Mumblings: Two

I think this is a great idea to write about my mumblings, sort of like Vignettes from my colleague Key West Diary (<-- example here) . Sort of not enough information for a complete essay but rather a few short paragraphs of thoughts.

Temptation:



Look what caught my eye last Sunday. During the summer, the Lion's Club of Tsawwassen hosts a parking lot car sale in the Safeway parking lot. Individuals can rent a spot (for a fee) to display their vehicles for sale. They can be cars, trucks, campers, boats and motorcycles. I like to go down there once in a while to see what is available and to monitor the pricing, which is very reasonable. There was a BMW Z3 ($18k), Porsche Boxster ($18k), carrera, 'vette and cars of all types. Most of the current owners are by their vehicles and you are able to ask all sort of questions



This is a rare sportbike of the late 70's. 500cc of V-twin power. It looks very nimble and small but has twin front rotors, rear disks



and also sports a shaft drive train. The rear disk is also encased in a shielded cover



I couldn't keep my eyes off this machine. I really wanted it to follow me home. It was in original unrestored, sort of showroom condition. I don't know how many times I walked up to it



only 7,200 original kms, virtually new. But in the end I walked away . . . As I look at these photos I still can't get it out of my mind


Looking for a new ride, sort of:

I was thinking of updated my current bike to something more highway capable and came across this



I believe that this is the first year that Honda has imported this model into Canada.



It's a nice looking bike but probably pricey, as are all Hondas


Parking downtown Vancouver, BC


Some friends from LA were in town the past few days waiting to board their ship for an Alaskan Cruise so we met downtown at a restaurant near their hotel for lunch. We arranged to meet at the restaurant at 11am. There is very limited street parking in the downtown area but there are a few parking garages nearby. I was very lucky to find a meter nearly across the street. For Vancouver, I think that our meter prices are too high. I found my change and proceeded to "plug" the meter. For $1. the meter allows you 12 minutes, another dollar and I now have 24 minutes. I grab a handful of quarters and each one is good for 3 minutes. I get the meter up to 32 minutes and proceed across the street to meet our guests. I know that I do not have enough time but I will have to come back and add more $$ .

As luck would have it, the restaurant did not open until 12 noon. They suggested another restaurant up the street. I decided to ride the scoot up to the next block when I noticed this sign



I couldn't believe my eyes. 2 hour limit and no parking meter that I could notice



I am in good company. It would appear that others also know of these spaces. I am surrounded by other 2 wheeled machines. When I first arrived I parked next to a small Moped.



This is so unlike the City of Vancouver to allow free parking for bikes and scooters. I have heard that they also have a few other spots scattered around the Downtown area just like this one.



I will make a point of parking here again. It is on Howe Street just half a block north of the Pacific Centre Mall




I am leaving Friday for a bike trip into the Okanagan staying in Kelowna for the weekend to attend a scooter rally, but this year I intend to take my SV650. I am getting everything ready and attempting to pack what I consider essentials even with my limited storage options. While I have an Acer One net book I will leave it behind as I have nowhere to put it. I will have to rely on my Smart phone to access the internet and my emails.

I am nearly packed and there is no room for clothes, except perhaps for a couple of T-shirts and a pair of jeans. So far I have packed; tire repair kits (both types: worms and Mushrooms), 12V air compressor, small 1/4" drive socket set, and small T-bar, collapsible screw driver set/bits, allen keys, installed 2 ram mounts (for GPS & video cam).

Temperatures are forecast for 38C so I am bringing the riding jacket which turns into a full mesh by removing panels, and my riding pants. Even the liners take up a fair amount of space so I will have to carry another small sports bag to contain them and perhaps put my tripod in there too. All electronic stuff, cameras and chargers can share the lockable top case with my helmet. I jury-rigged a throttle rocker to make cruising easier, hope it works.

In past years I have taken Friday off, but this year my assistant has taken the day off and one of us has to be in the office. I am planning to leave directly from work and take the COCA COLA highway (known as the Coquihalla highway) as I cannot spare the time to take the longer, more scenic route as I wish to be there in time for the Friday night meet and greet, and also relax before the night ride up Knox Mountain.