Posted by R.B. Quinn on June 24, 2009
My ‘63 Continental didn’t start giving me fuel problems until, you guessed it, I had the fuel pump replaced. My Lincoln Jedi Master, Steve Ouellette up at Bakers Auto in Putnam, CT, is a great guy and I couldn’t be happier that one of the premier Lincoln shops in the country is an hour from where the car spends its summers.
I didn’t have a clue about Bakers until Min saw Steve quoted in a 2005 New York Times article about the groovy 60s Continentals and how they were making appearances in our trendy popular culture, like in The Matrix and Manny Ramirez’ garage. I’m not sure Entourage was happening yet. Mine’s not that nice, but its complete and its teaching me a whole lot.
Steve and his quiet band of wrenches went to work on the thing two summers ago and in pretty short order got the car sorted out. The roof relays were shot, so were the motor and tranny mounts, couple bad brakes and shocks, and the carb linkage was a mess. And he swapped out the clock from one in another car in his huge stash of other cars and now the thing keeps better time than this computer, month after month, even when the car is sits idle.
So, the fuel deal. Last week I’m at Dunn’s Corners in Westerly, RI, on the nicest day of the year basically. Top down, banging AM radio out of New York, all systems go and the thing rides smooth as hell. Happiness. I stop for a few minutes to grab a battery at Benny’s and BAM, soon as the bowl is out of gas, the car quits.
My cousin Tom is just down the road and he bails me out. He’s a Porsche guy, restores 60s era models from the ground up and he’s good with a wrench. We clear out the new fuel filter which is conveniently screwed into the pump (which is even more conveniently located in front of the motor just behind the radiator, not in the gas tank) and we start sucking fuel. This task truly sucks. Because you have to taste the gas if there’s any hope of getting going. It made me wonder what hydrogen might taste like one day.
Long story short — I got home fine that day, but it kept quitting and here’s me sucking away in Tom’s driveway. When it finally fired, we were confident we’d make it to Putnam because once the car was going it usually didn’t quit. This day it did, about four miles from home and nowhere near Putnam. The AAA flatbed driver out of Providence said he did a double take when the dispatcher called it in. “When I checked it out I knew it was the flatbed or we weren’t going anywhere. This car is heavy!” Yeah, about 5,000 pounds.
We’re going back to Baker next week because I know that me swapping out the re-manufactured (and tested) Carter fuel pump will only delay things and summer is short and given that vehicle’s mechanical complexity, there are a slew of other likely causes, even though I know it’s the damn pump. Nothing else has changed other than the ravages of time and whatever’s living back in that dark tank.
Posted in Cars, Rhode Island No Comments »
Posted by R.B. Quinn on June 22, 2009
primitive figures excited about something
Late April in the Galiuro Wilderness overlooking Rattlesnake Canyon, a few hours north of Tucson. As the sun set on the cocktail hour we happened across this shadowy image of a pack of two-legged creatures, each assuming a warrior poise with a raised fist. Could this be some kind of gesture, some message for the ages, the revelation of a secret, perhaps?
Or, is it just a clan of middle-age fraternity pals on a desert hiking trip expressing their communal reaction to the closing of their early 20th century chapter home by order of a certain small, upstate New York liberal arts college?
The secret SIGnal is no longer a secret. And the bonds of friendship, love and truth which unite the clan grow ever stronger, and which no institution of higher learning can put asunder.
Posted in Arizona, Camping No Comments »
Posted by R.B. Quinn on June 20, 2009
checking out the goods at the music city guitar show
I’m not a huge fan of shows really. Guitars, motorcycles, cars, and barbecue events all create the same reaction in me — I should be home right now practicing with/playing with/working on my own stuff. So, I guess it’s good to make yourself catch a show every now and again. Keeps you motivated and inspired. And, by the looks of these price tags, thankful. Thankful I got interested well ahead of the tsunami price waves that apparently occurred during the last decade. I don’t know what happened, but my average guitars suddenly got more valuable. And not because it’s been me that’s been playing them, either.
