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Chopper Bob

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I own and operate a motorcycle repair shop in the Midwest. I'd tell you I'm licensed, but there is no licensing in this industry. People who claim that make me laugh. I'm also an instructor in the Motorcycle, ATV & Personal Watercraft program at the local community college. If you like my answers, or don't, feel free to contact me for a spirited discussion!

  • Why is my cat so freaking fat?

    I adopted my cat when he was 2 years old. He had been allowed unlimited access to food, and he enjoyed every minute of it. When he came to me he was 21 pounds.

    5 years later, he still weighs 18 pounds. He's got quite a belly on him. I've reduced him to 1/3 cup of Purina Diet Cat Chow twice a day. That's 2/3 a cup total, when the package says he should be getting between 1 and 2 cups of food a day.

    This has been his diet for 2 years, and 18 pounds seems to be the minimum weight he's going to carry...

    He screams at me for starving him. How do I get him to lose weight without torturing his empty belly any more than I am?

    He's an indoor cat, period. Walks are out of the question. I encourage his playtime whenever he shows signs of interest. Beyond that, he lays around and sleeps.

    Any suggestions?

    7 AnswersCats8 years ago
  • Opinions: 69 Triumph 650 Bonneville?

    Looking at getting into a chopper restoration that has a '69 650 bonnie in it. Don't have much experience with them, wondering what the reputation is like. I know the bonnie's have a cult following, but does that apply to this one?

    Any thoughts on the good or the bad with this motor would be helpful.

    2 AnswersMotorcycles1 decade ago
  • Need help! Can't afford a Personal Trainer!!!?

    I joined a nice gym, but the monthly's tap the budget. The trainers are nice, but they cost a LOT!

    Wondering if anyone can help me out.

    On Mon, Wed, and Fri I work my upper body. Tue and Thur is lower, and abs and rotator cuff rehab is every day. Also every day is cardio.

    What I'm wondering about is, for example, my pec workout. If I'm pressing 85lbs 3x10, and just reaching my limit by the end, is that good enough to do all three days? Or should I vary it with a higher weight/lower rep or vise-versa?

    I'm not really looking to build lots of muscle; I'm more concerned with burning fat and my general health. I just figure that if I'm doing the work anyway, maybe there's a more efficient way to get it done...

    Anyone been there and done that?

    Thanks.

    3 AnswersDiet & Fitness1 decade ago
  • Why did the car value sites stop offering values for vehicles before 1990?

    When I bought my 88 Toyota last October, both NADA and KBB offered up values for the car. Now I looking to sell it, along with an 89 Ford 150, and neither site will offer up a value. KBB spouts some crap about not being able to provide accurate pricing, so they won't even try.

    What gives? Did someone get sued? Even MotorTrend and the Car Guru's won't give values before 1990.

    ?????????

    5 AnswersBuying & Selling1 decade ago
  • Carb specs from a 75 Yamaha XS500b?

    I'm working on a 75 Yam XS500b with the optional Keihin carbs, and all my freakin resources can tell me are what the specs are for the Mikuni carbs.

    I need jet settings, float heights, and fuel/air turns. Somebody ****** these carbs up pretty bad, and I really don't want to do this by trial and error.

    Anyone work with the 32mm Keihins that Yamaha used in the mid-70's? Can you help?

    Thanks.

    2 AnswersMotorcycles1 decade ago
  • What is the origin of the phrase "state-of-the-art"?

    I know what it means. I'm curious as to the phrasing, and where it comes from!

    4 AnswersWords & Wordplay1 decade ago
  • Too stupid and arrogant to think that no one has ever asked, "What's the best bike for me?"?

    I have problems with my self-esteem. I've been laughed at a lot, and I don't make friends easily, so I'm looking for ways to make people respect me. I think that guys who have go-fast crotch rockets look really cool, and if I have one, I'll get instant respect.

    Unfortunately for all of you, I'm too stupid, or possibly too arrogant, to possibly believe that this question has ever been asked before! So I'm going to ask it again!

