Super Sunday Swap Indy

I told my wife about attending the Super Sunday Swap Indy meet and that was my first mistake. With Christmas right around the corner and money is tight as it is these days. I did make the trip to ISF for a couple laps around the area. I went with the idea to only look for the items i needed not wanted. I did find a lot of folks with the carts filled with parts and some just pondering the need to own that widget we are all looking for today. No rear view Chevrolet interior mirror, No Panel air ducts, no chrome bumpers, and no abundance of new Chinese knock offs.
There was an abundance refurbished carburetors lots of them. OLD school Offenhauser and model Ford brass and unique parts for fords. The Chevy guys were there Rims and Hubs galore. Axles and Trans and Frames and body parts new and a few used. Lots of left over new parts that haven sold from retail stores. Lug nuts and wrench's were cleaned tool boxes from yesteryear were on sale. Slicks, Seat belts and Window netting. Just not what I was looking for today. A perfect place for a ground up old school rat rod you missed it. However you can catch the next one in January.

2009 Vernon, Indiana Car Show

I ran in to John with his 1968 Old's Cutlass 442 Sweet. We met up and I followed him to the fire dept car show. The town Volunteer Fire dept raked leaves and some of the detainees from the probation ward help cleaned the streets.



We had a 50 /50 drawing of @137.00 and the winner donated it all to the VVF for the equipment.


Trophies or us all. Plus a 2 for t shirt deal. Some good weather prevailed and we all went home happy.

2009 Rock and Roll Car Show Greenwood Indiana

Hey preregistered and scored some great car stuff. A couple hundred cars, trucks and a few bikes. A band called "taste like chicken" banged out the tunes. The gathering place is a Church / Gymnasium on 1425 W main street Greenwood Indiana. Trophies and Sponsors pulled a lot of new friends and a couple of fun guy like John the 1962 Stock Nova guy from Trafalgar, Indiana.
We used to ride Enduro bikes and have some fun. I'd go again it goes to a good Muscular Dystrophy.

Ditch the USairwaysmastercard

The banks running credit for the usairwaysmastercard has problems. They are shutting down accounts and claiming the blaming consumers for their issues. In reality the bank as connections to mob ties in Europe and Philippines. The largest global creditor from the UK. Their ship is about to sink. There is a large land grab in Brooklyn, NY. Tied to US, NY, and NJ sports teams are involved with crap. There is a hugh list of disgruntled people whom have been negatively effected by the Barclay's Bank and formerly known as Juniper Bank who are involved. I'm closing my account and suggest you do too!

I like Usairways the airline, but they did make a bad decission in selecting this creditor.

Car, Truck & Tractor Show at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Waymansville.

I was headed to Alyssa's grampa house Darryl's in Oligville to check out 2 honda minibikes.We worked on the Hyundi for a while to get some spark no luck. We checked out the 1974 Honda Minitrail CT70 blue with fold up handle bars. Starts right up needs a little tlc tires, brakes, and some carb work. The XL70 is orange and
starts first kick too fresh uper end same tires and brakes and some tlc on the lights and buff and paint the black it will be good to go.

Randall's 50th Birthday Bucklist

The wait was worth it. Christina and I crewed on Randy's 24 ft Helms Day sailer on Chautauqua Lake. We went to http://www.bemusbaypops.com/ via the day sail and we reached 5.8 knots on the refurbished sailboat. At 365 Recreation Properties.
Randy had such an adventure bringing the yacht from Florida last spring. What a day what a night and the water taxi's were fun too.


Other: www.readyaboutsailing.com
http://home.mindspring.com/~d.crawford910/365recreationpropertiesllc/index.html

Gene's Rootbeer and Piston Poppers

When in Anderson, Indiana go to Gene's Rootbeer drive It is a fun quaint little drive in. Who has Hot dogs and rootbeer. I attended the this Sunday Evening weekend for a breast cancer cure with 50 or so cars and rods of every vintage and variety. From cherry Pontiac Granprix to Willeys Fun in the sun rat rod with iron duke Gm 4 cyclinder. 1961 premo low rider Cheverolet Impala. Family folks and a few singles are networking. The fun group played corn hole toss for breast cancer. The raffle tickets were sold to support the cure and a lucky winner. Many club members of the Piston Poppers were there; talking cars, eating dogs, and sipping rootbeer.

