Most liked posts in thread: What did you do with your MINI today?

I inspected my cooling system, lines and clamps, and radiator. I've come to the decision that it is time for a new radiator. Let's hope the water pump isn't next!!!

 

Getting new rear swaybar bushings installed. Seems I have to get a new set every 5 or 6 years. When I installed the 22mm rear swaybar about 15 years ago, I was told that I would have to lube the bushings fairly often. Without grease nipples able to fit, that was going to be a difficult job. Difficult enough that it would be easier to simply replace the bushings every few years. It turns out, in my car, that's 5 or 6 years. The bushings are fairly inexpensive so a fair trade off between the cost of new bushings and noticeably improved handling.

 

I had some errands to run on Sunday and it was a beautiful, sunny day, so I got Rufus out of the garage. I made my 2-3 stops and then blasted down the highway for 10 miles or so. There had been a slight stumble when I first started the car up, but it smoothed out 75% of the way by the time I made it to my first stop and resolved itself 100% after the highway jaunt. The car is tight, sprightly and DONE!

 

After 2 weeks of sitting I took the Clubby to Lowe's and then HomeDepot for a local jaunt, it enjoyed the short but sport mode jaunt. FYI, EGO products and not being offered at HD anymore, HD at Lowe's local is a joke, so AMAZON to the rescue for a new blade for the summer. I think I will let the blade guy at a local farmers market sharpen and balance my two old blades if he can. . EGO branded blades at the big A or on a 1 to 2 month order cycle back-ordered. A local reseller can get me one via AMAZON by Friday, my lawn with be forest high by then. Putting the best old blade on I guess. Yes, this was whine, not wine.

Time to go wash the Clubby and hit a local hardware store. Enjoy your week.

 

Not sure what you can get in Canada, but I'd recommend an AGM battery. They will take a lot of abuse. Is the border still closed? If not run down to Bellingham & hit a parts store. NAPA or O'Reilly should have what you need. Change it out in the lot & head back north.

 

Finally got around to replacing the battery. Had to soak up a bit of water out of the bottom of the battery box, but I've seen worse in other cars. Was thinking of an aftermarket battery, but decided on a factory MINI(BMW) battery.

 

Used the SYLVANIA Headlight Restoration Kit
on the driver headlight (I replaced the
passenger side a year or two ago and it
still looks brand new). Had polished the
driver side twice over the last couple years
but the yellowing and haze return fairly
quickly since I didn’t use a product that
included a protective UV coat then.
Great results and hopefully it will last
a lot longer this time.
Also did the front fog light lenses.

 

Boy is getting old a real pain. Work on my car a little this morning and man dose my back hurt. As usual even thing went back together with only a few problems.

 

Organizing an Ice Cream and doughnut run for this Sunday. So if you happen to be allowed across the border (those of you in the US), or are in the Vancouver BC, Canada area, you are welcome to join us.

https://www.facebook.com/events/344262997273927/

 

It used to be that I could go to a garage sale near the end of the day and offer them $2 for what's left of the entire box. Most of the time, at least 5 to 10 are keepers.

That is happening less and less now. But then, I have more great music than I know what to do with so it's all good fun.

 

After this young buyer and her Pop Pop bought the RaceR50, I continued to winter store it and also de-tuned it…….until she was ready! So happy to see the R50 bring more smiles to the next generation!

 

Everybody had so much fun at the last one, which involved trips around the roundabouts, I was asked to set up another one. Anybody driving a MINI/mini the the Vancouver BC area (Canada), you're welcome to join us. Maybe they'll open the border crossings for those fully vaccinated by next week.

https://www.facebook.com/events/219947940133286/




Okay, some guy in process of getting a MINI came in his 240Z.

 

I hear that a larger intercooler helps prevent kidney stones as well.
I'm glad you're back.

 

Drove the MINI 20 Clubman JCW over to the Annual Automezzi Italian Car Fest. . I parked in VIP parking near the gate and took a bunch of pictures, over 150 or so Ferraris (new and old) , Maserati new and older, best in show, IMO 1964 Maserati Sebring Coupe, fully restored to excellent driver, 100% on paint, interior and mechanical. It is available for $198,000 a fair price. Owner said he did not want it restored to a nit-pic consourse, he likes to drive it. Not anything bad that I saw, he said there were one or two non-standard items on the car. I will take his word for it. I will drag up a picture if I can find it. A lovely gathering of Italian, nice bikes, nice scooters, very expensive F cars, a few Alfa Romeos (I am still a national and local car club member). Lambo's did I miss the lamborginis, yes old and new too.

When I get a public google album created I will post it.

Don (The clubbie looked mighty fine with all the F, L, A and others). Even the 1947 Rolls looked nice on the lawn. Owner said he bought it when he was 23, he had his lawn chairs on a persian rug 15x20, I think it was one that came with the car. The hood ornament was the Rolls Lady, kneeling so the muslims did not get offended.

Don

 

Retirement is great, but that means all lot of time to think of things to do. For a while it was great I got quite a bite done, but as you get older it seems some of the tasks seem a bite much. I've been retired since 2009 and I guess I'm getting lazy. Taking care of the lawn is pain. The only thing that I still get into is golf (sometime 1 or 2 times a mo.) and tinkering with Checkers.

 

I'm a young guy at only 70. My days on two wheels are many years behind me. Even if I could manage it I wouldn't ride due to all the cell phone distracted drivers out there now. Be careful out there guys.

Good on you for taking care of your wife checkers. Buy a battery tender or two & it will make keeping batteries alive much easier.

 

Thanks and I thought of the battery tenders but then I wouldn't go see Checkers that often. It give me a reason to go down an start it up now & then.

 

The wife's problem is memory. She has dementia so we stay close to home.

 

Snapshot from my MINI trip today......