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Condor

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Everything posted by Condor

  1. Condor
    It's the difference in builds. Light weights will sit low in the saddle, but those of us with more butt padding will sit a couple of inches higher..... just because....
  2. Condor
    OK, as Don brought up there is a medicare type system in Mexico that some ex-pats do take advantage of.... however, the article I posted is just one of many reports I get from cruisers going south on their boats and spending the winter months where it's warm. It has nothing to do with any health program. These are just plain folks on an extended vacation, and they get sick or injured, walk into a hosipital or clinic... or dentist... and get treated. They're not putting any burden on the local government or health care system. MOF the tourist industry loves them. They get taken care of, and pay the bill. And it's generally a small portion of what it would cost back home in the US. I get this type of feedback all the time over the last 15-20 years. It's plain cheaper to get fixed elsewhere, and the care is excellent. Heck they all graduated for USC Dental School, and UCLA pre-med. IF USA Today wants to take issue with the health care system, let 'm, but that's not the point being made in my first post.
  3. Condor
    I still get a monthly sailing news ezine that let me know what's going on in my other lifetime. They just posted this story. I thought it was noteworthy considering the present situation here in the US. Please don't let this thread spin off into anything political. It's just to show there's another side out there and worth a little conversation. Health and Dental Care While Cruising September 20, 2010 – Central America How to pay for health care is a huge concern for everyone, cruisers included. There is some good news, however. Once you leave the United States, health care costs plummet. Secondly, in places like Mexico, there are very low cost health insurance options. When Terry and Jonesy Morris of the Chula Vista-based Gulfstar Sailmaster 50 Niki Wiki decided to quit their jobs, sell their house, furniture and car, and get rid of everything else in order to start living, they couldn't afford health care because of a series of pre-existing conditions. Faced with the choice of either going to work for a big company so they could get on a group policy and not being able to cruise, or self-insuring so they could "go out and live," they decided on the latter. They've been having a great time cruising Mexico and Central America in the four years since they did the '06 Ha-Ha, but then Terry needed to have emergency laparoscopic surgery to remove her gall bladder while they were spending the summer up the Rio Dulce. Here's her concise report: "The total cost was $5,000 U.S. That included three nights and four days in the upscale and modern university hospital in Guatemala City. This cost included the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and primary care doctor fees, as well as all tests, medications, and follow-up care. It was one of my best hospital experiences, and I’ve had six other surgeries, all of them in the United States." Cruisers in Mexico find the quality of medical care south of the border to be just as good, if not better, than in the U.S., and the costs substantially lower. © 2010 Henry Kaiser In case anybody thinks all health care outside of the United States is substandard, let's repeat her last sentence: "It was one of my best hospital experiences, and I’ve had six other surgeries, all of them in the United States." "So far, we have been quite happy with the medical and dental services we've received," continues Terry. "Jonesy, my husband, had an urgent and extensive root canal and crown procedure in El Salvador. It was done by an endodontist who was trained in the States. The total cost for the two dentists, plus the crown, was $350. In addition, we have had routine dental cleanings and check-ups for between $25 to $40, and filling repairs for $25 — all by English-speaking dentists. A walk-in, same-day mammogram at a private hospital was $35, with the typed radiologist report and films available for pick-up the next day. Routine blood-work is done inexpensively on demand at laboratories." To add a little perspective on the situation, a Sausalito sailor we know had the same surgery a couple years ago at Marin General. The total amount billed to the insurance company? $80,000! And that didn't include any overnight stays — he was forced to check out six hours after the surgery — or follow-up care. Let's see, there are no signs that the U.S. job market is going to improve anytime soon, used sailboats are selling for all-time low prices, the cost of pleasure cruising south of the border is well under what's considered poverty level in the United States, and health insurance and health care south of the U.S. is both good and reasonable. For some people, deciding to opt out of what for too many has become the 'new normal' in the United States in search of a better quality of life might not be such a bad idea.
  4. Condor
    I use Geico for both the '91 and the '99 bikes. I just paid it, and it ran $506 for the full Monty policy. 100/300/10. What kicks it up is the liability and collision. I have too much to loose if I go out and T-Bone a Lamborghini....
  5. Condor
    I think all this discussion about raising or lowering, and what works best, accomplishes only one thing, and that is to confuse folks. Leveling is the key, and it doesn't make any difference how it's accomplished. The bike comes from the factory lowered in the rear to give it that 'cruiser' look. So if you're shorter, then lower the front, if you're taller raise the rear, and if you're into looks, and don't give a hoot, leave it stock..... Simple.....
  6. Condor
    You can get the bolt from the dealer for $4.76. It fits a lot of different models...
  7. Condor
    So here's I am waiting for Brian 'golf&venture' from Seattle to show up and go over his new2him bike before he heads back to the barn. He's been chomping at the bit to get it back home ever since he bougth it 2 months ago. He bought it from a party up in L.Tahoe, and it's been sitting at his daughters in Vacaville between here and SanFrancisco. So what's Mama Weather thinking about doing? Raining. The one weekend that looks like we'll get the first rain of the season. It's gonna be interesting changing out the plugs and syncing the carbs. Hope this stuff misses us..... http://www.cast-aways.com/images/unlucky.jpg
  8. Condor
    If it was done under warantee Y should have a record. Even with warantee work you should have gotten a work order and receipt... ??
  9. Condor

