#how often do mufflers need to be replaced

[philsservice]

Wonder how do you know if your exhaust system is bad? The auto professionals at Phil's Service will be happy to inspect your vehicle’s muffler.

[expertcarcare]

Wondering when does a muffler need to be replaced? Ask the professionals at Expert Car Care Inc. for advice about the exhaust systems.

[clausenauto]

Wondering what causes a muffler to go bad? There are several signs indicating that you should schedule an inspection of your exhaust systems.

[bukkum]

Winter Jacket For Women: Styling Tips To Stay Warm In Style This Winter

A jacket for women is one of the most favorite clothing pieces in winter collection. As the cold wind knocks at your door, everything will start changing or transforming according to the winter, like vegetables, and fruits, every food item will turn into seasonal foods in our homes to make our internal body strong enough to protect it in the winter. To save and secure our outer body from cold, summer clothes are replaced with winter clothes in the wardrobe.

Many people replace all the summer clothes in their wardrobe with winter clothes and within a short time, they get bored with those clothes. Yes, this often happens to everyone but why? You cannot style your winter clothes differently every day during the winter months because it is true that we cannot invest a lot of money in winter clothes for such a short period. In this article, we will discuss some styling tips that will help you style your winter clothes with summer flair.

Type of jackets for women you must have this winter:

Puffer Jacket

Leather Jacket

Denim jacket

Hooded Jacket

Cropped bomber Jacket

Tailored jacket

Black puffer Jacket

4 Tips on how to style your summer collection with winter jackets

1.    Go Casual with a Puffer Hooded Jacket this time :

Don’t grab your normal hooded jacket casually every time. Make it change with a solid Olive green hoodie puffer jacket to modify your casual winter look. You will have several styling options to style uniquely with your summer collection in the winter.

Style your solid white T-shirt from your summer wardrobe collection, take a pair of skin-fit blue denim jeans, and grab your Olive green hoodie puffer jacket over it. A pair of long brown boots and a black woolen cap will play a role in completing this cute winter look.

2.    The style for a party with a Cropped bomber jacket:

Planning the night party in winter? Styling for parties in extremely cold weather becomes a bit difficult for women. There are countless options for party nights in summer but not for winter. What if you can style your summer party dress for winter with a jacket in winter? Sounds interesting? doesn't it?

Wear any shimmery dress with a pair of wollen skin-fit black stockings, and cover your dress with a Black cropped bomber jacket. In footwear, you can wear your favorite Chelsea boots with it and you are all good to go for the winter parties.

3.    Be bold and beautiful for a formal meeting with a Denim jacket:

If you want to look bold and stunning in winter for your formal meeting, you do not need to wear a blazer like in summer. Wearing a suitable and beautiful denim jacket will give a nice formal look.

Without thinking about anything else, take your Red or any color shirt from the summer collection and pair it with beautiful black pants, now quickly grab a dark blue denim oversized jacket and add an animal-printed muffler around your neck. Add a classy touch with accessories like a pair of loafer shoes and some golden jewelry like a subtle chain, a watch, and two rings. And wow, you are going to make a unique impression on your client and everyone you meet.

4.    The style for the gym with a Front Zipper Hooded Jacket:

It is important to have a stylish hooded jacket for going to the gym early in the morning. We know that with stylish gym active wear, you don't want to spoil the look of your gym wear by wearing your usual sweater. And we don't want you to be left with only one pullover hoodie as an option. We understand that you wouldn't want to be limited to just one type of style, right?

You can flaunt your cool and classy style in winter too at your gym. Wear your regular tank top or a t-shirt that makes you comfortable at the gym and pair it with black ankle-length tights. Now to protect yourself from cold and keep yourself as stylish as ever add a layering of a Front zipper hooded jacket and wear your favorite pair of sports shoes.

Conclusion:

If there is one thing that can help you attract attention in winter, it can be considered a perfect selection of jackets for women. You will not get bored during the whole winter season when you wear different types of winter jackets, just know how to wear it with your summer collection to make it a perfect and beautiful pair.

At Bukkum, you will find various types of Winter Jackets in a range of color shades. Explore our site to have a beautiful and warm wardrobe collection for this winter.

Source Link

[murrumbaautocareau]

How to Find the Best Emergency Car Mechanical Services in Kallangur

Getting your car repaired is something that you have to do from time to time. However, it is important to find a good mechanic so that you can get the job done quickly and efficiently.

There are many reasons you may need emergency car repair, from damage to struts and suspension to faulty power steering or brakes. These problems often become a lot worse if they aren’t fixed. To know more about Emergency Car Mechanical Services, visit the Murrumba Auto Care website or call (07)32854440.

The brake system is the most important safety component in your vehicle. It takes dozens of components to create the friction needed to slow and stop your car. But these specialized systems need regular inspections to avoid failure. Symptoms of a failing braking system include spongy or hard pedals, screaming sounds, or vibrations during braking. A failing braking system also increases stopping distances, which can be dangerous in an emergency.

During the brake system inspection, the experts pop the hood to examine the master cylinder and brake lines for leaks. They also check the power booster, vacuum hose, and combination valve for damage or leaks. The experts then test the brakes by raising your vehicle on a lift and stepping on the brakes multiple times. They can also inspect the front brake hoses, mounting brackets, and wheel cylinders for physical damage or leaks.

A thorough brake check should also include examining the calipers and rotors for rust and other signs of wear. The technicians should also check the brake return springs and antirattle clips to ensure that they are in good condition.

The clutch is a crucial component in the car’s transmission system. It connects and disconnects the power transmission from the spinning shaft to allow your car to change gear. Over time, your clutch will need to be serviced. A common problem is the throwout bearing, which gets a lot of wear and tear due to its heavy duty job. It can wear down and cause chattering noises when you depress the clutch pedal. To resolve the issue, you can take your vehicle to an expert clutch specialist, such as Murrumba Auto Care. They will inspect your clutch and brakes and recommend the best repair options.

The power steering system in your vehicle helps you turn the wheel with less effort. However, it can wear out if the fluid is not replaced as recommended. Dirt can contaminate the fluid, which could cause it to leak. This can be dangerous for you and other drivers on the road.

Your vehicle’s power steering system uses either an electronic motor or a mechanical belt to drive its power steering pump. The pump pushes power steering fluid to the sector or rack and pinion. This allows you to turn the car with the minimum of effort and keeps the tires firmly on the ground.

Our emergency car repair services include a power steering fluid exchange service. Our technician drains and replaces your power steering fluid with new high-tech fluid for conventional sector or rack and pinion. The new fluid will dissolve and suspend varnish and gums to help your system operate more efficiently. The fluid will also be free of metallic debris that can cause premature component failure.

One of the most important parts of your car is its exhaust system. It is responsible for removing harmful gases and fumes from the engine and reducing noise. It also serves a safety function as it protects you from carbon monoxide fumes that can enter your cabin.

Exhaust leaks are a common problem that can lead to expensive repairs. It is important to check the exhaust system regularly and replace any broken pipes or mufflers as soon as possible. Start with the exhaust manifold and then inspect the muffler, resonator and catalytic converter for holes or leaks. Be careful not to touch these components as they will be hot!

If you notice any vibrations on the steering wheel, seat or foot pedals, this may indicate a problem with the muffler. A broken muffler will cause a buildup of carbon monoxide, which can be deadly. In addition, rusting can damage the muffler and pipes. It is best to jack up your vehicle on a level surface before attempting to inspect it. To know more about Emergency Car Mechanical Services, visit the Murrumba Auto Care website or call (07)32854440.

[juliamargrait]

Why You Should Fix or Replace a Dragging Splash Shield Right Away

What do you do if you’re driving your vehicle and you notice that the splash guard or splash shield is dragging on the road? Most people may think, Ah well, I’ll just drive with it like this for now. I can always fix or replace it later on. But in reality, there are many reasons why you should fix or replace the splash guard right away. Before getting into those reasons, though, let’s discuss what a splash shield does and how to recognize when yours is dragging on the ground.

What Is a Splash Shield?

A splash shield is designed to protect the underside of your car from water, dirt, and debris kicked up by the tires. It is located on the front bumper and attaches to the underside of your vehicle. When you go over puddles, waves, or drive through rainstorms, this shield will catch any liquid that comes up from below and keep it from getting into your engine compartment. 

Splash shields are made with two different materials - metal and rubber. Metal splash shields are made of steel for durability and can withstand harsh weather conditions without breaking down. Rubber splash shields are less expensive but may need to be replaced more often than metal if exposed to extreme conditions such as snow and ice.

The Purpose of a Splash Shield

A splash shield is a vital component of your vehicle's engine compartment. The primary function of the splash shield is to keep dirt, water, and other debris from entering the engine compartment. A splash shield does not allow moisture and dirt to enter the engine compartments, which may cause irreversible damage to your car's engine. Additionally, it can be hard to see while driving because of the amount of dirt that accumulates on the windshield while driving with a Dragging Splash Shield.