    What's the best bike for a guy who's 16 years old, never ridden any 2-wheel faster than a BMX, and doesn't understand why his parents don't want him to get one? What do you mean, "Insurance is more expensive than the bike?" That's crazy. It doesn't apply to ME!

    I have a friend who's had an R6 for 2 months, so I know all there is to know about this stuff. He's only laid it down 3 times, so I know that maybe it isn't fast enough? I know that I want to go faster than him, for sure.

    I was thinking about the ZX14, the Busa, a Wakan 1650, or a Ducati 1198r.

    Don't be haters and tell me to take some stupid safety class, cuz that's just for posers and you know it. And don't be telling me that those bikes are too big for beginners, cuz I know you're just lying and don't want me to have friends. I'm not getting some silly little CBR600rr for a starter bike. I've got to have at least a LITTLE cred with my friends, right? Sheesh.

    So, which of those bikes are your favorites? Which would you buy to get you to school 3 miles away and back? BTW, I'm not going to have a car, and I live in Minnesota...

    19 AnswersMotorcycles1 decade ago
  • What are your opinions on the different brands of motorcycle lifts?

    It's time to buy a new lift for the shop, and as I start my research, I'm realizing that there are dozens of lifts on the market, all claiming supremacy. In my opinion, Handy is the benchmark, but they run upwards of $2000 with the options I need.

    Do any of you know of a lift company that makes a comparable product that sells for less? I'm talking about full table, hydraulic motorcycle/atv lifts.

    What do you own? Do you like it? Would you buy it again?

    Perhaps you just know of a good motorcycle forum that has user reviews of lifts.. Thanks.

    4 AnswersMotorcycles1 decade ago
  • Ideas for an EPIC party?

    I don't throw parties, but seeing as how I just graduated from college as a 33 year old divorced father, I think I deserve one. I don't want it to be just another party; I want it to be LEGENDARY! No standing around and staring at people!

    I need ideas! What's the craziest sh*t you've ever seen at a party?

    To give you an idea of where my head is at: I will have a big frickin liquor luge, weather allowing there will be mud wrestling, there might be a band. Unfortunately, the local petting zoos are pretty anal about the treatment of their animals, so there will be no donkeys for the midget strippers. I'm thinking there will probably be strip beer pong. You see what I'm getting at? When the cops show up, I want the news helicopters circling overhead!

    So, give me ideas! I need them! Boring need not apply.

    5 AnswersBeer, Wine & Spirits1 decade ago
  • Ideas for fun activities at a party?

    I rarely throw parties, yet I have decided to try to throw an epic bash. It's going to be the beginning of October, so I'm thinking that it'll probably be too cold for mud wrestling; I don't know any midgets and I don't have access to any donkeys.

    So that begs the question:

    What's the craziest sh*t you've ever seen at a party? I need ideas!!!

    I don't want a bunch of people standing around, bored out of their minds. I need the good stuff here people!

    2 AnswersBeer, Wine & Spirits1 decade ago
  • Where can I buy Wolfe Island sandals?

    8 years ago, I bought a pair of Wolfe Island sandals from Payless (I think) for about $20. They didn't fall apart until this year. Absolutely amazing. Anyway, the dingdongs who currently work at Payless haven't heard of them, and neither have the guys at Birkenstock. I've searched as well as I know how on the internet, and I can't find them. Anyone?

    2 AnswersFashion & Accessories1 decade ago
  • Why am I getting radio signal interference when my car is running?

    When my 88 toyota celica with 92K miles is on and running, I'm getting radio signal interference. It started a month or two ago. It messes up my stereo (radio) and makes the FM sound like a badly tuned AM station - you know, scratching and popping. The scratching and popping is in time with the RPM's, and gets louder the more I step on the gas.

    In fact, the interference is SO bad that my garage door opener remote will NOT work unless and until I turn the car off!

    It is NOT my regulator/rectifier letting ripples into my AC current; I disconnected the alternator entirely and the problem still existed.

    It is NOT my spark plug wires and boots. I replaced them with known good parts and the problem still exists.

