Little was going on with Real Estate so I bought a robust laptop to be used for potential contract drafting/mapping work. I spent a couple days in an office in Calgary attempting to setup a piece of software but the "deal" fell through, unfortunately. Where am I going with this? The laptop had yet to be purposeful. It was staring at me begging to be worked on. What could i use it for? It has loads of digital closet space so I saw an opportunity to put the huge video files from a recent motorcycle ride to Jasper on it. This now left me staring at a new-to-me piece of software to make videos. It took some time, spending evenings stitching video and music clips together, and I admit the result is a bit sleepy, but if I think about it, it's a decent digital photo album. Here's the result:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd-V69fHZGGQZVPBlxov9kQ/videos?disable_polymer=1

Today I packed. Tomorrow I leave to meet the group. We're riding to Eureka Montana the first day, Lewiston Idaho via Missoula the second day, back to Eureka the third day - a loop of sorts - and then home the 4th day. There's a couple longer days in there, just as I like em. See the tent there on the back? I'm hoping it will do the trick for the two nights in Eureka. It looks kind of top heavy but I've seen worse. Still digging this bike. And I put a new rear rack on but no pictures until I unload it. Ride like there's no tomorrow. (I am seriously disappointed Blogger no longer has the app on iphone, it was easy to update the blog on the fly, now it's a PIA)

 There is definitely a resurgence of mullets. I've seen it with my own eyes. It's not my bag, baby, but please...fill your boots. I was riding home recently, enjoying the affects of my new Puig clip-on visor. It does what it's supposed to do; reduce the wind and in turn, reduce the wind noise. I think it stands out a bit and says, "why yes, I'm a gentleman and a motorcycle enthusiast". I'm embracing my age and the need for a bit more comfort. However, my bike has a hooliganism to it. It's fast.

 Business up front and party in the rear (tire).

It's very adjustable, too.

And to add to the blurple theme, I'm pleased as punch to present My New Levers :

I have not been disappointed with these purchases. If you are interested in where I ordered them from, check out my post from Feb 18. Its got the goods on the levers, screen, and tail tidy (fender eliminator).

I'm putting my feet up on this blog entry, resting them on cushion-y rubber that sits nestled on a crafted aluminum bed. I'm talking of course of the new foot pegs I ordered for the FJ-09. I picked them up today from the post office. They are from YamaBits.co.uk Yes, that's a UK website. I'll admit that's a long way for foot pegs to travel. There's plenty of foot pegs on this side of the ocean I'm sure. But the world is my oyster and there's no distance too great when we're talking motorbike parts.

                                  The Old:

The parts included:

 Only one key pin (above) for the left side is included in the parts. Re-use the pin from the right side.
 To remove left side foot peg, drill out pressed fit cap:

 Right side is a breeze , just remove cotter pin. There are new cotter pins for both sides.

                                          The new:

 It has been suggested these may prove to be "buzzy". I'm not too concerned.

Don't forget you pay at the post office for import tax...

Fun little Saturday in the garage, I must say. Installed the new Tail Tidy.

 Removing existing unit

- remove seats
- disconnect the battery

- unplug three connections: the light for the plate, and the two turn signal connections. These are located under the passenger seat, mark one grey plug on both sides to know which to reattach

-  unbolt the original fender and plate unit.

- now that existing unit is removed, unbolt the plate light and pull the wire through - you may need to lift a plastic retaining piece to make room for plug to be removed

- remove turn signals by prying the rubber clips off and twisting the signal out of it's hole

Installing lights on new unit

- the turn signal rubber boots have been cut down so the signal nut and bolt can be accessed (about an inch of the boot can be cut off). Image shows the piece to be removed. Now the remaining rubber can sit flush against the new plate. YMMV

- I drilled a larger opening on new unit for the plate light plug to fit through (you'll have the same problem with the other hole all the plugs go through to weave it up in to seat area).