Why You Should Fix or Replace a Dragging Splash Shield Right Away

You can drive your vehicle while the splash shield is dragging. However, it is strongly advised that you fix or replace it right away. In the absence of such precautions, moisture, dirt, and debris may enter the engine compartments and harm the engine parts. Furthermore, once water has accumulated inside your vehicle's engine compartment and dripped down to an exhaust pipe (even just one time), corrosion will be caused on the metal parts of your exhaust system. The corrosion will continue as long as there is water dripping down onto them. This will eventually lead to rusting; which could result in broken pipes and mufflers that could pose a serious safety hazard to you and other drivers around you.

How to Prevent Splash Shields from Dragging

Splash shields are made to protect the engine compartment from water, dirt and debris. Usually, they're affixed to the bottom of the vehicle with bolts. When they start to fall off, they may drag on the ground and can cause serious issues with your vehicle's engine. To prevent this from happening, follow these steps: 

- Check for any loose bolts that might be causing the splash shield to come loose and fix them as soon as possible. 

- If you notice that your splash shield is dragging on the ground, stop driving immediately and inspect it for damage. Even if it doesn't seem damaged now, continued use may worsen the issue over time until you have major problems with your engine. If you are still stuck somewhere or want to read more on Dragging Splash Shield you can easily continue your reading from Autovehicleparts.

[professionalautorepair]

Subaru Brake Service Close To Atlanta

To help prevent time and miles, we will ship you over to the Just Tires website, where you can find unique offers and schedule an appointment online. Our professional technicians will install your tires at your own brake repair atlanta home, work or faculty. To schedule an appointment for break repair, name or visit us at present. If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, have your Certified Service technician examine your brakes right away.

If you continue to drive on the worn-out brakes shoes or pads you will be putting yourself and passengers in an unsafe experience. You are in luck, we at Speed Auto Repair in Roswell, GA are your native professional technicians. We can diagnose and discover a answer to any brake service or repair want you might encounter. Brake pads and rotors take a massive quantity of abuse, as they are the main component that turns the rotational vitality into warmth.

I highly suggest them for anyone in need of a brake repair. We offer high quality repair and competitive costs for your whole exhaust system and muffler repair needs. Make certain to stop by our 5364 Buford Highway location for an inspection, as a damaged exhaust can damage each your automotive and the environment. While you may find a way to do your own brake repair, there’s no informing how long the job may possibly take.

Schedule a Toyota Brake Inspection, Service or Repair at Toyota South Atlanta to keep your vehicle safe. Brake pad problems can often be recognized by squealing brakes. If your brake pads deteriorate fully, you'll hear a grinding metal-on-metal sound when braking, meaning that it's too late and you're ruining your rotors or drums! Those with information of auto repair could possibly repair this at residence, however you must all the time see an auto repair professional immediately when you have brake problems. Whether it's time for your subsequent oil change or you may be experiencing a brake problem, McCurley’s Shell is here to help.

From brake inspections to brake repair to brake replacement, McCurley’s Shell is the main Atlanta brake repair store. Brake pads and shoes may be made from ceramic, steel or natural supplies, whereas the disc rotors and drums they press against are manufactured from metal. Some pads have a metal strip connected brake repair atlanta that sounds a warning whistle when the pad turns into too worn, but this strip sounds solely when the car is in motion and the brakes are not utilized. Some brake techniques use disc brakes within the rear of a automobile. Most rear disc brake systems include brake pads, calipers, rotors...

Looking ahead to my next upkeep expertise with Your Mechanic team. He saved the day, but I was sad with the a quantity of cancellations from the opposite brake repair atlanta scheduled mechanics. I selected this service for convenience then it was made and inconvenience to me. Perform a basic 50 point security inspection of your vehicle.

Because Vaughan Automotive is family-owned and operated, we are especially devoted to making sure you could have a great experience with us. We take delight in our work, and we wish you and your family to be safe in your automotive. Could not have been more pleased with the good buyer expertise offered by Mayzar. He was early on a day that was very nasty as a end result of climate. Kept me up to date and made certain I understood every little thing he did.

Our highly educated staff has all the talents and training required to handle just about all of your ‘Mercedes Brake Repair’ work which might be required. If you discover any of the symptoms below in your automotive, it is essential to get your brakes inspected as quickly as potential, as these could additionally be an indicator of potential brake failure. Very helpful....went into element about his complete course of. He was sent with the incorrect bulb to vary my headlight....fortuitously, there was already and additional one which he was ready to use, and gladly did it.

[god-of-entropy]

sorry this is my first time doing a req, but since you like iida tenya, i was wondering if you had any knight iida tenya headcanons?

So I was re-enacting a bakuiida hurt/comfort scenario I made up for exactly 2 hours since I started during 10:00 pm and it is 12:00 AM

gist of it: bakugou’s inferiority complex acts up and so he doesn’t take care of himself bc he’s too busy training and iida tells him how much he (Katsuki) means to him, (Tenya) and that there aren’t enough numbers that exist that could tell him (Katsuki) how much he (Katsuki) meant to Tenya

and then I remembered my tumblr account and one of the asks I got was “do some knight Iida Tenya headcanons this is my first time doing a req” and I was like oh wow I am v blessed that I am the person who took anon’s req virginity so here we are

CW: few times of cursing, mention of me talking about a car kink

Knight Iida Tenya Headcanons

Part of the King’s guard no I do not. Take criticism

If he isn’t he’s most likely in a very high position of knight rankings in the fantasy AU

His chivalrous spirit could rival canon Kirishima’s

But since Kiri’s a dragon hybrid here,,well

Did I mention

He’s TALL

Like. Bumping his head on every single fucking doorway kind of tall

He is a staggering 6”6

HES TALLER THAN MY BEDROOM WALLS JSJSJ

anyways so like bc he’s so tall he learned the very hard way (literally) that you should not wear a metal cone hat while sliding down ladders

Was this inspired by that one (1) video on YouTube where this guy’s character slid down a really long ladder wearing a golden metal cone hat

I will not agree nor will I deny this accusation

So bc he’s so tall he grudgingly cannot wear a fancy Iida helmet from the prestigious and noble Iida family line

ofc his brother was a knight before him, it’s so obvious

(Speaking about Tensei, his brother wore it anyways even though his brother is taller than him because he was always on horseback anyways, but having to patrol the streets of the kingdom on a daily basis trailing after the King or Prince or whatever he can’t let a helmet hinder him from going after people

Anyways so like because he is So Tall people often make jokes about his height and how rectangular his body was

So poor bby got insecure about his height and prefers not to talk about it, stays silent when someone thinks he can’t hear them whispering and making jokes about his bulky stature

speaking about bulky things his canon costume is lightweight in design because if speed and leg strength makes up 100% of your quirk you can’t have stupid accessories and additional weight.

But of course since what he’s going for (the Ingenium title) is pretty much set in stone, there’s a heavy emphasis in visuals (in canon) so like 90% of his fucking costume is for Decor

And I hate him for that

Because TENYA FOR THE LOVE OF GOD YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE 100% INGENIUM YOU CAN BE YOUR OWN INGENIUM

Even if you were put the pressure on yourself to become like your brother, don’t feel burdened to make sure your hero career is 100% like his

OK I kind of swerved away from topic but since we’re talking about hero costumes and knight armor

Since this is fantasy and most fantasy-ish things are set in a European medieval style because of fucking Hollywood and not in a more traditional Japanese style since apparently fire spitting dragons are cooler than Kitsunes with ten tails, power over nature elements and are literally considered deities—

Knight armor is made of metal, right?

So in that case..his armor would really weigh him down.

But because this is FANTASY and science and physics can go fuck themselves here,

It’s possible that there’s a chance magic could make his armor more lightweight, like Uraraka’s quirk

but like there’s a chance that his armor is ALREADY lightweight because again, canon Tenya really went after the design of his brother’s costume

And his brother’s costume was inspired by his parent’s and grandfather’s own costumes, which kinda looked the same since it had the white modern accents and holes in the helmets kinda aesthetic

SO ASSUMING THAT THE IIDA FAMILY LINE IS V NOBLE AND FAMED FOR BEING IMMERESED IN THE KNIGHTHOOD SHITE FOR A V LONG TIME

And his brother did copy whatever his parents and ancestors’s armor was or whatever

And they’re noble, right—so they’re rich. Because magic exists, plenty of wizards mages and other magic people for hire also exist

Enchanted lightweight metal armor

there’s a reason why you shouldn’t trust knights in shining armor and that’s because if their chest plate is too pristine, that means they’ve never went to battle

Here’s a rule for all you y/ns: don’t trust a knight in shining armor if it’s not enchanted

what I’m saying is if you wanna date Iida, the knight in shining AND enchanted armor, go for it bestie TT

Also His Boots

Assuming he doesn’t have his sexy engines on his calves in this AU

(Or perhaps the sleek, modern looking engines are replaced with steampunk ones O.O)

OK SO WE’RE GOING WITH THE STEAMPUNK MUFFLERS

Because holy shit that’s such a cool fucking concept??

