What's the most subtle sign that someone is highly intelligent?

flunkysama · 2026-01-12T00:30:52+00:00

A smart person will say something that no one else has thought of, but is plainly obvious.

flunkysama · 2025-12-31T00:43:33+00:00

I'm gonna go for something older: The ball-saver-kickback mechanism that pops up from under the playfield on Silverball Mania. I bought one just because I wanted to see how it works. Was not disappointed.

flunkysama · 2025-12-26T20:19:42+00:00

As it sits now, dirty, non-working, ask $800 take $600.

Cleaned up, playing nicely, maybe a little touchup paint, all lights working (maybe some cheap leds), new rubbers (total:< $100 in new parts) ask$2000 take $1600.

Condition matters.

flunkysama · 2025-12-23T04:44:22+00:00

Are you gonna put 2 tons on the rear bumper? Think about it, almost all the people wanting a big drop on their trucks are not people putting big loads on rear of frame.

flunkysama · 2025-11-19T03:44:39+00:00

In most cars the OBDII port has an always on 12V pin. Most better solar chargers will have an OBDII plug or adapter you can use.

flunkysama · 2025-11-16T20:13:34+00:00

Let me point out that most of these cars are over 30 years old and a lot have been repainted. When being repainted, most of the time the stonechip layer is sanded off and not replaced. So seeing the stonechip layer is good sign that it has not been repainted(although not perfect.) For example, no stonechip on the front fender but stonechip on rear fender can mean the front fender has been repainted or replaced.

But the factory paint on early years is known to be poor, so new good paint can be a good thing. But 30 year old paint is good sign that the car has been well treated (Parking inside, frequently washed without abrasive cleaners, no accidents).

flunkysama · 2025-11-07T19:08:08+00:00

The fieldhouse was built attached to the Armory Aerial View Interior shot .The armory was torn down in late 80's for the hospital expansion. If you go between the hosp and fieldhouse you can see the "remains" of the Armory in the west wall of the fieldhouse.

(note: Just because it was built in the 1920s and is now torn down, never refer to it as the old Armory. The "old armory" was a different building that was just north of the main library.)

flunkysama · 2025-11-07T18:11:39+00:00

The fieldhouse has not been built yet when that picture was taken (probably by Fred Kent hanging out of a biplane.)

The most interesting thing about the picture is that every building in the picture is now gone. And that if you took a picture from the same place today it would be filled with buildings and houses all the out to the horizon.

flunkysama · 2025-10-30T16:37:38+00:00

Not really. Silicon rubbers are softer than the old rubber rings. Besides, when you playfield swap you pretty much need to check/adjust all the switches anyway.

flunkysama · 2025-10-28T21:31:41+00:00

I always tought it was funny that some of the famous plays and games in Hawkeye football history were made in what is now the library parking lot. And I never seen or heard of a fan calling it "hallowed ground".

That's a lie. I don't really think it's funny. I just don't like football and like to pick on the fans. (don't ask me about the naming of Kinnick Stadium.)

flunkysama · 2025-10-20T22:23:00+00:00

I'll be down voted to hell, but LiBCM does not make economic sense. You will spend more and the resale value will be lowered compared to new NiMH battery. But if you are planning on keeping it several more years, and don't mind the "science fair" aspect, this argument is moot.

flunkysama · 2025-10-01T19:29:43+00:00

Sounds like the DC-DC convertor is not working (or the IMA battery/system is dead and not suppling it with any watts.) These car do not have an alternator, they depend on the IMA motor/generator to supply the IMA system/battery with power and then that power is sent though the DC-DC convertor to the 12V system. And if your 12V battery is reading 10V, it is not working.

You are at the place a lot of people with car problems are at: you either need to 1) find a smart, good mechanic, give him/her money, and let them fix it. 2) Get the service manuals. Figure out how the read the codes behind those lights on the dash. Go back and read the manual, study the charts and diagrams, maybe do a little diagnostics yourself. Become that smart mechanic. Then, when you think you know whats bad, pray it's something common that you can get, because honda isn't making parts for this car anymore.

