Ah, lovely!
This morning my flights to Sweden were confirmed *and* all the rest of my parts from Motomummy arrived including the Puig screen, Pazzo levers and R&G oggy knobs.
EDIT @ 21:23
Well, as you can see from the photos above, the R1 is looking like it always should have looked... like new.
It's clean. It's shiny. It has no missing bits. It has a screen and oggy knobs now. And I'm glad its finally looking like it should.
Robin, thanks for your help in putting it all back together and of course for taking the photos of me on the bike this evening.
I've only got the rearsets and exhaust to go. The machinist still isnt' back from holidays, but at least my Akrapovic is ordered and should be getting shipped any day now.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
I'm Going and No One Will Stop Me
Fuck. I'm annoyed and excited. The plans promised to me by work have changed. Up until about 9am, I was going to head over to Sweden twice this year. Not any more.
What it was meant to be:
Trip 1: MARCH 2008; Training in Sweden, 2 Days in Orebro in the classroom and 2 Days at the test mine = Total time about 5 days in Sweden, then add travel time.
Trip 2: JUNE 2008; Shaking hands, kissing babies, taking photos, meeting people (networking), dropping business cards, sightseeing, getting smashed, going to the Icebar. This trip was a "gift" to be from my company.
What it currently is:
Trip: MARCH 2008; Training in Sweden, 2 Days in Orebro in the classroom and 2 Days at the test mine, then slap another week on for leisure.
Now, what happened to my total of three weeks in Sweden? I'm now there for a week to do training then tack another week on? In the middle of Winter? There isn't even any snow! It's cold and raining the whole time!
What the final result should be:
Trip: Training in Sweden, 2 Days in Orebro in the classroom and 2 Days at the test mine, then two weeks (that I was "given") of leisure and sightseeing.
So yeh, I'm fucked off and at the same time busting my knickers to get over there and catch up with all my crazy Swedish mates.
Fuck.
What it was meant to be:
Trip 1: MARCH 2008; Training in Sweden, 2 Days in Orebro in the classroom and 2 Days at the test mine = Total time about 5 days in Sweden, then add travel time.
Trip 2: JUNE 2008; Shaking hands, kissing babies, taking photos, meeting people (networking), dropping business cards, sightseeing, getting smashed, going to the Icebar. This trip was a "gift" to be from my company.
What it currently is:
Trip: MARCH 2008; Training in Sweden, 2 Days in Orebro in the classroom and 2 Days at the test mine, then slap another week on for leisure.
Now, what happened to my total of three weeks in Sweden? I'm now there for a week to do training then tack another week on? In the middle of Winter? There isn't even any snow! It's cold and raining the whole time!
What the final result should be:
Trip: Training in Sweden, 2 Days in Orebro in the classroom and 2 Days at the test mine, then two weeks (that I was "given") of leisure and sightseeing.
So yeh, I'm fucked off and at the same time busting my knickers to get over there and catch up with all my crazy Swedish mates.
Fuck.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Yawning is a Warning
I yawn. My eyes are closing. My concentration is lapsing. I let my friend on MSN know that I'm going to crash out and go to bed. Nitey nite.
I get changed, lay in bed. My eyes are open. I can't focus. I'm wide awake. That Red Bull I drank over 5 hours ago is still kicking my arse. So I tell the story.
Earlier in the day I had told Robin that there was a ride on. I specially went and got fuel before I got home so I'd have a full tank in the 400 before going out and meeting at Scarborough. Mum asks me where the R1 is. (It's still parked at Robin's). I tell her that its still at Robin's and that I'm still waiting on a screen. She demands I bring it back home.
So the ride I was meant to go on, I was a pillion on. And good fun at that. My arms got a wicked workout and I enjoyed being on the back again. We left from Scarborough and headed to Fremantle for some food and a chat. We stopped in at Ginos and got some pasta. I was quite happy that I got the cannelloni. I've become a big fan of cannelloni, something about spinach and ricotta that I just love. To date, noone does it better than Cafe Martino on Beaufort Street in Mount Lawley.
After the ride, Robin took me back to his place where I cabletied my new numberplate onto the fender eliminator of the R1. I used blue cableties and tell you what, a bodgy "I'll cut it off when I get home" turns out to be a very tidy looking arrangement. So I'm going to keep it; but just trim the cableties.
I was a little scared at this point. It was going to be the first time I had ridden the R1 in four weeks. It didn't sound the same and sure as hell didn't feel the same. I thought that replacing the exhaust was more of a want than a need, but the factory muffler sounds dreadful and is right back up on my list of things to buy for the bike.