Oh you bet your y/n messy buns that steampunk iida hcs are next

so since fantasy usually goes with at least one (1) “primitive” tribe with their own kind of technology centered around weapons and battle

And that one (1) “”tribe”” that’s an entire fucking kingdom/city like the Carja in the game Horizon Zero Dawn

Speaking of Horizon Zero Dawn, the “primitive” tribe with their own kind of technology centered around battle and more battle are the Banuk

They’re hardcore fam

They give me Bakugou Katsuki vibes because those people would literally rather die than say a challenge is too big to overcome

again going back to the topic: Steampunk

In “”fantasy”” medieval AUS there’s always that one steampunk inventor that’s a Mei Hatsume ripoff (Tangled The Series I’m looking at you)

And of course the Support Students need their time to shine too, so like — Steampunk City let’s gooo

(The closest Horizon Zero Dawn’s “tribe” got to steampunk is whatever the hell the Oseram are doing.)

So now Tenya has sexy, sexy steampunk mufflers that are very well taken care of

<SKIP THIS PART, I TALK ABOUT RANDOM EVENTS AND BAD CHOICES I MADE IN MY LIFE>

god I’m so sorry but me talking about mufflers like they’re a full course meal is reminding me of the time where I joked to my friends that I had a car kink

and not that I had a kink to have sex inside the car, but to be fucked BY the car itself

like your ass being just wrecked by a fucking shalon poofa

if you get that joke get off this site

one of my messages was very specific

It read:

“I eagerly lick car-senpai’s oil of his exhaust pipe”

And Yeah

unsanitary and a health hazard

While discussing about simpable men one of my friends were like

my man has a CAR your man, Tenya Iida, doesn’t

And I just stared at her

Because bitch MY MAN IS THE CAR

anyways if you actually read this may god have mercy on you

<DON’T SKIP THIS PART BECAUSE I CONTINUE>

Because I make the rules

Wouldn’t they be a hindrance to him bc of his metal boots?

So Let Me Tell You A Story

you know the Ingenifoot (the boots in canon Iida’s costume)

It’s special since it has holes punched into it for the mufflers to retract out of

Who says Ingenifoot can’t be steampunk as well?

I DON’T

But it can’t be steampunk bc this is a Knight Iida hcs and not Inventor Steampunk Iida Hcs

:<

So it’s plain boring white carved steel or smth with a small section where a part of the boot flexes for the mufflers to stick out

Speaking of carved steel, Knight Iida’s armor def has intricate details and shite on it

Maybe even his family crest

OK so it is 12:45 AM rn I am gonna sleep

Goodnight

[plethora-of-imagines]

Victorian Stroll

AN: I’m going to be really busy with work this week but I’m hoping to post more fics too! If I don’t have time to write this week I will definitely be posting more this weekend. Some of these fics may not be up to my normal level of quality due to the fact that I desperately want to get to use all of my ideas before the Christmas season is over. In fact, chances are that many will have to come out after Christmas.

Word Count: 1365

Description: A nice winter stroll with the Master.

Tag List: @c-s-stars @queerconfusionthings @how-masterful @truthbehindthemysteries

Your laughter quietly joined the joyous cheers and screams of the children while the Master scowled.  The path you were walking on was filled with children who would normally try to seem proper. At this moment they didn’t seem proper at all, they were instead making the most of the snow on this wintery Sunday. The wild snowball fight the children were engaged in was somewhat of a risk to the two of you, but the harmless sort of risk. Really the only risk to the two of you was that your persons could become snow-covered at any moment.

The Master had taken you on a trip to enjoy a winter stroll that seemed like it was out of a postcard. And it truly was. Even if he thought that the wildly playing children were ruining it. In your mind, they helped to add to the atmosphere of a picturesque winter scene.

The Master had insisted on the two of you properly dressing the part for your Victorian stroll. The Master’s deep blue- almost black- coat matched the color of your dress. He was dressed in a proper gentleman's outfit underneath with a small amount of flair that still makes him seem, powerful and forward-thinking compared to others. Not that anyone other than you would see that outfit. It was unlikely that the Master would be taking the long military-style coat off. His normal leather gloves may be slightly out of place but you doubted that anyone would be close enough to notice them either. A top hat completed his picture-perfect outfit. You were ridiculously tempted to playfully steal it off of his head.

You matched the Master with a small cape jacket with a high collar in the same color as his jacket and your dress. The moment that you were dressed up in your Victorian garb the Master had offered you the short cape, gently draping it around your shoulders. It had reached your elbows, short enough to allow for a full range of motion. The matching muffler had served as a substitute for gloves. You had worried that you wouldn’t be warm enough but now that you were outside your worries had been absolved. You should have never doubted that you would be warm enough. The Master would never have let you leave the TARDIS if he had thought that you would be too cold.

As you wandered closer to the playing children, you realized that there was no safe path through their playful fight if the two of you wanted to stay on the path. It was clear that the Master had no plans to try and survive their onslaught. Walking around the playing children to avoid getting pelted with snowballs required you to pull a hand out of your warm, fuzzy muffler. Doing so with some reluctance you lifted your long dark blue skirts and petticoats up high enough to not have them soaked by the snow. It was improper, but the children were hardly paying attention to you. 

The Master made sure to assist you in maneuvering through the snowdrifts. Ensuring you remained steady on your feet with a guiding hand. Once you had traversed the snowy ground he lifted your cold hand to his lips. Pressing a warm kiss to your knuckles. His other hand soon joined in cupping your bitterly cold hand. Blowing warm air to help warm you up.

Once released, you returned your hand to its resting place inside the fluffy muff. But not before you pressed the muff in between the Master's arm and body in order to intertwine your arms.

You leaned your head against the Master’s arm as you continued on your way down the path again. Once past the children, there were few others on your stroll. Each couple you past seemed uncoordinated in comparison to the two of you. Their outfits far from coordinated. You supposed that it might be unusual to be wearing aesthetically matching outfits but you couldn’t find it in yourself to care. You both always tried to match as often as you could. 

You admired the snowy trees as the path you wandered became less populated. From the looks of it, the Master was leading you on an uncommonly used path into the forest. The population of trees growing denser each minute you traversed the winding path. The sounds of nature the only accompanying sound, you were both comfortable in the silence.

It wasn’t long before you reached a frozen pond with a single bench on the edge of the frozen water. Near the foot of the elegant bench were two pairs of ice stakes. You looked to the Master, silently begging for him to go skating with you.

“I’ll tie your skates, my dear. I already checked that the ice was safe before I brought us here.”

“You planned for this? Master,” you looked up at his face with soft, affectionate eyes, “that’s so sweet of you.”

“Speak nothing of it, my dear.”

His cheeks were slightly flushed. It seemed that your words had embarrassed him. He gestured to the bench and you obeyed his request. Sitting on the bench, you lifted your skirts up scandalously to the height of your upper calves. Allowing the Master access to the bows that secured your high winter boots. Letting the Master untie your winter boots to replace them with the skate. It was oddly intimate. His hands working diligently to remove your boots, slide the skates onto your feet, and properly tighten them. Once yours were done the Master took his place next to you, tying up his own skates.

With ease, the Master stood and offered his hand to you. You were envious of his balance on the uneven, snowy ground. Needing his help to stay upright with how unbalanced you were on the skate blades. 

Stepping onto the ice you both glided together. A smile lighting up your face. It was so romantic to ice skate together on your own private pond. Well, private due to the fact that no one else was around to bother the two of you. It was romantic to skate side-by-side with the Master. Moving apart and then back to the other’s side in a steady rhythm. So far you had also managed to keep your voluminous skirts out of the way too!

The moment you thought that was a moment too soon. Stumbling as your skirt got in the way of your skating. Fortunately it was only a small stumble and you caught yourself before the Master needed to step in to save you. Crisis averted, you continued to skate peacefully for several minutes.

You were admiring the Master's graceful skating out of the corner of your eye. He skated masterfully. Or at least he did until your skirts - moved out of the way of your own feet- tripped him. Instinctively you reached out to grab and steady him.

This proved to be your own downfall, literally. You slid, falling down completely onto the ice. The Master losing the rest of his precarious balance only seconds later. Falling on top of you, pinning you to the ice. 

His face was truly flushed now that he had found himself in a scandalous position.

"I sincerely apologize, my dear!" He sputtered.

