https://www.iaai.com/Vehicle?itemID=27025097 My car has already turned up at the salvage auto auction. It’s at the IAAI Culpepper, VA location. I really loved this car and had plans to keep it forever. In fact, I had just done the Volvo recommended 97,500 mile service on the car and had just filled the gas tank with super unleaded! However, I have no plans to buy my old car back.  Actual Cash Value is $11,308 and the Estimated Repair Cost is $9,462. Modern Volvos aren’t cheap to repair. If circumstances were different, maybe I would try to repair it myself. But I needed […]

A few weeks ago I was in a fender bender on my way to work. It was one of those crappy situations where it was 100% my fault, because it is my duty not to hit other vehicles in front of me, but also a tough situation to avoid. A group of 4 or 5 vehicles, mine included, were stopped on a highway ramp waiting for traffic to clear so that we could merge from the interchange onto a 4-lane divided highway. There was no merge lane, just a yield sign at the end of the ramp. When there was […]

In the beginning… When I first got the Aprilia, starting the bike with a cold engine would go something like this: Kickstand up. Ignition key on. Shift gearbox to neutral. Kill switch set to Run. Snake right hand between plastic bodywork and aluminum frame. Fumble around blindly as I awkwardly reach for the Mikuni TM24 carburetor plunger mechanism and pull up to activate the starter enrichment circuit (choke). Press starter button. Gently rev engine for a minute or so while stationary. Put on helmet and gloves. Set off down the road gently, upshifting before 7,000 rpm, keeping an eye on […]