Jasper Engine Transmission Plant Tour

I spent the better part of the day at the http://www.jasperengine.com/ plant and was greeted by office support and customer service Gayle. She is knowledgeable, polite, and educated professional.

The remanufacturing plants are amazing. The sheer number of engines being dismantled, cleaned, and checked are truly amazing. I have been involved building and buying engines and parts for close to 30 years. I found my recent trip to the plant located in Southern Indiana truly an efficient factory of workers and process putting together "a better than new domestic and foreign origin engines and transmissions and axle assemblies, lower drive units Mercury and Volvo." Diesel engines from makers Cummins, Cat, Detroit, while a new 6.4 liter Ford Super Duty E40D transmission combinations are staples.

The plant is really a clean facility and very well organized through a POD system utilizing KANBAN and Kaizan mentality developed and patterned by and bench marked by Toyota Manufacturing processes.

Custom Engine Builds and standard replacement are the priorities. All products are checked for defects and corrected. Parts are separated sorted and are routed to proper POD areas for line boring deck, height and cylinder marching. New components are installed and checked for tolerance. The gaskets, bolts and soft plugs are all replaced and lubrication for assembly. Fluid filled and Dyno testing. All components are checks for leaks while being tested for HP and Torque, Fluid pressure.The remanufactured engines are hot tested until oil is 140*f and spark fired for full oil pressure. Installation kits and radiators are sold and quoted through dealer networks. The installations kits could be an area where our company could bring a value proposition to the the already successful engine company

The also support race preparation for NASCAR and other drag race teams. Many innovated transmission and third member components are part of R&D at the facility.They own and operate plants located in Indiana, North Carolina, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Washington. The were customers there at there facility so the main sourcing and sales people were business selling and not buying. They let me know they would talked to me Monday to discuss any opportunities. We have filled out and their vendor request form and they have a general view of our company's capabilities.

They support local charities and maintain a dealer network of professional who have a massive support network and Sale Representatives in area close bye for support. The town of Jasper Indiana hosts a yearly Strassenfest. The German linage and flare of German history has inspired the whole town and the bratwurst and sauerkraut, with beer is food to enjoy while bands play in the open air street fair.

Take time to go to last RedbirdSRA meeting

I go in to see Tim. Let him know I'm done with RedbirdSRA. Everyone around busy volunteering. Made decision to discontinue efforts to support Redbirdsra. Nice response on email in return. No hard feelings. More a financing one. Time management pulling me in other directions. Wife,Kids, work need more focus.

Round 2 Dillmans Farm SIS

Late start on getting there. New Tires, new chain, new bearings thanks Brent. Descent start on the line Kurt B next door to me. Brian and Rik Smits close bye. 10 in the woods. Then the Cross logs got me on the last one. Last place. SO I cranked it up and it the hyper mode. Blasting every corner. Missed a turn going in to the southern Pines. The Low section were like the silt beds of wet muggy grass track. Then the tight technical section went away fast. Deep ruts Time to take the high line!
Wearing thin the first hill climbs are not doable 10 bikes stacked up.
Time to improvise. turned around selected a more zero route but I'm back in the hunt. 8th from last good decision. Maintain for a couple laps. The White flag. Time to blast it out again. But the hammer down. 7h place and crash. Got up shook it off. The the dam logs Bee stings me and had swells up. Cant grip clutch anymore. Finished 8th. Good day. Tougher racing then past years.

Elky show with Colmbus Indiana best cars

The El camino final its the street

After many fixing of hours of pocuring, fixing, and inspection from the state.The Elcamino finally hits the road. The big test was a 458 mile trip to Columbus Indiana from Kiantone NY.
My son drove the whole journey and he had fun driving he said.
I can see how 13 years of sitting can take a toll on the gaskets.First car show ths week.

Stoney Lonesome MC

As I say these have to be the toughest races in the Eastern United states. I keep saying the last race was the toughest. My son has one job. Keeper of his AMA and District cards. He lost his wallet. So he didn't race. He has a little girl who is on his mind.Saturday it rained of course.
Tech inspection all clear. Oh crap the front teeth on sprocket are rounded off. Northfield Aventures came through again with a KTM Sprocket. Bryan helped me but it on.
I crept in a respectable 6th place.

