Ninfourteener's Progress Thread + Pics

[Sinister]

That's the thing... the TiC's are a softer but trackable setup. If you're that concerned about track... look at the Tarmac 2's from RCE. Those are still softer than your buddy clubs, but are amazing weekend track coils.

[ninefourteener]

So..... it's been aver a month since I've posted..... anything. I am sitting on Tanabe DF210s now... which I like, and REALLY ease the headaches. I don't imagine the stock struts will last long, but6 they'll be ok for a few months till I fork over the $$ for a set of koni yellows.

Between the move to TX, and all the craziness associated with that... just trying to get priorities in order.

So..... a lot of folks have asked me about my next "project".. and what I'm going to do with the $3000 I got from selling the brat. I tossed around the idea of another Porsche 914, another muscle car, a cool old suburban... and about 1000 other ideas in my head.

The result????

At age 35 (after owning/building/modding/restoring over 30+ cars).... I learned to ride a motorcycle for the first time. Just took the Harley riders course last weekend. My plan is to put a quite healthy down payment on a new Harley Heritage Softail in March when I finally pay off the WRX, and officially "own" it.

Thats 6 months away though..... It wouldn't be very smart to hop on a $14,000 motorcycle, with 3 days riding experience.... followed by a 6-month period of zero riding. So I got my Texas license, with motorcycle endorsement....

And found "Ninefourteener's project turd-cycle of death" - LOL

$1000 on Craigslist Baby!! 1981 Honda Goldwing 1100cc, bobbed, stripped down, blacked out, and customized with a Harley rear fender, Harley softail seat, and fatty chrome pipes. Comes complete with custom chrome "Hotrod" emblem....... cool.

The fact that it is a water-cooled, horizontally opposed 4-cylinder?? well, thats just an added bonus that makes me think of Subarus and Porsche 914s.

The "plan".... is to beat the $hit out of this thing.... learn to ride.... probably drop it a few times... and "maybe" turn it over back on eBay in 6 months when I buy the Heritage softail...... if I don't completely trash it.

You know me though... I can't leave anything alone (except the Tribeca, and that's because the wife won't let me)..... so I've got a "full" blackout planned, red wheels, fiberglass-wrapped pipes.. and a slew of other old-school bobber tricks planned.

Here's to not dying.....

914er's project turd-cycle of death:





And a cool pic the wife took with her "retro camera" app:

[Mikie13]

^^Dude that's awesome! Welcome to the two-wheeled whirld!

I was trying to figure out what that was...BMW popped into my mind obviously but knew no way. I guess its a Goldwing with all the clunky BS pulled off of it? Looks badass!

I also took the Riders Education course they offer here in NJ and it was probably the best idea I could have done. The safety and awareness they give you is second to none. It really makes you pay attention to the road and all possible surroundings and situations. On top of that, I believe it makes one a better cage driver as well. Safe riding buddy!

[ninefourteener]

So I just did one of the coolest mods.... for only $35!!!

After having such harsh coilovers on the car for so long, it really did a number on the "rickety-ness" of the car. I've been noticing this metallic rattle coming from the RR passenger floorboard. It was especially prominent when I accelerated in a gear that was too high (like 25mph in 4th gear).

The ONLY thing around that area, is the rear diff outrigger bushings. So, I ordered up a set of aftermarket bushings from kartboy:

Kartboy dot com :: Subaru WRX :: 2002-2007 WRX :: Kartboy Rear Diff Outrigger Bushings (HARD BLACK)

WOW.... I never knew I had so much "slop" in the rear end of my car. No more rickety-ness, no more clanging when shifting hard. There is such a positive feel during shifts now. The ass-end of the car just feels about 10 times more "planted" than it did before.

I wish I would have done this mod before I did the shifter, shifter bushings, etc. MUCH more of a noticeable improvement.... and it was a much easier install too!!! Kinda nice to come across a super-easy, super cheap, super effective mod. I'm still having nightmares after installing that grimmspeed master cylinder brace - LOL

$35 and about 35 minutes.... well worth it. Going to bed with a smile tonight

[Emsbuff124]

For the rear end, Look at also turninconcepts sexy rear end kit gives you the kartboy lock down bolts and all the bushings too. its worth the money.
cool bike, If I could get any bike I want the old school indian larry ones with the foot clutch, jockey shift, and no front brake.
But I work as a paramedic and seen to several nasty crashes to scare me to the point of not buying a bike.
Best advice i can offer is stay alert and dont trust a single driver
also get a set of strait pipes for it.
My neighbor has a sticker on his helmet that states " loud pipes save lives"
its true cause people hear you as well as see you

[ninefourteener]

Yea... I already have the lockdown bolts.... plus I just bought these to improve a rattle. Turns out I really like the way they make the car feel.