- install the license plate light - I used grommets I had lying around on both sides to reduce vibration like the original mounting (original grommets are split and not as effective)

- weave the wires back into place up into seat area - I zip-tied the extra lengths of wire into a loop and out of the way off to the side

- re-plug connections together being sure to plug in previously marked connections.

- reconnect battery

Before:

After:

Lastly, I checked the fit of the bag I use for trips and there is no issue with the signal lights being in the way! Summer can't get here soon enough...

Blowin Snow 

Every winter, around the same time it seems, I start thinking more seriously about motorcycling; not just my motorcycle - parked next to the much needed snow blower - but motorcycling in general. This includes, and is not limited to, reviews, forums - managing the many ride reports in the warmer parts of the world, and dreaming and scheming of equipment I have convinced myself that I must have. And it all happens after the Christmas season. Maybe I sense winter has turned the corner. Maybe I think it’s time to start planning a trip, or it might be my passion for motorcycling has completed its hibernation cycle and now needs to forage. Bring out the credit card!

 In previous winters I have ordered tires, gloves, bike parts, and tools for my current bike and at times for those relics that I don’t ride but tinker endlessly with throughout the year. Yes I built a cafe bike out of my 1976 KZ650, the bike from my youth that kept me riding to wherever and whenever.

 Well, last week package number two arrived. I am still waiting for package number three. I chose very carefully, reviewing these offerings to my current bike, a 2016 Yamaha FJ-09 that I purchased in the early spring of 2017 (or as we call it in Alberta – winter), and after said careful deliberation and countless hours on the interwebs, placed my orders.

  Package number one, already mounted on the FJ, is the smaller of the three Puig Clip-On Visor for my windscreen. It’s not completely necessary but I want to alleviate a bit of wind noise and buffeting. I’m looking forward to the results. As I said, I have read the reviews and all signs point to a positive outcome. First appearances are favorable with the visor and the mounting equipment seems adequate, however, I’ve read to not adjust this visor while on the move as it could come dislodged. Sound info indeed.

  The passion has been reignited! Let’s continue...

 Package number two is from a user on Ebay by the name of “moto-decal”. I was looking for adjustable brake and clutch levers, or as they are sometimes called, “folding stretch levers”, that have a 6 point adjustment. I’m not crazy about the stock Yamaha levers as I feel they are slightly beyond reach, even with my reasonably sized man-hands. Add to that the Puig levers I viewed on the Fortnine website had the similar “blurple” colouring as my FJ-09 rims. I’m not afraid of colour coordinating. But unfortunately they are out of stock (and I did not receive an email back from fortnine about when they may be in stock again). I’m now relieved I didn’t spend the hefty price Puig commands for their levers. Moto-decal’s levers looked just as good and similar in construction: CNC’d from T6061-T6 billet Aluminum and are sold as a package of both clutch and brake levers with mounting brackets, which Puig requires the brackets be bought separately. I was hesitant at first as the low price (and made in China moniker) may reflect the quality. It doesn’t take many clicks to find reviews of made in China levers and I was happy to find the majority of them favorable. I’ll admit I was unsure but when they arrived was pleasantly surprised by both the solid feel and the fit and finish which I would hazard to give 8 out of 10. I’ll see if that stands after the levers are installed.

 Package three is yet to arrive which is a FJ-09 specific Fender Eliminator or “Tail Tidy”, this time from Ebay seller “railsideperformance”.  I was pleased to see the seller is in Canada offering free standard shipping. I recently received an email from a contact at Railside stating a delay but its winter, I’m not in a rush – gotta love immediate customer service with a personal touch, as Shawn at Railside mentioned the weather in Toronto was no better than out here.

 It’s snowing and has been snowing for what seems like the entire winter season. The road is caked with a hard ice and snow covering, not likely to melt to slush any time soon. But I’ll be happy to spend a bit of time in the garage checking out and installing these new additions to my bike, and in turn, keeping the motorcycling feeling alive.