OT: Mod subject..

[macmac]

Ok you mugs .. Once more this has come up..
(no need reply, and it would be better if you don't)

(This post is likey to go missing inside of 24 hours)

I like it here well enough, but I do not want to be a mod, and I do not want special treatment, pay, or any recognition.

All I want is to be one of you, come here try to help, joke around and just be one of you.

I don't want or need threads to say thank you Mac...

Under that score I want feed back on what works, and what doesn't. I try to help with broken things that have never broken on my bikes ever. I look in the book and try to figure out how i would do it with less tools than I own.

For example you don't need to buy a Load Tester carbon core machine to check a battery, you can use the start motor on the bike as a load tester easy, and you all have one.

The other tool you need to read is a digital multimeter which cost about 20 bucks or less from any wally world.

I am fine with Trips choices of mods. I think Todd does a good job, and I have almost no idea who SWB is. Evidentlyy SWB doesn't break much stuff, but if he does i will do my best to confuse him to death, just like everyone else.

Sometimes some guys get their egos stuffed in bunch. I don't, and ain't got a thing to prove....

There are other guys here very good at doing diagnostics like Bob the yellow jacket, Trosco (sp) and many many other guys besides me....

I learn a lot here from everyone, even newbie to tech work guys teach me how to talk back with them so there is some understanding.

Any guy here who does diagnostics can not hear, see, and feel what ever the problem is. That sort of work should be respected when the guy is correct...

Real life in the field techs can't always diagnoise things right the first time either...

Todd if you wish delete this post in say 24 hours.... If not maybe i will...

[Todd]

Mac and everyone else who cares to follow along,

Mac, I Would prefer you not delete your post at all, ever.

This is gonna be long...so buckle up.

I have not seen a request or poll or discussion about you becoming the moderator here in the garage......maybe I missed it.....maybe it got deleted before I saw it......hard to keep up with every single post.....but this is the second or third time someone has mentioned it to me. May have been Doc that asked about it at some point....don't know...doesn't matter.

For whatever it is worth, I have a mechanical background, I do my own work, I can usually build/fix/diagnose anything that man has made short of printed circuit boards and I have been know to solder bridges to repair them....and I am especially fond of working in gas/oil/grease. I do rely on the experience of others when I get into situations of which I am unfamiliar. I Don't get to do this stuff as much as I used to....I have assimilated into the 21st century a little further than I would have ever imagined..... but my wife and kids still get disgusted with me because I will not take anything to a repair person but fix myself. My dad was a mechanic on a destroyer in the Navy and a GM mechanic for years......I grew up right under his nose building engines and fixing everything from washing machines to vacuum cleaners to outboard motors to diesel engines..... I do kinda know my way around a garage.

I went to school and got a degree in Criminal Justice...was going to be in law enforcement....learned enough to know that the job was not for me and was directed another way by an advisor. This gave me the opportunity to get back into cars/trucks/equipment eventually, but not hands on.....let's say from an administrative side.

Back in the day when BD had "BD's garage" on here...it was set up for BD to give advice out a lot and he did, and he gave out a lot of great advice. By the way, he and I have talked on the phone over many issues and he does know what he is talking about and I think he will verify that I do when it comes to mechanical aptitude. But if he made the slightest mistake in guessing a problem with the minimal information you get here sometimes, he was subject to be crucified by anyone that fancied themselves a shadetree mechanic (which I still believe are among the best mechanics around if they truly know what they are doing....hell, that's really the best I am).

Brad (BD) had about all he could take and said the hell with it which was probably the right thing to do.....it had caused some other issues because Brad likes to pick and fool around just like I do.......so people, I guess could not separate Satire BD from Serious BD from Mechanically Knowledgeable BD from just making a silly comment BD.

I was NOT inclined to become Moderator of the Garage and told that to Trip. If I remember right, either he or SWB looked over the garage for a while.

So after much discussion with Trip and others I decided that I would be willing to moderate the garage forums. However, I would do my best to limit the advice that I gave and let the members of the forum share their knowledge among each other.