He attempted to maneuver himself off of you. His panicked rush to stop pressing his weight into you proving to be a hindrance. Not allowing him to think about how to successfully remove himself from his current position. 

You giggled. Giving in to your desires and pulling him down to meet your lips with his own in a passionate kiss. His shocked and bewildered expression was adorable.

"We've checked off quite a few romantic winter tropes today, haven't we Master?" You lovingly teased, joy and adoration clear in your tone.

His only answer was a quiet sputter. Still flustered to the point of speechlessness.

"I suppose we should head back to the TARDIS before someone stumbles across us being so improper. Don't you agree Master?"

“If that is what you would like, my dear. We can’t have you getting too cold from the chill of the ice, now can we?”

[expertcarcare]

Wondering what happens when your muffler goes bad? Schedule an inspection of the exhaust systems at Expert Car Care Inc. and schedule an appointment.

[clausenauto]

How do you know if your exhaust system is bad?  There are several signs, including a noisy muffler, that you should schedule an inspection of your vehicle.

[friendsofmotoguzzicathedral]

Super Alce - Feature Bike

The Featured Super Alce in Location

Nestled unobtrusively among a row of 500 singles inside the Cathedral of Moto Guzzi, within a part of the structure which was historically an old sheep shearing shed lies one of Teo's Super Alces.  This Super Alce is presently flanked by an Alce and an Airone Sport.  The Super Alce was produced from 1946 - 1957 and it replaced "la gloriosa Alce".  The Alce was renowned as a tough and reliable military bike during "La Guerra" WW2.  It was a robust and powerful machine which distinguished itself everywhere from the large open plains in North Africa during the fighting and then equally as well in the tough mountainous terrain of "Le Alpi" the Alps.

The Alce, or the Elk in English, was always going to be a very tough act to follow but Moto Guzzi not only followed that act, they massively improved that tough act in 1946 with the Super Alce or Super Elk.  At first glance the Super Alce and Alce appear hard to differentiate.  Moto Guzzi stayed with the same sturdy frame and the proven girder fork suspension up front, the tank and seats look similar.  They both have the trademark (for the time) Guzzi horizontal single 500cc motor keeping the overall look of both models the same.  As the Super Alce was never sold to the public but only made for the military, both models generally (not always) share that military olive green colour in a flat paint to avoid reflection and detection but that's where the similarities end.  Some were offered to the Carabinieri and although still finished in green paint featured some chrome plating as well around the tank.

The Alce had a side valve engine but for the Super Alce there was an upgraded engine derived from the type V engine used in the GTV and GTW series.  This engine had a single port with two inclined overhead valves along with a four speed gearbox. The Super Alce had a twist grip throttle, a major improvement from the old lever on the handle which was present on the Alce.  During 1952 the Super Alce included a magneto with automatic advance rather than the old timing advance lever on the handle needing to be adjusted by the rider as the speed changed.

Earlier models continued with the short double muffler from the Alce on the left hand side which was replaced in 1955 with a single long muffler still on the left side.

Andy and Wayne communing with their Super Alces in the workshop

One, perhaps unique, and quirky optional feature of both the Alce and Super Alce models is the presence of a second set of handle bars available for the pillion passenger.  We have heard much conjecture as to the real reason for the second set of handle bars but frankly we have never met anyone who has convinced us they understand the factory rationale for this decision.  One of the better theories is that because both of these models were only for military use that perhaps the second set of bars was made available so that when soldiers of lower rank were transporting senior officers around the battle field terrain etc that the pillion handle bars were in place so the more senior officers did not need to physically touch or hold the more junior officers piloting those machines.  This is only a theory proposed by some and it is possibly not consistent with Italian culture.  My own father was a soldier in the Australian Army during "La Guerra" WW2 and as a corporal he did often have the responsibilities of ferrying senior officers around on motorcycles but to my knowledge there was no such option on any military motorcycles within the Australian Army.  He is no longer alive so I can't ask him about any touching while ferrying superior officers on a bike.  Please share with us your thoughts or comments on this feature and any ideas you might have in the comments section, we would be very pleased to hear your opinions and learn from any specific knowledge which our 'friends' may posses.

Teo at his best, challenging himself with a Moto Guzzi problem

Special Quiz Question

As a bonus for reading this article all the way through to this point we have a special quiz, or perhaps a test for the very knowledgeable.  Most Super Alce's have frame and engine numbers which commence with the letters SAxxxxxx with the SA being an abbreviation for Super Alce but some Super Alces come with the VAxxxxxx prefix on both the engine and frame.  Do you know what the VA stands for in this instance?  Do you know what differences there are on a Super Alce which has the VA prefix for the frame and engine?

As a clue I can advise that for the Alce model had the frame and engine prefix Axxxxx.  This was consistent through the model run but there were a few Alces which had the prefix Vxxxxx.  The V stood for Velocita and these bikes had different gearing and substantial chrome differences.

So the question remains to our collective brains trust, what differences in the Super Alce model came with the Vaxxxxx prefix.  At this point I will make two declarations before people provide their thoughts or facts:

We at the Friends of the Cathedral of Moto Guzzi do not know the answer to this question.

I own a Super Alce (just purchased from Teo) with the prefix VAxxxxxx.

The Statistics

Provenance of Feature Bike

While this article is about Super Alces in general, the feature bike in question nestled inside the old shearing shed in between the Alce and the Airone Sport has an interesting provenance of its own.  An Italian guy contacted Teo from Italy asking him if he wanted to purchase it some eight years ago. The usual discussions around price were had and before long this Super Alce was in a container bound from Italy to Melbourne, destination Cathedral of Moto Guzzi. The bike arrived exactly the same way it is presented in the museum now, eight years later with one exception.  It had an old ammunition box on the back which Teo removed to keep the bike in its very original condition.  When Teo finally got the munitions box open, he found inside a nice bottle of fine Italian wine made from the famed grape of Tuscany which is responsible for some of the most revered and celebrated red wines in Italy.  Yes it was a beautiful Sangiovese. Needless to say, Teo has received great pleasure from both the Super Alce and the Sangiovese.

The Friends of Cathedral of Moto Guzzi Workshop

Most of us in this group, The Friends of the Cathedral of Moto Guzzi, know that the cathedral is the private collection of Teo Larmers' but as well as the cathedral itself there is so much more going on every day at the site as there is an active and vibrant Moto Guzzi workshop here where many Moto Guzzi related repairs and ground up restorations occur.

We thought that as well as featuring the Super Alce in this article that we would also feature some recent work in the associated workshop relating to two Super Alces.  The first of these is my own Super Alce which I recently purchased from Teo. It had been sitting languishing on his farm (inside a shed) for 10 years before, so we had no idea what we would find and if it would start and the second of these Super Alce projects is one owned by Andrew Hawkes another Cathedral of Moto Guzzi regular who has owned his machine for circa three years.

Teo fettling with Andy’s bike

Wayne’s Super Alce in the Workshop

My own Super Alce story commenced a couple of months back when I told Teo I have a hankering to own a Super Alce.  Something about the unbreakable agricultural look and feel of these machines with their military lack of adornment was beckoning me.  I am beguiled by their primitive but effective engineering casually on display.  I am transfixed by the girder fork front end which like the Eiffel tower is strong, lasting and effective as a piece of engineering while hiding none of it's structural secrets.  One glance at the girder forks shows you how it works and after 82 years of service within the Italian military then abuse at the hands of us civilians these simple front ends are still functioning very well in 2021.  They held up to the constantly changing tide of attack and retreat at the hands of Rommel and the allies in the deserts of North Africa and they did it all again on the Italian mainland.  This engineering honesty proudly on display does not stop at the front end but extends to the rear end as well and then the most mesmerising example of engineering honesty exposed, watching the externally operating valve gear doing its work in front of your very eyes as the four stroke engine ticks over.

First is the induction stroke and you can see the intake valve open to suck in fuel and air from the Dell’Orto MD 27 F.

Next is the compression stroke when all the power is being built up and here both valves remain closed.

Finally comes the combustion stroke when all the power made is released in a fury of fire and brimstone.  Again both valves remain closed.

Then, in preparation for it all to start again is the exhaust stroke where all the spent gases are expelled and here the exhaust valve is open telling all what the engine is doing

The Super Alce power plant is no ‘blackbox’ keeping all its running secrets from prying eyes, no this engine is a open book ready to teach any of us willing to learn the finer details of how an internal combustion engine really works.

Modern motorcycles won't even permit you to view the outside of an engine which is cocooned in a secrecy blanket of accessories or plastic decoration let alone see the exposed workings of the valve train but for the Super Alce, there it is in front of your eyes for all to see and admire, the truth at the heart of it all.

