Posts by Doc&Ruby

  • Weird questions people ask about your slingshot.

    Coming out of Lowes last week, about to get in the sling, woman walks up behind me and gushes: "What is that!? I love the sparkly red color - its my favorite!!"
    I told her: I love red too - I'm sure this would look great on you... want to try it on?"
    She blushed, said no and hurried to her old minivan.


    Last week I had astronomy students out to the observatory on the ranch for lab night - they all ogled the Slingshot, several took turns getting in and having friends take photos. One of the young men in my class came up to me...
    "Doc, you have kids don't you?"
    "Yeah, three boys, why?"
    "Do you like them... or do they piss you off sometimes."
    I wondered where this was going, but I played along... "Well, none of my sons like astronomy... so their all out of the will."
    The kid smiled: "Good. Now that that's settled, would you adopt me so I can have your slingshot when you die?" :P<3

  • Heated seats???

    I saw this cushion on Amazon - says it heats and cools. Seat heater has two settings and is tested to warm your back and bottom with surface temp reaching 95-100F - also has high temp shutoff if it goes over 140F (ouch!) and heater shuts off automatically after 30 min, but you can restart it for another cycle if you are on a long ride. Cooling fan draws air from below the seat and forces it through the cushion and back, although reviews say it cools the seat bottom better than the back. Haven't pulled the trigger yet, but cold weather is coming (48F on the ride to work this morning.) About $50 per unit, about $110 if you bought the pair and the 12V splitter cable.

  • Clicky clutch!?

    Quote from SlingLow

    I met a local owner who had just replaced his new Slingshot because the pressure plate exploded after 200 miles. For the record, I believe it was an SL and the local dealer offered to fix it or sell him a replacement at cost. He chose the SLR at cost. From your description it sounds like it could be a defective clutch or pressure plate. Definitely get it taken care of by your dealer or it could leave you stranded or in a dangerous situation.

    Thanks, I'll have it checked out right away!

  • Clicky clutch!?

    New SLR has an odd noise & feel when I depress the clutch. I can hear - and feel! - multiple clicks when the clutch is near the floor and completely disengaged. Sounds like a spring rubbing on something to me, but I'm certainly no expert here!


    Going back to the dealer in a few weeks, but don't want to let something go if its important. Any ideas would be welcome!
    Tried to upload mp4 video w sound, but no go.

  • Worth the money??

    Okay, did the first oil change myself... $65 including Mobil 1 full synthetic, filter, 32mm filter socket & 10-inch extension for my 3/4" drive.
    As @Red said, oil change & tools and still money ahead!

  • Worth the money??

    Quote from SlingLow

    Worth it to some - not to others. It's your call. I enjoy changing my own oil and save a ton on the dozen or so gas motors I maintain. Belt and systems checks are not difficult, and can be done quickly, but if you don't know what and how to check, it won't get done. The clutch shouldn't need anything more than keeping the reservoir topped off.. The belt tension is important but does not change rapidly under normal use and circumstances. Greasing the u-joint requires the proper equipment (grease gun and needle tip) but is not expensive to acquire. You could spend the money of one service on the service manual and do it yourself - if you want.

    Thanks, @Slingrazor that's pretty much what I thought. I think a trip to O'Reilly's Auto Parts for a filter, GM filter wrench, and some good synthetic oil is in order....
    Then spending some quality time with some Sam Owens videos and tools.

  • Worth the money??

    My dealer recommended that I let them do my first 500-mile oil change and service (I just cracked 500 miles today). Check that clutch, belt tension, and other systems are adjusted correctly and everything working properly. Their charge for this? $185.


    Not that two hundred bucks is outta sight for a service call at a dealer these days - but I just wonder if anyone on the forum has to say on this one...

  • First mod... cancelled!

    Quote from War Hoop

    And you can enhance those mirrors with the little stick on convex mirrors from the auto store. 3 bucks and your good to go.

    I may just do that. Still less than 200 miles on my Slingshot - I want to get to know her a bit before I add more mirrors. So far, I haven't had any problem with visibility and the blind spots are not problematic... but yeah, a trip to Auto Zone may be in order.