Running in Place: An exercise in complaining

It seems that no matter how much we apply ourselves, to any task or challenge at hand, all we can do it stay on an even keel. We don't make progress. We don't lose ground but we never seem to gain. If we do manage, by some miracle to make some progress in one area, we lose an immense amount in another area. The trend has the capacity to leave me questioning many things. Am I the best person for the task at hand? Is there something that I could be doing differently that would be more effective? Sweat, elbow grease, and vigilant effort seem to do nothing. 

All the while, I watch the people around me list their homes and make progress in their lives. I can not for the life of me, figure out where I have gone wrong. I have always thought that if you tried hard enough that you could make just about anything a reality but the harder we try, the more it seems like wasted effort and time. We have sacrificed many of our weekends and most of our free time to getting our house ready while those around us can do it in a week or two. I didn't think that our home was in such a state of disrepair that it would require almost every waking moment to get it ready to sell. I have no love for the building any longer. At first it was a pleasure to improve and clean up but the constant onslaught of never ending tasks has left me feeling downtrodden and at a loss. I can't look past the flaws to see it how other people will view it and perhaps that is the real issue. Jessie seems to think we have made real progress and that things are coming right along. I only wish I were so optimistic. Up until now, I have considered myself pretty handy and capable but the further we delve into this sea of repairs and improvements the more I realize just how bad I allowed everything to get. Some preventative maintenance would have gone a long way. On top of everything else, it could be months before this place actually sells, if ever. 

To have come so far and be only at the point of wanting to walk away is a sad state of affairs indeed. I can only hope that maybe in the coming weeks we actually get to a point where maybe we can list the house. I need a moment away, with the wind through my visor, and the only concern where the next stop on the journey is. I have lost all optimism for this task and have come to a state of apathy and cynicism regarding the whole thing. 

The worst part, as we "progress" through these repairs I know in the back of my mind that I still have two cars in need of attention, a job I am less than efficient at, and a variety of other trivial concerns that combine to form an "Everest" sized to do list that may never actually have any progress made on it either. How is it that those around me go through life moment to moment enjoying each step of their epic journey? What life lesson have I missed out on that has left me ill equipped to balance all the facets of my life?

Nick's Lucky Day

Jess had a very bad morning this morning. She flipped her car on Leavenworth county rd 14 (Rogers rd) on the way to work. She was relatively unscathed but her beloved 97 Toyota Corolla was not so lucky. It did a great job of protecting her when it mattered most however, there was little left of what the car used to be. 

 I am counting my lucky stars today though. We can replace the car and all of the possessions inside. Jess was not hurt and that is what matters most. It is sad to see our faithful ever-running corolla carted away for scrap but there was little option in the matter. Jess will be a more cautious driver as a result of the accident. Also, the car is going to be placed at the local high school to help young people consider the cost of inattentive driving or driving under the influence. Even though Jess was not under the influence, if it helps a young person (or anyone) drive more carefully, we don't mind the exaggeration of circumstances.

Our corolla will be missed. It was a rough day but there is much cause for celebration when everyone walks away intact. Give your loved ones an extra hug tonight. You don't know what tomorrow will bring and the smallest actions can have grave consequences.

Side note, despite a mostly collapsed front end and a full roll the airbags never deployed. It has been explained to us by multiple people but it still surprised me.

If at first you don't succeed

If you have an issue and just can't seem to sort it out you should keep a few things in mind. Perhaps, that carburetor just keeps on presenting issues. No matter what you do, you just can not seem to nail down what the problem is. You try and try but although you have had it apart countless times it just keeps presenting the same symptoms. Go back to the simplest solution. Go back to the beginning and look at what you have done. Triple and quadruple check all of your adjustments. Chances are you forgot something simple. 

I took the kdx 200 apart again tonight to clear up the carb overflow issue. I found debris in there the last time and after clearing it, I didn't take the time to check the float height. I figured that, since I had been very careful when I extracted it, that it would be within spec. Fail.

It was significantly out of spec when I opened it up tonight. I am not certain that I have solved all of the issues, but the gas is no longer pouring out of the carburetor overflow line. I think it is finally ready for a test run at one of the local parks this weekend. I am hesitant to haul the bike anywhere to exciting for fear that it will fail on me and I will spend more time and more gas only to be doing repairs further from home rather than riding somewhere amazing.

We will see though. I am not sure I can resist the call of Arkansas much longer.

Here is the sight I used for a quick reference: "Method One - Measuring the Height of the Float

This method requires a set of calipers. With the carb upside down, tilt the carb until the tang on the float just makes contact with the needle rod protruding from the float valve. At this point the distance between the bottom of the float and the float bowl mating surface should be 16mm ± 1mm or 0.63" ± 0.08". Remember the carb is upside down so the bottom of the float is facing you. If the distance is out side of this range gently bend the tang and recheck. Ideally you would reassemble the carb and recheck it with the fuel level gauge. If you don’t have a gauge you’ll have to trust you set the height properly.

Measure the distance between the bottom of the float  and the float bowl mating surface (#1). The distance should equal 16 mm +/- 1 mm or .63" +/- 0.08"

Method Two - Setting them Parallel

This method is similar to the first method. It isn’t quite as accurate but works fine if you don’t have access to a set of calipers. In method one when you measure the distance between the bottom of the float and the float bowl mating surface the two are parallel to each other. If you use a straight edge for a reference, a feeler gauge works well, and place it on the float bowl’s mating surface you can visually check to see that the two are parallel to each other. It helps if you angle the feeler gauge towards the float to reduce the distance between the two a little. Tilt the carb the same way you did in the previous method and watch for the tang on the float to just make contact with the needle rod protruding from the float valve. If the two are not parallel at this point the bend the tang and recheck. Ideally you would reassemble the carb and recheck it with the fuel level gauge. If you don’t have a gauge you’ll have to trust you set the height properly."