MTFCA Forum

I read your comments exactly as you reiterate here. Some people just
go through life looking for insults and ways to claim a hurt feeling. You,
Sir ... just put some thoughts and opinions out there to raise discussion.
If others choose to make drama of it, THEY would be "that guy", not you.

Steve, I saw the response and thought it unfortunate your comments were interpreted they were. I knew that was not your intent knowing you as I do from your other posts. always enjoy your photos of Model T events and things you learn that you share with the forum. Thanks.

Steve,

You can make all of the people happy some of the time.
You can make some of the people happy all of the time.
BUT, you can NOT make all of the people happy All of the time.

A person desiring to add his knowledge to the community must remember there will be whiners. The person trying to better the community will need to have some thick "skin" and be ready for comments good or not so good.

There's a reason they call them WHINERS. They should recognize and remember there is seldom a "One perfect answer, 100% of the time" and varied view points make life great.

Thank you for all you contribute to this hobby and to my life.

Terry

Steve
This reminds me of your "What it takes to change a spark plug" you posted a few years ago. I think you should update that and by the way add
" I've never tried it but I know it won't work"

Steve you contribute Soooooo much to this community beyond words. I personally "Thank You'!

My remarks were only a positive reinforcement referring to peoples free choice of their likes, resources available, and the likes there of.

Rock on Mister!!!!

Humbled Hank

Cancel culture hits the Forum! Bah Humbug.

Steve, you expressed your opinion, as you are fully entitled to do. The other readers have the right to disagree, but that does not make you wrong. If your opinion makes them mad, so be it. Nowhere did I see you trying to make a ruling that only you were correct! I saw what appeared to me to be an open discussion of a subject! That is nothing you should have to apologize for! Stay strong because the rest of us enjoy your comments and help on all topics.

Steve,

Thanks for all you do to support and promote our club and hobby! You have done so many "One car parades," "One car Tours," posted photos to help others, and brightened so many days for so many people -- thank you!

One of the limitations or draw backs to forums, chat rooms, etc. is we usually do not see the other person. If I am already having a bad day and I read a posting -- that usually makes me be more negative about it. But if I'm having a good day (the sun is out, the weather is nice, the wife has asked, "Why don't we take the "T" and go get a dipped ice cream cone," etc. ) well I can read the same posting and be much more positive about it. The posting is the same -- but how I see it has changed just because of how I felt before I read it.

And face to face most of us are more polite than when we are typing on the key board. I have seen several drivers in their modern cars use some rather crude hand signals to communicate their displeasure with another driver on the road. But if the two drivers were in Walmart and one of them was looking at the "wrong type of oil" -- I haven't ever seen them use those "crude hand signals" in the store (OK -- at least not when I've been there). There is something about typing on a message board or chat room that can cause me or someone else to say (type) something that they would not normally say face to face.

All that to say -- THANK YOU FOR BEING SUCH A GOOD AMBASSADOR FOR OUR HOBBY!

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off

Steve, like Hap Tucker said... Thank you for being such a good ambassador for our hobby. Remember even Jesus had enemies.

I'm finding it very hard to comprehend that someone could by offended by Mr. Jelf.

Steve Jelf- do NOT let the minority rule! Do NOT let this incident deter you from making future posts!

Steve,

Shake it off bro! It’ll be all right!

You ARE allowed to feel the way you do on any subject.

As one who has been flogged, stomped, sliced and diced on this forum through the years along with flaming PM and email...I still feel we are all here to have fun and share experiences.

Pura Vida

We often interpret the written word differently than it was intended. In face to face conversations we can have a better sense of the intent. I'm afraid we have lost many generous contributors from criticisms of what they said. I hope we can take helpful and interesting insights without finding fault with them.
Thanks for all the help Steve.
Rich Eagle

Steve, please add my vote of confidence as appreciation for your many contributions to the hobby and to this forum. I have never seen any of your posts as dogmatic, much less, confrontational. You are perennially enthusiastic and helpful. Pray continue !

