Anyone else follow Pikes Peak this year? I always love seeing the insane creations that come out for this event. Peugeot driver Loeb smashed the record climbing the mountain in 8 minutes and 13.87 seconds. Nearly 2 seconds faster than what computer simulations predicted. Speedhunters did a nice quick article on the car/driver. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.speedhunters.com/2013/07/loebs-peugeot-pulverises-pikes-peak/">http://www.speedhunters.com/2013/07/loe ... ikes-peak/</a><!-- m -->

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.thatvideomagazine.com/newyork/autos/vinny-ten-racing">http://www.thatvideomagazine.com/newyor ... ten-racing</a><!-- m -->

Thoughts? I think he is right. People come in and just want something done with no idea or direction with specific plans then blame the people who tried making it right for them when all along it was the owner of the car's fault.

But, I also see the other side where a shop can completely fuck you with just a bad build and quality.

NASA's next event at VIR will also host GRM's Ultimate Track Car Challenge. Who all is going?

I'm in for instructing, I think. I'm not sure what my schedule will be like because I will be getting in from Vegas at 10:30pm Friday night into Richmond. As of now, I think I'm going to get up way early and drive down Saturday morning.

I leave you with a really sad note though. Oak Tree is no longer.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://virnow.com/2013/07/02/oak-tree-down-2/">http://virnow.com/2013/07/02/oak-tree-down-2/</a><!-- m -->

Its going to be really weird driving through that corner in a couple of weeks

ok, I admit it, it was me....I bought Channing's 2002. Now some of you may be asking 'why the hell would you do something like that?' A fair question and I've been asking myself that all along. I think the answer breaks down to 80% I think those cars are cool and hope to enjoy puttering around in it for a while, and 20% to spite Rex and his sound logic.

Went down Saturday and picked it up, great to meet Chan & his family for a bit. We also hit up vmt.org which was pretty cool to see all the old trains...those are some serious machines. Uneventful trip home and the seats made me glad we didn't live farther apart.

I'd really like to get the door fixed and after seeing a photo, realize i need to drop the front bumper and get a front air dam (black section)


Also going to start planning out a suspension refresh with hopefully a modest drop and some larger wheels (read upgrading to 14's from 13's) and see what it'd take to put disk brakes on the rear. Oh yeah, and find a wooden steering wheel that doesn't cost like a grand. (I'm banking on Chan having sorted the mechanicals so i can do fun stuff)

I bought this bike new in 2011 from Spokes Etc. in Vienna and almost never used it. I realized I prefer my exercise to be of the air conditioned, indoor variety for this area :lol: . I rode it a handful of times shortly after purchase, and then it was stored indoors ever since, so it is basically brand new. It was serviced by Spokes just after purchase, and during storage I kept the tires pumped up, dusted and moved it around every once in a while to keep things operating smoothly. It probably wouldn't hurt to give it a quick once over tune up, but its in excellent shape.



It is a 8 speed, 16 inch/41 cm frame bike (I'm 5'8" and it fits me very well), finished in a great looking matte dark blue. There are one or two small knicks/scrapes here and there, likely from when I moved as it has never been crashed or damaged in any way. The bike has never been in the rain or even parked outdoors for that matter.

See below for a spec sheet:



Price: $375, cash. This is virtually the exact same bike as the current model year version, parts and all that stickers for close to $500, so I think this is a fair price. Located in Chantilly, VA - please tell any friends/family that are looking for a mtn. bike this size!

Full Photo Album Here

I'm gone, but the folks in my town can still sell you this stuff:

$200 - Patio Furniture - http://charlottesville.craigslist.org/gr...83760.html
$80 - Black and Decker MM1800 Electric Mower - http://charlottesville.craigslist.org/gr...53946.html

Hey Guise,

So, I got myself another bike this week. It's an SV650 with about 10k miles, and seems to be in relatively good kit. It's got a yoshimura exhaust, and clipons but as far as I can tell, that's all that's really been done to it. It's a nice step up from my GS500f, and with a few minor changes will be a great bike for the next few years. I'm putting the dollars away for a new FZ09, but that'll be a year or two down the road. Right now, my goal is just to put a fuck ton of miles on this bike and go on some adventures.

There's a few things I want to change to make it a little bit more adventure worthy:

The seat is torn, so I'm going to replace that with a nice, comfy Corbin. Hopefully, this will help me stay put a little better too.

The clip-ons suck. I know they may be sporty and look cool, but there is basically 0 vibration dampening, and though I don't mind leaning forward from a comfort standpoint, I'd prefer to sit up straight so I can check my corners mo' bettah. The clip-ons will be switched out with traditional stock-style bars.

