Archive for August, 2011

Long time no update from me. I’ve recently started a new job and as such am no longer behind a computer screen for 90% of my day. The up side of this is that I will in the not too distant future, have the cash to get shit done on my projects. First port of call though, was getting my hopeful daily (the KPB310) sorted for it’s next attempt at a Warrant of Fitness.

You may remember the state of it.

Thankfully, I have a very nice and understanding panel-beater who sorted that side of it and will let me pay on my first full payday (which is now monthly).

The result of their labour is as follows;

The rust, it be gone! RHS Inner Guard

Obviously, I need to cover it up again but it needs to be visible as being done for when I take it for a warrant again, so they’re aware that I care.  Hah.

They found another little area that needed sorted, so did that too.

The patch you can see on the right hand side of the above photo was showing through as half a dozen tiny pinholes on the strut tower on the engine bay side, with it cut out, the rust sandwiched between the two panels was quite noticable indeed and I’m glad it was found and sorted.  Nothing quite like an eagle eyed panel beater who cares.

With that done, I sorted the hinges that needed done, or at least the driver’s side…  I will get on to the passenger’s side if need be, though the use it will get is minimal regardless.  Once it’s legit again, I’ll keep a casual eye out for some wheels, sort the ride height and just daily the living fuck out of it whilst putting all my pennies to the 110-Project, because let’s be honest, that’s the car that deserves it.

 

-Michael

BICYCLE GANG SUMMIT 2011

August 21, 2011

This Steez be Real.

Retro bikes of many types, both stock and heavily modified, all converged upon the pleasant resort town of Taupo for a weekend of cycle cruising, comb fights, jousting and other casual festivities. The weather was pretty much perfect all weekend with spectacularly sunny skies, though it did end up being rather chilly with the entire country riding out the end of a cold snap! (no pun intended)

Couldn't have asked for better weather than this.

Much DIY ingenuity was on display, with a number of super slammed custom two-wheeled rides turning up to scrape their way along the Taupo streets with much vigor and enthusiasm!

Complete with height control.

All in all, a great turnout for the first inaugural Bike Summit, and it looks like this will become another regular fixture on the hallowed OS calendar. Once again, thanks to the fair citizens of Taupo for being so accommodating, I guess it’s not every day that such an unconventional bunch of cyclists take to the streets of town! Check out Ed’s flickr album here, or click the link below for the official pics thread on OS which includes some shots from the 1VAKND trackday which was held concurrently on the Friday.

Cycle cruise.

Bicycle Gang Summit 2011 photos and videos on oldschool.co.nz forum »

After selling my white T-top MR2 SC, I lasted all of two weeks before giving in to temptation and commenced searching for another AW11 to trundle around in for everyday duties.

If anyone’s keeping count, this is number five.

Test drove a couple of examples up here in Auckland and was severely disappointed by a) price, b) various mechanical faults, and c) an endemic reluctance on the part of each seller to negotiate a) based on b). Gave Ewan @ hayatonka a call as well, but a search of the auctions and yards in Japan yielded no results within budget, apart from a couple examples with major rust that would never have passed compliance here in NZ without $$$$ worth of repairs :doubt:

Then just as I was about to give up, I received a phone call from a good friend in Wellington saying that one of his mates was selling a tidy hardtop manual AW11 SC, in more or less standard condition, and was I interested at all?

And it's all over you. Electric Blue.

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