Dirty Oil, OlympiBad 2010 video & into the dark

I can't believe that summer is nearly over and that curmudgeon down in KW is going to start rubbing it in, along with that youngster over in NZ, with their smug comments soon. The air is definitely getting cooler and I notice the leaves starting to turn brown. Yes, Brown just like my oil. My last oil change was just before leaving for Oregon in mid July and now I have travelled nearly 5,000 kms since then



So on Saturday I rode my bike over to EMS: Essential Motorcycle Services for a general checkup and an oil change. Will that be regular oil, semi-synthetic, or full synthetic oil Ted asks . On my bike there is no need for the good stuff so regular oil and filter is all I need, plus lube the cables and chain while we're at it. Oh and I need another M6 bolt to replace the one that fell out on my Oregon trip.



Today they are buzzing with activity, putting in an engine for that Honda Cruiser. They had just replaced the head gasket and had to pull the engine out and were having some difficulty lining up the shaft drive. That is Hilton on the left (in the blue riding jacket). He also rides a V-strom (DL1000) and that is him in the first photo of the previous post in charge of the BBQ hiding in the smoke.

While it was not planned, there are three V-stroms there at the moment surrounding Monica on her Honda sports bike.



That's Andreas taking up the rear on his blue K7 'Strom. It's always nice to meet other Stromtroopers.

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Addendum to the OlympiBAD 2010 Vancouver Scooter Rally:





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It's amazing that when the sun goes down most of us put our cameras away. Last weekend I was in search of night photos and rode around town looking for appropriate subjects. Darkness and lights often make mundane scenes come alive. Subjects that have no life in the light of day, turn into magical, mysterious scenes after the sun goes down.

For example, take these two scenes which I took yesterday afternoon. It was cloudy and dreary, with some drizzle. It was a day of low contrast light. These were taken down in False Creek near Science World


(Parking lot, Science World)


(False Creek, looking West towards the Cambie Street Bridge)

At night the scenes come alive


(Canon T2i: 30 sec, F8 , ISO 100, 23mm)


(Canon T2i: 15 sec, F11, ISO 200, 42mm)