Mathews Indiana District 15 HS racing

We are traveling light this weekend. The Raptor camper has cords showing through one of the tires. So we bailed on camping.
We load the 1971 Holsclaw trailer and freshly prepared KTM'S for the Sunday race day with Muddobbers oldest motorcycle Offroad club in in Indiana. The gears is ready and we have a race fans tagging along to give self esteem to my son and make fair game for me while entering in the venue. The day is sunny but overcast. Met
PETER LORENZ, travel companion Nice girl from ? and Skip from the Mooch group. Recognized as rider, racer and offroad among men.
The kids didn't see the Peter Mercedes van group as friends more foes. But I enjoyed the banter. Course had family high speed and tight sections for the 6 mile course. Fun day Trail riding at its best.

Southern Indiana Series Mitchell Indiana

A long weekend Camping and staying up late met with the Koontz family around the camp fire.
Light show in the skys. no rain. Satudray layed low finished arrowing and ribbon trail.
Dillman and Andy help me change LD tires and New brakes for the young Dave KTM. He is 14th in Lite B tied for 4th place in the state. I end up 11 held my 5th place position in AMA District 15. I had an Ok start. got tired. Then crashed. The stuck on the rock hill. Stopped at pit and LD and I shed the chest protectors at the same time. Adjusted throttle was sticking. Fun day Met Cameron, Dave, Brian Travis, Chris, Bart.

Plymouth HS Round 2

Hey we were much more prepared. Beautiful day cool and sunny. I really feel good.
Lined up had a good start. Fell back on the second turn. Fell in on the line up. Passed a couple riders. Slow first lap. Then things picked up. Felt comfortable. Passing well. Got dry on the third lap, had a breather got some gatoraid hit it again and tuned in. Wood section going well MX track or field sections good clean lines. Hear the leaders coming hey it is Chris Bach blowing through. Oh crap is he fast. Heading in to scoring fouth lap scorer says I can slow down. I realize it is too late to catch up. Slim fast kicking in and I stay on the pipe. Doing well in my mind. Last thought faster sooner next time. I was disappointed 11th place. My son took a respectable 7th place.

Stoney Lonesome MC Round #1

I said I'm a fair weather rider. Ok it rained I'm ok with that fact. My son really wants to race. I'm OK with that fact. Nothing is ready. Doesn't bother me. We load up a few hours before the race. Hit the gas place and grap some snacks. Pay for some race fuel then off we go. We get hard a time trying to find a place park? I thought we are in a recession. It doesn't appear this way. We payed to park. Counted money and we have enough for racing and a couple of burgers. Met some race friends.

Made our way next to sound check and needed to jockey a little NBD "No big deal". Get through sound check. What else and grap my front brake and nothing. Check the money again and short for a set of brakes. $12.oo :( Check with my dealer nothing and the new guy nothing.I find the race support guy www.rockfieldsadventures.com guy who has a set and he needs $25.00. I cruise the crowd and hey there is Roy Garrett. He would loan me some cash. There I go and ask hey Roy do you have some cash so I can get a set of brakes? Sure how much you need? He flips wallet open $20 will do. Off I go grap the brakes and dash to the KTM with new brakes in hand. It starts to rain. The bikes kick stand is broke and I have the parts in the tailer just haven't put it on. So I'm stuck in the rain. Grap the tools and get going. Snap in a instant I change the brakes and consult with my son hey grap that front and squeeze it. Do they work? Oh yea! OK confidence back ready to race. Riders meeting met Dwight and we chat about a deal we almost made. Finished race prep and off to the start. 10 min Paul Garlick ulogy and memorial prayer. I'm psyched and ready to go get a great start and watch 5 riders go over the bars and crash. I'm being care full, not racing. Hey dry earth go go go. Then a down hill stream and wamo soil sample. Quick and clean I get up and get going again. Anyway I finish 6th and I find this race was one of the toughest I been to in 25 years when I last went to Black Water, West Virginia. Slip Slide in a way. Very techincal and glad I bought those brakes. Thanks Roy. Roy Garrett and I sat next to one another at Paul's funeral. I'm sure going to miss him.