So after telling Teo I wanted to own a Super Alce myself, he revealed that somewhere in the deep dark recesses of his sheds and containers he had a Super Alce which had been dormant for 10 years or more.  With that he located the Super Alce which would become mine.  We gave the old girl a new spark plug lead and new spark plug and new plug cap.  We used the kick starter to roll over the engine a couple times and deduced that it probably didn't have a lot of compression.  Not deterred by this we got some fuel, filled the tank, checked the oils and started the video running. (See the video of the bike's first kick below).  Teo and I had talked over how this would go.  I would pull the choke lever from Aperto to Chiuso (from open to closed), then I would prime the carburettor.  The throttle would need to be in just the right place, then, after locating Top Dead Centre using the decompression lever, I would give that one explosive kick which would bring the bike to life.  Sounds good in theory.  Well watch the following video to see what happened......... Yep, she started first kick after 10 years or more in a dark corner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13hvzKvvdm4 (First Kick)

https://studio.youtube.com/video/hCbFljGPb2M/edit (First Ride)

At first, despite the engine running well, there was a problem with the idling which could not be rectified even with a bit of fettling by Teo.  We opened up the carby and used compressed air to blow out the idle jet.  After that all was perfect, she ran well and idled beautifully.

It seemed we had a good engine, despite it feeling like it had so little compression.  I rode the old girl around a few dirt roads over a couple of weekends and she started reliably and pulled strongly enough.  We were both satisfied that it was ready to go.  But, life sometimes doesn't go as planned.  The next weekend I was ready to take her home and get some red plates for her and she was reluctant to start.  What had happed to our perfect machine which started first kick every time on queue!  We were able to start her and she ran fine but she just took way too much effort with me kicking so much my leg started to get tired before she would start.

As we were working from Teo's workshop nearby the Cathedral of Moto Guzzi it was no effort to pull off the head and barrel to see the condition of the piston, rings, valves etc.  First we poured some oil into the cylinder.  Wow, with oil providing a seal, suddenly I could easily find the compression stroke which had been elusive up to this point. I could even stand up on the kick-starter using all my weight without the engine turning over.  Oh dear, we obviously lacked compression despite the old girl appearing to run just fine.  First we removed the head.  The exhaust valve had a substantial leak and after removing the valves we could see there was so much wear to the valve guides, the valves had been rattling up and down the guides like a clackity old train.  How had this girl run so well!  But surprisingly the best, or should I say, worst was yet to come.  As we pulled the barrel off the piston the four piston rings fell onto the work bench in a myriad of pieces.  One of the piston rings was in seven separate pieces.  How had this old girl been running so well and how had the broken piston rings not caused any damage to the piston or the bores.  What a testament to the robustness of these old engines that with all this going on the old girl just kept running.

Bits of piston ring everywhere as we removed the barrel. 

Oh dear!

All the pieces of the puzzle.

Fortunately Teo was able to supply us with the necessary expertise and parts to reassemble the engine and voila, she will be back to starting with barely more than a simple well placed kick.  I can’t wait to see how this baby will go with even more oomph.   Another very happy customer and another amazing old Super Alce back on the roads or paddocks or wherever I choose to ride her.  Hope to see you out on the road one day while I am riding her.

Andy’s Super Alce

You may notice in the photos that there is also another Super Alce in Teo's workshop.  This fine example of a 1949 Super Alce belongs to our esteemed friend and fellow Friend of the Cathedral of Moto Guzzi, Andy Hawkes.

Andy’s bike in the foreground

To my eye, Andy's bike is one of the best examples of a Super Alce that I have ever seen.  It's not one of these perfect shiny examples that has magnificent paint with perfect finish to all the chrome and other fittings.  It has never been restored or made to look somehow better than it would have back in 1949.  No, Andy's bike has surface rust in all the right places.  It had dents which show the scars of a long and busy life.  It has the scars of a life lived to the fullest and evidence of many experiences which date back to its time in active service for the Italian military.  I suppose in today's parlance it may be described as a 'rat rod' but make no mistake, the scars on Andy's bike are not contrived or deliberately curated.  No the scars on Andy's bike came slowly over years and one by one by virtue of simply being used and enjoyed for the purpose for which it was designed.

Andy’s Super Alce story starts similarly to mine.  It started with an itch and hankering for a Super Alce which Teo was pleased to satisfy.  Teo sourced an appropriate Super Alce for Andy in Italy and thus started the long wait which Andy had to endure as his soon to be Super Alce was transported by boat from Italy to Melbourne Australia and onto the Guzzi Cathedral at Yea Victoria.

Andy’s bike arrived with a non functioning magneto and a few other foibles which were no problem at all in the workshop of Teo Lamers next to the Cathedral of Moto Guzzi.  With these minor issues quickly dispatched by Teo’s skill and tools in the workshop, Andy was soon riding his latest pride and joy.

In fact it was March 2018 when Andy was taking his maiden voyage on his ‘new’ Super Alce that I quickly developed my own hankering.  Andy has always been such a trend setter with the rest of us merely following.

See link below to Andy riding his Super Alce back in March 2018.  Apologies for the recalcitrant pillion passenger on the back of Andy’s bike.

https://youtu.be/yPm2uWIa4pE

The Boys Having Fun Riding Super Alces at the Cathedral of Moto Guzzi Workshop on a Sunday Afternoon.

https://studio.youtube.com/video/dP8Sn10X9wA/edit (Sunday afternoon ride)

https://studio.youtube.com/video/skMy4MJVVic/edit (Back at the workshop)

Written by Wayne Brundell

[sylvanfreckles]

Chemistry

This is entirely and forever the fault of @angelfishofthelord and their “The Genre You Struggle With” challenge.

And thus, I present, a schmoopy, silly, rom-com style epoch of the first meeting of Sam and Sam’s Blurry Wife (from the finale). 

Summary: A coffee shop, a sprig of mistletoe, and a barista who just might be Santa’s little helper...looks like Gabrielle and Sam are learning a little more about Chemistry.

* * *

“Good morning, Professor!”

Gabrielle D'Angelo raised a hand in greeting at Nico, the morning barista at Renegade Coffee. She had to duck a little bit to avoid the excessive use of tinsel around the door, but once inside the warm coffee shop she could almost forgive the sheer ton of glitter and sparkle and twinkle around her.

Almost.

“You certainly went all out,” she commented as Nico set a tall, steaming cup of her usual morning order on the counter. “It's barely December and this place looks like a Hallmark exploded in here.”

“Well, you know,” Nico shrugged. “Gloria went a little nuts. She downsized to an apartment this summer, so we get all the decorations that won't fit in her new place.”

“Uh-huh,” Gabrielle nodded. She couldn't help but notice the row of nutcrackers on top of the display case. They were all in different little service uniforms—like a postman, milkman, garbage collector, teacher. She pointed at them, eyebrows raised. “No barista?”

“Some people have no taste,” Nico replied with a haughty sniff before breaking out in a dimpled smile. “What else can I get you, Professor?”

Gabrielle leaned down to study the pastries in the case. She liked that Nico always called her Professor, even though she wasn't teaching this year. It sounded better than “textbook revisionist”, which was her actual profession. “Cheese danish?”

“Coming up. I'll bring it out to you when it's warm.”

She raised her coffee cup in toast and left a ten-dollar bill on the counter. That would cover the coffee, pastry, first refill, and her tip...for now. If she couldn't get through Dr. Adair's notes on the taxonomy of noble gases she was going to need more than this. Not even Nico's secret whiskey flask could get her through Dr. Adair's notes on the taxonomy of noble gases.

Gabrielle made her way to her favorite booth in the corner and began unloading her rolling laptop case. Well...it wasn't actually a case. More of a plastic milk crate on a portable luggage dolly, with her laptop tucked in to one side. From the crate she unpacked three older chemistry textbooks, a half-dozen manuscripts held together by alligator clips, and a Hello Kitty pencil case that contained the pens and highlighters she'd need (shut up, it was lucky).

“Cheese danish for milady?” Nico offered, as soon as Gabrielle had unloaded and booted up her laptop. She accepted the little plate and absently took a bite from the warm danish, ignoring the fork Nico had placed at her side, and stared at the glowing logo as the computer slowly roused itself.

Her laptop was old, still a relic from her graduate days. She always meant to buy a new one when her tax refund hit every year, but something else came up. Car repairs, a friend's wedding, sewage line backing up into her bathroom...there was never enough money. If she could make the deadline on the textbook revisions, though, she should have enough for a new laptop and a new muffler. No more cable ties and duct tape!

As Gabrielle waited, computer slowly idling its way awake, she caught herself staring at the door, wondering if Hippy Man would appear today.

Hippy Man was...well, she really was supposed to be above these things. But with that hair and the little bit of stubble...hey, a girl could still dream, even if that girl had two doctorates and a Very Important Opportunity. Plus, he was probably taken. Or an asshole. Or both!

