Pulleeeeeez!



Palapa # 8... my part time home on several occasions.  Playa Las Cocos.  Bahia Conception 1000km south of CA.



Gosh, I can hardly stand it! I have had my two Serows since my last stint with Motorcycle training in the early 90's. They are 1992 models (really the same as all of them) and they have been most reliable. Apart from routine oil changes and the (very) occasional valve check (they never need adjusting) I have put gas in the tank, lubed the chain and washed the dust/dirt/mud from their bodies. They are veterans of Baja, the Mojave and many jaunts in the backroads of Alberta and British Columbia. Sure they have battle scars, signal lights wearing band-aids from Baja spills, and paint scrapes, but you couldn't ask for a better mid size Dualie. The odd battery replacement and hand lever, have been pretty well the only parts I have used.

                                         



A see/sea view of the Gulf of California, or as we like to call it, the Sea of Cortez.



Course... like losing your Virginity, there is always a first time for everything right! Well prepping for Holly's ride last month, I had to pull the sidecovers, the seat and the tank... then the carb. The fuel was spilling out the overflow like a burst beaver dam! An hour of cleaning and compressed air, seemed to cure the problem, certainly for the day, but since... it's back. I took 643 for a ride Tuesday to drop my overdue? Library books, and the whole time the carb was piddling regular.

I decided to pull it apart toute suite and after calling around found a replacement needle and seat assembly at Seitzco Yamaha in Okotoks. Neither Bow nor Walt Healy had one in stock and the prices varied from mid 40's at WH, to nearly $60 at Bow. Hmmm....

The boys in Okotoks not only had one available, but it was in the low 40's and my long time Yamaha buddy, Ronnie N. (can't tell you his full name because he may still have a Cross Canada warrant for his arrest) a simple credit card transaction, and RN delivered the part right to my door!

I have to tell you guys, after twenty years in the MC biz, and having owned my own shops and having worked for many... there are still the Best and Worst experiences. Case in point, the little Yamaha shop in Metro Okotoks has always been friendly, helpful and cheerful.  I bought my little Phoenix DR from George, and when Ronnie left Bow, he landed in a good spot.

By contrast, Pro-Am, where I worked upon first arriving in Calgary, as their Sales Mgr/trainer, has proven itself to be well, ahem... less than ethical/honest over the years. If my own most recent personal experience is any indication... they continue to be.  It was PA where Ronnie had his first job in Calgary. Yup... I hired him away from Runners Cranbrook and was glad to have him.

After all these years, we are still great buds and have no problem laughing about our PA days over a beer. He's a swell Dad and motorcycle racer guy, and his wife is smokin' hot to boot.




Alone... One day in Baja... broke my ankle on this fall climbing up a rocky goat path.  40km off road and 120km from camp!



Anyway... I digress... easy to do for me...

After dismantling the carb Tuesday past, I find my front tire flat as the proverbial Salt flats of Bonneville!

And I'm leaving in 10 days!!!

That Murphy is always out to get us :)

Ride on gang... and don't forget to Honor the Vets on this Remembrance Day :)

PS.  How do you like the new BLOG layout?