I'm gonna need to get some better gloves. I pretty much have a full riding suit, but I'd like some extra digit protection.

I also need to get some bags and stuff so I can actually carry things. And a helmet lock. I hate lugging that thing around every where.

I'll post pics once I get it all shined up. I'm glad to be back on the road!

(As a disclaimer, this bike doesn't have ABS. If any of you remember, I momentarily stopped riding because I felt like my GS500 was just not well put together... Yet, the sv650 is completely different. It feels nice and refined, has a much wider rear, and modern bike stuff like fuel injection and liquid cooling. I decided that it'd be better for me to be experienced and not lose anytime on a bike than it would be for me to save up for something with all the safety things I want... and the SV is not a superpowerfulomgmyfaceisdestroyed type of bike: It's a nice middle ground from where I came from to where I'd like to go.)

Hey all! I have a couple hours at home finally to do some write ups- here is an E46 in Imola I spent near 30 hours total over a weekend- Opti Coat 2.0 application - a permanent coating lasting 18-24 months or more- think of it as a liquid ceramic resin!

Posted from another forum:


Hey there folks,

Extremely backed up on write-ups but I have the free time to put together this near 30 hour correctional on a heavily tracked E46 M3. We decided on a full correctional with Opti Coat 2.0 application for a durable coating of protection. This is the 7th E46 M that i've had the opportunity to fully correct, I enjoy every one!

Correction was performed via a PC, Flex, and the Rupes 21 with various foam pads- even a surbuf pad here and there. M105/ 101 and Sonax PF used.



The entire front end had been cleared a while back- bumper, headlight gels, mirrors, behind every fender well, rockers, pillars, and on the front fenders as well- the aim was to keep as much as possible and restore them via polishing and then shortly after using opti to layer on top of the film to create an incredible layer of durable protection.

Before:

Film was heavily swirled and marred
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0704_zps4b7cbde7.jpg.html"][/url]

Headlight gels and trim below headlamp were very, very yellow and faded- these were removed
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0710_zps7a80c0a9.jpg.html"][/url]

dull
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0711_zps42e16cc0.jpg.html"][/url]

Wheels needed to be de-ironized
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0713_zps92161939.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0721_zps98a359f4.jpg.html"][/url]

tips needed attention
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0716_zps6d2f066c.jpg.html"][/url]

good shot to see the before condition with all the defects
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0718_zps4c9a96a0.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0719_zps3a499fef.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0722_zps6b5ae85c.jpg.html"][/url]

First up was a full decon wash- pre=spray with APC on the heavily soiled areas, Sonax FE working it magic here on the wheels
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0723_zpsdc92e2cf.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0724_zpscf8a7c56.jpg.html"][/url]

The tips were hit with IronX + 0000 steel whool and later polished with P21s soap

Wash phase- thick suds with chem guys maxi sudz + citrus wash + Dawn to strip
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0725_zpsc9719bcf.jpg.html"][/url]

Correctional process: approx. 25 hours

Before pics of the defects:

Hood
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0732_zps15c3d345.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0733_zpsd3b9e585.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0735_zpsb6033e70.jpg.html"][/url]
50/50 in the hood
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0745_zps3d9ae2cd.jpg.html"][/url]

Right front fender
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0763_zps838e436d.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0764_zpsb82e1f97.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0765_zps2d012642.jpg.html"][/url]

Pass. door
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0768_zps9eb2490b.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0770_zps23fc2d24.jpg.html"][/url]

Mid to lower section of door
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0774_zps0e2311ed.jpg.html"][/url]

Lower section
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0776_zps008b38c1.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0777_zpsb86ddf4e.jpg.html"][/url]

Panel area right before rear passenger tire
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0778_zps579f1d0e.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0779_zps51d24264.jpg.html"][/url]

upper rear pass. quarter
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0782_zps42434752.jpg.html"][/url]

Fender lip over rear pass. tire
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0785_zps0132d1ce.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0786_zps136136b3.jpg.html"][/url]

Defects very visible here in natural light!!
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0788_zps47e70c51.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0789_zps5ce6f09b.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0812_zps2023597c.jpg.html"][/url]


Roof line
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0793_zps471cd842.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0795_zpsf0b07250.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0796_zps16dd28f3.jpg.html"][/url]

driver side rear quarter- near rear tail light
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0798_zpsa034ec1f.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0799_zpse8312ff4.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0806_zps02fabaed.jpg.html"][/url]

50/50 on the rear bumper- this section was a PITA to clean up...always is on this model!
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0808_zps8b376bbe.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0809_zps55af03cb.jpg.html"][/url]

