The 250th blog, DIY mud flaps & my wish for rain!

The front mud flap fastened with black tie wraps & the perfect wire rope clamp!


I'm feeling in a celebratory mood, today. What better way to honor my 250th blog by showcasing my DIY mud flaps! 

Vancouver is in a deep freeze. We got hit big time with snow & sub zero temperatures,  - 7 Celsius today. It seems to be staying put until next week and the forecast is without rain. Here, in the 'wet coast' when it doesn't rain it's a cause for celebration. I can't truly test my mud flaps until the roads are actually wet so I figure that I would a least pickup the materials. And, what better way to have a functional mud flap on to keep the grit and soggy grime off from potentially damaging the drivetrain.

It all started out quite innocently last Saturday, as I ventured out to Tandy Leather Factory in Surrey. I went in looking for a piece of scrap leather roughly 1/4" thick. I did find one piece, although only 1/8" thick. The cashier looked at it and said, "Oh, just take it. Its too light for the scale!" Happily, I left with a free piece of leather!

Yesterday, I cut the leather to shape and saturated it with mink oil. Two advantages; waterproofing & preventing the leather from rotting. Next I drilled  holes in both fenders for the tie wraps. I was suspicious that the mud flaps wouldn't be heavy enough. With the spray off the tire & road would cause the mud flaps to ... flap! So, off I went to the hardware store and looked around until I discovered the weight I needed. I picked up a pack of galvanized 'wire rope clamps,' (costing me only $2.68) and secured it on the bottom end of both mud flaps acting as a mini weight. 

As I look up at the clear, blue skies, I can't help but think, "heres to another 250 blogs (clink!) and I hate to say it... my wish for rain!" 

That's the both of them. Now I'm awaiting the rain!
Both images by yours truly.

Comments

Jason said…
Congratulations on your 250th blog. If I can get anywhere near that number I'll be very happy.
Richard said…
Thank you,

As I can't believe it, I aim to try to rant for a least 250 more!
Groover said…
Congratulations on both accounts. This is a very nice bike.
Richard said…
Thank you. I can't wait for the snow to melt & the rain to start!