It rained all weekend All not lost

My wife and I enjoyed a trip to Muncie, Indiana to visit my freshman daughter. My daugter Christina was recognized for excellance in participation. The History Depart has recognized Christina Crawford for class participation and note taking for the class of over 200 students. Abel Alves Associate Professor of History at Ball State. Praised Christina for her devotion and repeated excellance in performance to the class and her personel studies.

Indy Riders host Trailride event at Scot Sims

With a Invitation only deal.
Signing a hold harmless paper.
Weather permitting
single track trail
20 only riders

RedbirdSRA BOD and DNR Rep meeting

The board met at Redbidsra New facility building.
Opening with a meeting come to order and reading of old minutes.
We covered details of BOD materials versus DNR New RedirdSRA parks and rec.
3 permenant employees.
Strategy going forward is cooperation with RedbirdSRA Foundation.

Redbird is going forward with DNR plans to finish projects, once started by outdoorec.
Signs

Road access
Fencing
New rules
using old rules as a guideline
Less forms for entry
registration a must no exceptions
sign in and out board for BOD and Trustees
New map with GPS blotting
New RedbirdSRA trail ambassador shirts late

Redbirdsra Foundation
Shirts coming
New signs incuding Maccallister in place of Nationsrent
a couple gns down and new signsbeing sold
Matt Car body trail tag trail for jeep and atv and cycle.
to cycle and atv only.
not closed just classified. errosion
Back up on extended hours
20.00 camping includes Sunday.

Trail patrols open 5days a week.

RedbirdSRA Opens with Permenant Management

With dozens of volunteers cleaning trails, remove trash, and maintaining water run off diversion ditches. Redbirsra OHV area is opening next week. Trails are marked with orange symbols by user group like Jeep, OHV, Motorcycle, and ATV. Volunteer clubs and individuals. Everyone here this weekend, all made time to do trail clearing. DIRT representative Rick Dorfmeyer. It takes all the user groups to come together to make a difference. Al Pivonka DIRT is Discover Indiana Riding Trails is non profit which brings all OHV user groups together to from alliances in larger numbers. The DIRT group makes an impact with user groups to have formed OHV users of all types. RedbirdSRA Foundation is the Nonprofit group in trusted with starting alliances and teaching users about safe trail operation between OHV users and Indiana DNR/ Outdoor recreation to see its seven year at RedbirdSRA. The Gate will be open 5 days a week.
Registered users and Indiana Licensed plate vehicles are welcome. Four wheel drive vehicles recommended.
With a full time staffed gate house and property managers Paul Sipples is an Outdoor Recreation property manager. A user fee of $10.00 is a nominal cost to the user for 1,400 acres to rome and play. Nyla Armstrong is DNR official responsibly for the projects RedbirdSRA and Carman Jackson over Interlake SRA. Both are in Southern Indiana. Gary Delong joined volunteers getting the trail system ready for another busy season. Redbirdsra Foundation would extend a special thank you to Blake Blann of Mac Allister Rental who donated a larger dozer for groom and excavator for maintaining drainage. Other noteables volunteers; Roy Garrett, Tim Garrett, Tony Lance, Vic Vangilder, Robin Caballero, Bruce Chapman, David Crawford, Terry Sparks, Brian and Missy Rowda IFWADA, George and Nancy Thomas from SWAK , JPFROG, Fatboys Jeeps and all others for their dedication over the years.

Raced Plymouth Harescramble

The first race is always difficult at the begining of the season. I lines up next to Rik Smit's former pro basket ball player and avid Offroad rider of vintage and modern offroad motorcycles. He and his racing friend had a terrific start. I end up 14 out of 26 from the start and had a 28.6 mile per hour average. Overall ! had end up 19th. I believeRik is a A rider he lapped me.

The long weekend is coming

As I try to find time to work on the tuxedocamino. I try to think what to tackle first. Wheels and tires or trim molding around the wheelwells. I have ebay account and won a lot of bids.

Need a NYS inspection

I contacted the Nationwide agent to procure insurance for the summer season.

The GM Elcamino annivesary is coming in June.

Bergman park Jamestown New York July 2009