This bike is just a turd./... just something to learn on. Chances are, I'll be selling it in Feb to help fund a new bike.

Buying a 1997-2003 Heritage Softail Springer

[Emsbuff124]

ahh, how do you like the lock down bolts?
i hear you on the bike but dude go old school, indian larry style

[ninefourteener]

Truth be told, I didn't really even notice the lockdown bolts. Then again, my suspension was already pretty tight when I put them in though.

I like the old school "classic" style (hence, my choice of the heritage springer).... I'm not crazy about Indian Larry styling though. It's cool, just not me.

This Honda? I'm not doing much with it really.... just riding it every day... counting the days till I can sell it and buy a Harley - LOL I changed the fork seals, put on a windshield, custom fabbed up some brackets to install an old set of harley saddlebags, cleaned the carbs, installed front turn signals, and basically just took care of it for the first time in its life.

Thinking about painting it over the Xmas break.... maybe.... we'll see.

WRX is paid off on 1 Feb 6 long years

[mangostick]

So I just did one of the coolest mods.... for only $35!!!

After having such harsh coilovers on the car for so long, it really did a number on the "rickety-ness" of the car. I've been noticing this metallic rattle coming from the RR passenger floorboard. It was especially prominent when I accelerated in a gear that was too high (like 25mph in 4th gear).

The ONLY thing around that area, is the rear diff outrigger bushings. So, I ordered up a set of aftermarket bushings from kartboy:

Kartboy dot com :: Subaru WRX :: 2002-2007 WRX :: Kartboy Rear Diff Outrigger Bushings (HARD BLACK)

WOW.... I never knew I had so much "slop" in the rear end of my car. No more rickety-ness, no more clanging when shifting hard. There is such a positive feel during shifts now. The ass-end of the car just feels about 10 times more "planted" than it did before.

I wish I would have done this mod before I did the shifter, shifter bushings, etc. MUCH more of a noticeable improvement.... and it was a much easier install too!!! Kinda nice to come across a super-easy, super cheap, super effective mod. I'm still having nightmares after installing that grimmspeed master cylinder brace - LOL

$35 and about 35 minutes.... well worth it. Going to bed with a smile tonight

I had same reaction when I did the rear diff mount and cradle inserts on my 2010.. it really is scary how much slop goes on back there in the name of .. well I dunno what because mine is just as quiet with them as it was without.... *shrug* ..

Enjoy it man.. its nice to not have that weird play in the rear suspension/driveline isn't it?

[ninefourteener]

I do get a CRAZY vibration.... but again, only if I'm trying to accelerate in a gear that is too high for the speed I'm going. But, the vibration is better than the clanging I had before.... and its much less frequent.

Otherwise, I don't notice any difference in NVH at all.

[Sinister]

I have the R180, and I have a LOT of rear diff noise, and a mild vibration.

[ninefourteener]

duplicate post

[ninefourteener]

Greetings folks... long time no speak.

The WRX is going up for sale.... not like there is any "mystery" behind it. One owner... and I'd say I did a pretty good job of building it over the past 7 years. Clear title.... in hand..... ready to be signed over.

I can't enjoy it anymore... I'm 37 years old... I have 3 slipped disks in my neck have rendered me with chronic migraines. I love this car more than any car I've ever owned.... I just can't drive it for more than an hour without being in physical pain.

I'll list it on eBay in a few weeks...... but if there are any interested parties immediately... I'm all ears.

Currently has 72k miles on it... every receipt for every dime spent.... every receipt for oil change with Mobil1 or Royal purple since new... no surprises. Car doesn't have a scratch or a door ding in it anywhere. Everything works.. cruise, A/C... no CELs, etc. It runs exactly like it should.

I know the economy sucks, I'm also a realist that has owned/built/restored over 30 cars in my day. I know I'm never going to get even a fraction of what I've put into it, so the price probably isn't as high as you would think. With that, please consider I have over $20k in receipts, and the car is arguably the most thoroughly documented WRX in history, and I also built it the right way...... Piece of mind on the part of the buyer has to be worth something. Lots and lots of crap out there. This is not crap.

Make me a serious reasonable offer. I need to buy a nice, big, soft car. I will not entertain lowball offers. If I can't sell it, I'll just keep it and buy a beater to drive to/from work. I still love this car... just can't drive it "daily" anymore.

Let me know... if not, I'll post the eBay link in a few weeks. Thanks.

[Mikie13]

Sad to hear man...

I've always enjoyed your progress thread and contributions...do you have a for-sale thread? Post one around here, and especially Nasioc and you may get some better hits!

[irvin787878]

I am sorry to hear this. My uncle deals with migraines on a regular basis. They are no joke. Good luck to you