As all the posts up above, I fully agree. Keep up the good work Steve, you are an inspiration to us all. Earlier this year I was shredded for no reason by some self righteous nincompupe, I stood back, considered the source and moved on. There is a comment on this forum that you see often, “ Its your car, do with it as you please or as it makes you happy. “. Natural wheels make me happy, but considering I was a carpenter most of my life and like wood. An auto body man may like everything painted and a salesman will tend to go in between, depending which way the wind blows. Just my opinion. Frank

Steve,

I've always enjoyed your posts and have learned a lot from your website and postings. I have copied many of your ideas to make the job much easier. Keep on posting so I can keep on learning.
I do post smart ass remarks just trying to be funny and I hope you don't take them seriously.

Denny

Steve,
even here in the UK you have fans!

Steve Jelf, you're nothing but a gent! Your posts are explicit and helpful often with informative procedures illustrated by pictures to make it all crystal clear. Please continue with your posts and tongue in cheek comments. The members of this forum respect you for your honesty and clarity because, Steve, " What you see is what you get"! Thanks from another ardent fan in the U.K.

You're, a good man Steve. Some people are just more easily hurt than others, and some miss interpret what we say, or miss understand. You have good ideas and good advice, and when you have a question, you ask. You don't pretend to know it all. I hope I am not miss understood, myself. I don't want to be thought of as a, "Know it All". I have opinions, which I express. Some don't agree with me either, but that's alright. We each have our own ideas about what is right or wrong. You are a helpful person, and every time I have met you, usually on a national tour, or at Bakersfield swap meet, you have been courteous and friendly.
Norm

Steve, I think it’s a case of “print envy......” You write bigger than they do.

Just a theory.

Steve - you have nothing to apologize for.

Rob may be on to something, and Chuck is correct, please continue sharing. Best, jb

I enjoy Steve's post and look forward to them.
As to wheels am a bit backwards. My 25 has 21 inch painted black.
My 15 has the gnarly wood wheels that came with it that I varnished.

You have nothing to apologize for Steve. Love your posts and people need to realize that we do not all march to the same drummer. When I had the wheels on my 27 rebuilt by Bill Calimer, great job by the way, I made a decision to go with natural finish. I am sure that my car came originally with black wheels as it was a plain touring with no bumpers or wire wheels and was in the "any color as long as it is black" class. However, I wanted to brighten the car up a bit and since Ford listed natural finish wheels in their parts book as available for balloon tire equipped cars, that's the way I went. I realize that this means my car is not 100% authentic but it's the way I like it and everyone should enjoy their car in the way that they see fit. Keep posting Steve! By the way, my step plates are not original either but mean that I don't have to paint the running boards every year.

It is a corrosion upon society that increasingly at all levels, passions are allowed to overrule good judgment. Mr Jelf, being the gentleman that he is, apologizes for an offense, whether he believes it to be or not. How much better the world would be with more Steve Jelfs.!!!

I'd rather have 20 more Steve Jelf's on this forum than two more of them.

Rich Eagle is correct in that when we communicate on a forum we don't always pick up the little cues we would in a face to face conversation. The written word is easily misinterpreted so that a humorous "Tongue in cheek" comment can have the effect of waving a red cape in front of a bull for some folks.

I have been the subject of some criticism for the occasional comment but I try not to take it personally.... I know some people have strongly held beliefs that they feel they must defend and usually it's just best to let them get it out and move on.

I personally hold Steve in the highest regard and have benefited from his generous sharing of knowledge since I joined the hobby. He owes no one an apology. Steve is like so many of you that have helped me over the last three years. I can't begin to express my gratitude to all of you. Discussions like the "restoration" one have helped me stay sane throughout the isolation brought on by Covid and I hope they keep coming.

Steve. Enjoy Your posts. and touring diary. I would have never thought paint or finishes would create such a stir. and You didn't even haft to mention fuse's, water pumps or conversion to 12 volts.

Well Steve, it looks likes the votes are in and you have more friends than you know.

Now when are you going to post your next video? We need something new to watch on those rainy days when we don't want to get the T dirty.

I'd consider installing a water pump, but I draw the line at "Hello Kitty" radiator ornaments with LED eyes that light up.....

