I haven't been Valkyrie-minded much recently

[Gryphon Rider]

And this is probably the least regularly I've ever been on this site. Both my wife and I have been laid off recently. Our daughter has assumed a different persona, moved out a year ago, cut off contact with me and my family since September or October, and has been pointedly rude to family outside our nuclear core.  As I've said before, I've picked up a couple of ancient dirt bikes to have something for my son and me to do together.  One of them, a '78 Suzuki PE175, is ridable, but requires carb work (I'm assuming) and some clutch work to get it running right.  The other, a '79 Yamaha MX175, is in the middle of being refurbished to make it ridable. I have the engine apart, awaiting parts from Amazon, eBay, and a local Yamaha dealer to come in so I can have the cylinder bored, after which I will reassemble it and, hopefully, have a ridable bike.  I've already replaced some cables and assorted rubber grommets, and reupholstered the seat myself after watching countless YouTube videos showing me how to do it.



I took out the PE175 two days ago because the weather would be the best it was going to be for the following two weeks, at least.  I only dumped it once on some ice while slowly descending a steep hill.

[Jess from VA]

Thanks for the update Gryph.     That looks like good fun.

Sorry to hear about the family drama. 

[Led]

WOW!!   Those bring back memories!!

All the 70's two stroke dirt bikes and Enduro's.  I rode a lot of them, when brand new!  A 1970's Penton "Six Day" Enduro surely comes to mind!!! :'(

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q31eELVWr2Q

[Wizzard]

Wow,, sorry for the family issues. Been there done that and hopefully it will turn better one day.
As to the dirt bikes, that brings back great memories. I used to live to dirt bike and hill climb. Thanks for the update

[f6gal]

We miss seeing you here Kevin.  I'm sorry to hear about your troubles. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

I was just wondering how you were doing. You seem to have gotten the triple whammy in 2020. I look at pics of my son all the way thru his teens and wonder what happened ? I imagine you might be in the same boat. She was a cute, well balanced young lady when we met in Spearfish. Hang in there. 


I really like the PE. I vaguely remember the yellow. It seemed most were blue.

(Could you talk to your Prime Minister, and have him open the border for me ?)

[Gryphon Rider]

I was just wondering how you were doing. You seem to have gotten the triple whammy in 2020. I look at pics of my son all the way thru his teens and wonder what happened ? I imagine you might be in the same boat. She was a cute, well balanced young lady when we met in Spearfish. Hang in there.  


I really like the PE. I vaguely remember the yellow. It seemed most were blue.

(Could you talk to your Prime Minister, and have him open the border for me ?)

From what I've seen, factory PEs were always yellow.  Maybe you're thinking of the Yamaha ITs?  They were typically blue with yellow number plates and fork boots.  I had to get a little familiar with various enduro-style bikes of that era when I was shopping for them.

From my understanding, Americans can drive between the continental US and Alaska, so long as they register their route with Canadian officials, and don't deviate from it or do anything touristy while in Canada.  I know you were probably talking about actually visiting us, but that's a 'no-can-do' right now, unfortunately.  

[The emperor has no clothes]

I was just wondering how you were doing. You seem to have gotten the triple whammy in 2020. I look at pics of my son all the way thru his teens and wonder what happened ? I imagine you might be in the same boat. She was a cute, well balanced young lady when we met in Spearfish. Hang in there.  


I really like the PE. I vaguely remember the yellow. It seemed most were blue.

(Could you talk to your Prime Minister, and have him open the border for me ?)

From what I've seen, factory PEs were always yellow.  Maybe you're thinking of the Yamaha ITs?  They were typically blue with yellow number plates and fork boots.  I had to get a little familiar with various enduro-style bikes of that era when I was shopping for them.

From my understanding, Americans can drive between the continental US and Alaska, so long as they register their route with Canadian officials, and don't deviate from it or do anything touristy while in Canada.  I know you were probably talking about actually visiting us, but that's a 'no-can-do' right now, unfortunately.  

My bad. I was thinking about the IT’s. One can only traverse your country to Alaska if you can prove AK residency, going for a job, or school. Even though we have property there, it isn’t enough. I understand. I wouldn’t want a bunch of us Americans up there right now either. We will just have to be content to wait another year.

[Serk]

Glad to see ya' drop by, hate to hear about your daughter, I have nightmares of that situation myself. Hoping things resolve before too much damage is done.