I have told this story many times to many people...but, I shy away from giving much mechanical help/advice to friends much anymore because I have been burned by it...I will to some that ask directly and I feel comfortable with. Many times you get half the story in symptoms and give a diagnosis and then they wonder why your solution does not work......OR, you fix one problem and then tell them "you need to have this, let's say, serpentine belt replace because it is very old and the new water pump I just put on will do no good with a broken belt....the belt breaks a week later...they keep driving....and blame you for the blown head gasket or warped heads.

Back to the Garage Forum......My hopes were that some folks would come along with plenty of knowledge and experience to share advice but would not be held to the standard that BD was as the "one to go to". In other words, everybody share what you know with everyone else and we will all be that much more knowledgeable. Several have stepped up to do that....you included Mac. That way, I can moderate the forum and not have a target on my back if I say something wrong...and believe me, I can get a diagnosis wrong and spend 2 hrs on a 15 minute job.....just ask the wife and kids. I myself have learned countless tricks and procedures from you all that have helped me working on my own Nomad.

So, to ALL of you that contribute to the Garage and helping your fellow Nomad owners and enthusiast with advice.......Thank You! With the reinvention of the Garage, we envisioned a community type forum vs. an ask one person type forum and I think that's what we have....

To Mac, Brad, Ross, Scott, Bob, dxdixie and countless others ( I am sorry because I know I am leaving out several other regular contributors) that regularly answer questions........you are doing what I/we had hoped.

As far as a moderator, if Trip wants someone else to check up on ya'll once in a while, I have no problem with that and will be glad to keep hangin' out, if that's what you call sitting behind a keyboard, with ya. Hell, the pay ain't that great...he keeps promising me a new Nomad but I haven't seen the first part yet

[cactusjack]

I hear ya Todd. As far back as I can remember, I wanted to be an auto mechanic. I picked up a lot from my dad, who was a machinist's mate on a destroyer escort in WWII. I started out on minibikes and gocarts and worked my way up to 60's and 70's muscle cars. I was rebuilding engines for my buddies in high school. I joined the Marines wanting to become a jet engine mechanic and instead got to specialize in aircraft egress systems (ejection seats for you non military types) on fighter planes.

Back in the civilian world, I picked up the wrenches again and also became the family mechanic. I didn't have a weekend go by that I didn't get a call or have someone drop by for me to "look at this" or "listen to that". I eventually discovered that there are easier ways to make a better living, so I changed careers a couple of times and found myself in the IT industry or Information Management" as it was called in those days. Then I was the guy everybody went to for their PC problems.

Sometimes, you just can't win. ???

[phenrichs]

Kind of llike the shirt I keep telling my wife I am going to get.

It says "Yes I am in IT, and no I won't fix your F***ing computer" it uses the astrick too, not the word which I liked.

[blowndodge]

And that my friends......was the way it was.....

Mac, don't you ever delete your posts. It took me months to be able to read "new hampster" dialogue! I've grown to enjoy it. Even from California!

[macmac]

yeah sure Todd you can do with this thread as pleases you...

i didn't see the post, poll or what ever myself.

I didn't leave names out, just that there is too many to remember..

In the past others have pmed to Trip about me one way or another with out first asking me if i was interested in the job.

I am not and never was, never would be, and there is no unless about it.

I am not interested in being a on line mod, whether or not I am else where, and I am at 2 other sites so far as I know. I don't do modding at either just the same.

If and when I get to far out of line I expect a mod, any mod will warn me once.

I am sure BD and I have no ill will about a thing..

I am as sure Trip has no ill will to me as well, while I may push some buttons on certain topics, and also end up pming to him in times of the past over certain things..

Trip seems to have accepted what I am and who i am.. Over all, I guess he likes me as well as anyone he has never met face to face.

Many times another techy guy beats me to the right answers and i just back him up or maybe add in a part of why.

If i wanted my own site i guess i would have it, but i don't. As close to that as i ever wanted was at mcusa, where I was a mod for too long, and it ended with me as a syber cop not doing any of the things I liked, and or what started the desire to talk shop in the first place.

I am not a full time car tech anymore either, and no thanks! These days i free lance on things no one else wants or can do at all.

