The Shures Network http://shures.net Are you Shures about that? Mon, 12 Dec 2011 04:55:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Valley Move http://shures.net/2011/06/01/valley-move/ http://shures.net/2011/06/01/valley-move/#comments Thu, 02 Jun 2011 02:28:02 +0000 Aden http://shures.net/?p=3092
Map of the Rio Grande Valley

I have officially moved to the Rio Grande Valley. Over 20 years ago, my parents retired to Pharr, TX. Since then, I’ve been to visit them many times. I’ve always liked it here and often thought about moving south myself. Now I also call the valley my home. :-)

]]> http://shures.net/2011/06/01/valley-move/feed/ 0 Spring Break http://shures.net/2011/02/20/spring-break/ http://shures.net/2011/02/20/spring-break/#comments Sun, 20 Feb 2011 12:13:02 +0000 Aden http://shures.net/?p=3065
US Location of South Padre Island

I’m headied back to the warm tropical waters of South Padre Island.

You’ll find me free camping north of beach access 5.

South Padre Island Map

]]> http://shures.net/2011/02/20/spring-break/feed/ 0 Naked DRZ http://shures.net/2011/02/17/naked-drz/ http://shures.net/2011/02/17/naked-drz/#comments Thu, 17 Feb 2011 10:49:27 +0000 Aden http://shures.net/?p=3030
Naked DRZ-400

I got the DRZ ready for the 2011 season. Changed the fluids and filters, conditioned the battery, lubed & adjusted the chain, and fixed the radiator fan.

This year with the new knobbier tires I put on last fall, the bike should perform much better in the soft stuff. I’m hoping to make it through a 3rd season on the current battery. After putting the tank and covers back on, I took it out for a short ride. It’s running great.

]]> http://shures.net/2011/02/17/naked-drz/feed/ 0 Fun Hauler http://shures.net/2011/02/11/fun-hauler/ http://shures.net/2011/02/11/fun-hauler/#comments Fri, 11 Feb 2011 13:06:53 +0000 Aden http://shures.net/?p=2885
Hitch Mounted Motorcycle Carrier
Hitch Mounted Motorcycle Carrier

Living in Chicago, there are really no close good places to ride a motorcycle off-road. Since bikes like mine are uncomfortable for long distances, I need a way to transport it to the riding areas.

Due to storage considerations (took up too much space), last fall I sold my motorcycle trailer. But I still want to take my DRZ-400 to the fun. Today as Tinyanic’s replacement, I bought a hitch mounted rail motorcycle carrier. This transport solution is very compact to store (just lean flat against a wall). And on the road, it’s improved travelling and gas mileage (no towing).

The carrier is rated for 600lbs; much more than my 325lb bike. My truck’s hitch is a Class III rated for 600lbs tongue weight. I’l post my review in the comments after I have a chance to try it out a few times.

]]> http://shures.net/2011/02/11/fun-hauler/feed/ 0 1st Ski http://shures.net/2011/02/05/1st-ski/ http://shures.net/2011/02/05/1st-ski/#comments Sat, 05 Feb 2011 14:23:15 +0000 Aden http://shures.net/2011/02/05/1st-ski/

After the big Chicago blizzard of 2011, I took my daughter skiing at Four Lakes in Lisle, IL. It was her 1st time on the planks. She did greeeaaaat!

Next time we go, it’s going to be someplace with chair lifts. 4 hours of hanging onto a tow rope killed my arms.

Four Seasons Lisle IL

]]> http://shures.net/2011/02/05/1st-ski/feed/ 0 Fender Deville Repair http://shures.net/2011/01/30/fender-deville-repair/ http://shures.net/2011/01/30/fender-deville-repair/#comments Sun, 30 Jan 2011 11:09:05 +0000 Aden http://shures.net/?p=2913
Fender Deville 212 Repair

My Fender Deville 212 guitar amp has been repaired. It needed a 1/4″ cable jack and a knob control potentiometer replaced. After 15 years of use, the main guitar cord insert was worn out. It’s a high wear part and bad design (made out of and secured by plastic instead of metal). The potentio’s shaft had gotten broken by me not paying attention when removing the knob.

All components are surface mounted to an internal circuit board. Once you disable enough to gain access, you have to de-solder the originals, remove, and then solder back in replacements. The key tool is a solder sucker. Make sure you use one to easily and cleanly remove surface mounted circuit board components.

After removing all controls hardware from chrome top and removing the large circuit board’s screws, the main circuit board can be gentle moved back to clear the knob posts. Then the front of the board can be tilted up to gain access to the underneath side solder points. You do not need to disconnect any internal wiring.

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