Well, here I am, one year later. I'm still a biker nut, I still have my sanity and things are actually going pretty well.
To celebrate a little, I've updated the look of the blog. If things don't look quite right, you'll have to bear with me. I'm still going to be making little changes here and there and I'm really hoping to turn this into a three column blog, but I have no idea how to set that up. If anyone has any ideas, I'd be glad to hear them.
Time was on my side yesterday, so I got a chance to get down and work on Selene for a while. The biggest thing I have left now is the wheels. Once they are off, I'll be able to clean them and get the new rubber put on. My lease on the storage unit is up at the end of March, so I'm hoping that the weather is going to be agreeable and let me ride her out of there.
Speaking of the weather, it's been super mild here with lots of rain. Needless to say, we have lost a lot of our snow. Can't say I'm sorry to see it go. The faster I can get back on two wheels, the happier I'll be.
New toy
look what i got...
The K100D combines 6.1 effective megapixels with a host of advanced technologies, to deliver high-quality digital SLR photography and user-friendly operation to all levels of photographers. The K100D packs an array of advanced, user-friendly features — including the PENTAX-developed Shake Reduction (SR) system, high-precision autofocus and auto sensitivity control, into a compact, well-balanced body to accommodate a wide range of shooting and playback requirements. Its outstanding overall performance makes high-quality digital SLR photography effortless, fun and exciting for all users in all situations, from casual travel snapshots and memorable family pictures to highly specialized applications.
Let Them Ride
you know, there isn't much that will really set me off. i have my moods and i have things that i get mad about, but this kind of thing really irks me. i have a real problem with society's belief that we need to be protected by everything and that the government needs to govern that.
in New Brunswick they (meaning our political leaders) are trying to amend our off road vehicle act. this amendment would do the following:
all children under 14 years of age are banned from riding off-road vehicles if this new legislation unveiled by the provincial Liberal government, is passed.
personally, i think this is utterly ridiculous. i'm all for staying safe and if we didn't have a helmet law, i would still wear my helmet, but enforcing a law that forces me to stay safe? come on... i dread the day we become a dumbed down bubble wrap wearing society...
in New Brunswick they (meaning our political leaders) are trying to amend our off road vehicle act. this amendment would do the following:
all children under 14 years of age are banned from riding off-road vehicles if this new legislation unveiled by the provincial Liberal government, is passed.
personally, i think this is utterly ridiculous. i'm all for staying safe and if we didn't have a helmet law, i would still wear my helmet, but enforcing a law that forces me to stay safe? come on... i dread the day we become a dumbed down bubble wrap wearing society...
the new tire hunt
the hunt for new tires has been going on for some time now. the stock Dunlops that are on Selene have well over 13,000 km on them and are quite worn. the rear tire also has a plug that was the result of a nail picked up in Quebec. the search has been a battle of brands and prices, meaning i want a good brand at a good price. the Dunlops were great, but i want something better.
i've been all over the net and have even debated about buying my tires from the states and having them shipped to Canada. Cruiser Customizing always has great deals and were actually selling tires at 40% off regular price. i really didn't think i could get a better deal then that.
before i ordered, though, i figured i would check out a couple of local places and give them a chance. i'm all for sinking my money locally.
okay, tires sizes:
front: 120/90 R18
rear: 170/80 R15
tire brands:
Pirelli MT66 Route
Avon Venom
Metzeler ME880
i still chuckle at the fact that i had Pirellis on my Kawasaki 440LTD, but i digress. a few calls around town gave me these average prices (both tires, tax not included, in canadian funds):
Pirelli: $351
Avon: $396
Metzeler: $498
Cruiser Customizing was giving me prices of (in US funds):
Pirelli: $225
Avon: $340
Metzeler: $347
it was really looking good for Cruiser Customizing. i could get a damn good set of tires (Metzeler) for a heck of a lot less then any local place. even with the duty and exchange factored in, i would end up saving money.
then i called the last local place on my list. a place that i'd never seen before due to the fact that they are a little out of my way. a little place called Levesque Recreation. i hit them up with the brands and a few minutes later, they came back with prices:
Pirelli: $261
Avon: not listed in their books
Metzeler: $375
here is the real kicker...those are the straight prices with taxes in. sold! i couldn't believe the price difference.
i went down the next day to check out the shop and double check the prices. they are a small outfit with a small stock of helmets, tires and some parts. they do mechanical work on practically all makes and models (i could see a H-D and a snowmobile being worked on in the garage). there was also a beautiful boxer running around and investigating everything. he was behind the counter the whole time, but would stand up at the counter staring at you while chewing on whatever he could get his teeth on. i'll have to snap a picture of him when i pick up my tires.
so there you have it. it really does pay to shop around. it's a lesson that i have to learn time and time again. i'm famous for impluse purchases...ask joey...
i've been all over the net and have even debated about buying my tires from the states and having them shipped to Canada. Cruiser Customizing always has great deals and were actually selling tires at 40% off regular price. i really didn't think i could get a better deal then that.
before i ordered, though, i figured i would check out a couple of local places and give them a chance. i'm all for sinking my money locally.
okay, tires sizes:
front: 120/90 R18
rear: 170/80 R15
tire brands:
Pirelli MT66 Route
Avon Venom
Metzeler ME880
i still chuckle at the fact that i had Pirellis on my Kawasaki 440LTD, but i digress. a few calls around town gave me these average prices (both tires, tax not included, in canadian funds):
Pirelli: $351
Avon: $396
Metzeler: $498
Cruiser Customizing was giving me prices of (in US funds):
Pirelli: $225
Avon: $340
Metzeler: $347
it was really looking good for Cruiser Customizing. i could get a damn good set of tires (Metzeler) for a heck of a lot less then any local place. even with the duty and exchange factored in, i would end up saving money.
then i called the last local place on my list. a place that i'd never seen before due to the fact that they are a little out of my way. a little place called Levesque Recreation. i hit them up with the brands and a few minutes later, they came back with prices:
Pirelli: $261
Avon: not listed in their books
Metzeler: $375
here is the real kicker...those are the straight prices with taxes in. sold! i couldn't believe the price difference.
i went down the next day to check out the shop and double check the prices. they are a small outfit with a small stock of helmets, tires and some parts. they do mechanical work on practically all makes and models (i could see a H-D and a snowmobile being worked on in the garage). there was also a beautiful boxer running around and investigating everything. he was behind the counter the whole time, but would stand up at the counter staring at you while chewing on whatever he could get his teeth on. i'll have to snap a picture of him when i pick up my tires.
so there you have it. it really does pay to shop around. it's a lesson that i have to learn time and time again. i'm famous for impluse purchases...ask joey...
