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Archive for January, 2011

Me and the Iron 883

Me and the Iron 883
“Hey, Tom wanna go to Adventure Harley-Davidson with me Thursday night after work,” I belted as I toweled the sweat off my forehead and arms. “I want to check out that Iron 883 that some of the guys on the cement crew have been talking about.”

“Hold on a second Scott, while I check my meeting planner. I heard a couple of the managers talking about the Iron 883 in the hallway the other day. Yeah, I’m free let’s go! See you around 5:30 on Thursday.”

“I am tired of working endlessly in the hot sun and not having a ride to blow off some of this pressure. I need to escape! I need some adventure,” I caught myself growling out loud.

“Scott, I thought Thursday would never get here. I’ve been buried in meetings and merger talk all week. I needed to get out of here and feel alive. Don’t want to grab any dinner. Lets head straight for Adventure .

“Man, I read that the Iron 883 has a black powder-coated 883cc Evolution powertrain with black covers. It also has that (ESPFI) Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection. I heard it has a broad torque curve and give you lots of power in the city setting,” I raved as we took off toward Adventure Harley-Davidson.

“Yeah, they said it had a black chopped rear fender. You can see more of the 150mm rear tire because of the combination stop/turn/tail lights. The wheels are even black. It’s got 13-spoke cast aluminum wheels, a 19″ in the front and a 16″ in the rear. It’s all dark due to the black front forks and fender supports, fuel tank, oil tank cover, belt guard, drag style handlebar and mid mount foot controls.” Tom rambled with anxious anticipation.

“Man, you sound like you’ve been drooling over this bike as much as me. It comes with a one-piece, solo classic seat about 25.3 inches. I could ride that sweet Iron 883 all by myself. One great thing about the Iron 883 is this. If Julie decides she wants to ride we can have a passenger seat and backrest added. Sorry Tom, I couldn’t wait. I called Adventure at the beginning of the week and had a long talk with the sales crew. Tammy and Tori in financing let me know that I can get this Iron 883 and hit the road right away. Maybe this weekend.”

“Scott, what a buddy you are. Yeah, lets go to Adventure Harley-Davidson on Thursday and check out the Iron 883, ha. I can’t believe you jumped the gun and called up Adventure.”

I chuckled to myself as we pulled into Adventure Harley-Davidson. Tom was sitting there fretting like a weak puppy and I had gotten the scoop on the Iron 883 already. Yeah that’s the way to do it, I thought as I slapped Tom on the shoulder. “Come buddy lets go check out the Iron 883.”

“Hello Tom, what up,” Matt bellowed across the sales floor as he walked to meet us.

“Tom, how does he know your name,” I asked dumbfounded.

Patience good buddy, you’ll find out in time,” Tom said as he walked away from me.

Got your Iron 883 over here ready to go,” Matt informed Tom as my jaw dropped.

Why, you sneakin’ devil, you,” I blurted as Tom started to grin.

Both of our jaws dropped as we stared at Tom’s Iron 883. “All I can say is, Matt let’s talk!”

Well, Tom have fun tonight,” I said as Tom rolled away on his new Iron 883 . “I’ll ride with you Saturday when I pick mine up, buddy.”

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Cast Iron Wood Stove – Learn the Benefits and Usage of Wood Burning Stoves

Copyright (c) 2010 Adam Rise

Wood burning stoves have been in use since as early as the eighteenth century. They became extremely popular during the nineteenth century and even now they are in great demand. In the earliest stoves earthenware tiles were used for protection. They were often beautifully decorated and were employed in some of the greatest palaces of Europe during the middle ages.

Ceramic at that time was popular for use as the material from which to fashion wood burning stoves from. Even up to the twentieth century the use of ceramic was prevalent in the construction of the wood burning stoves even those with an iron firebox. The ceramic stoves were able to absorb large quantities of heat and release that heat over a long period of time.

Later, after cast iron was found to work very effectively in the stoves it became the popular material for building the wood burning stoves. It tended to offer many advantages over the ceramic versions. Cast iron is a very strong material and the stoves which are built from it are actually quite durable. Many of the cast iron pot belly stoves from over a century ago are still functional and in a very good condition. Most of the antique wood burning stoves were made of cast iron.

Cast iron can easily sustain very high temperatures without being damaged and it is a good conductor of heat. The stoves are usually made from plates which are bolted together. If a portion is damaged, it can be speedily be substituted. It also allows the stove to be designed in various ways and ornamented as one desires. As you can readily see the stoves were more than a mere source of heat the wood burning stove made of cast iron represented a beautiful piece of furniture and occupied a place of pride in whichever room it was kept in. Even today, these stoves are in highly sought after by collectors. By the end of the nineteenth century the cast iron stoves began being manufactured in various enamel colors.

Modern manufacturing methods dictate that there are mainly three materials which are popular in the construction of modern wood burning stoves – steel, cast iron and soapstone. Steel is an excellent conductor of heat and is suitable for large rooms and basements where it rapidly starts radiating heat after being started. Soapstone on the other hand takes a long time to heat up and keeps on radiating heat for a considerable amount of time after being turned off. Cast iron lies someplace in the middle of these two points.

Wood burning stove have resurrected their popularity because they look attractive and are very low cost to maintain and reliable as compared to oil, gas or electric stoves.

Cast Iron and Wrought Iron Cabinet Hardware

Iron cabinet hardware is a wonderful way to introduce new designs into your kitchen and bathroom. Cast and Wrought iron cabinet hardware, which has been extremely popular for all types of architectural elements since the Middle Ages, is characterized by it’s dark color and geometric patterns (with focus on symmetry of pattern). Iron is an extremely heavy duty material that can be used in many areas of the home and ensure high quality pieces that will last a lifetime.

This type of hardware is usually made of cast or wrought iron. Cast iron was mass produced in the nineteenth century and is a type of hard and brittle iron that needs to cast in a mold. Wrought iron hardware is tough and malleable so it can be forged and welded by hand. This was especially popular during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century for fences and ornaments in the United States.

Cast iron cabinet hardware is produced today – allowing you to incorporate the patterns onto your cabinets and drawers. It is a simple way to introduce a common theme throughout your home by using a common material. When replacing older and worn hardware it is important to remember a few simple steps. First, use traditional cast or wrought iron hardware on the doors, windows, cabinets, drawers and furniture in your home to help tie the look together for you. Second, remember that cast and wrought iron hardware is a great choice for exterior home hardware such as shutters or gates. By using cast and wrought iron hardware inside and outside your home you will unify the look even further. Look to decorating magazines or ask a local designer or interior decorator for additional help if needed. Different shapes and designs can be used in different areas of the home – by using iron hardware throughout it will help create and enhance your theme.

Iron cabinet hardware is readily available online as well as in many home decorating catalogs. Search for solid iron construction and be sure to ask questions. When you work with cast iron you can be sure that different combinations will work together nicely. These black iron cabinet knobs can be found online through LookInTheAttic & Company, and they offer free design assistance and help.

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