Over the last few days Robin had helped me fit (a few times) the rear tail fairing and nose piece of the R1 back together, and yesterday I got the rags out along with the Plexus and cleaned everything I could find. After that, I went over all the black plastic components (inside and out) with Maguiars Trim Detailer. That stuff really makes the bike shine. [I'll put some photos up of the bike during daylight hours].
I *hope* I didn't get any overspray on the tyres...
Robin rode with me to check my tyre pressures and to baby me around the block before I headed home, sans screen. Was a bit blowey on the bike, interesting riding without a screen, but I still made it home quite comfortably.
My levers, screen and oggy knobs should be on their way soon after *another* stock holdup. This time a purple iridium Arai visor was the culprit. It will mean that the bike will have equidistant levers unlike now where the clutch is different to the brake. Shits me off.
Even up until today, I'm still finding missing bits here and there. Another $20 today for two mirror bolt guides. Anything "genuine" sucks.
Either way, It's been a long time between rides on the R1 and the 400 has certainly served me well in the interim. I will now know that *both* should be equally respected and are just as much fun as the other. The R1 is now parked up next to the 400 in the courtyard again. It's nice to see them together again.
On a side note; a HUGE thank you to Robin for putting up with me over the last few weeks with the crash at Wanneroo. Tolerating my rabble, cleaning the bike, picking up parts for me (even when you didn't have to), helping me assemble things and identify missing bits... I wouldn't have a complete bike nor the smile on my face right now if it wasn't for you.
Thank you again Robin. Love you! :)
I get changed, lay in bed. My eyes are open. I can't focus. I'm wide awake. That Red Bull I drank over 5 hours ago is still kicking my arse. So I tell the story.
Earlier in the day I had told Robin that there was a ride on. I specially went and got fuel before I got home so I'd have a full tank in the 400 before going out and meeting at Scarborough. Mum asks me where the R1 is. (It's still parked at Robin's). I tell her that its still at Robin's and that I'm still waiting on a screen. She demands I bring it back home.
So the ride I was meant to go on, I was a pillion on. And good fun at that. My arms got a wicked workout and I enjoyed being on the back again. We left from Scarborough and headed to Fremantle for some food and a chat. We stopped in at Ginos and got some pasta. I was quite happy that I got the cannelloni. I've become a big fan of cannelloni, something about spinach and ricotta that I just love. To date, noone does it better than Cafe Martino on Beaufort Street in Mount Lawley.
After the ride, Robin took me back to his place where I cabletied my new numberplate onto the fender eliminator of the R1. I used blue cableties and tell you what, a bodgy "I'll cut it off when I get home" turns out to be a very tidy looking arrangement. So I'm going to keep it; but just trim the cableties.
I was a little scared at this point. It was going to be the first time I had ridden the R1 in four weeks. It didn't sound the same and sure as hell didn't feel the same. I thought that replacing the exhaust was more of a want than a need, but the factory muffler sounds dreadful and is right back up on my list of things to buy for the bike.
Over the last few days Robin had helped me fit (a few times) the rear tail fairing and nose piece of the R1 back together, and yesterday I got the rags out along with the Plexus and cleaned everything I could find. After that, I went over all the black plastic components (inside and out) with Maguiars Trim Detailer. That stuff really makes the bike shine. [I'll put some photos up of the bike during daylight hours].
I *hope* I didn't get any overspray on the tyres...
Robin rode with me to check my tyre pressures and to baby me around the block before I headed home, sans screen. Was a bit blowey on the bike, interesting riding without a screen, but I still made it home quite comfortably.
My levers, screen and oggy knobs should be on their way soon after *another* stock holdup. This time a purple iridium Arai visor was the culprit. It will mean that the bike will have equidistant levers unlike now where the clutch is different to the brake. Shits me off.
Even up until today, I'm still finding missing bits here and there. Another $20 today for two mirror bolt guides. Anything "genuine" sucks.
Either way, It's been a long time between rides on the R1 and the 400 has certainly served me well in the interim. I will now know that *both* should be equally respected and are just as much fun as the other. The R1 is now parked up next to the 400 in the courtyard again. It's nice to see them together again.
On a side note; a HUGE thank you to Robin for putting up with me over the last few weeks with the crash at Wanneroo. Tolerating my rabble, cleaning the bike, picking up parts for me (even when you didn't have to), helping me assemble things and identify missing bits... I wouldn't have a complete bike nor the smile on my face right now if it wasn't for you.
Thank you again Robin. Love you! :)
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Sverige!
Just got an email (about 15 minutes ago) from my boss saying that I've been nominated to get training for a new product and that I'm going to Sweden between WK 9 and WK 11!!! That's the end of February to mid March.
HOLEY MOLEY! I'm so rediculously excited. Hopefully I will be able to find out more tomorrow.