plenty of Les Pauls to choose from
commemorative editions waiting for that certain collector
paul reed smiths looking for a (fancy) new home
it can be a long day manning the booth
When Louis became a hand model, we knew we were done so we went home and jammed
Posted in Guitars, Nashville No Comments »
Posted by R.B. Quinn on June 11, 2009
Rhode Island Swordfish
You walk up to the fish counter at the Charlestown (RI) Mini Super and you know you’re gonna see something you can’t leave without. The Ninigret Pond oysters today were gnarly and gorgeous, but without my Economy Dish Min to handle shucking and the mignonette, not so much fun. I can’t eat oysters without her period.
This swordfish about poked out my eye.
I got the charbroil blazing and set this down. When it wanted to lift off I flipped and left it be for another five. I’m not good enough to describe for you the taste. But at the edge, the grilled oily skin and flesh together in one bite was the sweetest savoriest creamiest combination I may have ever tasted.
I’ll have to report back on this. I’m a little stunned at the moment.
Posted in Fire, Food, Grill, Rhode Island No Comments »
Posted by R.B. Quinn on June 4, 2009
i sense the work of a scout
My Nashville pal and neighbor Elizabeth McAlister just captured this image on the beach at Ponte Vedra, Florida, just below Jacksonville. Do you suppose someone actually packed red food dye in the beach bag?
The only thing this campfire needs is a driftwood grate, some moonstone burgers, and a pile of fried seaweed potato strings. Thanks, Elizabeth. Very cool, indeed.
Posted in Fire No Comments »
Posted by R.B. Quinn on June 1, 2009
On Saturday we drove over to Lebanon to watch the XDL Sportbike Freestyle Championship at the Nashville Superspeedway. We’d never been to the track and were pretty clueless about this four-year old sport. My Rhode Island pal and bike mechanic Dave Bolognese and his family were driving over from Maryville, TN, to watch another Rhode Islander, Luke “Duke” Emmons, compete in the ‘09 season’s Round 2 event. Luke won the 2008 Round 2 championship at the Nashville track.
Luke's Honda CBR 600 F4i
Whether or not you’re a rider, it’s hard to get your mind around what these riders are able to do on a motorcycle. I doubt many people have the strength and balance to mimic the stunts standing on the ground.
no, he's not about to hit the pavement
and this is a tame stoppie at that
Luke drags a toe
he makes it look easy which is the annoying part
no idea how he does this
Because the sport grew out of urban sportbike riding the XDL organizers host events closer to cities where they can draw their elusive, but growing fanbase. Our Superspeedway provides plenty of free, bike-friendly parking.
the urban street riders of Middle Tennessee -- no shortage of attitude
burnouts are a real crowd pleaser
for $25 you can hop on a dyno and get a computer analysis of your horsepower and top speed. buddy price two bikes for $40. no charge for videoing.
a nice little track side power trio knocked out some loose blues jams between events
After Luke finished all 6 events we hung out at the truck and had a few cold ones. He’s a great guy and he’s got his brother Jack with him which makes it all possible. They’ll be driving to Los Angeles next month from Connecticut, probably non-stop. He knows he has to do this while he’s young and got the juice. And with a sport so new, no one knows how long you can stay in it. If you get a chance to watch a sportbike freestyle event, do it. It’s a great day.
Luke takes care of his many fans, especially the Rhode Island ones
Posted in Motorcycles, Nashville 1 Comment »
Posted by R.B. Quinn on May 28, 2009
just picked and so good no words can describe
My friend Tamra Stallings is truly a balding eagle scout. In fact, she soars circles around me.
Here’s a fraction of the 60 pounds of strawberries she harvested (and shared) this spring. The Memorial Day weekend strawberry daiquiris were especially spectacular. Her most excellent spouse Bob, my new riding buddy, and I haven’t quit laughing from that night.
You can read about these magical drinks at Tamra’s site, EatSeasonally.com. You can read about a lot of things at Tamra’s site. Not only did she do all that stuff, she designed the website, too. And this one.