Mostly heavy and unusual machines all dated and all battered one way or another, and hardley know what parts are what myself, untill I have then torn down and sorted out.

Bikes are fun, and helping a guy save a buck is fun..

Being mod is not fun.

Since now this has been opened, it is only fair to ignor my first requests, and let anyone say what ever they want.

Todd this post is now yours to do as you see fit..

Kill it, make it sticky, let it die the way any thread does; it belongs to you.

My point was i don't want to be a mod, but anyone can still send me money

[dogdoc]

Todd, if we knew what you just said, I wouldnt have suggested what i did. We peon's here are not privy to what goes on "behind" scenes. I didn't see a name connected with the garage so I thought about mac. Sorry I ever suggested him now! but I hope you can see where I'm coming from now I have explained this. I ment no disrespect to your mechanical ability or anybodies in that regard. I am a pretty good with wrenches myself as well as with a scapel. I was just offering up a suggestion and got crucified for it. I will follow in the future and shut up. I think mac was referencing deleting THIS post only. Good day to all. :-)

[macmac]

BD I was meaning just this one thread.. when it was mine and not Todd's. Just to get across I don't want to be a mod anywhere on line again... ever.

Everyone who never was a mod has this idea that it is some honor and you get a nice shiney plastic badge.. All it ends as is head banging on the monitor trying to understand what went wrong and how do you fix it with out hurting folks all the way around.

I know you know..

Those of you closer to Trip than I am can ask him about things he and I discussed in pms... I think he would discuss in a private room I suspect is here, most any sites have mod rooms.

The one thing I will not do is make public these discussions with out first asking Trip directly, but he is as free as a bird to do this with his own mods if he wants.

The numbers of times I guess not is several pms per 4 topics over all, but that is as far as i will go. Other than no complaints were ever made by me against anyone here mod or not.

At this point I consider that anyone who puts up with my stuff has learned to tolerate me or they just plain ignor me which works for ALL...

Most times when a wild card gets dropped they say the mold was broken after it was made. I think my mold was broken before I was done ... I don't know anyone like me and I sure don't know anyone who would want to be like me.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by macmac

My point was i don't want to be a mod, but anyone can still send me money

Checks in the mail brother....I know you've hear that before.....And I have heard of no one having any ill will toward you....All appreciate your insight......

As you know...I fool around a bunch of the time on here being a jester..that's the way I like it...but will post some serious things if no one else jumps up or the mood strikes me.....

....and I can imagine being a mod on some sites just right out sucks.....but here most everyone keeps it in line......

Now go wrap your frizzen in leather and heat it up real nice so it will be hard enough (let's see where the boys go with that one ::) ::) )

[macmac]

And you Doc... If you had asked me, like no one else did in the past, but they have done this same thing, I would have said I am not interested.

You are not the first, but if I get lucky you will be the last. I am honored you think what ever it is, but no..

Now about that scapel? Can you do surgery if I am tied to a ladder back chair drunk out of my mind, or what little is left.. I don't see to many docs and i really have a few questions on broken ribs that get broken again before they are healed..

Play nice Doc...

[trip]

Originally Posted by Doc (Lonewolf)

Todd, if we knew what you just said, I wouldnt have suggested what i did. We peon's here are not privy to what goes on "behind" scenes. I didn't see a name connected with the garage so I thought about mac. Sorry I ever suggested him now! but I hope you can see where I'm coming from now I have explained this. I ment no disrespect to your mechanical ability or anybodies in that regard. I am a pretty good with wrenches myself as well as with a scapel. I was just offering up a suggestion and got crucified for it. I will follow in the future and shut up. I think mac was referencing deleting THIS post only. Good day to all. :-)

With all due respects Doc....the group effort in the Garage with Todd being the moderator has been setup and working great for months....You've been participating in it all along. Everything has been out in the open and not decided behind the scenes.

I want to thank everyone that participates in the Garage for helping each other out and being part of a team to help everyone with their mechanical questions.