Top portion of rear bumper
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0818_zps5d805f16.jpg.html"][/url]
50/50
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0821_zpsde3ca9dc.jpg.html"][/url]

50/50 on driver side door
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0811_zps1de1e3ae.jpg.html"][/url]

Front clear film on hood after- much more clear
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0827_zps895b20af.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0828_zps6ccc381c.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0829_zps617dfee7.jpg.html"][/url]


Between compounding/ polishing/ finishing steps the M was brought outside and washed down

The body was wiped down one more time with CP Eraser to ensure all oils etc. were removed
BEFORE Opti app.
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0843_zpsfdef6b51.jpg.html"][/url]

After correctional shots- before Opti Coat app.
Hood
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0845_zps787d73f7.jpg.html"][/url]
Front fender
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0846_zps83b5a3ab.jpg.html"][/url]
pass. side door
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0849_zps15b10a62.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0850_zps7731a22c.jpg.html"][/url]
Mirror
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0851_zps18263151.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0852_zps286d6462.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0854_zps1afc63e8.jpg.html"][/url]

Near the rear tail
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0855_zps1983df13.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0857_zps26afc494.jpg.html"][/url]

Deck lid
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0859_zpsc7686cc6.jpg.html"][/url]
near driver door
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0860_zpsc5151cfd.jpg.html"][/url]

Lower driver door
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0862_zpsa869535a.jpg.html"][/url]

Driver door
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0864_zpsc98599b3.jpg.html"][/url]

Driver fender
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0865_zps3bfcfd03.jpg.html"][/url]

other half of hood
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0866_zpsd50debe0.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0867_zps4d79ce33.jpg.html"][/url]


Tires were dressed with Opti Gel tire dressing
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0868_zpsc9dfd382.jpg.html"][/url]


Opti Coat 2.0 application
Opti Coat 2 up and ready for application!
[url="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/premiershine9/media/BMW%20M3%20I%20RED%202/DSC_0842_zps7b75b799.jpg.html"][/url]

24 hours after application of Opti Coat - pic time!

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GLOSS
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Thanks for looking all!
- Dan K.

It's about that time, I am coming up on the 2 year mark I think on my car which is right around when I usually start to recycle for something new. The CTS especially with the mods has been a mostly good car, but I am looking for something a little faster, a little more tech updated (the Bluetooth is questionable), and in the ideal world the same or better gas mileage. I have been perusing autotrader and some other sites but you all being car guys with experience with a bunch of cars can probably better point me in the right direction.

I am open to mostly anything really, I had actually been looking at a few trucks (Raptor, Tundra, F150 limited) but I really don't think I can live with that poor of gas mileage just out of principle. Gas is only going up and its dumb to throw away that much money unless i need the utility of a truck for work...which I don't.

Budget: $45k for the right car, realistically would prefer to stay under $40k. Out of principle I just don't feel good about spending more than that on a car unless its a mid life crisis or I'm an old retired man looking for a sports car.

Needs to have comfort features because I still do spend time in the car. Lease would be considered now since I don't drive as much as I used to though.

More power than my current car would be a huge plus. I would be willing to trade off a little in gas mileage for that, but a lot of cars I am looking at have similar fuel efficiency and more power than my current car.

V8 would be awesome but not required. Boosted V6 would be equally awesome.

Reliable. Super important, I don't want this thing in the shop

Tech upgrade: Bluetooth 2.0 etc. preferred

So far what I have seriously considered:

2008-2009 Lexus IS-F - Has the power, comfortable with Lexus interior and reliability, rough on gas mileage if you put your foot down but actually averages about the same highway mileage as my car. Not crazy about the fake tailpipes. Would prefer 2011+ due to some suspension and visual upgrades but those are still in the $52k+ range from what I have seen

2013 Caddy ATS - Overall loved the basic rental I had for a bit. Looking at the 2.0T but these don't seem to have quite come down in price from the mid 40s for an optioned out 2.0T with the magnetic suspension.

2009-2010 CTS-V - Obvious bonus for the power, can find the 2009s now for mid 40s. Woeful fuel efficiency, to the point it would be annoying but everything else would make up for it including modability.

I haven't considered any of the German cars yet to be honest but if you guys can make a great case for a reliable example I would love to hear it. I am not interested in a 335i or really any of the Mercedes models.

rdy go!

Does anyone know of a shop in or around Harrisonburg with a spring compressor that would be open on Saturday? I don't really want to mess with the bolt style spring compressors to get the springs on the front shocks if I don't have to.

I typically always go to the same guy in Broadway, but he isn't going to be around this weekend or next so I'm trying to find a place that will put springs on shocks for me fairly cheaply. If I can't find one I'll end up renting/buying spring compressors if I have to though.