Headlight video and older coaches

[Bill Sprague]

Those high-frequency devices don't work in the cities.  It seems more and more jay-walkers and bicyclists are getting hit... especially bicyclists.  One flipped me off a while back.  I tried to hit him at just the last second but he flipped too late for me to move to the right far enough.

I was driving up a grade and got stuck between a truck in lane two and a bunch of bicyclists toward the edge of the road.  Several offered rude gestures.  

Later I did some research.  Turns out the law is on their side.  It varies by state, but the law actually says they are supposed to be in the middle of the same lane we drive in, unless there is a designated bike lane.  If they ride on the shoulder, it is only as a courtesy.  They have no legal obligation to give you any space.  You have every legal obligation to give them all the space -- even if you are pulling up a long hill and have to come to a near stop.

[Bill Jourdain]

Has anyone created a set of written instructions from the headlight modification video?  I have finally assembled all of the parts for the project but always prefer to work from written instructions or a checklist.  Thanks.

[Bill Sprague]

Bill and Roy
You no doubt worked harder on this video than most of us know.  Not as simple as it would seem to us who havent done it.
You seem to trivialize this video and its usefulness, dont!

Keith,

As far as I'm concerned, "work" is the wrong word here.  "Play" would be the better choice.  

Video is new to me.  Its a project started with my charming, drop dead gorgeous and way smart granddaughters about 2 years ago.   We've learned a lot about story telling, equipment, shooting, editing and distribution.  Of course, equipment acquisition is largely my responsibility!

I have enough fun with it that I look for things to shoot.  Usually it is scenery, pets and granddaughters.  I've considered one on "How to change your fuel filters in case you have to do it by yourself along the road."  Since I have a Cummins, it might not make the most sense for most Beaver owners, so I've not done it -- yet.  

I've not seen Roy since the Las Vegas rally.  I suspect I'll see him at Quartsite.  Maybe we will think of something worthwhile.  If you have any ideas, please let me know.

[Keith Moffett Co-Admin]

I've not seen Roy since the Las Vegas rally.  I suspect I'll see him at Quartsite.  Maybe we will think of something worthwhile.  If you have any ideas, please let me know.

OK, I will offer these points for your consideration.
1)  All things Girrard (adjusting in/out, tigjhten the tarp, adjust the slope for rain, cleaning a 10 ft. wide awning)
2)  slide out seals and maintaining them?
3)  General walk around outside and what needs done or should be looked at daily?

These are common questions that seem to get a variety of answeres on the forum so one good view point on video would help everyone.

Keith

[Edward Buker]

Keith,

I like the Girrard one especially, mine works fine for now but I have not done any maintenance or adjustments. Add lubrication, dry or otherwise to your Girrard subjects. Seems like some of the pivot points could use some maintenance over the years.

Regarding bikers, they are actually trained to center themselves in the driving lane if there is an unsafe passing situation and then yield to you when it is safe to pass on their terms. Seems a bit unsafe but they have to contend with drivers who many times don't have a clue. I think the first time I came across this the term "who the hell does he think he is" passed my lips until an avid biker clued me in to the rules of the road.

Some of the Florida Law....Bikes are not required to ride on the shoulder they are supposed to use the roadway. They are also not supposed to pass a parked car within the door width to avoid door opening collisions. That is one caution for us to anticipate if we are following a bike coming up on a parked car, they may head for the lane center.

 Roadway Position (see Section 316.2065, F.S.)
• A bicyclist who is not traveling at the same speed of other traffic must ride in a designated bike lane (see Bike Lane Law Explained) or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. A bicyclist may leave the right-most portion of the road in the following situations: when passing another vehicle moving in the same direction; when preparing for a left turn; when reasonably necessary to avoid any condition or potential conflict including, but not limited to, a fixed or moving object, parked or moving vehicle, pedestrian , animal, surface hazard, or turn lane; when a lane is too narrow for a bicycle and another vehicle to travel safely side by side. (see Roadway Position Explained)

Later Ed

[David T. Richelderfer]

In case you have not figured it out yet, many bicyclists are also rabid environmentalists.  In my case, when I was flipped off, I was travelling East on the McKenzie Pass hiway from Eugene.  I wasn't in a town.  I was on the open road, well, as open as that road gets before heading up onto the incline.  This guy was walking his bike outside the right line - no problem - plenty of room for him and for me to safely pass.  I was yet 100 yards away from him when he suddenly stopped... and turned towards me... and stood there flipping me off.  He was riding a bike not using fuel.  I was guzzling it at about 4 mpg.  I think he was one of those environmentalist bikers.

When I was younger up through my college years in the 1960s I biked alot.  It was the easiest, quickest, and cheapest way to get around in Corvallis, and especially onto campus to my work and classes.  I adopted what I call a survivalist policy.  You know how when you happen across a bear in woods, you stop and become very observant and respectful of the bear.  On the other hand, if you happen across a coyote, then the coyote stops and becomes respectful of you.  I don't want to confront a bear in the woods.  The coyote does not want to confront me.  Part of having that survivalist mindset is to not provoke bears... nor motorhomes, nor freight trucks, nor trains.

Keep in mind there are also other laws pertaining to the hiways.  If you are travelling at a speed of 15 mph or slower under the posted speed, then you must have the vehicle flashers on.  Also, if you are travelling slow enough that you are holding up traffic, then you must pull over when safely permitted to allow the buildup of vehicles behind you to pass - this when they amount to five vehicles or more.  Those apply to all vehicles on the roads... including bikes.  I am sure these roadway laws vary from state to state, but these are generally the laws in Oregon and Washington.

[Gerald Farris]

Bill,
Roy will not be at Quartzsite this year. They are wintering in Florida this year.  

Gerald

[Richard And Babs Ames]

I am a bicyclist and ride a lot of group rides. I find that 99.9 percent of bicyclist, motorcyclist and pedestrians are nice and obey the law. We tend to be overly cautious as we are very esposed and a lof us have been struck by a vehicle. In my case it was a sideswipe by a pick up truck and included broken bones and a lot of road rash. The incidents are caused by inattention of the motorist or cyclist or doing something stupid like riding without lights at night.

Please watach out for us all as we have no protection from a car truck or motorhome.

[Bill Sprague]

Bill,
Roy will not be at Quartzsite this year. They are wintering in Florida this year.  

Gerald

Gerald,

Would you like to do a video on the right way to change fuel filters?

Bill

[Joel Ashley]

I don't agree with the biker's response, Dave, but he may have been antagonistic if you were on the MP highway in your motorhome at the time.  Trailers and other large vehicles are not advised on it, as posted.  Of course if you weren't yet in the bad sections at the time, and there was plenty of room, his beef was questionable except for the tree-hugger possibility, a culture around U of O.

Joel

[David T. Richelderfer]

That's my thought too, Joel.  We Beavers (Class of '71 here, BS Math) harbor those discriminations against many of the Ducks.   lol   I had just purchased the Marquis that morning and was heading over the mountains to get to the Kinzua Hills Golf Course to play in the annual Men's Tournament... and we were running just a tad bit late... and I was advised by the dealer that the MP was good to go for my shortest route.  As it was I missed playing in the Friday evening scramble.  Since I was on a blind corner turning to the right I was unable to swing wide into the oncoming lane... so the coach's side-wind probably about knocked him over.  I would suggest the MP route is worse for bicyclists... not alot of room for them to get well off the roadway in some places.

[Gerald Farris]

Bill,
I will be at Quartzsite, however I have a good bit on my plate around then since I will be trying to put on a conference call Board Meeting. So I may not have the spare time.

Gerald