Tamra does everything with enthusiasm
More than a garden, Tamra’s kitchen and backyard are real laboratories of experimentation, trial and success and error, and constant, constant effort. And the minute Tamra comes in from outside chores she’s picking up a knitting project as if she never left it. It is dizzying. Bob smiles at her with gleeful adoration. He’s a guy who knows exactly how lucky he is.
Being a project guy, I love other project people. They are a continual reminder to keep learning and trying, to shun laziness, and to believe that anything is possible. Tamra is one of those people. And good thing she has such a great sense of humor. She lets us park our bikes on this stone walkway so we can admire our machines as we drink cold beer from the comfort of the screened-in porch following a manly roadrace through the country lanes of Middle Tennessee.
that's not an oil stain, Tamra
Posted in Chores, Food, Nashville, The Garden 1 Comment »
Posted by R.B. Quinn on May 26, 2009
the helmet providing service beyond its expiration date
Discovering that the date on your motorcycle helmet chin strap reads nearly 12 years-old is a jolt to the mind’s “be prepared” function. The brain bucket test labs recommend five years of life before a helmet should join its forebears on the garage shelf. Why is it so hard to throw these things away? Memories of those cool rides back when you had all your hair? Get real, man.
When the spring rains finally let up in Nashville I had a jungle to beat back. It’s rocky and stony here and weed trimming takes a toll on my face and glasses. Not even the cheap plastic safety goggles that come free with every trimmer purchase are enough protection and I couldn’t see them hanging in the middle of the pegboard anyway.
Consider the Arai Quantum S –
Pros — maximum face and eye wear protection from flying rocks, pebbles, sticks and bottle tops. Sufficient peripheral visibility and reasonable air flow at low speeds, especially with shield cracked 5 degrees. Decent noise reduction although ear plugs recommended.
Cons — difficult to operate screen vents wearing gloves. Impossible to drink beer without plastic tubing.
R.B. trying out Pete Blasik's open face Bell on the Triumph Trophy, Circa 1971
Posted in Motorcycles, Nashville, The Garden, Yard No Comments »
Posted by R.B. Quinn on May 19, 2009
neither balding nor an Eagle, but a BES just the same
This is Louis Dunn. He’s 14. We were both born on August 11.
No very long ago Louis sat down with a Fender Squire Strat he got when he was about 6 or 7, hopped on the web and taught himself how to play Jimi’s The Wind Cries Mary. I mean, note for freaking note. Tonight he threw down at the Currey Ingram Academy music show. He was awesome. And, he received the Kick Ass Musician Award, or whatever they called it.
In recognition of his desire, drive, and dogged pursuit of excellence, Louis Dunn receives the very first Honorary Balding Eagle Scout Award. So unprepared am I to bestow this honor that I have nothing to present to him. I’m thinking something cooler than a trophy. He’d probably settle for my SRV Strat, but hopefully we’ll find a compromise.
The CIA 8th Grade band also knocked out China Grove and Layla, equally compelling performances. I cannot wait to start a band with Louis. I’m thinking we should call ourselves The 8-11’s.
Stay tuned for more on this very exciting BES Music Desk development.
Posted in Guitars, Honorary BES Award No Comments »
Posted by R.B. Quinn on May 18, 2009
The Bar-Harness I by Canyon Dancer
If you haul a bike, you need a Bar-Harness by Canyon Dancer. By pulling down from the bar ends instead of closer in on the bars with tie down hooks or soft ties the bike is much more stable in the truck. You stay clear of brake lines and wiring and the soft koozie thing in the middle is kind to the tank as well.
My pal Dave Bolognese over in Maryville, TN, loaned me this one after he sorted out the issues with my ‘95 Daytona 900. It slides over the grips and straps in seconds. I am ordering one tomorrow. The Canyon Dancer site lists a bunch of online retailers. The Bar-Harness I is about $25, the Bar-Harness II with plastic cups to protect soft grips is about $32.
never hurts to double check
Even with the Bar-Harness I had to check things out now and again. But then I tend to overdo most things and worry whenever possible.
Posted in Motorcycles 1 Comment »
