Rons' Rides
- Thread starter Ronald6
- 189 comments
- 8,399 views
- 1,493
- Portland / Or /
- Barefoot_Driver
Apparently I'm not the only one who likes H53. I found this link at OregonMotorcyclist.com :
http://oregonmotorcyclist.com/ridepage.php?page=hwy53
Very accurate description of the road. I drove it four times this weekend. Once out on friday in beautiful weather for the start of my wife and mine vacation at Wheeler on the Bay (Highly recommended! 👍 👍 ). Then twice on saturday in a very heavy rain. I love my lights. Then home again today. 80 miles of bliss. Four straight stretches between the 20mph corners that allow for long clean passing zones. And the locals are polite, even for Oregon. I cannot stress enough that anyone who is able to should drive this road at least once. Don't try to drive fast. Be content with quick.
Edit:
I have also discovered a problem with my car. When it's cold it runs a much richer fuel/air mixture than when its warm. I don't know whats causing it but solving that problem might also solve the uber sensitive throttle response issue I have.
Edit 2:
My father gave me these for my birthday. They should help alot at night. I might use them during the day instead of my headlights.
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- 1,493
- Portland / Or /
- Barefoot_Driver
I washed and waxed Aviendha today. I'm not sure how much it helped. It made me realize how many scratches and dents the car has. And the front of the hood looks like cracked glaze. I'm hoping the wax will keep the rust from getting worse.
Mike, I think that's his name, at Sweeres auto body does good fast work. He reinstalled the wheel well in my front driverside and created a brace to replace the rusted piece that was so bad it had nearly disappeared.
It took him only moments to mount the fog lights. They don't look nearly as good as stock, but the blue matches. And having functional fog lights will help alot out where I live. From inside the car seeing better is a beautiful thing.
We had a warm day for us today. Thursday is supposed to be the hottest day of the year so far. Today's heat proved out my suspicions of problems with the fuel trim when cold. When the engine warmed up and the air going into the intake was warmer I was getting 35mpg instead of the 25 average I've been getting. And the throttle control wasn't nearly as sensitive, still amazing, just not neck snapping at every touch. If anyone has a clue as to why this is happening I'd love to know.
Mike, I think that's his name, at Sweeres auto body does good fast work. He reinstalled the wheel well in my front driverside and created a brace to replace the rusted piece that was so bad it had nearly disappeared.
It took him only moments to mount the fog lights. They don't look nearly as good as stock, but the blue matches. And having functional fog lights will help alot out where I live. From inside the car seeing better is a beautiful thing.
We had a warm day for us today. Thursday is supposed to be the hottest day of the year so far. Today's heat proved out my suspicions of problems with the fuel trim when cold. When the engine warmed up and the air going into the intake was warmer I was getting 35mpg instead of the 25 average I've been getting. And the throttle control wasn't nearly as sensitive, still amazing, just not neck snapping at every touch. If anyone has a clue as to why this is happening I'd love to know.
Unless it continues after the car itself has warmed up, in which case did you mean it is rich the entire time the temperatures are low.
CAMAROBOY69
Premium
- 18,567
- Michigan
- CAMAROBOY69
Are you saying the engine temperature doesn't get warm in cold conditions? That could be the thermostat or plugged heater core. You could try with a radiator flush to put through your coolant system and see if that helps. Just make sure you are not using the orange antifreeze. I used to run the orange and it is pretty much guaranteed to plug your coolant system within a few years. I will never use the orange ever again. Green only.
- 1,493
- Portland / Or /
- Barefoot_Driver
@Thatman Many thanks to @Thatman. In a few PMs he helped me with the temperamental throttle and bad gas milage problem. Turns out that both were caused by my MAF. A few bucks at my local autoparts store, Napa, and a few minutes removing, spraying and reassembling the MAF sensor and my car runs much smoother. It took me magnitudes more time to lookup on SL-i.net where the MAF was and how to clean it than actually cleaning it. Typical. I felt like a computer programmer again.