Hippy Man didn't come in as often as Gabrielle did, unless he was here the three days a week she let herself sleep past 6am. He didn't have a regular order, Nico and the others didn't know him by name, and he never stayed longer than the time he took to drink his tea of the day.

(She knew he favored Chai because he ordered it at least twice a week, and Nico put a cut little accent on when he called out a Chai latte...that was why she knew it, she wasn't snooping.)

The bell over the door jingled (and jingled...and jingled...looks like Gloria replaced the little shop bell with an entire harness of sleigh bells), and in walked Hippy Man. Well, speak of the devil and he shall appear.

He was in the blue flannel today, which was Gabrielle's favorite. The brown one washed out his complexion, and the yellow one was just a no. Between the flannel and the beanie he looked like some kind of beatnik poet, though the muscles in his forearms and the callouses on his hands spoke more to manual labor.

(She wasn't snooping! She was just...bored.)

“Chai latte today, sir?” Nico asked. Ah, good! Hippy Man was coming in regularly enough to start being recognized.

Hippy Man started back, staring from the board to Nico for a moment. Gabrielle wanted to roll her eyes...maybe this wasn't a small town, but it was a small coffee shop. Come to Renegade Coffee enough times and Nico would learn something about you. It happened. Just go with it.

“Yeah, uh, sounds great,” Hippy Man nodded. “Do you have any of those vegan blueberry muffins?”

“Saved one for you!” Nico replied cheerily. God, he was the best. Gabrielle ducked her head, pretending like she wasn't snooping. (Okay, so she was snooping a little bit.) Obviously Nico had noticed that Hippy Man only drank tea and ate the vegan muffins (ew). Nico had probably figured out the guy's entire backstory based on his morning orders.

The bright tones of the Windows theme alerted Gabrielle to the fact that her laptop had finally booted up. Gabrielle shook herself, crammed the last of her danish in her mouth, and started on the arduous process to getting her dinosaur of a machine to log on to the Renegade Coffee WiFi.

Hippy Guy always waited at the counter for his order, which just added to the weird. Most patrons took a seat, relaxed a little, but not this guy. He stood there, hands shoved in his pockets, bowed forward a little as though to hide his ridiculous height.

(Really, instead of Hippy Man maybe she should have called him The Moose.)

“Here you go, dude,” Nico announced, setting Hippy Man's beverage and muffin on the counter. “Enjoy!”

“Yeah, uh, thanks. You too.”

Gabrielle bit back a snort, covering it up with a sip from her coffee (Renegade's own Double Dark Dark blend, guaranteed the strongest coffee in the tri-county area. Hey, the taxonomy of noble gases wasn't a laughing matter). At least Hippy Man was as human as the rest of them.

She rested an elbow on the table and leaned her chin in her hand to watch Hippy Man blunder through an embarrassed apology/explanation for what he'd just said—even though Nico had heard “you too” so many times he didn't even react anymore—while she waiting for the little spinny thing to connect her to the internet. Dr. Adair had probably sent three more emails, each one trying to decide between “the order to which we assign these elements” and “to which order we assign these elements”.

In the corner of her eye she saw her screen go white and leaned back to look at it.

No connection.

Gabrielle frowned and tapped the WiFi icon again.

More spinning. She took a minute to straighten the manuscripts—Dr. Russel's additions to the chapters on heavy metals were probably the best she'd seen yet, especially considering Dr. Russel had her own proofreader and hadn't demanded to revise her entry dozens of times, like Dr. Adair.

The screen flashed white again. No connection.

“Hey, Nico?” Gabrielle called. She noticed Hippy Guy frowning at his phone, but ignored him for the moment (which was difficult). “Is the WiFi down?”

Nico poked his head out of the back, towel draped over his shoulder. “Sorry, Professor. It was acting up last night...guess it's still out there. Gloria said she'd call it in when she gets here.”

Gabrielle sunk down in her chair, biting her lip and staring blankly at her computer. She could always pull up the emails on her phone, she supposed. The textbook itself was in a shared online file so she wouldn't be able to work on that until the WiFi was fixed...but she could go through the manuscripts and make notes by hand. With a heavy sigh she slapped her laptop shut and tugged the first stack of paper over.

Oh shit. Hippy Man was watching her.

Gabrielle bent forward over the table, letting her dark hair fall forward like a curtain to cut him off from view. Sure, he was cute and all, but she didn't really want to get into this with him now.

Hippy Man was standing up.

Don't come over, don't come over, don't come over....

Hippy Man was walking over.

Dammit.

“Hi, I'm Sam,” Hippy Man said, holding his hand out.

Gabrielle blew out a sigh and accepted the gesture. “Gabrielle.”

Apparently that was enough for Hippy Man—Sam—and he pulled out the chair opposite. “So, you're a professor?”

“I'm not teaching at the moment,” Gabrielle hedged. Sam was looking at the books on her table, actually touching one of the old textbooks to turn it so he could see the spine. His eyebrows shot up.

Oh god. Here it comes. She could see the headline now...Local Himbo Knows More About Chemistry Than Distinguished Textbook Revisionist.

“You teach chemistry?” Sam asked.

“I'm...working on the textbook,” Gabrielle said. She braced herself for it. Every time she met a guy—at least the tall, ruggedly handsome, flannel-wearing, beatnik-poet-looking ones—they were always intimidated by her work. Or they broke it down to something less (no, it wasn't the same as his mom putting together the family newsletter...yes, she did have a degree in chemistry...no, that didn't mean she could break bad or whatever, and no, she didn't know how to make meth!).

“That's incredible!” Sam said. He actually had the textbook open, caressing the table of contents. “I think I used this edition my sophomore year—is this the one you're revising?”

Gabrielle stared at him. “Well...we're about three versions ahead, but we're going back to that edition for the section on Amphoterism, Peterson really didn't do it justice even if he did have tenure at the time.”

Sam's eyebrows had shot up even higher, almost into his beanie. Gabrielle had to laugh at herself. “Sorry, shop talk.”

“It's okay,” Sam gently closed the textbook and placed it back on the stack reverently. “I see you in here a lot, you just always seem so busy. I didn't want to disturb you.”

Gabrielle shrugged. She had a lot of work to do. Coming out to Renegade Coffee to do it just felt better than working at home, with nothing but her beta fish to distract her. “And how about you, chai-tea-and-vegan-muffin-man? What do you do when you're not telling Nico to enjoy his meal?”

Sam blushed and stared down at the cup in his hands. God, he was cute, up this close. He even had dimples. “It's just a reflex,” he said defensively. She giggled—actually giggled, like an idiot in a rom-com. Instead of making Sam blush even harder, he peered up at her through his bangs and unleashed a devastating smile.

“So?” Gabrielle insisted. “What do you do?”

“This and that,” Sam shrugged. “Mostly pest removal.”

“Yeah?” she took a sip of her coffee. It was almost cold now...this was the point she usually drank the rest of it in one long shot, but she decided to savor it this time. Nico had snuck in a pump of peppermint flavor, and while she would normally beat him with edition three of A Modern Approach to Chemistry she was willing to forgive him this time. It was almost Christmas. “So, like, mice and roaches and stuff?”

Sam gave a halfhearted shrug. “More...specialized.”

Gabrielle felt her own eyebrows rise. “Specialized pest removal? What, like...coyotes in the crawlspace?”

He held up a hand, forefinger and thumb about a centimeter apart. “Almost. It's...complicated. I'm kind of doing it on the side, taking some time off to deal with...personal stuff.”

Shit, Gabrielle could understand that. When her widowed father had gotten remarried she'd taken almost a year to work with a pharmaceutical company in Canada. She loved her new step-father, sure, but it was hard to see anyone else in her mother's place.

Nico stopped by the table, a fresh coffee in one hand and a hot tea in the other. “On the house,” he explained. “Gloria will be in in about twenty minutes, she said she already called the internet guys.”

“Thanks, Nico,” Gabrielle smiled. She threw back the rest of her coffee in one long pull and set the empty cup to one side before tugging the new, hot cup close.

Nico was staring at her. Well, he was staring from her to Sam and back again.

“What?” Gabrielle demanded.

He pointedly looked up.

For the first time, Gabrielle noticed there was mistletoe hanging from the light fixture above her head.

“Nico!” Gabrielle moaned.

“Oh, sorry, I didn't...see that,” Sam protested. He tried to scoot his chair back but Nico had stuck a foot behind it.

“Either you kiss her or I kiss you, big fella,” Nico said, winking.

Face burning with embarrassment, Gabrielle looked over in time to see Sam give a helpless shrug. He shuffled sideways into the booth next to her and gently caught her chin with one hand.

“Merry Christmas, Gabrielle,” he whispered, leaning down to press his lips to hers.

Her stomach did a little flip, which had nothing to do with the coffee she'd just down, and she found herself unconsciously leaning toward him when he pulled back.

