Chores, Learning Correct Ways with Connectors and Small Repairs

Amidst rather nice weather, I've been catching up on household chores.  

I also realized finally and youtube'd some lessons on the correct way to use butt and crimp connectors for low voltage wires.  I'd been doing it with the wrong tools and methodology you see; now I have new wire crimpers which should lead to better repairs in the future.

Changed the oil on both the Onan 4KW generator on the VRRV and also the Predator 2K Generator.  I've lost track of the hours on the Predator so I just change its oil when I do the Onan generator, which is at least every 50 hours of operation.

Changed the engine oil and filter on the VRRV, she's now over 119K miles.  I bought her with 22,240 miles on the odometer back in 2016.  That works out to an average of about 12,095 per year.

Received a replacement for the Chicology Blinds that broke in the VRRV.  Gotta like a company that stands behind their product!  It's installed and hopefully will last a while.

Paused briefly to shoot a pic of my neighbor's tree as it steadily begins to lose its leaves:

The trees in the neighborhood are also in the final stages of Fall Colors but not finding the motivation to go get those pics.  It's not the same with houses in the background.

Fixed the Aluma trailer's wire connection to the VRRV, again.  Though I'd done a good enough job last time but a bare wire on the right rear light had grounded and caused lots of current to flow and generated enough heat to burn things up!

Scarlett, my 2014 Ural Patrol Sidecar Rig's front brakes had felt "mushy" when I last rode her.  Today I checked the pads (close but still good) and then discovered a failed speed-bleeder valve.  The rubber cap had come off a while ago it seems, dirt got into the opening and air got in.

Luckily I had a spare in stock, installed it, bled the brakes and all good now.

Normally, you'd see a small ball bearing sealing

the opening above

I keep rotating through the motorcycles as I run chores and such, no riding for pleasure since I got back from camping.  Mostly though, working on regaining trust in Yagi, my recently repaired TW200.

A neighborhood friend, Chip C., who's a pretty good handyman/mechanic has agreed to swap the wiring harness on the stators so that I have a good "spare" for Yagi.  My soldering skills remain crappy but I bought a "helping hands" tool based on Chip's suggestion for the next time I try soldering wires:

It's been a series of nice and warm afternoons with cool mornings in the 40s-50s.  Snow is rumored for the latter half of this coming week, we shall see.