Sportster Tank Decals Found

Reese and I have started the work to get my Sportster up and running again. We got the sheet metal and some of the other hard bits removed while he was down for Christmas. They’re going to get repainted, matching the original paint and decals, as time and money permits. That was the source of my worry because the tank decals were obsoleted years ago and the color, States Blue Pearl, was only used in 1996 and 1997. Turns out that while it was going to be difficult, it wasn’t going to be impossible.

I went up to American Eagle Harley-Davidson to pick up an adjustable thermostat for my heated jacket liner since I had some gift certificate money to spend. While I was there I went over to the parts counter and talked with the guys about the project. They looked up the decals, confirmed that they were obsoleted, and that they didn’t have any. But they were able to check dealer inventory around the country and found a shop in Florida that did have a set. They got the order placed and they’re heading my way. They also gave me recommendations for a good painter and paint codes so that I’ll be able to keep it wearing the stock color. Now I’ve just got to get the engine and everything else out of the frame so that I can get it stripped and powder coated. But at least the hard-to-find part is on its way.

SOPA Blackout

Not that there’s much traffic here, but I’m blacking the blog out tomorrow in support of the opposition to SOPA. I work in Information Technology and understand just how bad it would be for the Internet as we know it. We’re not China or Iran, though with what’s been going on in Congress lately, we could be going there. We should NOT be going there.

It’s asinine that Congress can’t get their act together to pass a budget but when Hollywood flings some money at them they have no problems working things out. Make sure you call your Senators on January 18th and let them know you oppose SOPA and PIPA.

The Iron Druid Chronicles 1 – 3

I usually post book reviews when I finish them, but these were so good that I read all three ([amazon_link id=”0345522478″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Hounded[/amazon_link],[amazon_link id=”0345522494″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Hexed[/amazon_link], and[amazon_link id=”0345522486″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Hammered[/amazon_link]) pretty much back-to-back. The Iron Druid Chronicles is a series about the last surviving druid, now living in modern day Arizona, and dealing with all sorts of supernatural problems. And by problems I mean power struggles between angry gods from various pantheons, werewolves, vampires, witches, demons, and more. If you’re a fan of the Dresden Files, you’re probably going to enjoy these books too. From the author’s site it looks like books 4 through 6 got picked up so new ones will be on their way starting this summer.

Stronglifts 5×5

I’m not calling this a New Year resolution since I’ve been lifting for a while now, but Mehdi and team just released an iPhone app for his Stronglifts program. I’ve dropped everything back to the starting weights and am concentrating on getting my form better. If you want to find out anything about the program, head over to the site and read up on it. Me, I’m going to be picking heavy things up and putting them back down.