The old girl needs new shoes....

[Trex]

Originally Posted by constructor

Good work Rex. Haleys axels are due.

We got another camping trip in but have not gotten the bikes out. Work has been horrific. The twin road kings look so good together. We will get them out one if these days.

Speaking of Indians. The constructor has had a 53 since the 70s. Quite the machine.

Very nice bikes... Mr & Ms. Constructor, and yes you need to get them on the Road my friends. Harley's are made to ride...and not sit in your Garage.

Yesterday I finished drilling out the mounting holes for the back axle. I am moving a little slow this morning, after a day of moving 300+ pound axles into place. And squirming around on the concrete deck, like a worm...okay "like are very large worm." The last two days has made me feel like someone had taken a Louisville Slugger to my shoulders, back, and forearms.

But, I am very happy that I am done with the axles. I can now say that "The Old Girl Has New Shoes." Which means that I can now call "The Old Girl" by her given name....RITA! Which I promised The Bunny, I would do, once she had "New Shoes".

Soooo, how's that song go from the 60's? LOVELY RITA, METER MAID..

[Minno]

For the outlet covers, maybe you could try a paper covered thin cardboard stock that matches or complements the walls. I think that's the route I would go...

Kay

[Lance M]

Congratulations Rex! I'm sure you feel triumphant as well as a bit sore. Like the name too.

[Trex]

Originally Posted by Top

Congratulations Rex! I'm sure you feel triumphant as well as a bit sore. Like the name too.

Thanks TOP...it feels so good to have the axles done, I took the day off from Rita, and went on a bicycle ride with the Bunny. We started at the overlook above Shasta Dam and finished at the sundial Bridge, approx. 18 to 20 miles on the River trail.

Today's points of interest are; Baby ducks, Bunny and the 1st mayor of Redding: Trex likes the idea of free parking at a BLM boat ramp on Keswick Lake and river access.

[Lance M]

No fee. I love no fees. Looks like a nice place. The baby geese (goslings) are nice. They'll make a nice meal for Christmas!

[Trex]

Originally Posted by Top

No fee. I love no fees. Looks like a nice place. The baby geese (goslings) are nice. They'll make a nice meal for Christmas!

The geese in the Redding downtown city park are like chickens...they are very tame. We had to stop on the bike trail, because they had it blocked. Never ate a gosling.... are they pretty good eating?

[Lance M]

They will be by the time Christmas rolls around.

[Trex]

Originally Posted by Top

They will be by the time Christmas rolls around.

Yep... by this winter they will start their yearly migation to mexico, and most will be shot by hunters before they make it to their winter home.

PS, we have a whole chicken in the crock pot, and will be ready for fine dinning @ 5:00 pm. Raining today, so it's a good day to crock pot a chicken.

[Trex]

Yesterday I picked up the new shocks, and UPS dropped off the new lights for the overhead cabinet. So, I will post photo's in the PM.

There's a "Help the Homeless day" at the Redding convention center today. The Bunny, and her grandmother, are working that event today. I would like to go and help, but need to get the trailer back together, if we want to go camping this coming weekend. Next year hopefully, I can volunteer.

[Trex]

Today I intended to mount all four shocks... didn't happen. I got only 2 mounted. First thing that happen, was 2 of the shocks had the wrong size spacers in the box. Than, Napa Auto didn't have the correct size spacers in stock. The only other local store in Shasta Lake is ACE Hardware. Went there and got 12 washers and used those as a spacer between and the bolt and shock.

They only had the 12 washers at ACE, so I had to go to Redding to get the rest of the washes/spacers. I was thinking...."if I'm going to Redding", "I should take the old axles to the Metal recycling". And return the hand jacks I got from Capt. Kirk, who lives in Redding. Lots of drive time and not much work completed on Rita....

[Lance M]

Wow Rex! Those are some sexy yeller shocks! Adapt and overcome! In the Army, that's what we always say. Recycle? I thought you just throw 'em behind the garage in case you need them later on. Just kidding. I'm keeping the backing plates (almost new) and hub/drums off of my old axles. The rest will go to the scrap yard. Scrap yard just sounds more old school to me. Recycle makes me think of depositing my recyclables in the appropriate container all neat and orderly like we did in Germany for nine years. Plastic bottles and aluminum beer cans go to the recycle. Old axles go to the scrap yard! Oh, and don't forget to solder, wire nut and tape up those wires. Rita will be riding like a cloud!