While I was at it I cleaned Nynaeve's MAF also.
I also spent this morning using some trim revitalizer to brighten the black trim on the outside of my car. No Black Chrome as someone on here suggested but the guy at Napa said he's been selling the stuff I bought for 7+ years and the same people keep returning, no complaints. Looked like it worked well on my car. Night and day compared to my wife's nasty looking car, Nynaeve. That car hasn't been washed in too long. I keep offering to loan her mine for the day to clean hers and she keeps turning me down. But I digress.
(I'd like to give credit for the suggestion to clean the black trim with Black Chrome but after a half hour of looking I couldn't find the post.
Sorry.)Pics:
Cleaning the MAF.
Cleaning the trim, before then after.
Yes, the paint is bad on the front. Any advice on how to treat/cure the rust would be welcome.
Nothing like @Ibonibo 's car (just wow) but better than it was.
Thank you, @CAMAROBOY69 , but it looks like my radiator and thermostat are in good working order. The car did reach operating tempratures as quickly as it should. I wasn't reading the data correctly. Sorry. Now that the weather has warmed up it's obvious that the radiator is working as it should.
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- 1,493
- Portland / Or /
- Barefoot_Driver
@SVX , Good question. Everything I was reading on Subaru sites led me to believe that my car should have been idling rough or spotchy, as you described, given the other problems I had and the data from the OBD2 device. But no, Aviendha didn't idle rough. Very confusing. But since I've used the MAF cleaner it obviously improved the performance of my car. Now changing gears doesn't make my neck snap back every time and the throttle doesn't jump just at a glance. Before it was nothing or Bang!, nothing in between. The throttle response is still there, as strong as before, but much more manageable now. I don't mind shifting because it's much smoother and less temperamental then before.
- 1,493
- Portland / Or /
- Barefoot_Driver
Looks like the wax is working:
I took some friends down to Seaside yesterday. Very good weather and light traffic, but alot of road repair and maintenance. Unlike most people I dont mind the delays due to road crews. The alternative is worse. No pics of the coast or drive. Why ruin a good thing with a camera. Pics next time.
Aviendha continues to run beautifully. I can granny shift, double clutch or synchronized shift and it's perfectly smooth. My Long Term fuel trim now reads at -0.8 instead of -7.0 (average). My MPG average isn't jumping up and down and the cars performance isn't changing due to the weather.
Slowly, every week or so, the car improves. In about two years she'll be where I want.
I might have a line on some inexpensive Bilstein strust. Keeping my fingers crossed.
@JER_CREST send me a PM, I'm out that way every two weeks or so.
I took some friends down to Seaside yesterday. Very good weather and light traffic, but alot of road repair and maintenance. Unlike most people I dont mind the delays due to road crews. The alternative is worse. No pics of the coast or drive. Why ruin a good thing with a camera. Pics next time.
Aviendha continues to run beautifully. I can granny shift, double clutch or synchronized shift and it's perfectly smooth. My Long Term fuel trim now reads at -0.8 instead of -7.0 (average). My MPG average isn't jumping up and down and the cars performance isn't changing due to the weather.
Slowly, every week or so, the car improves. In about two years she'll be where I want.
I might have a line on some inexpensive Bilstein strust. Keeping my fingers crossed.
@JER_CREST send me a PM, I'm out that way every two weeks or so.
Ibonibo
Premium
- 5,440
- Luxemburg
- Already paying my Isp 4 Access
Nice waxing 
Thanks for the mention.
On the rusted hood, it's on the edge I suppose?
How much you want to do?
Cheap : Warp it yourself. It's an easy shape to make yourself.
Moderate: Go buy some sandpaper (180-260-320), grind it down. level the rock chips, gind down rust. Go over the bare metal with Hammerite or something, Repass a 320 to get rid of paint marks.
Then either plastidip, warp it, chalkboard it, or spray it with a 1K paint from a can. All user friendly.
Take the hood down with a helper to spray.
Thanks for the mention.