Gabrielle blinked, staring up at the man who was now sitting beside her. “What was that?”

Nico snatched up her empty cups and gave her a wink. “That, my dear Professor, was Chemistry.”

* * *

The challenge:

-Must not deviate into your usual preferred genre of writing (I normally write hurt/comfort, action, and suspense, so this was romance/rom-com)

-Must be written in third-person (done!)

-For added difficulty, add an essential original character (pick between Gabrielle as the OFC version of Sam’s Blurry Wife or Nico the barista as Santa’s little helper)

-Use less than ten tags (not including character/relationship tags) (is “chemistry words” a tag? I looked them up)

-For extra added difficulty write for a ship you hate (Sam/SBW is one I hate if SBW isn’t Eileen...but I named her Gabrielle because I also hate Sabriel)

[sapphires-and-gold-fics]

Fictober Day 14: “I can’t come back.”

Fandom: Game of Thrones / ASOIAF / Indiana Jones

Characters: Jaime Lannister / Brienne of Tarth

Notes: Adapted from Raiders of the Lost Ark, some of that script used, but mostly not. Also Marion's bar in Raiders is literally the Raven Saloon so how could I not???

Additional Notes: No, really - I literally could not stop myself. 

Read on AO3

xxxxxxxxxxx

A huge raven, inexplicably with three eyes, is mounted behind the bar on the usually lively Three-Eyed Raven Saloon in the middle of nowhere, north of the wall. Wildlings and men of the Night’s Watch huddle here nightly from the cold, mingling inside where outside those doors they would be mortal enemies - or at least, certainly not friendly on most days. Most of their differences were settled long ago.

Behind the bar is Brienne Tarth - thirty, straw-blonde hair, scarred, eyes blue enough to rival a mythical white walker, and tall - very tall. She’s no-nonsense at best, and a pain in the ass at worst, but the patrons appreciate her. The one time a wildling tried to bring up some beef with the Night’s Watch, she had physically removed all of those involved herself. She was built - she would joke, when she joked, that it was from being a barback for the original owners - the Starks, long gone - but really she had just been made that way. And physical exertion had kept it up.

Brienne had just finished kicking the last of the drunken wildlings out for the night when she noticed one last patron huddled over a tankard at the far end of the bar. Exasperated, she walked toward him with purpose. “Hey you, you deaf? It’s closing time - this ain’t the Long Night, get the--”

Jaime looked up from beneath the brim of his hat and smirked at her - gods, it was good to see her, and Brienne stopped short, shocked.

“Hello, Brienne.”

Then she hit him. Knocked him right off his stool. Just like he deserved. He sat up, his smile infinitely wider.

“Nice to see you, too.”

“Get out.” She wasn’t smiling.

Jaime held out his prosthetic hand in defense while using the other to boost himself from the ground.

“Take it easy, I’m looking for your boss.” He wasn’t. But he thought she’d be easier on him if Sansa was between them when he asked her for what he’d come for.

Brienne snorted. “Well, you’re a year too late. Sansa’s dead. Arya too”

Jaime was stunned. Six years ago he and Brienne had promised to help Catelyn Stark’s girls find their way back north. And then Catelyn had died and the situation had gotten dire in the city, so he’d sent Brienne to do it - to find them, swear her sword to them as it were. He thought she’d be safe. It was as much for their sake as for hers. He hadn’t parted with any of the Starks on the friendliest of terms, but this was distressing. He perched back on the righted stool and leaned heavily on the bar. “What happened?”

Brienne shook her head. “There was an uprising north of here. Something to do with their brothers. They never found them but… word is they’re dead. They didn’t come back.”

She turned back to the bar and popped the cap off of a cheap whisky bottle. She didn’t want to think about the Starks. She didn’t want to think about how Jaime had cursed her by sending her after them, and how they had in turn they’d dragged her up here to the north and then vanished.

“Why are you still here? Why not go back to Tarth, or at least somewhere that’s not… this?”

She shrugged, throwing back a second shot, “I can’t come back. There’s nothing for me. Besides, this? It grows on you.”

Jaime looks at her, shivering. Remembering how her skin would pink and freckle even more in the sun; now her freckles seemed to be in hiding, her skin pink from the cold. Always pink with her - one of the most feminine things about her. Under his gaze, she blushed, and Jaime ticked off in his mind a third shade.

“I’ll tell you something, Jaime. I hated you for sending me after them alone.” She swallowed hard. “And I hated leaving.” Momentarily she softens, but then the hard shell is back. “I always wished you'd show up some day. But why now?”

Jaime toyed with his sleeve before answering her. “I need Oathkeeper.”

Brienne’s eyes go icier than ever; the truth of his visit stung. She swung for his jaw again, but he caught  her; his false hand wasn’t much of a defense, so she was able to slap him with the other. Her stomach churned at the idea of using his weakness - something he only had because of her - against him, but that’s exactly what he was doing now to her. “You asshole. You know what you did to me, to my life? This,” she gestured to the bar, to the raven, “is your fault. And now you’ve come to take back… no.”

Jaime swallows hard and releases her hand, which he hadn’t realized he was still gripping. “I never meant--”

“You sent me away --”

“You were very capable.”

“I was in...” She stops herself and takes a sip straight from the bottle.

“Brienne… maybe if we could work together…”

“Why start now? You didn’t care about working together then. You only cared about sending me on a fool’s errand.”

Jaime sighs. “I could pay you for it - for the sword.”

The ice in Brienne’s stare turns to flames, and she bites out her words, “I. don’t. Have. it.”

“You don’t -- well where is it?”

She shrugs. “Lost track of it. It was just an old sword.”

“Just an--” Jaime huffed out a sigh of exasperation. That sword was priceless. He’d given it to her because… well he’d never admitted it to himself but he’d given it to her because he was worried sick she wouldn’t be able to protect herself and the girls otherwise. He’d given it to her because a warrior needed a weapon. He’d given it to her because it was the thing he had most treasured in the world, apart from her. Sending her with it was like sending his heart with her. But clearly she hadn’t gotten the symbolism. Jaime’s shoulders deflate, defeated.

“Gods you look… what is that look? Desperate? Sad?”

Jaime smirks at her good-naturedly, despite his disappointment. “I can only say I’m sorry so many times. I’m truly glad to see you, Brienne. On my honor.”

Brienne snorted. “Your honor. Like before?”

That stung.

“You know why I did what I did.”

She had the grace to look ashamed now. “Yes, I know.” Then, “Come back tomorrow.”

“Why? You said the sword was lost.”

“I thought you said you were glad to see me.”

“I am.”

“Then come back tomorrow. Maybe I’ll have something for you.”

Jaime shook his head with a grin - so maybe she hadn’t lost it. But she was skittish and distrustful. He understood that. He understood her better than probably anyone. Better he come back for it. He nodded, getting up off the stool. “I trust you, Brienne. I always have.”

“You’re an idiot.”

“Now where have I heard that before?” He sets his hat on his head and tips it to her, and turns to go.

“Jaime, wait.” Her voice is huskier and raw from the whisky, and Jaime felt it like an arrow to his groin. “C’mere.”

Jaime turned back to face her. “Bossy, aren’t you?” and started back toward her.

“You liked me bossy.” He reached the bar and leaned against it. “Kiss me, Jaime.”

Jaime looks into her eyes, bright blue pools he’d often wanted to drown in. He raises his knee onto the seat of the stool and pushes up so he’s kneeling, steadying himself with his good hand, his body leaning over the bar and up, to reach her. He kisses her gently, her lips firm and soft against his, but when he pulls away she looks as if he had ravished her - the splotchy blush spreading across her freckled skin - maybe a fourth shade. He wished he could untie that scarf at her neck and see it spread it further. But she leaned back and away from him. “Now get out.”

Jaime grinned. “Tomorrow, Brienne.” She just nodded. He climbed down, replaced his hat, and walked out.

Brienne stared after him, and then took another sip from the bottle. She loosened the bright blue scarf at her throat to reveal the fading pink of her blushes, and above that a gold chain with a bright red jewel hanging at the end of it.

On the other side of the wall, directly behind the raven, she keeps an ancient sword that she would often practice with, out of the sight of others. The grip was a little worn, and one of the jewels had fallen from the shoulder not long ago, and she’d hung it around her neck to remind her of him. The steel never seemed to dull. One hardly used swords these days, but Brienne was oft alone and felt safer knowing how to defend herself. After all, that was half the reason Jaime had sent her away with it - she knew that. And now he’d come to finally take it back.

She moved toward the fire in the corner, examining the glint of the light through the jewel, wiping an errant tear from her eyes. Then she removed the chain from her neck and went back to the kitchen where she wrapped it gingerly around the grip. She rarely took the thing off - only when cleaning so that it wouldn’t catch on the crates and snap off.

