Random updates

Here is a not so detailed random update. Sometimes less is more.

Firstly, my beautiful daughter Ivanka. She has been concentrating on growing her hair, and its working. 

This is still the hair she was born with !.

Your such a doll !

Mr Jig. Anyone who has ever soldered terminals onto LiPo or LiFe batteries knows how much it sucks, but any soldering when the wire has a mind of its own. This is THE BEST little tool. 

Mr Jig here on HobbyKing website.

My Ogio Honcho Stealth rear ATV bag came in today. Can someone explain to me HOW one can EMS a package of this size from the US in 5 days for $38usd ?.

And yes, phone number 2 is cracked. Not had any luck with iphone failures this last fortnight. 

Ramps for ATV. Ramps for motorbikes, just need some reliable ramps to use because its dangerouns each time loading and unloading my bikes, i needed a matched pair.

 $149 delivered !






And last but not least, my god daughter Shelby playing in the yard with Ivanka. Playing by definition is running around in the rain, then yes playing. The girls had a great time, Ivanka is a but too junior, but Shelby is gentle and takes on board the age difference.

Was just hard to co-ordinate two little girls in one photo, when one speaks English only, and the other speaks Slovakian only !. 

Mothers day twenty twelve

Today is mothers day, a day that is both beautiful, and sad at the same time. 

Its a beautiful day to think back on the lovely memories we had with my mum who we so dearly miss, and yet a day thats somewhat bitter that i just cant reach out to her and hold her hand, tell her how much i love her and to hear her say it back to me.

My mum was always there for me, and always helped me out of a jam, or would give me a boost when i needed it the most. Last week i needed to do some part running about, and said to myself how i wished mum was here to do some runs for me.

She would love to drive, and pick things up that had meaning. I dont think she really cared so much to go to Coles and get milk, but if i called her and said i needed a pair of 10mm Cr-Mo rod ends and some 7/8" Cr-Mo tube, she would be happy to grab her purse and be on her way.

I guess thats her love for me too, she would go to the farthest place on earth to sort what id need or ask her to help me with. She took a lot of pride in all that she did, something i get from her, im always criticised that no-one ever does it good enough to suit my satisfaction, and thats what mum was, a perfectionist. Its not often she would say "near enough ... ".

How i miss her, and miss her ... everything.

The beautiful part about it is that we celebrate mothers day here at home now with Ivanka and Mira. As it moves from generation to generation, your role changes a tad, but the beauty is there. Ivanka doesnt really know it yet, what it is, but it doesnt matter, Mira has a mothers day everyday !.

This year Ivanka got Mira a beautiful coffee machine, one that Mira wanted for a very long time. And it makes such nice coffee !. I dont drink coffee often, because i have no need to do so ... im not addicted, and i dont need it for the caffeine hit, but i drink to enjoy.

I can drink a latte, and i can drink a short black thats got more hit than a big turbo on the freeway.



Prior to that, Miras dad came over to give us a hand, to cut down the lemon tree.

I felt really bad for it as it was a beautiful tree, and its been here for years, but its too big, its grown too tall, it made a lot of mess, and either there would be all green lemons on it, or they would all ripe at a similar time and there would be dozens rotting all the time.

The plan is where the tree was, were wanting to put in a pond with koi, something relaxing, some water. I saw something in Singapore near the new Esplenade MRT station, opposite the Suntec mall,  that really got my attention in that it wasnt a regular pond, or kidney shape, or a outdoor type of pond, but a very square tiled out basin with plants in the middle, it looked so modern and nice, i was sold. I didnt know it then, but i had filed that away in the back of my mind for later use. 

So thats the plan there.

Later this afternoon we went to visit mum at the memorial park, and drop off some carnations that she would love to have about. I sat about and Ivanka was running around, after the kangaroo's, having a great time.

It took my mind off the hurt.

There were people everywhere, and flowers on so many of the sites, it was beautiful. The rain held out, it was a dark day, but it didnt rain.  Of the situation that it is, i feel great there, as i know im very close to my mum, there is something about it that is calming, yet hurtful, in that doesnt matter what beautiful memory one has, its tainted by the fact she isnt here, and that hurts.








 

Time does not heal some wounds, it doesnt make them better, you just learn to mask it a little better. 

I also took Danny with us, Danny for some of you who have read my older blogs, is my teddy bear mum bought for me in Myer back in 1980.

Ive made Danny a part of my racing life, ive not raced without him, and on the two times i have, both times i was carted off in a ambulance. He has drifted around the Nurburgring with me, been to Europe, Asia, America countless times, he is with me on every trip, you may say my travel buddy.

Nurburgring, Germany - 2005

A buddy that mum was also very fond of. Never was a time she didnt ask before a race meet when i was leaving home "Danny with you ?" or when i went overseas ... and for the last 32 years he has been what you may say my longest friend.







After returning from the memorial park, we went to see Miras mum and dad for a while, sat down and had a bit of a chat, was good to see them. And that was pretty much our mothers day today.

Love you ma, your day, never forgotten from Ivan, Mira and little Ivanka !

First beer, first quad ...

Today Ivanka got her first bike, a little Suzuki LT-50. Just like her dad was when he ended his pro racing !

As i was writing in a earlier blog that i would love to get Ivanka a LT-50, i went to see a mate today for a garage fit-out he wants me to do, and chatted about his daughters LT-50.

He asked me if i still wanted one and of course, had the money from the scooter put aside. Made him a offer, he was happy, and a few mins later we were loading it up.


Later that night Andrew and I were on our weekly Tuesday night catch up, and i mentioned about this bike, and explained how its something she is liking (bikes and cars) and that i wouldnt purchase a bike for her to please my own goals or ambitions like some sick parents who push kids into doing what they would love to do and cant. Not at all.

If she decides that she wants to do ballet, or be a girl scout, ill be 100% with it. If she decides she does want to race karts or such, ill support her in the best way i can. I just want her to be happy.

So as usual Andrew and i caught up last night, and last nights selection was the Paddington Ale House in Leederville. I do have to admit, the food there is great, but another fantastic thing they have is Budejovicky Budvar, a Czech beer, otherwise known as Budweiser. However its not the beer the Americans refer to, or as we tend to know, its the original blend, something the American importers trademarked, that caused a lot of drama in the years to follow, something the Czechs still hold quite a bit of resentment over.

I remember the first time i had one of these beers with my mate Juraj Berlansky all the way back in 1994. It was a hot Slovakian day and i was in the city of Piestany, and Juri had come around to take me out for lunch, we went to get beer and sausages.

We sat down and Juri ordered two Budvar's, to what i had a giggle that it was by logo, some Czech knockoff of Budweiser. He instantly snapped back and said "No, not a knockoff .... " and the story continued. It was a well fitting beer, had about 4 or 5 (500ml) and we were on our way. I remember still thinking of how i can get out of the beer garden and steal the glasses, but Juri assured me that he would get me some, some im yet to see but next time im in Slovakia ill be sure to remind him of our 18 year old deal.

I do remember coming back to Aus, and buying a carton that tasted like cats piss strained through a dirty sock. Pah. I dont know what preservatives they use, but it is not advised to buy the bottle. Now the Paddington has it on tap, and i tried it a few weeks ago when we were there, and both Andrew and I fell in love with the taste of this beer. Its just a shame its not summer, warm days and cold beer, because my beer days are numbered in winter.


Among smaller jobs i got further with the Honda TRX, i managed to fit the compressor, and some 12v power sockets in the back.

 Still have to wire that up, the part im not so find of.

Bunny update

And another current pic, he is now sitting up and watching the world go by from his mug !

Blower on the Honda

3mm aluminium sheet

Ok not the type of blower one may think, not for engine performance anyways.

Well, it may well be, more like cooling. I remember on my Suzuki LT160 during summer if i had anything in tow, or stumbling about in the dunes it would roast and get super hot. The heat reflects up from the sand, its cooling a hot motor with very little to no hot air.


I had a 4" Attwood bilge blower fan sitting about that moves a hell of a lot of air over a distance of about 800mm past the back of the housing, basically a jet ski style pump that moves air with a 5 blade impeller.






To the point, i havent fabricated anything for myself in a long time, and a few of my readers have asked "whats with no project posts".

Ok so here goes.

Painted satin black to look OEM
with stainless hardware.

I was quite happy to pick up the tools, i havent done in a while as work is really slow. I wanted to make a light, but functional bracket that looks OEM Honda. No holes, no dimple dies, its not a racing part, its a duty part on a non racing application.







Took me a couple of hours from template, to painted up and its function is more than one could expect. It blows a ton of air across the cylinder, head, and even manages to get a little air across the oil cooler on the angle its working at.

I put a tissue on a clamp around the exhaust header to show the airflow in the vid below, will work great. Next step, air shifter.

 

Bunny side of life

Mira walks into the garage this afternoon with a smile on her face like we have just won the lottery, and shows me a update of the bunny for Ivanka, a really cute little guy.

Mira looked this afternoon and found him updated in the website, so were excited, as im sure Ivanka will be soon. 

VORZA Flux test drive

HPI VORZA Flux rims on XTR paddles !

Wow, all i can say is wow.

Im running this on a pair of 2S Turnigy Nano-Tech LiPo batteries (14.8v) and am SUPER impressed with its ability to spin up all 4 wheels. Im keen to see what a pair of 3S Turnigy units at 22.2v volt will do with paddles !.

Enjoy (even if it is a confined play)

The warmth of my heart

I dont think there is anything else in this world that is so soothing as .... speaking of, Ivanka walks into my study now with a tray, two plastic cups and her plastic tea pot, and were sipping tea !!. So much laughter !!