    What If?

    Condor replied to Yama Mama's topic in Watering Hole

    I'd be out sailing....... http://www.cast-aways.com/images/lancer4.JPGhttp://www.cast-aways.com/images/lancer5.JPG
  10. Condor
    As long as they were the last ones in there and may have overtorqued the bolt, I don't think you should have to either. Or maybe they tried to remove a bolt that had loc-tite on it without heating it up. Either way the onus is on them..... Do you still have the work order from the last time??
  11. Condor
    magic !!!!
  12. Condor
    Somebody bring me a towel... I think I got something in my eye......
  13. Condor
    So what got broke... besides your pocket book??.....
  14. Condor
    E ticket ride in the twisties.......
  15. Condor

    Mag 8" wheels

    Condor replied to Condor's topic in Trailer Talk

    It might come to that Earl... With all the 8" wheels being pulled behind bikes in the US, or the world for that matter, I can't figure out why someone hasn't gotten into the 8" market. They make them for 12", but why not 8".... MC trailers, Small boat trailers... there's a lot of them.
  16. Condor

    Mag 8" wheels

    Condor replied to Condor's topic in Trailer Talk

    I may have to go with them if I can't find the real McCoy..... The silver/black set looks kinda cool.... But what do I do with the two leftovers???
  17. Condor

    Mag 8" wheels

    Condor replied to Condor's topic in Trailer Talk

    Dang!!! So close..... I have 5 lug 8" and all those are 4 lug...
  18. Condor
    Anyone have a suggestion of where to find either aluminum or mag 8" trailer wheels? I would think they'd be available all over the place, but not coming up with anything on the web.... I'd like to replace the steel wheels on the trailer with something that looks better...
  19. Condor
    Black is fuel, white is oil. You're probably runing on the rich side like you're supposed to when first starting with the choke on. The choke is a fuel inricher. I wouldn't be too concerned, as long as there isn't a big soot build up on the muffler tips. The choke is doing what it's designed to do.....
  20. Condor
    Woody, You can post it in the Classifieds under 'first generation parts' Take a few pics and click on place an ad over on the right hand side.
  21. Condor
    Wally World used to sell the Fram 6002 for about $6 bucks, and it came with a new 'O' ring...
  22. Condor
    You can add aftermarkets to the clutch and brake reserves. I know what you mean about the coverage, but after a while you get used to it. Another possible solution is stick-on small spot mirrors
  23. Condor
    I know there are a lot of pro's and con's about the longivity of the Avon's, but they will not cup when run at max cold pressure. Cupping is caused by runing the twisties with soft tires, and has nothing to do with suspension problems. Avon sidewall checking is another issue, but unless the tire is run soft cupping will not occur. I ran 50psi in the front tire of the '83 and when I sold it with 8000 miles on it, it looked like new, and I put some major twists on it. 2ndGens require less pressure at 40psi. Run them at any less and you'll eat them up. Cupping will happen with any tire that's run under inflated. Even an EII or E3. So if you're playing with pressures to get a better ride, don't. Keep 'm at max.
  24. Condor
    I donno... Anyone???
  25. Condor
    Check to make sure they don't have a catalytic converter....
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