On the rusted hood, it's on the edge I suppose?
How much you want to do?
Cheap : Warp it yourself. It's an easy shape to make yourself.
Moderate: Go buy some sandpaper (180-260-320), grind it down. level the rock chips, gind down rust. Go over the bare metal with Hammerite or something, Repass a 320 to get rid of paint marks.
Then either plastidip, warp it, chalkboard it, or spray it with a 1K paint from a can. All user friendly.
Take the hood down with a helper to spray.
- 1,493
- Portland / Or /
- Barefoot_Driver
It's not too bad, I just don't want it to get worse. I don't have a garage or car port, so the Oregon weather (=rain) is worrying.
Thanks for the advice @Ibonibo & @ildd. I'll pick up some sandpaper and paint matched spray paint soon.
Any idea how to get rid of those little "cuts?" Will the 3 step paint revitalization make them go away?
Edit:
Ok, I'm not too much for luxury cars, but this beemer is something else. If those wheels are stock I'm saving up for a new car.
Thanks for the advice @Ibonibo & @ildd. I'll pick up some sandpaper and paint matched spray paint soon.
Any idea how to get rid of those little "cuts?" Will the 3 step paint revitalization make them go away?
Edit:
Ok, I'm not too much for luxury cars, but this beemer is something else. If those wheels are stock I'm saving up for a new car.
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- 1,493
- Portland / Or /
- Barefoot_Driver
Three things of interest have happened since I last posted.
The first is another trip I made to the coast with a friend and his fiancee. He asked my to drive them out to the coast and find them a good place on the beach so he could propose to her. Cannon Beach is a small town just south of Seaside and between the two, accessible from CB is Ecola state park. Part of ESP is Indian Beach, my personal favorite beach. Here's why:
Barefoot_Driver and barefoot climber.
I got some Bug and Tar remover for my front bumper. After just shy of an hour only the before pics shows the progress. I think to get it all I'll need to sand it down and plastidip it.
(Pics to come)
And today was another SCCA Oregon Rally Group auto cross event at ye ol' gravel pit.
Unfortunately in order to go, because my wife worked, I had to promise my mother that I would only work the event, not participate. Or else she wouldn't watch my kids. (I'll spare you the audio of her whiney voice, "It's your only car.")
The weather man (or rather weather app) called for 60% chance of rain. I expected another mud pit like last month. Instead it was perfectly dry all day and the course was layed out in the southern part of the gravel pit instead of the northern. Not really muddy, just gravel, some rocks and clumps of grass.
In other words: Hell Ya!!!
I really meant to keep my promise when I made it, but the track called to me, and I couldn't resist her siren song.
I worked the first half and ran the second half after lunch. Somehow I pulled off a third place win for my class. **** Yeah! I think there were 5 to 8 cars running Stock All (wheel drive).
As always a big thank you to the 100% volunteer group that runs these events. And another big thank you to the friendly and helpful people who attend these events.
Only a few pics:
I think half the field were Subarus and half were everything else.
Not so impressively dirty as after the mud pit, but still respectable.
I got braver as I went.
The first is another trip I made to the coast with a friend and his fiancee. He asked my to drive them out to the coast and find them a good place on the beach so he could propose to her. Cannon Beach is a small town just south of Seaside and between the two, accessible from CB is Ecola state park. Part of ESP is Indian Beach, my personal favorite beach. Here's why:
Barefoot_Driver and barefoot climber.
I got some Bug and Tar remover for my front bumper. After just shy of an hour only the before pics shows the progress. I think to get it all I'll need to sand it down and plastidip it.
(Pics to come)
And today was another SCCA Oregon Rally Group auto cross event at ye ol' gravel pit.
Unfortunately in order to go, because my wife worked, I had to promise my mother that I would only work the event, not participate. Or else she wouldn't watch my kids. (I'll spare you the audio of her whiney voice, "It's your only car.")
