Baby's First Bath

Brian was down this Sunday with a big batch of parts.  First on the agenda was installing the new gas tank, fuel level sending unit, and fill pipe:

Air wrench



Next, the rear disk brakes:

Speed wrench



Still need to hook up the hydraulic lines and parking brake cable

One of the items he brought down was a new under-dash wiring harness.  This will keep me occupied for a long time, I think.  On the left is the new harness, and on the right the old one.  I will have to clean up and transfer various knobs, ignition switch, light switch, etc. from the old one:

The car was getting pretty dirty just sitting in my shop for half a year since it was painted, so we decided to give it a bath:

If it wasn't for those ugly wheels and tires it would be looking pretty good.  Still riding a bit high without an engine to load the front suspension.  There is a chrome rocker molding strip coming which will add a bit more bling:

And then we end the day with the traditional shootout:

Foursome

Usually when guys our age form up a foursome, it's to play golf.  Not us........we ride.  Orv led Mike, Ross, and I on a ride up the Columbia Gorge yesterday, with all the good side roads included.  It was supposed to rain in the late afternoon, but I got home with only a few drops on me. 

This was at a stop just before lunch in Glenwood.  We had lots of great views of Mt Adams and Mt Hood on this ride. 

Orv took us to a viewpoint I had not seen before.  It was a view of the Klickitat river canyon off the Glenwood Highway.  We had to do a little off road riding to get there, though:

Not a great photo of the view, but it was pretty spectacular.

Another photo at the viewpoint; not so spectacular.

Further on we came upon another view of the Klickitat further downstream, near where it joins the Columbia. 

It was great to get all of us out together on a ride again after a long winter.  The weather was great for this time of  year, but the roads were sort of crap due to all the fine gravel in most of the corners.  It is put down during the winter to provide traction in snow and ice, but takes awhile to clear off in the Spring.  Doesn't matter........it was still a good ride on good roads with good friends.  





Finally, a riding post

Spring is not far off, and we have had some nice weather.  Mike called for a ride to Astoria to eat the famous Albacore Tuna fish and chips at the Bow Picker.  No way was Carolyn going to miss that, so we rode double over there and took some "good roads" back.  Here are some pics from the day:

The "restaurant" is a walk-up converted fishing boat.  The type of fishing they did with it was off the bow, rather than stern trolling, thus the moniker "bow picker".   At one time there was a whole fleet of them in Astoria, but no more.  Anyway, it has fish and chips to die for, and unfortunately, it is well known.  At no time when we have gone there has there not been a line of people.  The only things lacking are indoor places to sit and beer, but we make do. 

They have a couple of picnic tables around the place and it was warm enough with our riding gear on (for Carolyn and I), to enjoy the outdoor dining.  Mike's daughter Amanda rode along with him and Mike enjoyed his first street ride since late last year. 

Before we headed back, we stopped at the Astoria Column.  Amanda had never been there, and she and I climbed the many steps to the top.

 The views from up there on this perfectly clear day were fantastic!

On the way back we took scenic and curvy roads and stopped for a late' in the little burg of Birkenfeld.  It was a real kick-back ride, but the kind Carolyn and I excel at. 

However, with the late start because of the cold morning, and the dawdling around, it ended up getting late and cool by the time we got home.  A hot bath in the jet tub was a perfect end to the 216 mile day. 

It has not been full stop on the car, though.  Brian and Colin were down last weekend, but since they didn't arrive until late Saturday, what we mostly accomplished was a trip to Del Pro on Sunday to buy parts.  We took a break from what little work we did to do a little target shooting. 

Colin is fascinated with guns and I think it best that he learns to become familiar with them and learn to handle then in a responsible way.  And anyway, it won't be too long before the gov'ment yanks them away from my cold dead hands (ha ha).   I bought the rifle he is shooting with my own money when I was 14 years old,  just a little older than Colin.  When I was in college I used to leave my dorm early on a weekend morning and walk across campus with the rifle slung over my shoulder to go hunting in the surrounding farmland.  Times have sure changed. 

But, I digress.  Remember the seat belt retractor that I was not happy with because it was too far from the car body?  I made my own bracket that placed it where I think I want it, but I will not be sure until the carpet pad, carpet, and rear seat are installed. 

Before

After

Brian and I also put in a new parking brake cable and clutch actuating mechanism.  The zip lock bag contains parts that will be attached to the engine, when we get one. 

Also, a turn signal switch: