Bugs Palace!

Winter is still going.. Really can’t complain.  To this point (knock on wood) it’s been fairly low key. Yes, it has been cold and snowy, but this is CANADA. It’s SUPPOSED to be like that during the winter months. I won’t say that i’m not itching for the day the rain comes and washes all the ice and salt away so I can go rip around on the bike; but I also am not in the “It must end” camp either.

One piece of helping winter go by is the countdowns. March 8th : for the Garth Brooks concert in Buffalo, and for our Florida trip : May 15th. And of course, there is the old “sister is having a baby” thing going down this summer and a couple weddings as well! Good times are in sight!

Now, if Shannon Jeep would magically grow a new clutch for free and come home from the mechanics shop all would be good.

Sierra/Silverado project is currently on hold.  With the front end done and basically all GMC specific parts now removed I will from here on simply refer to the truck as a “Silverado”. Only a couple items left on the books for this year.  I need a new windshield, ABS sensor and a solenoid in my fuel system. Will try and do an item per month just to spread out the bills. Performance upgrades are limited to the suspension. 2015 suspension upgrades will include :

• DJM 4″ Lower control arms
• DJM Upper control arms
• DJM 6″ Flip kit wit frame C-Notch
• DJM Shocks all around
• DJM Rear sway bar
• OEM GM Flush mount trans crossmember for addition ground clearance.
• 275/45/20″ tires

Beetle plans are fairly simple for this year. This spring, Paul will be fabricating some bumper brackets so that I can finally  mount up my new smooth bumpers. I had intended to do this last summer, just never had the time or money. NEXT year, I will be looking into upgrading my carburetor and exhaust system with something more performance oriented, but that will have to wait till at least 2016.

Thruxton is simply going to be ridden – a lot – for this summer with no intention of changing or upgrading any parts. I’ve set myself a personal challenge to NOT upgrade or tweak the bike at all until after I get my full M license completed. That should be done this summer. Then, next winter while the bike is off the road for its winter slumber I will be storing it in my own garage so I can do some semi-serious upgrades to it.

• Woodcraft 1″ rise clip on handles w/ stock bar end mirrors
• D9 flat gauge cluster w/ ignition relocation
• New headlight brackets
• Rectifier relocation bracket
• British Customs Predator exhaust
• British Customs air box removal kit w/K&N Pod filters
• Retuned ECU
• LED front turn signals
• Black out as much of the bike as I can

The following winter I will be looking at redoing the suspension with some new rear shocks/springs along with a re-doing the front forks to match the spring rates. As well, I would love to replace the rear wheel with a British Customs wide wheel kit which would allow me to run a fat 180 series tire.

So as you can see, no shortage in projects going on. Most of the “core stuff” should be finished up within the next 6-14 months. Then, finally, in 2016 (as I keep saying) I will finally be looking at doing the new garage bay to house these beasts. I’m sure I could forgo the projects above and start the garage 2-4 months earlier, but the time line works for me, and hopefully my budget. May need a 3rd job to make it all happen 😉

Christmas has come and gone. Another wonderful season finishing up. The marathon was basically the same as years past, but with the one change on Christmas morning where we did the presents for my side of the family at Mom and Dads place instead of the Shoups. Change isn’t bad, but it definitely was different. In years to come new traditions will become our traditions and then it will just be ‘the way’. Everything else was as normal.

The evening of the 24th was at the Shoups for more food then I can remember and lots of laughs.

Up bright and early on the 25th to two excited little people with smiles and giggles.  They make the season all worth while. We packed up Santa’s drop off and over to my parents we went to meet up with my folks and my siblings. Everyone was spoiled as always. Like I said before, seems a bit strange doing it at there house, but it was very good. After a quick breakfast we headed to Hamilton to for presents with Shannons Mom/Dave and then over to her Dad/Cathys for even more presents. Again, the spoiling seems to know no bounds :-). Last stop of the day was back to the Shoups for the Armstrong family dinner. Mmmm stuffing.

On to the 26th we went back to Darlington Drive for a boxing day dinner with Jeff/Cathy and some of the family and friends. Kids from next door were also there and they all seemed to have a great day playing together. Lastly on the way home we stopped back in at the Shoups for a little night cap and to close out the holidays.

I can’t say enough thank-you’s to everyone for everything. Spoiling of the kids (and Shannon and I) from all around us. And most importantly some awesome time spent with our amazing families. Love you all!

Only other real update right now is that my truck is home from Paul’s and officially has an identity crisis. It was dropped off as a Sierra and came home a Silverado. Looks fantastic. I’ve since added some 20″ Chrome wheels. It’s a suspension job away from looking exactly the way I envisioned it. Then it’s on to the motor for a bit more rumble 😉