My goal is to make sure that this arrangement keeps working.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Doc (Lonewolf)

Todd, if we knew what you just said, I wouldnt have suggested what i did. We peon's here are not privy to what goes on "behind" scenes. I didn't see a name connected with the garage so I thought about mac. Sorry I ever suggested him now! but I hope you can see where I'm coming from now I have explained this. I ment no disrespect to your mechanical ability or anybodies in that regard. I am a pretty good with wrenches myself as well as with a scapel. I was just offering up a suggestion and got crucified for it. I will follow in the future and shut up. I think mac was referencing deleting THIS post only. Good day to all. :-)

No offense taken at all Doc... and I did not think you were questioning any of my abilities........I try to keep them hidden anyway ;) ;) I guess sometimes we all get caught up...please keeping contributing in a positive way all you can stand.....by the way, all the moderators are listed under their individual boards on the main menu.

[macmac]

Todd there was a time when BD and I had a few minor issues, but we got it all fixed up.. BD can see and post here so it isn't behind his back, but I am sure we are all fixed up and have been a long time.

I don't recall what it was, but what ever it was is a dead horse. BD may have a different take on it, but he will say it his own way. He is welcome to say it his own way too.

[blowndodge]

Since I seem to be in the middle of this through residual problems let me set the record straight. Even for you doc because you deserve that at least.

Trip asked me to be the first moderator on KawaNOW in the beginning. I told him no thanks but I appreciated it. I'm glad he had respect for my motorcycle background. Those that know me well know I professionally raced motorcycles for about 15-20 years.

Why did I originally say no? I think Todd summed in up pretty well. Who needs the freeking headache! Someone is always trying to knock you off your perch. Trip kept after it and told me not to worry, it's my garage and I can run it as I see fit.

I told him I would since KawaNOW was taking off. I had no visions of grandeur as a "Big Cheese". Actually I thought I'd made a mistake. I've been a member of many forums and saw the negative side of being a moderator.

Doc, I didn't want the job from day 1. We were young at KawaNOW and I took a chance and as a favor to Trip since he felt I had more knowledge on motorcycles than he. Like Todd, I guess I do. But as Todd pointed out it developed into "challenges" over my knowledge. This developed into people threatening to sue Trip over issues with me.

At that point I was floored. I told Trip I'd had enough and resigned. Not that I didn't enjoy it, I actually had fun. It was no longer fun after Trip started getting hit with a gazillion PM's.

Like the man I hope most of us are (women too!) I resigned. I've walked away from high paying jobs just because of principle. That's my style. I don't PM Trip or others and threaten them. I bow out and try to be graceful about it.

Lots of people I met in Custer were surprised that I was this "BD" character. Couldn't believe the guy in person was the guy behind the keyboard. I'm just an average Joe with a motorcycle background.

I enjoyed helping all those who truly needed help keeping their Nomads running well. I don't know how many threads I started trying to stop pinging, overheating.....too many items to name.

I threw my 2 cents in whenever possible. Yes Doc even when you were on the fence wanting to buy and install a TFI I stood by and answered all your questions about which model and how to adjust it after installation as well as Mac's help. Mac is amazing sometimes. I guess he has more time to think than I do lately!!

I don't ignore help when someone needs it. I can't. It's not in my personality not to help someone.

In closing everyone needs to give Trip a break. He's gone out on a limb to get us all together. He owes no one anything. We owe him!!! We do! He's a busy man at work and with his family. we all are. I wish I didn't have to let him down because I feel sometime I did by resigning.

All of you are my Nomad friends. I'm living a life in my 50's that I never thought I'd live again after retiring from riding for 20 years. For that I thank you all.

BD

[macmac]

BD I was head mod over at mcusa for years. I had access to accounts and passwords. There was a garage over there called motoman, run by motoman befoe i was there. he was gone when I appeard in 2000 I think, and the board you can see there today is not the first. A lot of info went away when the new board came to be.

So it would appear I was at mcusa from day 1 which isn't true, but I was there before you can read day 1. So I had years of on line guessing, to read between the lines when another person said my bike XXXX, and be able to guess at a 50/50 answer.

What it appears i can do better than some is explain theory sometimes and How To will lesser tools than I own. I am never always correct. I can only be as good as the detail in the complaint.

So I hear you loud and clear.

If anything I say too much too much of the time... I loose things in details.