In other news, my final fairing for the R1 has cleared Customs and should be delivered early this week, maybe even tomorrow. Just waiting on some final parts from the US; screen, levers, grips, oggy knobs and some helmet visors.
HOLEY MOLEY! I'm so rediculously excited. Hopefully I will be able to find out more tomorrow.
In other news, my final fairing for the R1 has cleared Customs and should be delivered early this week, maybe even tomorrow. Just waiting on some final parts from the US; screen, levers, grips, oggy knobs and some helmet visors.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
En Guarde, Bytchez!
Yep, I've put my money where my mouth is. This week I dropped $400 on membership with the Cavaliers School of Fencing where I was announced as the "most returned fencer" ie: the person who keeps leaving and coming back.
To add to the fencing excitement, Robin has joined up in the beginners group (to which I have also joined as it *has* been that long...) It's great to see him doing something he's wanted to do for so long! And he's getting the hang of it very quickly!
So watch out, because I'm buying some new gear today. A plastron, glove and probably shoes too. Then I'll be investing in some FIE standard gear (for competitions).
Woohoo!
To add to the fencing excitement, Robin has joined up in the beginners group (to which I have also joined as it *has* been that long...) It's great to see him doing something he's wanted to do for so long! And he's getting the hang of it very quickly!
So watch out, because I'm buying some new gear today. A plastron, glove and probably shoes too. Then I'll be investing in some FIE standard gear (for competitions).
Woohoo!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Hammered
I absolutely hammered my credit card today.
I bought Genuine Yamaha fairings from eBay and Yamaha Australia, another Puig screen (as the last online store ran out of stock), Pazzo levers, R&G frame and clutch sliders and Arai visors.
The bill is slowly creeping up and I haven't even bought rearsets or a new muffler. These aren't super urgent either, as I've managed to bend them back again and put the original factory muffler back on. Once she is done, she will be magnificent again.
Next time I go on the track, I'll only take race fairings and put all the old original gear back on like the footpegs, levers and muffler. I don't want another damage bill like this again.
I guess that's how you learn.
Well, it's back to some hard saving again.
I bought Genuine Yamaha fairings from eBay and Yamaha Australia, another Puig screen (as the last online store ran out of stock), Pazzo levers, R&G frame and clutch sliders and Arai visors.
The bill is slowly creeping up and I haven't even bought rearsets or a new muffler. These aren't super urgent either, as I've managed to bend them back again and put the original factory muffler back on. Once she is done, she will be magnificent again.
Next time I go on the track, I'll only take race fairings and put all the old original gear back on like the footpegs, levers and muffler. I don't want another damage bill like this again.
I guess that's how you learn.
Well, it's back to some hard saving again.
Australia Day 2008 in Sunny Dunnie
On the back of the door it said "Welcome to Sunny Dunnie". That pretty much sums the place up. It was on again, the now traditional Australia Day Long Weekend getaway to Dunsborough with the crew. This time it was a smaller, more tight-knit group than last year and we also drove down rather than riding down.
I took the Friday off to make it an extra long weekend. I couldn't wait to get out of the office on Thursday afternoon. I'd had MORE than enough of work. As soon as it struck 4pm, the "out of office" was on, the desk phone diverted from my mobile back to the front desk and the computer was getting powered down. It was time to chillax, eat, drink and be merry.
Ells was driving myself, Robin and Glen down in his work car, which made the trip all the more affordable. The drive itself wasn't too interesting except for me feeling a little queezy in the back seat. The last time I was in the back seat for a long drive... I think I was about 14 years old. We were all busting to get there so we could check in and hit the turps.
The intention of the weekend wasn't to get smashed, but to unwind. Have some beverages. Eat fish and chips. Swim in the crystal clear waters. Get stung by jellyfish. I did all of those things, and I didn't even get sunburnt; which is a bonus.
When we got to Dunborough, we checked in and got straight into it. Well, everyone except me. I was still unwell from the drive so I crashed out in bed for a nanna nap. I woke up about an hour later and joined the boys on the beach for some drinks and a swim. The water was fantastic. We chucked a vortex around and tried avoiding the stingers.
Compared to last year it was cooler and a lot more windy, but it was still warm enough to go swimming every day.
In amongst the boozing and swimming, we celebrated Australia Day with traditional Aussie fare. Booze, Triple J's Hottest 100, the cricket, the tennis, waving Aussie flags and to top it off a ripper of a BBQ.
Sunday was a little different. We jumped in the car and went for a drive. What we planned as being a drive to Yallingup for a swim ended up being a mass tour to the Margaret River wine region with stops at Voyager Estate and Howard Park wineries with the *best* fish and chips ever in Augusta.
