Sunday, July 26, 2015

Canada-US visit

I was back home in Ottawa for a visit in late June.  Made a plan to borrow a bike and ride from Ottawa to Fredericton to visit family. My friend Dave was kind enough to lend me his Versys 650, and my good friend and riding buddy John took a few days off work to join me. Instead of taking the most direct route through Ontario and Quebec, we took the long, scenic way, passing through NY, VT, NH, and Maine. Some nice riding roads with lots of interesting scenery.



Once in Maine (~11 hours on the first day) we rolled into my long time friend's 
summer home. A beautiful and luxurious place with 350 feet of waterfront.

My friend Sean lost his lower leg in a bike accident 2 years ago 
(a woman texting on her phone made a left turn in front of him).

Sean and I have known each other for more than 20 years.


What a place to spend your summer.


Sampled some of the local beer. This one was excellent.

Giant steaks for dinner.

This maple flavoured alcohol was a nice after dinner drink.

Checking out the bay at South Bristol, ME.

Somewhere in Maine.

Just about to cross from Maine into New Brunswick.

A quick visit to an old friend in Harvey, NB.

Mom -- checking out the bikes.

Nachos and beer with old friends at the Lunar Rogue Pub in Fredericton, NB.

Saying goodbye to Dad as John and I were setting out for 
the return ride back to Ottawa.


John's eating jerky and drunk on green drink.


Drank this beer in Skowhegan, Me.


Rumford, Maine

Berlin, NH

Saturday, July 11, 2015

Recent farkles

Haven't posted in a while. Been quite busy travelling for work and pleasure. Haven't been riding a whole lot, but I do spend the odd evening tinkering in the garage.


Replaced the broken spring on the rear brake pedal. 
These are an issue on the 2014 model for some reason.

For my high beam, I decided to try a clear polycarbonate lens protector 
instead of the wide beam diffuser lens. The X-Vision LED Halo 
3.75" Optimus Rounds are terrific lights. They are a 15 degree 
beam pattern. Works well like this for a long spot.  

Found out that the KTM 350 SX/SX-F clutch lever is a direct swap 
for the 2014-15 Enduro 690. It's a shorty lever. Nice.  
Just €32.... KTM part # 50302031300

Stock 690 clutch lever on top, 350 SX/SX-F lever on the bottom.

KTM Rally Pegs  
Mo betta'


Installing these suckers was no easy feat: between the spring that 
keeps tension on the peg, and the sharp teeth on these rally pegs,
 it's like trying to set a bear trap. Lucky for me I only lost a little
skin off my knuckles.


Out for a long overdue ride today.

Been working on the cockpit lately, too. Cut and bent a sheet of aluminium 
and bolted it to the HDB windscreen mount. Mounted my Garmin, 
LED volt meter, and controller switch for Oxford Adventure heated grips.


Rottweiller mirror mounts.



This inexpensive plastic boat cleat works very well for 
wheeling the bike around the garage. And I can use it if I need 
to tie the bike to a dock or fishing wharf.