[Trex]

Originally Posted by Top

Wow Rex! Those are some sexy yeller shocks! Adapt and overcome! In the Army, that's what we always say. Recycle? I thought you just throw 'em behind the garage in case you need them later on. Just kidding. I'm keeping the backing plates (almost new) and hub/drums off of my old axles. The rest will go to the scrap yard. Scrap yard just sounds more old school to me. Recycle makes me think of depositing my recyclables in the appropriate container all neat and orderly like we did in Germany for nine years. Plastic bottles and aluminum beer cans go to the recycle. Old axles go to the scrap yard! Oh, and don't forget to solder, wire nut and tape up those wires. Rita will be riding like a cloud!

Yep....plan to use my "Scrap Yard" money, ($31 bucks), to buy a new solder gun. My old solder gun died last time I used it. And yes, I went with Monrow shocks, not AS. And Yes, I read some of the Shock Threads this morning, (too late baby)... concerning Monrow vs. Airstream "only" Shocks.

You and Andy both have good points,(you really should kiss and make up!)....you two, funny guys. I think they will work fine, but plan to inspect them everytime I use "Rita", and hold on to the Bill of Sale. Still need to reconnect the propane line and finish mounting the other 2 shocks tomorrow. "Another day...another day in-the-hole." -trex-

[Lance M]

The Monroe shocks will work fabulously. I'm sure. I used these really cool crimp/solder/shrink wrap connectors I got from Fastenal to connect my brake wires.

[wasagachris]

[QUOTE=Rex Crabtree;994524] You and Andy both have good points,(you really should kiss and make up!)....you two, funny guys.QUOTE]
Ha Ha HA! I can't see that happening any time soon not unless the devil starts wearing long johns.

[Trex]

Today was a good day....finished installing the shocks, and electric brake wiring. Used vise grips to hold the wires in place, so I could solder them together. I'm going to take Rita for a test ride tomorrow, (10 miles or so), then I will come home and re-torque the axle bolts.

Photos of new axles vs. old axles...sits approx. 4" higher
Note: tires on the right are jacked off the ground.

[Lance M]

Nice "special tool" Rex. That is quite the rise. Great job.

[bwoodtx]

Lookin' good Rex!! One of theses days I will be where you and Top have gone. I am fortunate in that I have one I can camp in while working on the others.

[Trex]

Originally Posted by bwoodtx

Lookin' good Rex!! One of theses days I will be where you and Top have gone. I am fortunate in that I have one I can camp in while working on the others.

Wow four AS's.... I bet you have a large barn/or metal building, that you store all of your babies in, on that Big Ranch of yours.

I think I have the "fever"... going to look at a 23' Safari tomorrow in the late PM. The Bunny and I both would like a smaller airstream... for our next project, and do a restore to original.

Plus, the campsite we have for the 4th @ campground by the lake, in So. Lake Tahoe, is too small for our 31'/72....27 foot max. I would hate to have to rent, so hopefully we can find something before the 4th.

[Trex]

Today I was back under the AS... I put the propane line, back in place, and tested for leaks. Replaced appox. 30 rivets down under between the axles...Fun, Fun, Fun, tell your daddy takes the t-bird away...

[bwoodtx]

[QUOTE=Rex Crabtree;994986]Wow four AS's.... I bet you have a large barn/or metal building, that you store all of your babies in, on that Big Ranch of yours.

I think I have the "fever"... going to look at a 23' Safari tomorrow in the late PM. The Bunny and I both would like a smaller airstream... for our next project, and do a restore to original.

I actually have 6 and 1 motorhome. Then the other day we picked up a 34' Avion in decent shape-has some hail damage . As to in the barn-the only one in my shop is the '58 Custom. I do need to bulid a barn for them.

The small ones are nice. We have a 20' Argosy that is semi finished, but camping ready. It is real nice for the small spaces in the state and national parks. Good luck in your hunt for a rebuildable small one.