Darrell

I've been risking it a lot these past few weeks. If the forecast says there's a 50% chance of rain I figure the forecaster is just flipping a coin, and I ride anyway. Heck, I've been wet before.... But I must say that when it rains around here it often comes down in buckets.

Have you ridden the bike the way it's set up and with a full load in the bags? You should know pretty quickly whether or not you're comfortable with it. I'd be VERY concerned about having that weight out back, as it effectively unloads your front tire. If you were to hit a bump in a corner you might find yourself dealing with serious understeer or a wheelie. I'm pretty sure I'd grind that low side bag away in half an hour, too. But again, it's mainly a matter of whether or not you feel comfortable and confident.

Do the various TN counties print a voters' guide? I moved here a few years ago from WA, and one of the few things I miss is getting a pamphlet in the mail at election time in which the candidates offered up a statement and people pro and con of ballot issues were able to offer up statements. Being pretty new here I really don't know much about the various local candidates, and it would be nice to have some information to go by.

Amazing that there's a restriction to a single box. But at least some are available.

We did a variation called "bailing out". You get as high as you can, then flip your feet up over your head and (hopefully) land on your feet below the swing. No broken bones that I recall, and lordie! we did it without helmets and elbow or knee pads.

I've always been a fan of the big GS bikes, but I've never pulled the trigger on one. A lot of guys ride those on genuinely off-road rides, but if I had one I'd stick to nothing tougher than a fire road, I think. Glad you had a good trip!

PM sent for the shotgun.

Thanks. I wanted to buy the HF 1-ton stand, but they're out of stock anywhere near me. I sure don't need that much capacity for the Z engine, but I also have an F250 with a diesel, and you never know....

I'm looking for something a LOT less expensive, but thanks.

Found one! Thanks. Looking for a good used engine stand. I got a notion to pull the engine from my 240Z and now I need a stand. It'll have to be pretty close to me, I guess, say west Knoxville to Cookeville. Please let me know what you have and what price you need for it. Gracias!

Thanks!

The two Ducati motorcycles are gone, but the Harley is still here. Anyone need a nice HD? I've decided to thin the herd substantially, so three different bikes for sale. The first has been listed here for a time: 2004 Ducati 999 Standard. The bike has 6817 miles on it, and is in great condition. I bought this bike several months ago from a fellow who had it sitting in his shop for 6 or 7 years. I brought it home and went through the bike from front to back, doing all the maintenance and repairs required. The bike now runs and looks great. A partial list of things done: New front tire, rebuilt brake calipers, rebuilt clutch master cylinder, replaced clutch slave cylinder, replace battery, replaced air filters, fuel filters, fuel pump, oil and filter and coolant. Did a full desmo service, valves are all adjusted within spec and replaced the cam belts. I'm sure there's other stuff I forgot. $7200 firm. The only trade that might interest me would be an S1000RR with cash on my end. The bike is not registered or insured, so a test ride requires cash in my hand and signing a liability agreement. Second is a 2008 Ducati 1098S. Take a look at my Craigslist ad in Knoxville for pics and a full description. 10,xxx miles on the bike, fresh service, excellent condition, $10,000. Finally, a 2007 Harley Davidson XL1200C. This one is also listed in the Knoxville CL. 8100 miles, excellent condition, $5500. All of these bikes are well-maintained and the Ducatis have never been ridden faster than 160 mph. Clean titles on all.

I've had one for over 40 years and it still works just fine. I use an RCBS Chargemaster (it throws and weighs the charge automatically) fairly often, and I like my Lee powder measure just fine, too. I also have a set of Lee powder dippers that are pretty good for stuff like 9mm.

Are you working within a budget? If so Lee or RCBS offer powder measures that are pretty reasonably priced. You'll also need a powder scale. The scale is probably more important than the measure. Lee is the budget choice, RCBS or Hornady are the "mainstream" choices. Dillon is a little more upscale. People who load a LOT of ammo seem to prefer Dillon, but my Lee, RCBS, and Hornady reloading equipment have all worked great for me. RCBS offers a nice electronic unit that throws and weighs each charge automatically, but it's expensive (at least I think it is) and not necessary unless you're trying to be very precise with your loads.

My brother (who drives a truck) calls that "drag racing,."

I've never been a big fan of the AR-style platform, having carried an M16 during my time in the Corps and coming away unimpressed. But when the big push to ban "assault rifles" came along I bought a DPMS rifle. I don't shoot it very often, but I've owned it for quite a long time now with no problems or complaints. Have fun with yours.

I guess we in Hebbertsburg got everyone else's rain. 1.75" on Wed and Thursday, and a bit this evening. My lawn has turned greener pretty quickly.

Can you point to a post or two in which the poster claims they'd meet LE at the door with a barrel to their face?

This from a seller of 80% lowers, and yes, it can be found on the internet: https://www.ar-15lowerreceivers.com/80-lower-news/can-i-build-an-80-lower-receiver-without-an-ffl/ You may have great arguments why the ATF is wrong, but I sure wouldn't want to test them. Can someone else finish my 80 lower receiver? Unsurprisingly, the answer to that is no. The ATF explains their ruling in so many words: 1. The Gun Control Act of 1968 defines an FFL as "any person engaged in the business of manufacturing firearms or ammunition for purposes of sale or distribution." As defined by section 921(a)(21)(A) of the Gun Control Act, "engaged in the business" means "a person who devotes time, attention, and labor to manufacturing firearms as a regular course of trade for business with the principle objective of livelihood and profit through the sale of distribution of the firearms manufactured." 2. When an unlicensed machine shop, gunsmith, or FFL receives an incomplete firearm receiver (an 80 lower, for example), performs manufacturing activity that results in "the making of a different frame or receiver and also a weapon which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile", and returns it back to the customer or builder (you), he or she has engaged in the "distribution" of a firearm. 3. According to the Gun Control Act, "any person (including any corporation or other legal entity) engaged in the business of performing machining, molding, casting, forging, printing (additive manufacturing) or other manufacturing process to create a firearm frame or receiver, or to make a frame or receiver suitable for use as part of a weapon ... which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive, i.e., a firearm, must be licensed as a manufacturer under the GCA; identify (mark) any such firearm; and maintain required manufacturer's records."

I believe we should go back to gibbeting or burning at the stake for these murderers. Sickening stuff.

I read this morning that NY's new handgun bill requires CCP applicants to turn over all social media accounts for evaluation. I suppose that TGN counts as social media, and I wonder how the NY evaluators would look at comments that people make on a similar forum. My guess is that more law suits are coming soon.

And just to show that you can get every opinion across the range when you ask a question on the internet, I'll chime in that scooping works just fine so long as you use a consistent method. I use an electronic scale when I'm loading up varying load to test for accuracy, but for bulk reloading a scoop is fine. In fact, drop-style powder measures are just giving you a load based on volume, just as a scoop does. BUT, I wouldn't use multiple scoops unless you don't have an option. Lee sells a set of powder dippers pretty cheap. And every Lee die set comes with a dipper and load data. Stay simple while you're learning, follow the loading manuals, and stay on the safe side of the loads you choose.