When she walked back into the bar, there were four strangers standing in the doorway. The tallest of them - about her height - approached her while the other three spread out across the bar. One of his men was almost as wide as he was tall, and bald; another had a crazed look in his eye and wore a pink and green paisley beneath his wool coat; the third was short with thick black hair, and his muffler barely concealed the fact that he was missing half of his nose.

“Good evening, mith.”

“The bar’s closed.”

“We are not thirthty.”

“What do you want?” Brienne thought quickly - there were plenty of bottles she could crack over their heads. Chairs if she needed to. And there was always the sword in the back room. Either way, they were between her and the door, so she could not run for Jaime.

“We want the thame thing your friend Mither Lannither wanted. Thurly he told you there would be other… intherethed partieth.”

Brienne shook her head, nothing the positions of two of the tall man’s companions, along the side walls.

“Ah, the man ith nefariouth. I hope for your thake he hath not yet acquired it.”

If she could only get to the back room she might be able to hold them off, or at least blockade herself until help could arrive.

“I don’t have it. But I know where it is.”

Vargo Hoat’s smile faded, and Brienne felt a chill run down her spine. She considered breaking for the door, but she decided to go a route that might get the men into a central location; she was strong but against four clearly strong men, she wouldn’t stand a chance unarmed. Better to have the bar between her and them. She gestured to the stools and poured the whiskey she’d been drinking into a line of shot glasses. “How about a drink?”

One of them lit up at the suggestion, but the lisping man gave him a look that said they would stick to business. Vargo shook his head.

Brienne went to Plan B. “Well then why don’t you come back tomorrow. I’ll be able to get it by then, and you and me and Mr. Lannister can have an auction.”

Vargo sneered and snapped his fingers.

Brienne had forgotten about the fourth man.

Her arms were pinned behind her back before she could flex a single muscle. The man shoved her into the bar and one of the others pulled her across it so that she was lying on her back, with her arms pinned down. She flattened her feet against the wood and attempted to buck them off, but Vargo was already holding her ankles, and he held her down firmly.

“An aucthion ith not pothible. Let uth thow you the kind of deal we’re uthed to making.”

He nodded at the man left not holding her, who opened his horrible mouth for the first time in Brienne’s sight, and she knew she had to fight harder. The man’s teeth had been filed to points, and as far as she could tell, he had no tongue. His doughy hands were on her shoulders and she thought she might pass out from his breath as his face got closer.

Suddenly there was a loud crack - the door had burst open and snapped at the hinges as it slammed against the wall, followed immediately by a shot. Biter went down as his companions turned toward the door. Brienne turned too, and the sight of Jaime’s silhouette in the doorway at that moment was almost enough for her to forgive him then and there.

Things moved very quickly then.

Vargo climbed off of the bar and ducked behind it, pushing Brienne over and onto the ground, landing on Biter’s back. She withdrew and crouched beneath the front of the bar as Jaime attempted to shoot at one of the other men. Bullets flew from both directions, but Jaime was able to dodge behind a table and out of harm’s way. Brienne knew that if she could get into the back room, get the sword, she could do some damage. But as it was, she was in the way. She quickly checked Biter’s person and found a blade tucked into his belt. She clutched it and crawled around the bar, as flat to the ground as she could, bullets flying over he heard.

She encountered the noseless man first, and jabbed the knife into his leg. He howled and jumped from the spot nearly taking Brienne and the knife with him. With that movement, he was caught in the crossfire, and he stumbled across the room, landing just in front of the fireplace with his last breath, his hand landing in the flames and smoldering.

His sleeve caught fire, and Brienne used the distraction to dive behind a table. The air was quickly thick with smoke, and she could hear shouting coming from behind the bar, but she could see neither Jaime nor her attackers. The fire began to roar and she saw flames licking at the furniture and the curtains, moving steadily toward the bar.

Another shot rang out, a cry from behind the bar, and suddenly a breeze passing her as one of the men ran for the door, leaving thick drops of blood behind him. She couldn’t tell which of them it had been, but with only one more left inside, she stood a better chance of reaching the back room before the whole place went up.

She heard Jaime scuffling on the floor nearby, and suddenly he was crouched next to her. “Brienne, we have to get out of here!”

“Not without the sword!”

“It’s here?”

She nodded and looked around the table carefully. But her head was too far cleared of the edge, and Jaime pulled her back just as another shot rang out, gripping her against his chest protectively, good arm crossing her chest, bad arm at her waist. “Forget it! I have to get you out of here!”

She shook loose from him, immediately wishing she hadn’t had to. “Cover me!” And she bolted for the kitchen door. A couple of shots rang out, but none of them near her. She dove inside and slammed the door shut behind her, pressing against it to keep the last man out, but she was not pursued.

She climbed up onto the counter and lifted the sword off of its hangings. Outside the door, she could hear the fire spreading getting louder. When she looked out the square window, she could barely make out Jaime and another man fighting. She wrapped the belt around her waist tight, placed the chain around her neck again, the jewel secure under her tunic, and threw on her heavy coat, checking the pockets to make sure that her essentials were still there. Then she reopened the door.

She saw the man land a punch on Jaime’s jaw, striking him down, taking a pair of stools down with him. When the attacker stood over him, she could see that it was the wild-eyed man. She must have made some sound for he spun to face her, eyes crazed. She knew the fire would reach the bar at any moment. She had no choice. She had to play her only card. In a flash, Oathkeeper was snapping through the air and through the man’s heart. Before his knees hit the ground, she had grabbed Jaime’s ankle and was pulling him out of the ruined bar.

She dragged him through the snow, rounding the corner of the square just as the fire reached the bottles in the bar, igniting them soundly. Jaime coughed and twisted away from her and yanking her to the ground. He sat up and ran his false hand over his hair, looking around for his hat which was nowhere to be seen. Then he realized he was still holding her sleeve, and released her. “You could have been killed.”

“Why did you come back?”

“I… Brienne…”

“You burned down my bar.”

“That’s… “ he looked up at her, her eyes were shining - she was upset but not that upset. They were sparkling.  She could have been blushing a fifth shade under his stare but it was too dark to tell. He could only see her eyes, and the light of the fire glinting off of her hair. And something else - he reached up, his fingers brushing the hollow of her throat eliciting a familiar gasp as he looped the chain around his finger and slid the necklace loose. The jewel was shining, catching the moon and the firelight at once.

“Is this…?”

She nodded and pulled away, tugging the blade out from under where she had landed.

“You’re a marvel, you know that?”

She smirked and laid it across her palms between them.

“And now I’m also your goddamn partner.”

[sorethumbart]

Top Auto Repair Tips Straight From The Experts

Dealing with auto repairs can create quite the hassle. Considering how expensive they can be, you might not know how you should handle your repairs. Whether you hire a professional or decide to do-it-yourself, it's important that you think about the important factors of your decision. Continue reading to find out more.

Other Trusted Source : 2018 BMW 435i Redesign

Do you have a hard time starting your car? Your battery probably needs to be recharged or replaced. You need to check the state of charge of your battery. You can use a hydrometer or a voltmeter depending on the type of battery you have. If you have been regularly recharging your battery, it might be time for a new one.

Be very careful when touching the electronic parts on your car. You should not touch wires unless the entire system is turned off. You should pay attention to the warning labels on the different parts of your car; touching some parts can be dangerous even when your car is turned off.

If your vehicle begins making a louder noise than usual, you should suspect the muffler needs replacing. This is a job best done at a shop because it is difficult to work under a car without a lift. You can get a warning or even a ticket if your muffler sounds too loud.

Schedule yourself extra time for free checkups, especially if you are going in on a weekend. No matter how early you get in, there are only so many bays in the garage. That means that your car may have to wait for a few paying clients before it gets looked at.

If your vehicle seems to be leaking fluids, start by replacing the gaskets and seals. The most common area for leaks is where different parts join together. You may not need an expensive repair if the leak stems from one of these easily replaceable areas. If the leak continues after replacement, you may have a more extensive leak.

Find a reputable auto repair shop in your area and take your car there every time it needs service. You should attempt to have the same mechanic work on your car when you take it there. This helps the mechanic to become familiar with your vehicle so he will notice problems sooner than someone else.

Think about finding a mechanic who does repairs in his or her own garage. As long as they have experience they can do the same work but they often charge far less for the labor. This may result in substantial savings, and you can also provide such mechanics with much-needed work.

Be sure that you make a note of your oil change schedule. You should regularly get the oil changed to make sure your vehicle runs smoothly. If your oil is not changed on a regular basis, your car may not last as long as it could.

It is time for you to focus on getting your priorities in order when dealing with car repairs. Your automobile is a complex vehicle, and it needs the right care. Use the tips and advice that have been presented to you here so that you can make sure you're ready next time.