IcePrick

I was taught to never use an extension (busted), always keep the wrench beam 90* to the fastener (technically true), hold the wrench ONLY at the handle (true), and pull smoothly and evenly at 90* to the handle (untested). Follow assembly instructions, if the torque value given is with the fastener lubed in one specific area and you lube the whole thing, or don't lube it at all, or use the "wrong" lube, torque will be wrong (seems to likely be true from the video). Also, repeatedly "checking" torque can cause torque creep and fastener failure (untested). Always return the wrench to zero (true). Don't ever use a torque wrench to loosen a tight fastener (untested, but I don't see the issue as long as you don't go too far beyond the torque the wrench is set to).

So the manufacturer (or the previous owner last time he changed the bearings) went to more reliable sealed bearings and didn't eliminate the grease zerk. Stupid, yes, but not the crime against humanity the toothless YouTube drunk would have you believe.

I was just lamenting the demise of my hitch hauler. Thankfully, provenance intervened. I'm not a hoarder. I'm not a hoarder. I'm not a hoarder.

I wouldn't say it's ABnormal here... hoping for some rain in May.

There's currently an ongoing hailstorm outside here, but once it's over, let me go down to the shed and get the one I have out. I'll measure it and snap a couple pics. Maybe give it a try first? It's a pretty good one, don't remember the brand though.

Is it a special one for the Rivian?

Same conundrum for me, except the bed is out (Excursion, and that's MY bed). A hitch hauler was nearly perfect for what I did for a long time, even with the 990ADV. But now there are at least two bikes. The self-leveling would be an amazing benefit whichever way you go. But Tom makes the likely accurate observation that no matter which one is on the carrier, it's the other one you'll want to use. You'll be motherfucking that choice every time you have to drop the hitch hauler bike to get to the one in the bed. Rivian may not have a place at the table yet in terms of aftermarket support, but there are those bed extenders that double as a ramp and work pretty well. I may actually have one from a GMC if you want to try to retrofit it. Final answer though - I'm with Tim. Though it is an additional piece of equipment to register, maintain, store, etc... it's just the best answer. I'm slowly coming around to it myself, and it's painful because I like a simple, self-contained one-piece unit. But it isn't simple anymore (or... again). And that's okay, the benefits largely outweigh the negatives, just have to adapt.

Good call - that should have been first, check oil level and odor.

Check to see if the fuel shutoff is still working. They are known to go bad after 20 years or so. Me, I'd pull plugs and get a look inside.

Oh, damn. I wish he'd have called me, I drive by his street at least 3 days a week. Now that Jeff is working at that repair shop, he should take it there for stuff that's beyond my experience level. Other than mounting and balancing a tire (not worth the effort), I would have done all of that for a couple beers and the cost of parts. Those Impalas are actually pretty decent cars, I had one as a unit and I liked it.

Damn - don't move to Prescott, you will definitely be among the darker shades here. As for the "looking like a criminal" part, I think few of us can claim never breaking some sort of law at one time or another. Which reminds me, I gotta try to stay out of the sun this summer. *edit* And fook, make sure I keep my front teeth.

As a platform, she's a legend, but showing her age. Everything has changed since she was designed and built. She'll still leave you with a smile, but it's more nostalgic now than pure "wow" from performance. Others have far eclipsed her. Glad that yours went to someone who will enjoy it. I'll ride mine this spring, then maybe list it locally. Running out of room and I have projects that need garage space to get into. That, and I no longer travel across the country alone to go to weddings and birthday parties.

Unmarked LEO car in background noted.

I've had the, um, "opportunity" to, uh, "tour" several of them, in the course of, mmmm, "interacting" with employees that work at that sort of place. Observations: 1. Disgusting 2. Heartbreaking Even more disgusting than mushroom farms, which I, uh, "visited" under the same circumstances. Funny thing, mushroom farms are where all the waste from factory chicken houses and egg farms goes - the poop, the goo that comes out of the machine that they throw the baby male chicks into, the tons of broken eggs, the dead birds they shovel up off the floor and literally load into a dumpster with a front end loader.