Been on the hunt, for an adventure, that requires 2 less wheels. But out of all the bikes I checked out, I’m always drawn to the Monster. It’s styling just doesn’t compare to the bikes from the rising sun. Trolling forums and talking to some owners, all of them say they get lots of looks and . But it’s usually from all the bros and hipsters. I guess they appreciate the bike as much as I do. But getting attention isn’t my thing, though I should be used to it by now, since fanboys always
to the AE86. So for now I’ll pass on this one and stick with the more humble japanese counter part.
Sunday, February 28, 2016
2 less tires
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Weber Carb: The other rebuild
AE86 Tech #86-33: Pad shim
Weather doing hub bearing, and/or differential service, requires the removal of the brake caliper, pads, and bracket. It’s a bit of a chore to remove the pieces and I’m a bit on the lazy side, I’ll usually take care of it in fewer steps. Rather than doing all that nonsense. Just undo the caliper bracket assembly and then shove a rolled up newspaper or cardboard in between the brake pads. This will ensure they don’t fall out, while the caliper assembly is set off to the side safely while the main work is done. Once done with installing them sick cross slotted rotors, reinstall the brake assembly. Ready fo’ sho’.
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Monday, February 15, 2016
Bulletproof
First time I saw one of these was back at Battle of the Imports in the 90’s, when drag racing Hondas were setting new 1/4 mile records. Nowadays programmable ecus are commonplace and uber cheap that you can fuel inject anything. Why would anyone use one of these anymore? But to last this long we’ll just call it bulletproof.
Monday, February 8, 2016
Waasaabee
If you’ve watched a youtube channel called wasabi cars you’ll know what i’m talking about when you see this car. But if you’re not and too lazy to check, it’s an australian living in Japan who’s hobby is searching and documenting derelict Japanese cars, that are slowly rusting away. But would I have never guessed that a car, like the ones in his videos would show up on this side of the pacific.
Monday, February 1, 2016
The middle child
One thing about the early Datsun Zs, was that you either loved the 280 and wanted a 240, or was it the other way around. But the dirty laundry that was a 260 was left out to hang. So picking one of these up is pretty reasonable and since it probably won’t be missed, modifying them isn’t much of an issue. Behold the new adventure.
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Using good ‘ol boy techniques
I was on an interweb search on how to fix an axle housing. Since there was one sitting out back that was slightly bent and not really usable at the moment. Many techniques I came across were found on the on dirt track and stock car boards. Makes a lot of sense, since the thing that the oval racers and dirt trackers in the east share with the AE86, is the use of the rear solid axle.
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Buying a Palm Springs AE86
I used to comment, about never getting cars from Oakland, now I should add Palm Springs to that list. It shouldn’t be no surprise, as the AE86 is traded hands by many bandwagon enthusiasts. Cars are violated modified by many hands. With a unique set of problems, I think this is only the beginning.
Sunday, December 6, 2015
My “buddy” rebuilt it
Buying stuff sight unseen has always been a gamble. Owner bought this on the net and brought me it to for installation. The seller informed him it was rebuilt by his “buddy”. Upon initial inspection, everything looked in order and function properly. Disassembly revealed something completely different. While taking apart the differential, all the bolts were loose. Bits and pieces of the LSD were falling out as I continued the disassembly. My guess is that the LSD was subjected to a lot of horsepower. Then the “buddy” took it apart for inspection, found out it’s been grenaded, put it back together and sold it off to an unsuspecting buyer. That’s why sometimes it’s better to pay a little extra and buy local so that parts can be physically inspected.
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Turf and Tarmac
Some say trouble comes in threes. Others may look at it as third time’s the charm. For me I got the latter. After failing 2 times to attend another F1 event, since my last one in 2012. It took me a third try to get it right. It was an austin trip to remember.
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Enter the Neo

As the 80’s Japanese cars enter their mid 30’s, the people who brought you the Japanese Classic Car show, have done it again, with the Neo Classic Car show. Bringing out the next generation of Japanese classics from the 80’s and 90’s. I figured it would be cool to check 80’s cars with side markers and fuba antennas and 90’s cars decked out in ridiculous amount of stickers and colored vinyl interior. But that wasn’t the case.
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Some things never change
Sunday, October 4, 2015
Production line
Thursday, October 1, 2015
JCCS 2015 Fo' Sho'
Sunday, September 27, 2015
How I feel about the Corolla (sometimes)
Maybe it’s not as prestigious as the M3, but it invokes the same feeling.
Sunday, September 20, 2015
It’s bent
As greater number of fans/drivers acquire the most sacred Corolla GT-S. Parts are becoming more and more scarce. One such part are the rear end axles. What to do when one gets bent?
Sunday, September 13, 2015
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Monday, August 31, 2015
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
AE86 Tech #86-32: Who are you and what is your function.
Sunday, August 9, 2015
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
86 flash back
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Sunday, July 26, 2015
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Anime Expo 2015
Monday, July 6, 2015
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Zip tie and the tire
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Rebuilding weber

Sunday, May 17, 2015
Russian women
Here in the States we complain about women drivers. In Russia they complain about women crossing the street.
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Monday, May 11, 2015
This ain't in San Diego
Even though I don't own a Z car, I always try and make it a point to check out the Z car west coast nationals. Put on by Motorsport Auto in the city of Orange every year in April. What I always loved about the show is the different styles of builds that are displayed. Compared to other events where it's usually cookie cutter styling, following everyone else's styling that different cars start to look the same.
Sunday, May 3, 2015
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
AE86 Club Nights
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Top Gear Korea
When it comes to boobs, England's Top Gear has Jeremy Clarkson. But Top Gear Korea has a different concept on what it should be.
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Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Topak 2015
A brisk friday in late March brought me out to Streets of Willow for another Team Topak track day. The last time I drove with this group was in 2013, sigh can't believe it's like 2 years ago. Even though I was more of a spectator/observer this time around, they do put on great events. I think i'll need to start renting a car or something to get back into it.
Friday, March 27, 2015
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Outlive cockroaches
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Sunday, February 8, 2015
AE86 tech #86-31: Idler bearings
Monday, February 2, 2015
Monday, January 26, 2015
Friday, January 16, 2015
Mini project
Monday, January 5, 2015
Brake is life
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Monday, November 17, 2014
Vintage J Bike
Most of the stuff I play around with, from the land of the rising sun, comes in the form of 4 wheels. Now that I have some time I can now toy with a two wheel project that's been collecting dust in the back for a bunch of years.
Monday, November 10, 2014
Faulty injectors
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Motoring in the country
Out in the countryside of the Philippines, life is a bit more simple than in the big city of Manila. Things aren't as crazy and there's alot less cars. Where the main of transportation is the iconic tricycle.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Motoring in Manila
It's been over 15 since I last visited this place. At the time the family didn't have a car so the only mode of transportation was taking public transportation, which consisted hopping on jeepneys, triccyles and buses. Times have changed the second time around.
Monday, October 6, 2014
MotorWeek | Flashback Friday
A nice review when they were first introduced. Never really knew what the stock performance on these cars were, until now.