The Small Engine Shop

Finally we get to see some KLRs on Walking Dead. The #1 motorcycle voted to survive the apocalypse, and they wait until the last season to use the motorcycle on the show. I guess it's better late than never.

Two second generation Kawasaki KLR 650s are used on the Walking Dead show in season 11, episode 20: Whats Been Lost. In episode 21, Outpost 22, you still see the same second generation KLRs, but a first generation KLR shows up for a chase scene with Daryl Dixon riding the motorcycle. The scene ends with the bike falling down and sliding under a fallen tree. The motorcycle is missing the plastic radiator shrouds and the crash scene probably had something to do with that. I find it odd that they used second generation KLRs for every scene accept the crash scene. I wonder if it had something to do with plastic parts breaking?

I always thought the show would make a KLR650 the permanent motorcycle for Norman Reedus character, Daryl Dixon, but they never did. The KLRs are used by the Commonwealth police force, who look more like Star Wars Storm Troopers than cops due to the safety pads they wear.   I think the motorcycles being used in this role is a testament to the KLR's reputation of being such a utilitarian motorcycle.




Both KLRs riding side by side. Both bikes look like their painted with a color similar to a flat olive green, and it looks military.




Daryl Dixon on the first generation Kawasaki KLR. Notice the plastic radiator shrouds are missing.


Kawasaki KLR chase scene on Walking Dead.


Kawasaki KLR sliding under a fallen tree.

The two door fastback coupe version of the Dodge Dart was renamed 'Beaver' in 1971, but when the Chrysler marketing department realized 'Beaver' is slang for something else, they renamed the car Demon. The name Demon stuck for a couple of years, 1971-1972, but outside forces demanded Chrysler change the name yet again, and in 1973 Chrysler renamed the car to Dodge Dart Sport. I think it's fair to say Chrysler had trouble naming this car.

Here's a Dodge dealership promotional video comparing the 1971 Dodge Demon to the 1971 Chevrolet Vega. It's odd to hear someone refer to a car as Demon.

This is real!

The Plymounth Duster really was the better deal (see video)? It's now known the Ford Pinto would catch fire if it was rear ended at the right speed, and the Chevrolet Vega had rust problems and engine damage if it over heated, at least with early models.

I've heard owners of all three models say how much they loved their car, so when I hear someone say this car was bad because of this or that, I take it with a grain of salt. Usually if a car is well maintained and not abused it will last a long time with descent performance. I wouldn't fear owning or driving any one of these models.

A great way to see these old cars as they first existed is to watch old TV shows. In the first season, fourth episode of Rockford Files, James Garners character travels to Arizona and rents a Chevrolet Vega. In the same episode he gets chased by a Mack semi truck on a highway, but manages to use his cars small size to escape the threat. The 1971 Chevrolet Vega was the first subcompact car. I think 1971 was the first year the subcompact category came into existence. The Vega used in this episode is probably a 73 or 74 model.

James Garner driving a Chevrolet Vega on the TV show, Rockford Files

Republican congresswoman, Maria Salazar, said during a talk at Davo's that she represents illegal immigrants residing in America. When Maria Salazar took office she took an oath before God to defend America's borders and represent American citizens by doing what is in their best interest, yet it seems illegal immigrants are more important. Referring to illegal immigrants she said: "who speak my language, look like me and sound like me." Salazar feels she has more in common with illegal immigrants than traditional America.

Maria Salazar's biggest lie is claiming she wants to seal the border and give illegal immigrants dignity without citizenship. How about giving America some dignity by doing the right thing and not making America look like the biggest chump to ever exist?