Steve

Your original post was in fun, and you have made that love of painted wood spokes on T's before, heavens a few others were bothered

Now that original post is deleted, so can't add anything to it, so I'll chance it and add a bit.

Of course Ford painted all wood spokes up to the Improved Car, when varnish natural was offered. Some aftermarket wheels were natural finish in the early 'teens for use on the Ford. Some owners liked that wood look. Even Ford in '27 said owner could switch from paint to natural if desired.

And lots of autos, from the early 'teens to the late '20's, had natural wood finish on spokes. Some owners like the looks, some mfg. were proud of the quality of the hickory and showed it off. Varnished spokes lasted into the depression, when labor got intensive, and metal wheels became most popular.

So, yes, restored to factory, '25 and earlier Fords have black finish wheels.

Today, as in the days of long ago, owners could have desired natural finish and had them with accessory wheels, or removed the paint to show the wood.




1916 Buick model D-54 got natural wheels, while the less sporting D-55 got green painted wheels!

Now when are you going to post your next video?

That will be after I get at least one T back together and running.

Steve,

You are, beyond a doubt, the exact opposite of offensive. I have noticed many times in the past, your great patience and your remarkable reserve when others, (sometimes myself included), would have would have taken the bait and gotten "into it" with a fellow forum member. You sir, are a gentleman. Your apology, in my opinion, was not necessary and was overly generous. Please, do not modify your tone, contributions, or language in any way.

Keep up the knowledgeable posts Steve! They always make me think about different aspects of Model T’s and how we come to our own conclusions about how they were built, used, and the changes that came about over their history. The hobby needs folks like you who keep the knowledge flowing and bring others into the hobby.

It is a shame there cant be banter, and a little rib poking without somebody getting their feelings hurt. I have lots of "car buddies" and most of the fun is poking fun at what kind of cars some guys like or dislike. If we all liked the same thing, done the same way life would get boring very fast. PULL UP THEM HUGGIES BOYS! and have a little fun,,,,,,,,,isnt that what hobbies are suppose to be ?

I went back and re-read posts in response to Steve's initial post. I could find nothing or no-one who was offended in their replies, which leads me to believe other social media outlets hosted the "offendees". Just another reason to stay away from such outlets.
Keep up the good work Steve. Just don't fret about the idiot fringe.

Allan from down under.

Mom always said, “you can please some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time”....or was that fool some of the people ? Well you get the point.

Mr. Jelf,

I always enjoy your posts and you do a lot to promote the hobby. You have never posted anything I would consider even remotely offensive. Some people are just looking for a reason to be upset. I wouldn't worry about it.

Stephen

Steve,

You owe no one an apology for any comments you have made on this site past or present. In America everyone is guaranteed freedom of speech and allowed to express their opinions. You had an opinion and you expressed it and I respect you for it.

In our system of freedoms anyone that expresses their opinion do it with the expectation that some may and will object that is also guaranteed by our constitution. So it has been my experience that on average 50% will like and 50% will object that is their right.

Please don't let someone that disagrees with you, win the battle by silencing your insightful and very helpful informative articles. This forum needs yours and other members passing along information and help for newer members to keep our model t's on the road.

Steve, You are doing all members a great service by continuing to write for every model t owner.

I implore you to keep up the good work, we all owe you a debt of gratitude for your input.

We are all damn lucky to have you and other contributors helping the brethren enjoying our model T's

Frontyboy.

I could find nothing or no-one who was offended in their replies...

It was on the Model T Ford Club of Facebook, but the offended parties were a couple of long-time forum guys.

I appreciate all the compliments, but I'm sorry the old chaps thought I meant to belittle them.

Holy cow. I always learn something from the discussions your posts inspire, which is something you are really good at. I use the dauntless geezer site regularly because you provide such solid, easy to follow information. I say damn the torpedos, full speed ahead! Cheers, Bill

Steve, As many have said in so many words, We Love You! Thanks for what you do ! jw

Me again, the first day we got our '21 T Touring running and I drove it the first time, with my wife in the passenger side, she said "I thought you had never driven a T before." I said " I haven't , but I've ridden to town and back with Steve Jelf a bunch."