The weather man (or rather weather app) called for 60% chance of rain. I expected another mud pit like last month. Instead it was perfectly dry all day and the course was layed out in the southern part of the gravel pit instead of the northern. Not really muddy, just gravel, some rocks and clumps of grass.
In other words: Hell Ya!!!
I really meant to keep my promise when I made it, but the track called to me, and I couldn't resist her siren song.
I worked the first half and ran the second half after lunch. Somehow I pulled off a third place win for my class. **** Yeah! I think there were 5 to 8 cars running Stock All (wheel drive).
As always a big thank you to the 100% volunteer group that runs these events. And another big thank you to the friendly and helpful people who attend these events.
Only a few pics:
I think half the field were Subarus and half were everything else.
Not so impressively dirty as after the mud pit, but still respectable.
I got braver as I went.
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- 1,493
- Portland / Or /
- Barefoot_Driver
Thanks @Ferraridude308. Unfortunately, but for obvious reasons, they don't allow windshield mounts inside the car. The rule is if the lady that runs it can pull it off with her hand, it can't stay. There are a couple of people who have well mounted GroPro cameras but their mounts cost more than my tyres.
I had a passenger for my last run. Unfortunately passengers arent allowed to hold cameras. Again for obvious reasons.
I did figure out how to create a video using the Torque app ( 👍 👍 ) so I'll post a vid after my next trip somewhere worthwhile. My windshield mount for my phone is good enough for normal driving.
I had a passenger for my last run. Unfortunately passengers arent allowed to hold cameras. Again for obvious reasons.
I did figure out how to create a video using the Torque app ( 👍 👍 ) so I'll post a vid after my next trip somewhere worthwhile. My windshield mount for my phone is good enough for normal driving.
- 1,493
- Portland / Or /
- Barefoot_Driver
Before, months ago:
During:
After:
It's so much easier to see out my back window now. My neighbor suggested denatured alcohol to get rid of the left over glue. The tinting was cheap and stinky. It took me three hours a day for four days to get it all, but it was well worth it. Even though I can't feel my thumbs (from holding the razor blade).
I took it out for a celebatory drive down a newfound road:
Now I need to figure out how to upload a video.
During:
After:
It's so much easier to see out my back window now. My neighbor suggested denatured alcohol to get rid of the left over glue. The tinting was cheap and stinky. It took me three hours a day for four days to get it all, but it was well worth it. Even though I can't feel my thumbs (from holding the razor blade).
I took it out for a celebatory drive down a newfound road:
Now I need to figure out how to upload a video.
- 1,493
- Portland / Or /
- Barefoot_Driver
My father came over to watch the kids and brought me a present:
Last time it was fog lights, this time floor mats, front and back. The blue is lighter than I would have picked, and the big R and Racing lettering is a bit over the top, but they still work.
On the positive side they don't move. No more digging my heal into the mat to scoot it from behind the pedals. And the lettering gives me something to brace my right heel against.
My youngest son got his varsity letter for Track (as a freshman no less ) so we went for a celebatory drive. This time we explored some roads I haven't been on in 20+ years: Hayward rd and Canyon Creek rd. Most of it was gravel but much less twisty than Pihl rd or Green Mtn rd. I spent most of my time at 30+ mph instead of 25 or less. My son took more pics than I did but I need to wait for him to email them to me before I can post them. His phone is way better than mine.
Here are a couple I took with my phone.
I love Oregon. I can't wait for our family vacation in a couple of months. We're rafting the Deschutes river then visiting Crater Lake, taking the scenic route the whole way. I plan on taking lots of pics.
Last time it was fog lights, this time floor mats, front and back. The blue is lighter than I would have picked, and the big R and Racing lettering is a bit over the top, but they still work.
On the positive side they don't move. No more digging my heal into the mat to scoot it from behind the pedals. And the lettering gives me something to brace my right heel against.
