nooksack

Late Train?

One of my parts, shipped via UPS, has been delayed by a day. The last tracking report had this to say:

  Aug 19, 2004
  9:37 P.M.    RICHMOND, CA, US    DEPARTURE SCAN
  4:00 P.M.    RICHMOND, CA, US    ARRIVAL SCAN
  2:00 A.M.    RICHMOND, CA, US    A LATE TRAIN CAUSED THIS DELAY

Huh, I didn't know UPS used trains. I guess it makes sense, but that's just not something I expected to see on my tracking report.

No more WSB, AMA at Laguna?

As reported earlier the US MotoGP is a go for Laguna Seca in 2005, at least in principle. The follow up is that Dan Murphy, promoter for the WSB/AMA races at Laguna for the last ten years, has announced that he is no longer working with the folks at Laguna. Read the full story.

The last two paragraphs of this story provide yet another good reason for me to root for my favorite rider Colin Edwards:

In 2002, at the culmination of the Laguna Seca World Superbike weekend, Murphy was driving a golf cart around paying riders in cash for their FIM-specified purse winnings. He came to Colin Edwards II's trailer and handed Colin something like six thousand dollars.

I was standing right there when it happened, and watched in amazement as Edwards counted the money, then handed it back to Murphy. Colin told him to keep the money because he was happy to race at such a great event.

US MotoGP is On!

This is great news!

MONTEREY, Calif. (August 19, 2004) - The Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula (SCRAMP) and Dorna Sports, the Spanish-based company that holds the commercial and TV rights to the FIM MotoGP World Championships, have reached an agreement in principal to bring MotoGP, the pinnacle of international motorcycle racing, to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca beginning in 2005 for a five-year run.

Jeep rescues Hummer H2

Thanks to Chris again for passing along this story of a Hummer H2 that tried to crash a Camp Jeep gathering. The Hummer got stuck on a small stump in the gravel parking lot next to a port-a-potty, and was rescued by an 82 Jeep Scrambler. Hilarious!

Happy Birthday D&D

Dungeons and Dragons turns 30 today. Man, I'm old.
(Thanks Chris)

More Parts

The special bearing and Woodcraft clip-ons arrived today. I was very excited about getting the bearing. So much so that I couldn't contain my glee, so after dinner I rushed down to the garage. With the care of a Belgian jeweler, I carefully tapped the race into the steering head, and inserted the bearing like a jewel in its setting. So pretty. I must admit by "carefully tapped", of course I mean wildly smacked with a rubber mallet. And "care of a Belgian jeweler" can be read as "smashing my thumb into the sharp edge of the race with the mallet". However, with the bearing in place, and my thumb bandaged, I can easily bolt on the triple clamp, forks, and all the other bits. I think I'll save that for this weekend.

Flame on

When burning bunnies attack!

Parts are arriving

The parts for my SV/GSXR front end project have been arriving over the last couple of days. Here's what I have so far, and what I'm still waiting for:

Arrivals:

• Forks & triple clamp (including calipers & axle)
  
• Front wheel (with used up tire)
  
• Front fender
  
• Master cylinder & reservoir
  
• Brake rotors

On the way:

• Special steering head bearing
  
• Steel braided brake lines
  
• Woodcraft clip-ons
  
• More brake rotors (can't have too many!)
  

Still need to buy:

• Brake pads
  
• Brake fluid
  

That steering head bearing is the keystone of this whole project. It will allow me to use the GSXR triple clamp as is. Everything else should be very straightforward bolt on stuff. Oh, except for the ignition switch. The SV ignition switch is bolted to the upper triple clamp with special security torx bolts. I either need to get a special tool, drill them out, or permanently hotwire the bike. I asked Google what to do, but it said "Answer hazy, please try again". Any thoughts?

[update]
Ah, got it. I need something like this.

Thunderhill Photos

The photos from my last trackday at Thunderhill just arrived. I posted what I think are the best shots. Judging my form on the motorcycle, I would say I almost look like I know what I'm doing, which I consider an improvement. The skill of the photographer may have something to do with my appearance of competence. I'm very sad that Darron will be moving to Texas at the end of October. I hope someone else can step up and serve my vanity for future Keigwin's track days.

Sunday cat blogging

Marbles displays her remarkable natural camouflage against the backdrop of the couch.