One of the many things I like about the Model T hobby is the difference of opinion. The historical facts are not known 100% (eg - was the motor painted or not) and there are many different ways to go about things. That makes our job more interesting. We have to research, weigh the options and choose for ourselves.

No problem, Steve. Now I will give you something controversial. I repainted the wheels of my 26 with the wire spokes. Then when I installed the first tire, I scratched the paint all up with the tire iron. On the other wheels I installed the tires from the back of the rims and the scratches don't show (they do if you look at the back side).
So You and the others can have something to chew on. Which side of the rim should the tire be installed?
Norm

Norm, you needn't fit tyres to wire wheels at all. Most modern tyre shops can fit 21" tyres on their machines. At worst, there might be three little marks on the inside where the clamps grab the rim. The machine does the rest, with no contact between rim and he machine, no scratches, no grief, no busted knuckles, no cussing and no worries. The last 5 I had fitted cost me a princely $25 total!

Allan from down under.

Your doing just fine Steve Keep it up , It's good to stir the pot once and a while. It just shows people are paying attention Cheers Colin

Steve: i think youre making this up. You just want to make sure that you have more than 1 million people coming out and saying what we all already know. That youre a Gentleman. Youre a Fine man . Peaceful and pleasant. Hope to see you at Hershey this year with your cowboy boots.....and that measuring TAPE.

And Mike Kossor nailed it : we love your pictures and when you post what you " learn about t's and share with us your experience " !

If you guys think Steve's post are fun to read here. You need to get on the Dauntless Geezer page and see all the other stuff he's up to.

Steve love your posts and you "Letter to a fat kid" threw me over the top to do something. I'm down over 70 pounds and I feel great!

Whether you like it or not you're what the kids today call an influencer.

Keep posting, Keep Ting, and watch your supply of sox.

Steve: Anything I may have thought I was going to say has been covered by all the above posts. Simply put, thank you for your time and efforts.

Thanks for your post Steve.

As someone who has 'gotten it wrong" and "gotten clobbered" over the years on this forum by those who "know right" I sympathise with you.

You try your best and give your thoughts and ideas. Sorry that more folk don't do that. It is far easier to "clobber" and 'attack' than to be helpful and explain and suggest If only those who proclaim that they are the real experts could take that approach instead. See Hap's or Rich Eagles or Luke's replies for models of the helpful 'explain and suggest' approach -(we all could name several several others too, in fact most of the posters here as well) - they all prove it can be done!

No matter how much we know or don't know its only by asking and posting in as helpful an approach as possible that we can learn more.

Keep up the good work Steve.

A Whiteman wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 25, 2021 1:46 am

Thanks for your post Steve.

As someone who has 'gotten it wrong" and "gotten clobbered" over the years on this forum by those who "know right" I sympathise with you.

You try your best and give your thoughts and ideas. Sorry that more folk don't do that. It is far easier to "clobber" and 'attack' than to be helpful and explain and suggest If only those who proclaim that they are the real experts could take that approach instead. See Hap's or Rich Eagles or Luke's replies for models of the helpful 'explain and suggest' approach -(we all could name several several others too, in fact most of the posters here as well) - they all prove it can be done!

No matter how much we know or don't know its only by asking and posting in as helpful an approach as possible that we can learn more.

Keep up the good work Steve.

Very well stated.

Well Steve,
Looks like the verdict is in and you have been declared innocent. You are somewhat of a celebrity in the T Model world and that makes some people jealous and in turn they lash out. There will always be haters and there is not you can do about it but carry on.
It’s Bill said “ Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead” that’s what my old T Model Buddy used to say all the time. He was in the navy, during WWII, aboard a Destroyer Escort and that’s where he got that saying from. He saw a lot of torpedoes go by but they held their course no matter what.
I also worked with an old feller who was raised on a farm. When we had a seemingly impossible task at hand he would always say “Damn the mules, load the wagon”.
Hold your course Steve, you are on the right track.
Thanks for all you do.