My youngest son got his varsity letter for Track (as a freshman no less
) so we went for a celebatory drive. This time we explored some roads I haven't been on in 20+ years: Hayward rd and Canyon Creek rd. Most of it was gravel but much less twisty than Pihl rd or Green Mtn rd. I spent most of my time at 30+ mph instead of 25 or less. My son took more pics than I did but I need to wait for him to email them to me before I can post them. His phone is way better than mine.Here are a couple I took with my phone.
I love Oregon. I can't wait for our family vacation in a couple of months. We're rafting the Deschutes river then visiting Crater Lake, taking the scenic route the whole way. I plan on taking lots of pics.
- 1,493
- Portland / Or /
- Barefoot_Driver
As I was standing at the top of #5 I was thinking, "Be jealous, b***hes." I would be, the view is fantastic.
I took my father on a half hour drive through some of these roads yesterday and he reminded me of the slogan a previous State Governor had, "Please visit Oregon, but don't stay." It might sound rude, but if you do have the chance to visit, you'll understand.
I already have more roads mapped out for our next excursion. I love owning this car. Inexpensive to maintain and very capable.
I added this today. Before then after:
It took some trimming to make it fit, but you can't see the uneven front edge, even with the gate up. Ok, I know my Legacy is in no way a Forester, but it's the black trim I'm interested in. Function over form.
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- 1,493
- Portland / Or /
- Barefoot_Driver
I realized as I was driving with my youngest son today that I haven't taken any scenic shots with my car in them so I took this.
And:
Before:
McDonald road near Vernonia is a wonderful drive. I think it was apart of the Mountains to the Sea TSD Rally I did last year. A little closer to my house and shorter than H53 but almost as much fun.
I can't decide if I like gravel roads or tarmac better, so I switch between the two.
And:
Before:
McDonald road near Vernonia is a wonderful drive. I think it was apart of the Mountains to the Sea TSD Rally I did last year. A little closer to my house and shorter than H53 but almost as much fun.
I can't decide if I like gravel roads or tarmac better, so I switch between the two.
- 1,493
- Portland / Or /
- Barefoot_Driver
My mother visited NZ a couple years ago on one of her yearly trips. She said the beauty of the place was only surpassed by the friendly people. When she travels it's by backpack so she gets a good feel for the place. I'd love to visit, but Ireland and Nuerburg first.
OK, I'm going to try to upload a video, please be patient...
Unfortunately the Torque data that I recorded didn't get uploaded with the video. Makes it much more interesting.
I'm not trying to set a land speed record. Log trucks, pedestrian bikes and horseback riders all use the roads out this way so I make sure to never overdrive my LOS. Enjoy.
More to come later if this works...
Yahoo! ... I should have downshifted into second for the 10 mph u turn. Some of those elevation changes make you eat your stomach. Both my sons ears and mine wanted to pop on the way out.
OK, I'm going to try to upload a video, please be patient...
Unfortunately the Torque data that I recorded didn't get uploaded with the video. Makes it much more interesting.
I'm not trying to set a land speed record. Log trucks, pedestrian bikes and horseback riders all use the roads out this way so I make sure to never overdrive my LOS. Enjoy.
More to come later if this works...
Yahoo! ... I should have downshifted into second for the 10 mph u turn. Some of those elevation changes make you eat your stomach. Both my sons ears and mine wanted to pop on the way out.
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- 1,493
- Portland / Or /
- Barefoot_Driver
Now that I know how to upload a video my son begged me I convinced my son to go on another drive today. This is the last one for the week.
Traffic was lighter than I expected but much heavier than I wanted. Still, it could be worse. I could still be living in KC Mo. Shudders.
I made three videos. Luckily I broke up the drive out into two videos. I made one long recording on the way back out that was superb, but YouTube didn't like the length. Nineteen minutes 59 seconds is a bit much apparently.
I stopped recording at about eight minutes in and restarted, but quickly met up with a s l o w civic... every other slow driver has made a point to get out of my way as soon as possible, in a friendly manner. The civic was oblivious.
Points of interest:
00:35 A vulture flies along with the car.
00:54 Bambi and his mother run out in front of me. Bambi tries to race me.
02:35 19 miles of curves sign.
