Tales From The Toolbox

Every mechanic will lose or misplace a tool from time to time. If you're lucky you just left it next to a different project you were working on and it turns up when you get back it. If you're really unlucky you left it next to the carburetors and it departed for parts unknown when you went for the test ride.

As every mechanic knows, the best way to find a missing wrench is to buy a new one. As soon as the new one arrives the old one will suddenly leap out making you wonder about your powers of observation.

This is my original 8mm wrench. It's one of the ones I bought for my first job. If you didn't see the original post it's here.

Originally 6mm bolts had 10mm heads but Honda, in their infinite wisdom, has now decided that they should have 8mm heads so this is a really important tool. And it went missing ...

This is the 8mm wrench from my backup toolbox. It's a Craftsman wrench and is a perfectly fine wrench. It jumped into action while I used bad words trying to find my original wrench.

This is the new Snap-on 8mm wrench that I bought to replace the lost wrench. You might logically ask, Why get a new wrench when you already had a wrench? Well, all I can say is that I'm a tool nerd and I like to have perfect sets of things.

Snap-On is my favorite brand and it makes me happy in my hand. That is not to denigrate other brands like Craftsman or Mac or Cromwell. It's just the nerd thing and it's cheaper than cocaine but just as addictive! OK, maybe not that much cheaper.

This is another 8mm wrench. It's a box end wrench with a slightly different bend that isn't used too often. When you need it, nothing else will work without a lot of frustration and bad words. Nobody NEEDS one but when you are faced with that one special situation, nothing beats reaching into your toolbox and getting out the tool that makes it a 10 second chore instead of a 10 minute hell.

If you're going to have an 8/9 mm box wrench you should also have a 6/7 mm box wrench, just in the off chance that you should be working on a Yakazumi 67cc moped made in 1952 and need to adjust the points plate. I mean, you never know ...

So back to my original hypothesis: To find a wrench, buy a wrench. This is my original wrench which was right where I left it. The Craftsman wrench is restored to its place as a backup and the two Snap-on wrenches are hanging from the pegboard ready to jump into action. If I misplace one of them will I need to buy a fourth wrench to find it?

Stay tuned for further tales of wrenched excess!

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Erickson Pass Ride

On past rides along the Pony Express Trail I had seen a sign for Erickson Pass. 

I was initially put off by the sign that warned it was for 4x4s only because I was with friends. Of course, that just meant that I had to go back and try it out for myself.

Andrew (Africa Twin), Chris (DRZ-400), and Lucas (CRF250L Rally) were game for a try after I explained that I had no idea what it was or how bad it might be. In fact, I incorrectly remembered it as "Norton, or Nelson" pass. We went right by the cutoff before realizing that I had the wrong name and turned back to give it a go.

The road was through rolling hills typical of the area. An easy ride to enjoy the scenery. Because of the late spring rains it was greener than would be expected for this time of the year which was an added bonus.

Erickson Pass was little more than a depression is the surrounding hills. Had we not seen the sign we would missed it completely. I suppose if I were in a horse drawn wagon it would have been more meaningful but it hardly a challenge for our mighty beasts.

Seeking a little bit more of a challenge we decided to see where the trail behind us led.

Not sure what was up with my camera but I really wasn't going that fast.

Another break to checkout some interesting rock outcroppings and then on to Delta for lunch.

A little over 200 miles for the day split between dirt and pavement. That's the great thing about adventure bikes; no trailer required! We all had a great time and are looking forward to doing it again in the Unita mountains next month.

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