Welcome to 2020.2.2
It's bloody hard to avoid the politics of the mess we currently find ourselves in. I'd best not start now. Opinions are so divided and many hold firm views one way and the other. An event like this should pull a society together but this seems to be having the opposite effect.
The haves and have-nots divide seems to grow wider with each new variant. From mask manufacturers to restaurant owners, first- to third-world, pathology companies to tour companies. There are big winners and big losers, it's easy to see how conspiracy theories can emerge.
Just when we hoped to get our world back, these new variants of the plague pop up and f*^k us about all over again. Initially, we were banned by grovelments from riding our bikes about the countryside now we are sh*t scared to head off, preferring to hide out at home, locking ourselves down.
It's all a bit confusing, I'm trying to remain serene and composed, adopting the 'it is what it is' approach where I can. There doesn't seem to be many other options. |
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| It's all a bit confusing, I just caught myself about to waxing the seat. |
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| We are gonna have a crack at getting to have a look at Finke again this year. I reckon it's about my seventh time trying. No, off-course I won't be competing, stroof, I wouldn't make it to the start line without having a hearty! We just want to get out into the never-never, soak up a bit of the atmosphere and red dust. |
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It’s hard to believe it was twenty-five years ago that I bought a second-hand sewing machine, taught myself rudimentary sewing and knocked up what turned into Andy Strapz.
As an Emergency Nurse, an alternative to ‘bungee’ straps was my Mother of Invention. Over the next decade, that mother’s sister kept on my case as I developed thermals, seat bags and soft panniers. With the help of skilled staff, ‘Bob’s yer Mother’s Brother’ here we are. A quarter of a century, a third of a lifetime down the line. Not only was it my passport out of Nursing but a step into a ‘lifestyle’ business, Andy Strapz has taken us on a sometimes dizzying curve as well as lots of sets of swift S bends.
Andy Strapz is something I’m profoundly grateful for and immensely proud of. A combination of dogged persistence and trust of intuition has somehow worked.
Today we still manufacture Andy Strapz branded products right here in Victoria and choose only the best (after testing) motorcycle travel gear to offer online or in-store. We think it’s of paramount importance to not only trial what we sell but get a clear picture of how they work as well as the pros and cons of various applications.
Where to from here? Struth, how should I know? We were told Aussie manufacturing of quality bike gear would end in tears. There’s been no shortage of tears (or was that dust in my eyes?) but hey, we’re still here.
My WTF-a-scope can, however, see me heading out for a ride or three, testing a few new things that I'm developing and considering offering. |
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| Test fitting went a bit further than anticipated. Ark deluge testing in action! |
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| This has the working title of The Keg. I designed and made it while 'holding the fort' over the Christmas/New Year downtime from the Pannier Trunk. It's about twice the volume, seat or rack friendly and stiffer. Looking back, my sewing skills have come a long way, I'm only allowed near the machines when the girls are on holiday though. |
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| The top end of the Dargo High Plains Rd |
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| I've just spent a few days going around twisty circles over the big bumps in the most perfect weather anyone could have asked for. Amazing views, stunning wildflowers and one of the country's best rides made the job of trialling the Keg, Sambia Pro gloves, Carese Evo jacket and Torno Evo pants a real joy. More on that next month. |
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| The Bogong Plain near Falls Creek. |
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Mystery Items Follow Up Well, well. The first outing of this jigger got no response but Decembers' inclusion got a swag of feedback. I still have no idea what it is for sure. My hunch is that it's for marking a line inside an edge for wood or leather working. |
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Hi, I think the split end is to aid in pushing the sewing twine through the leather. Says Nigel.
The wooden handle gadget… I reckon it’s a stitch picker aka seam ripper… or at least it’s a full cousin to one. Reckons Wilko and Brian.
I had one of these in my 80 series cruiser glove box I drove for 25 years (I still have it), obviously a kill spike but I used it for splicing, like a marlin spike is used. Was Ken's input.
Debbie, Steve, Dave, Craig, Glenn and Mick went for some sort of awl to sew canvas and leather. I've had those things but the split in the end has me unsure.
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December's teaser This one also has a few of you thinking but none of the ideas totally convinced me. It has been floating around in my shed for the best part of 20 years. Glenn has me leaning in his direction. He sent this.
The latest item is found in automotive drum brakes. It’s the adjustment ratchet. You pull the rubber stopper out of the backing plate and insert a flat tool through it and carry out a brake adjustment. |
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My guess is that the mystery object is part of a car window winder regulator mechanism where the winder handle is fitted to, reckons Arend.
Chris added - December’s looks like a kick start pawl, but no idea what from. But that seems a bit too obvious.
Your latest mystery item looks similar to part of the ratcheting mechanism in a fishing reel but I wouldn’t put any hard earnt on that as the dark patches on the shaft indicate it turns on a roller bearing, stabs Brian.
How about Nigel - This is a leather stitch marker - as the device is rolled along it marks to please for the stitches - which are then punched through with the bradawl… |
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The prize... errr not! Goes to John H.
As for the mystery item, I think it’s a steel ruler used for measuring stuff.
Oh dear, gotta love a smart RRs. The best answer yet! |
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| Have a crack at this one. |
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| A bit too wet for a camp here. |
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| What was that advice about camping in riverbeds? |
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| Dan P sent this in for your pleasure. Enjoy. |
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| A small bunch of cable ties tied to the frame in a tucked away spot could prove mighty useful someday. Not for you of course, but you are the sort who will generously stop to help another rider. |
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That's all I got.
Copyalater.
Andy |
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