As always, in a safe and controlled manner.
Traffic was lighter than I expected but much heavier than I wanted. Still, it could be worse. I could still be living in KC Mo. Shudders.
I made three videos. Luckily I broke up the drive out into two videos. I made one long recording on the way back out that was superb, but YouTube didn't like the length. Nineteen minutes 59 seconds is a bit much apparently.
I stopped recording at about eight minutes in and restarted, but quickly met up with a s l o w civic... every other slow driver has made a point to get out of my way as soon as possible, in a friendly manner. The civic was oblivious.
Points of interest:
00:35 A vulture flies along with the car.
00:54 Bambi and his mother run out in front of me. Bambi tries to race me.
02:35 19 miles of curves sign.
As always, in a safe and controlled manner.
- 1,493
- Portland / Or /
- Barefoot_Driver
Earlier this week I ordered some blue dash LEDs. They arrived today and were very easy to install. In my rush to see how they looked I forgot to take pics. They are very bright.
I also ordered two blue dome LEDs, but only one of them fit my car. My rear dome light is another kind of bulb/socket. Again, it's very bright. And very blue. Can't wait to see it at night.
I also picked up 4 used mud tyres, none of which match. The front are a slightly different size than the rear. Which on tarmac would be a problem with my 4wd car, but since I only plan on using them on gravel and mud they shouldn't be a problem.
I got them from the friendly team at Carothers tires in Hillsboro. 115$ mounted. Boo yaw! Not only will I get better traction in the mud and gravel I'll save my soft road tyres from abuse they arent intended for.
Two more days then it's rally time again. My son and dad will be joining me. While one acts as ballast (i.e. a passenger), the other will be making a video of my runs.
Perhaps I'll be able to convince my dad to rally his ElCamino. Not likely.
I also ordered two blue dome LEDs, but only one of them fit my car. My rear dome light is another kind of bulb/socket. Again, it's very bright. And very blue. Can't wait to see it at night.
I also picked up 4 used mud tyres, none of which match. The front are a slightly different size than the rear. Which on tarmac would be a problem with my 4wd car, but since I only plan on using them on gravel and mud they shouldn't be a problem.
I got them from the friendly team at Carothers tires in Hillsboro. 115$ mounted. Boo yaw! Not only will I get better traction in the mud and gravel I'll save my soft road tyres from abuse they arent intended for.
Two more days then it's rally time again. My son and dad will be joining me. While one acts as ballast (i.e. a passenger), the other will be making a video of my runs.
Perhaps I'll be able to convince my dad to rally his ElCamino.
Not likely.
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- 1,493
- Portland / Or /
- Barefoot_Driver
I forgot about these pics. My son and I went roaming looking for good roads. We found them and more.
From above OHSU we found Council Crest Park. Great windy roads but its all heavy residential. Fantastic views:
We also found a new country drive starting at Jackson School Rd and ending at Lodge Trail Rd. Lodge Trail is only a couple of miles long but is very narrow, only a lane and a half wide. Part of the road has fallen off the clif edge, it's a steep uphill climb with several blind 10 mph corners. Heaven in asphalt form. I made a video but it's a bit too spirited for posting.
A view from Skyline Rd, a favorite road for motorbikers:
This pic is one of those Adopt a Road signs, which usually list the group responsible for that stretch of road. Someone has a sense of humor:
Fin
From above OHSU we found Council Crest Park. Great windy roads but its all heavy residential. Fantastic views:
We also found a new country drive starting at Jackson School Rd and ending at Lodge Trail Rd. Lodge Trail is only a couple of miles long but is very narrow, only a lane and a half wide. Part of the road has fallen off the clif edge, it's a steep uphill climb with several blind 10 mph corners. Heaven in asphalt form. I made a video but it's a bit too spirited for posting.
A view from Skyline Rd, a favorite road for motorbikers:
This pic is one of those Adopt a Road signs, which usually list the group responsible for that stretch of road. Someone has a sense of humor:
Fin
