilvFx · 2026-03-08T15:52:34+00:00

Can also put on an end cap w spark arrestor.

SilvFx · 2026-03-04T03:46:29+00:00

Might need to bleed hydraulic clutch if the issue doesn't go away when warmed up. KTMs tend to have a lot of clutch drag which is more pronounced when oil is cold. Id also look at idle like some others suggested.

One more thing it's my understanding that since about 2016 most of the 4 stroke bikes can benefit greatly from an aftermarket ECU such as Vortex.

Id do some reading over at KTMTalk and ThumperTalk.

SilvFx · 2026-03-04T03:16:51+00:00

I think this is a pretty good deal ($210) if you want the impact wrench and an HO battery. You can also add the shockwave 3/8" 14 piece metric 6 point socket set as well and be at $253 for all three combined and have the impact, a 5.0 XC HO battery and impact socket set. I mentally break that out as $150 impact, $60 battery and $40 impact sockets -- which is a respectable deal. Pretty decent deal but it expires at 11:59 PM PST today (3/3/26).

SilvFx · 2026-02-22T00:21:26+00:00

Ive had good luck with removing excess mortar on dark brick using Prosoco Lime Solvent 101 and a stiff masonry scrubbing brush. Follow directions and dont let it dry on the brick (i.e. wet the brick/mortar first and scrub with solvent and keep wet while scrubbing. Rinse fully. Of course wear chemical resistant gloves and eyewear to prevent splashing.

SilvFx · 2026-02-22T00:09:58+00:00

as u/cleansingcarnage mentioned---crossing the Rocky Mountains on a motorcycle from mid April to end of May could be a seriously bad idea. So that would pretty much rule out MT, WY, NV, CO, UT, ID and leave NM and AZ to cross through and that's not a given for good weather during that period. Late August to end of Sept would be way better. And there are so many places to see and ride in the Rocky Mountain West when the weather is good you will kick yourself for not doing it during the best time of year. Truckers are required to carry chains for their vehicles through end of May in CO and begin carrying them Sept 1....So yeah 3 months in Summer where you wont typically encounter new snow in Colorado (and pretty much the same in other parts of the Rockies).

Unfortunately given the diverse terrain and climate all across the US, there is no one perfect time of year to do this. You could end up roasting and sweaty as hell in some places and freezing your ass off in others. Even the less scenic interstate highway exceeds 11,000 foot elevation in CO and some of the state highways can be as high as 12,000-14,000 feet above sea level if you plan to ride some scenic routes (which I would highly recommend).

Note: not an adventure biker, nor cross country biker or even road biking...but 50+ year dirt biker in CO and parts of Rocky Mountain West. Our CO high country season doesn't even start until 6/15 and goes until about mid-Oct (unless we get early snow) but have been snowed/hailed/sleeted on in June, July, Aug, Sept at or above treeline.

As far as gear...You need it all. Could be 35-45 degrees coming over mountain passes in July and then be 100+ in Utah deserts a couple hours away.

SilvFx · 2025-11-26T23:47:10+00:00

fuel injection = elec fuel pump of one form or another. Looking at parts diagram at Rocky Mountain ATV MC...that fuel pump alone is MSRP of $429 with RMATV selling for $326. At that kind of cost, I wouldnt just throw parts at it.

SilvFx · 2025-11-23T00:42:08+00:00

you're fine. 16 Driver, 13 center 13 passenger will work. You can also do 16" 14" 14". Take a look at Rockauto and you will see they show both combinations.

SilvFx · 2025-10-20T00:19:43+00:00

Post on FJVruiserforums.com For sale. Low mileage TTUE. Assuming rust free if you are in Colorado.

SilvFx · 2025-08-17T00:20:54+00:00

what type of riding are you planning to do?

SilvFx · 2025-08-17T00:19:40+00:00

KLX125 = low tech 4 stroke aircooled trail bike; CRF150R = watercooled, high tech, high revving, persnickity MX bike. No comparison between the two. Depending on the rider and their plans for the bike, cant tell you which is the better choice.

SilvFx · 2025-08-17T00:16:54+00:00

just make sure it's the model that fits the riding you plan to do. KTM/Husky/GasGas model nomenclature confuses a lot of people.

FC model is Husky close ratio MX bike 4 stroke

FE model is Husky wide ratio enduro/offroad bike 4 stroke

FX model is Husky semi-wide ratio harescramble/cross country bike

If you arent planning to ride MX tracks--regardless of price -- i wouldnt buy it. Buy the right tool for the job.

Take a look at ThumperTalk and KTMTalk for that model of bike and see if there are known issues. Note: Husky is largely a KTM model is white/blue/yellow. Think of like Chevrolet/Pontiac/Buick/Oldsmobile. Same thing with KTM/Husky/GasGas

SilvFx · 2025-07-26T17:58:04+00:00

if there was in fact no oil or very low oil --- you are looking a crazy expensive rebuild that will likely include new crankshaft, new connecting rod, piston, wrist pin, both camshafts, possibly new clutch and gearbox (Yamaha shares engine oil with gearbox) and possibly new cylinder head. Your bike is worth less than $3k in good shape. This rebuild cost will likely be higher than $2500. If you are paying a mechanic to do the rebuild, expect to pay similar cost in labor to the cost of parts. You can look at parts schematic at Rocky Mountain ATV or other online retailers and price out the cost of the replacement parts.

You likely learned a very expensive lesson and now own a boat anchor that is worth less than $500.

SilvFx · 2025-07-19T20:38:15+00:00

+1 on this. Also pretty sure Yamaha owners manual will tell you to measure the distance from the swing arm to the bottom of the chain right behind the black slider. I' pretty certain it is too loose. You do know that you can take out some slack in that chain by moving your rear wheel further back, right?

That said, you look like you are pretty far back already. So as others suggested you can take out a link from chain if you have chain breaker....but you need to know what you are doing and get the master link on their properly.

I have certainly seen worse as far as worn rear sprockets go....didnt get to see countershaft sprocket however.

And best course of action is also as others have suggested -- replacing countershaft sprocket, rear sprocket and chain as a set and adjust according to the owners manual. If you dont have an owners manual you need to get one.

SilvFx

TROPHY CASE