Later in the day, Robin and I went snorkelling just off the shore in less than a metre of water. Surprisingly there were heaps of fish to see. I got my first jellyfish sting that afternoon, with a pearler of a welt on my left arm near my elbow. Jeeeeezus did it hurt.
It ended up being another long day and again, I got caught in the back seat in the car and went to bed early. Meanwhile the boys had been drinking the wine they had bought earlier in the day and ended up calling stumps around 3am.
So the tally stands at:
1 x carton Jim Beam and Coke
1 x 500ml bottle of Absinth Dabel (70%)
1 x 1L bottle of Bacardi Oro
1 x 1L bottle of Smirnoff Black (about a third of it)
3 x bottles of wine
1 x 2L bottle of apple juice
1 x 2L bottle of orange juice
Couple of pints
lots of bacon
4 x nanna naps
2 x bikinis
1 x show of nudie bathing
2 x streaks and one black cat
I took my camera with me, but never ended up taking any photos this time around. I guess half the reason is that this trip wasn't really going to be as much of a "tour" as it was last year. This year we just got there, stayed and had fun, then left. I'll be booking another room in Sunny Dunnie for Australia next weekend I think!
Cheers to Sean for the lift on Friday and for organising, Ells for driving down, Glen for being a gentleman, Robin for being my #1, Simon for his nude biscuiting, Annie for tolerating Simon and all the crazy and downright weird backpackers we met.
To say worked sucked today.... is an understatement. I should have taken the whole bloody week off! Nevertheless, the weekend is nigh.
I took the Friday off to make it an extra long weekend. I couldn't wait to get out of the office on Thursday afternoon. I'd had MORE than enough of work. As soon as it struck 4pm, the "out of office" was on, the desk phone diverted from my mobile back to the front desk and the computer was getting powered down. It was time to chillax, eat, drink and be merry.
Ells was driving myself, Robin and Glen down in his work car, which made the trip all the more affordable. The drive itself wasn't too interesting except for me feeling a little queezy in the back seat. The last time I was in the back seat for a long drive... I think I was about 14 years old. We were all busting to get there so we could check in and hit the turps.
The intention of the weekend wasn't to get smashed, but to unwind. Have some beverages. Eat fish and chips. Swim in the crystal clear waters. Get stung by jellyfish. I did all of those things, and I didn't even get sunburnt; which is a bonus.
When we got to Dunborough, we checked in and got straight into it. Well, everyone except me. I was still unwell from the drive so I crashed out in bed for a nanna nap. I woke up about an hour later and joined the boys on the beach for some drinks and a swim. The water was fantastic. We chucked a vortex around and tried avoiding the stingers.
Compared to last year it was cooler and a lot more windy, but it was still warm enough to go swimming every day.
In amongst the boozing and swimming, we celebrated Australia Day with traditional Aussie fare. Booze, Triple J's Hottest 100, the cricket, the tennis, waving Aussie flags and to top it off a ripper of a BBQ.
Sunday was a little different. We jumped in the car and went for a drive. What we planned as being a drive to Yallingup for a swim ended up being a mass tour to the Margaret River wine region with stops at Voyager Estate and Howard Park wineries with the *best* fish and chips ever in Augusta.
Later in the day, Robin and I went snorkelling just off the shore in less than a metre of water. Surprisingly there were heaps of fish to see. I got my first jellyfish sting that afternoon, with a pearler of a welt on my left arm near my elbow. Jeeeeezus did it hurt.
It ended up being another long day and again, I got caught in the back seat in the car and went to bed early. Meanwhile the boys had been drinking the wine they had bought earlier in the day and ended up calling stumps around 3am.
So the tally stands at:
1 x carton Jim Beam and Coke
1 x 500ml bottle of Absinth Dabel (70%)
1 x 1L bottle of Bacardi Oro
1 x 1L bottle of Smirnoff Black (about a third of it)
3 x bottles of wine
1 x 2L bottle of apple juice
1 x 2L bottle of orange juice
Couple of pints
lots of bacon
4 x nanna naps
2 x bikinis
1 x show of nudie bathing
2 x streaks and one black cat
I took my camera with me, but never ended up taking any photos this time around. I guess half the reason is that this trip wasn't really going to be as much of a "tour" as it was last year. This year we just got there, stayed and had fun, then left. I'll be booking another room in Sunny Dunnie for Australia next weekend I think!
Cheers to Sean for the lift on Friday and for organising, Ells for driving down, Glen for being a gentleman, Robin for being my #1, Simon for his nude biscuiting, Annie for tolerating Simon and all the crazy and downright weird backpackers we met.
To say worked sucked today.... is an understatement. I should have taken the whole bloody week off! Nevertheless, the weekend is nigh.
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