As i was saying, there is nothing as soothing as watching or interacting with Ivanka. She is such a loveable, adorable and caring little girl, there is not a bad or jealous bone in her. She is first to share, softly wanting to stroke your face ... i just cant believe how warm she is, and thus warms my heart. 

This evening we went for our weekly catchup with Andrew, went to the Hydey, and the girls came along too. By girls i mean Mira and Alex. Tomorrow is Anzac day, so it was a chance to all go out instead of our usual man-date.

Mira left earlier, as did Alexandra, and Andrew and I stayed later till around 23:00, and as Andrew dropped me off home, Ivanka ran out, said "Tata !!!" (daddy in Slovakian) jumped up on me, and gave me the strongest hug and kiss ive ever had from her. It was like she hadnt seen me in weeks.

Such a beautiful time. She is growing up so fast, and weekly has a change in her persona. She has matured a lot in the last month or so, she is now by our side when shopping, wont just run off and such.

So i thought i would drop in a few pics of Ivanka at the park a couple of days ago. I cant wait for her to start fully talking, she is only seconds away it seems, but is growing up too fast for our liking at times already.

If i havent told you today, i love you a lot Ivanka. You are the best medicine for us, thanks for your smile from the start of the day, to the laughs at the end.

One day you will read this and laugh, but its true, very true ! :)

And this last one i re-added from a time we were on the beach with the Axial playing around. Its such a pretty smile, love this pic, shame its not in a good quality !

Lop bunny

Mira had a idea the other day, one that involved a rabbit. 

She says that a little rabbit would be great for Ivanka, as she loves pets, and i have to say i agree.

On Saturday we were watching TV and ran this idea past Andrew while he was here, and he had some experience in the idea, as his sister purchased one for her son, and gave us a number to call of a breeder of lop bunnies, a beautiful cartoon like rabbit you cant help but fall in love with.

So this afternoon of we went to see Analize and her bunnies. Well i have o say they were adorable, and Ivanka was in heaven. I am really dissapointed i didnt take the digi-camera, as i would have caught a few lovely pics.

She had such a lovely time, and then was so sad when we left. Not in a crying, or throwing a tantrum (not that she really does anyways) but really sad, softly crying, teary eyes ... it was heartbreaking !.

But, Mira put down a deposit, and soon enough in a matter of weeks she will have her own little bunny.

TRX take 2 !

Today was a rather special day, as i picked up a new quad for fun, family, rc, camping etc etc, a Honda TRX250TM.

The title says TRX take 2, and thats true. This is the second TRX ive owned, but im sure will be a keeper.



The earlier was a TRX400EX racing quad. I very much liked that quad for what it was, but i feel there is some point where fun becomes a contradiction. See that quad was a race style quad, and i never really got into it. They never can jump like a MX bike, they dont turn like a mx bike, they dont brake like a MX bike, but they try to be a MX bike with 4 wheels.

Its kinda like truck racing. I think trucks are great, they are made to tow, and do a function. Then people turn them into racing trucks ... why ?. Its retarded.

In some ways this is what racing quads are like. Standard they are a ton of fun. As you modify them and make them really fast, they just become un-rideable death traps that roll over you when you least expect it, point and shoot weapons.

In 2008 we sold my TRX400EX to buy brick pavers for the house. I wasnt riding it, and it was a shame to just let it sit there, so i sold it to a friend of a friend who loved it, kept it as was, and still has the air shifter on it etc etc. Fantastic.


However we always said we would buy another, but a family quad, something all of us could ride, soft, quiet, slow but can climb, and tow a trailer.

And now im into RC cars, i can go to Lancelin with my Baja 5B and Vorza, and be totally mobile in the dunes. I have a little Suzuki LT160 ive had since 1994, and that was so much fun to ride, this is what i want to get back again.

Since the TRX series are made in South Carolina, USA, they have just dropped in price thanks to the weak USD of 1:1 with the AUD. This quad a month ago was $8260, and now its at $6140, a considerable difference in price.

And to top it off, it sits in my van, with about 15mm on each side of the wheel to the wheel arch. Im going to put my air compressor on it, along with my air shifter (great to have on-board air for a off roader), some 12v power sockets also for USB power, a 5.5mm female power socket for my RC Turnigy battery charger, a Koso LCD voltmeter, OGIO Honcho rear bag, and thats it i guess. I want it to ride, sound, and be stock otherwise. Oh, i think ill paint the rims black, the STOCK rims.

I also want to build a little trailer for camping gear, food, water, RC gear whatever and get out a bit more. Ivanka goes nuts when i setup a beach tent in the back yard, i dont think it will be long before her and dad go camping.














Later on this evening we caught up with a few friends over some Chinese in the city at Singapore Chinatown.

Marcmade the idea of going on a Thursday, i dont really know why but it worked out great. Ended up with Myself, Mira, Ivanka, Andrew, Marc, Pardeep, Sholeh and her two kids Ashkon and Elham. It was really quiet and was a great night, lot of laughs and great food !.