Mr. Head have you looked into the ferry from WA to AK? 

https://alaskaferry.com/

http://dot.alaska.gov/amhs/

[_Sheffjs_]

I love these bikes!   I scanned many brochures a long time ago I hope this link works.  I did the same link two different ways.

https://app.photobucket.com/u/EBeybuzzard/a/b5a13eb9-015a-4c81-93b4-ef3962b3a891?mode=slideshow

https://app.photobucket.com/u/EBeybuzzard/a/b5a13eb9-015a-4c81-93b4-ef3962b3a891?mode=slideshow

[The emperor has no clothes]

Glad to see ya' drop by, hate to hear about your daughter, I have nightmares of that situation myself. Hoping things resolve before too much damage is done.

Mr. Head have you looked into the ferry from WA to AK? 

https://alaskaferry.com/

http://dot.alaska.gov/amhs/

Thanks. To be honest, I hadn’t thought about it. But to get our motorhome, truck, 4 adults and 1 child there would run about 10 grand. Retirement has been good, but not that good. 

[cookiedough]

at least you got out on 2 wheels even if not the Valk.  Love that countryside views where you live very nice.  

I admit am about 2-3 weeks behind still have not gotten both Valks from under winter cover yet and fired up been too busy on weekends doing work on 3 vehicles between swapping snow tires for all seasons,  rotating tires,  oil changes, tranny fluid, radiator flush.   And yet this weekend gone up north one full LONG day to get my daughter her SUV back but need to get home Sunday and get our taxes done.  Then, in 2 to 3 more weeks going back up to help both kids move yet again and HOPING this is the LAST time in a LONG LONG while.  Daughter and fiancee bought a house together closing next week, now renting a duplex house together past 1 year and boy in college will be renting a house with 2 other lifting buddies moving out of the tiny apt. with 2 other roommates and will see if all done in ONE weekend for both?  I guess daughter is able to borrow from their realtor a 7x16 trailer to fill up their belongings so I do not have to drive 3.5 hours north towing my 7x23 enclosed trailer.  

sorry for hear your daughter not getting along with the family am sure someday she will regret being not very nice.  Our kids still seem to NEED US so much still but mostly for FREE money and FREE time to help them.   I want to also get kids SUV backup camera replaced but I guess that will be later hopefully this summer one weekend been out 30K miles or so seems to be a common problem around 70K miles or so dirt/debris/moisture get down in there ruining the camera.  Simple plug n play but have to remove entire plastic on inside rear hatch and from watching YOUTUBE videos a lot of the plastic clips will be breaking to get panels off.  Dealers wants 500 bucks for replacement for a 120 dollar camera.

[Robert]

CityAlight - Christ Is Mine Forevermore

https://youtu.be/roQovDZeAWE

Christian values are rarely proved through good times but through trials and tribulation. We truly cement and understand we have a Savoir and power that is victorious in any situation.

2Co 10:4  for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. or of a daughters change of mind and heart.

I pray for victory in every situation you and your family are confronted with in this time and unity that God wants of every family.

[Led]

Don't worry about your Kids.  I have not seen my Daughter in about 12 years.  My other Family is distant also.   Everybody has their "own" thing going on.   Either they approach me one day......or they don't.

But I am not worried.  I believe in Christ as MY/our Savior.....and He will dictate what happens.  Until then?   I just shrug my shoulders.......

Except for a few old Friends, I am a lonely old Man....Family wise.......

[MarkT]

My sympathies Kevin.  Share some similar issues.  Family problems driven by the new cancel culture and woke agendas.  Completely invalid accusations of racism etc by that sh!t. I hope they will wake up sometime soon but not holding my breath and meanwhile just tolerating it.  Initiated by a female sibling of my generation and influencing others - all of whom live WAY LEFT of the fence.

As to the crossing CA to AK - Love to visit an old friend who moved to AK, to hunt & fish.  But want to take some firearms including hunting and security pistols and I don't fly anymore after 9/11 thanks to HSI personal privacy infringement.  So that's off the table.  I suppose I might be able to ship them but what a hassle and concern for security/loss.

[t-man403]

I don't know about you Kevin but I've noticed my own attitude sucks at times lately. Kids well, they get an attitude all their own and hopefully it will disappear sooner than later. Family is important and some find that out the hard way.....don't ask me how I know  .

Ha, looking at that Yamaha reminds me of the IT250 I had  . Took a few tumbles off it and said " I can't take this any more!" Was fun though.....