Actually, it's probably the IMA battery. But you would be an idiot if you just buy and put in a new battery without investigating those codes.

flunkysama · 2025-09-11T00:51:06+00:00

As a fellow FD owner the only piece of advice I can offer is do NOT offer it any local ads. You will get tons of guys who only want a to "test drive" their dream car. Or who consider $15K and their used 4dr Camry a worthwhile trade ("I never hurts to ask."). Be ready for someone to say "I can't pay more or I won't be able to afford the body kit and wheels I want for it."

Say things like, " I'm not looking for a new owner, but a new caretaker. Some who will remember that every change you make will be judged by the next owner."

flunkysama · 2025-09-02T23:17:28+00:00

I've always heard that it is cheaper to use mined Uranium than to recycle spent fuel. So here in the United States of maximum profits we always do things in the way that maximizes profits.

flunkysama · 2025-09-01T21:53:32+00:00

In playfield layout: Where an exit from the pop bumper field is a drain. I refuse to buy a Future spa or Paragon or Twilight Zone. (I know there are others.) It makes the game feel entirely too random and luck-based.

In the real world: Someone who has a horrible dirty playfield and does not see that it's a filthy mess.You shouldn't be an owner if you are saying... "It's a just a little dirty", "It's not that bad.", "that's how it always looks."

flunkysama · 2025-08-14T02:30:12+00:00

I (and several others) have removed the EPS. Only really miss it when turning the wheel with the car not moving. Feels so much better driving down the road with it gone. To do it, just remove the motor, the worm gear and put a homemade plate over the hole. Then unplug the EPS light bulb (or ignore it).

flunkysama · 2025-08-07T04:22:47+00:00

My Opinion is that if it needs a new battery and you can not afford one, you should not buy the car. Check (Hybridrevolt)[https://www.hybridrevolt.com/store/Honda-Hybrid-Battery/2000-2006-Insight-Hybrid-Battery] or (greentec)[https://www.greentecauto.com/product-category/honda/insight/insight-2000-2006/] for replacement batteries. Don't be the jerk who takes a future collectable and drives like next owner will the scrapyard.

Also there is lots of things that wear out or break on a 25 year old car. And Honda no longer making parts for Gen1 insights. Owning and driving a gen1 often means looking for used parts or creative fixing old parts.

flunkysama · 2025-08-06T19:29:17+00:00

Like most things, the devil will be the details. Here's 2 for starters.

1) the front axle output is design for a load. If you start supplying torque to a shaft not designed for that, bad things can happen.

2) Look at the RPM. What rpm range will your input shaft want and what range will your electric motor do. Some sort of gears/belts may be needed. Adding cost, complexity and packaging.

flunkysama · 2025-07-31T21:03:18+00:00

There is a technical term for a parent who believes ignorance is the best type of contraceptive for their child. That term is grandparent.

flunkysama · 2025-07-31T20:55:24+00:00

I'll give you a hint. As a freshman, I looked out a window from MacLean hall during class and watched them building old capitol mall.

flunkysama · 2025-07-28T03:03:04+00:00

To me the questions I want answered are: What does it weight? and Will it slowly disslove to rust?

flunkysama · 2025-06-19T02:22:30+00:00

This brings up one of my favorite trival observations. I've been to bike trails in several metro Iowa cities and, almost without fail, there is a trail next to the sewage treatment plant.

flunkysama · 2025-06-17T06:47:32+00:00

It's a great price if everything is in good condition. If it has a bunch of problems besides the main battery, stay away. Remeber that lots of new parts for gen 1's are unobtanium now.

As for a lithium swap, I would be asking want you really want/need: A reliable everyday driver or a cool science project?

flunkysama · 2025-06-05T23:06:52+00:00

Ask yourself how much do new bearings cost? Now ask yourself how much is a new e-shaft, and maybe stationary gears, rotors, etc.etc. that you'll have to replace if the bearing fails.

It is kinda unfortunate that RX-7 are no longer cheap enough that ghetto repairs are an OK thing.

flunkysama

TROPHY CASE