    Within a month or two before the problem started I replaced the distributor, plugs, cap, rotor, and plug wires. I ran the AC in hot weather for the first time since owning the car. I can think of no other major developments in that time frame.

    This has stumped the best automotive and car stereo minds I know, and that's saying something; I am now putting it up to the world in general.

    Please help!

    2 AnswersCar Audio1 decade ago
  • Why am I getting radio signal interference when my car is running?

    When my 88 toyota celica with 92K miles is on and running, I'm getting radio signal interference. It started a month or two ago. It messes up my stereo (radio) and makes the FM sound like a badly tuned AM station - you know, scratching and popping. The scratching and popping is in time with the RPM's, and gets louder the more I step on the gas.

    In fact, the interference is SO bad that my garage door opener remote will NOT work unless and until I turn the car off!

    It is NOT my regulator/rectifier letting ripples into my AC current; I disconnected the alternator entirely and the problem still existed.

    It is NOT my spark plug wires and boots. I replaced them with known good parts and the problem still exists.

    Within a month or two before the problem started I replaced the distributor, plugs, cap, rotor, and plug wires. I ran the AC in hot weather for the first time since owning the car. I can think of no other major developments in that time frame.

    This has stumped the best automotive and car stereo minds I know, and that's saying something; I am now putting it up to the world in general.

    Please help!

    4 AnswersMaintenance & Repairs1 decade ago
  • How do I clean up my computer so it will run faster?

    I look at too many pictures of naked girls, and my computer is getting pretty slow. What do the guys at the repair shop do to clean it up? What can I do at home? Will you help?

    3 AnswersDesktops1 decade ago
  • How do I wire a winch to an ATV?

    I've got a 1500lb winch, Masterlock, that is missing the remote control. I need to wire it in manually. On a 12v system, at max output, it's pulling 27 amps. You switch the direction by changing the polarity. I'm thinking I'll need to use a relay to handle the load. I need suggestions on a good relay/switch combination, and where to get it from. My internet searches aren't helping much...

    1 AnswerMaintenance & Repairs1 decade ago
  • How do I ADD programs to my startup file?

    I want FireFox to automatically open during startup on my PC. How do I do this?

    4 AnswersSoftware1 decade ago
  • Is there a way to record a musical instrument on my computer?

    I have a standard-issue IBM clone. Is there typically a component included that would allow me to plug in a microphone or RCA cables and record that signal? (I found recording software, I'm concerned with hardware here...)

    1 AnswerOther - Computers1 decade ago
  • I've got unexplainable leaks from my Dodge Stratus ?

    I have a 98 Dodge Stratus ES, with the 2.5L and the automatic triptonic tranny (or whatever they call the automatic manual shifter.)

    Recently I developed 2 leaks from the engine bay. One appears to be tranny fluid, possibly from an axle bearing. It is a translucent red. We're talking about 3 - 4 spots, all 2 or 3 inches in diameter, along the front right axle line, in a typical overnight sitting. This has gone on for at least a month and a half, and I'm not missing any fluids! Tranny fluid checked at temp is reading full, and the only other fluid I know of that even resembles tranny fluid is brake fluid, and that's just fine, too!

    The other problem is my oil light comes on when the car is warmed up and idling. As soon as I give it power, the light goes off. There's no dinging or pinging coming from the engine to suggest a pump problem, so I'm thinking it's my oil pressure sensor (I think that's where my oil leak is coming from..) But recently the dummy light stopped coming on, and my dipstick says I've got plenty of oil, but I'm dropping a basketball sized spot every night!!!!

    It's like I'm in the twilight zone or something. Someone, please help!

    1 AnswerMaintenance & Repairs1 decade ago
  • No spark on the #2 cylinder on my 79 Yamaha XS 750. Why?

    I've got a 1979 Yamaha XS 750. Fuel is delivered, spark is good on 1 and 3, but no spark on 2.

    New plugs and wires are in. More than that, don't know. Just got the bike.

    Is presumably preventing the bike from turning over, but there may be more issues. Anyone familiar with this breed of bike?

    2 AnswersMotorcycles1 decade ago