saddlebum

Not sure what you mean by single payer(socialized). Much to the American misconception that Canada is a socialist country, we are not. We do however have universal health care each province having a slight different version of it. And in IMHO it is a good thing. You would be surprised how many Canadians move to the US for jobs that pay better in their field many of them Doctors but come running back with the tails between their legs when they need major medical treatment or long term health care. I still remember when I was a kid and my father was seriously injured before we had OHIP we almost lost the house and everything we own to pay the medical bills. Sure we had private insurance but they came up with every excuse under the sun as to why My father did not qualify for coverage. With OHIP everyone was better off medically speaking even today despite the fact that every time the conservatives are elected to power, they tend to slip in more cuts. But then the conservatives have never cared about the working class, only the wealthy. I know their are advocates that claim Private insurance would be better but they speak only for those who could afford it. the world is filled by low income people who just cannot afford private health care. and a two tier system would simply see those who can afford private health care be placed ahead of those who cannot.

I can't say as I have either. They are recommending the flu shots, more so this year than any other, to try and help avoid false warning signs of covid, since both the flu and covid have many similar symptoms which can't be ignored and yet false alarms would drastically overburden the health care system, even more than it already is. I have never yet had the flu shot but for the above reasons, I will probably get one for the 1st time in my life. Ironically I have a permanent mild cough which I have had for the last thirty years which the Dr thinks is possibly the result of getting work related walking pneumonia 3 times over my 50 yr career as a truck Mech working outside in extreme conditions or possibly due to acid re-flux. I have been tested for asbestos-is due to working with brakes and clutches that in the early days had lots of asbestos in them. also worked a lot with asbestos siding when I was young Dad being a contractor, but was clear of that. The coughing often occurs when I start laughing. Anyway I try to control it when in public, because were before no one paid attention or even noticed, I sure get the looks now if I cough. Another reason for me to wear the mask, it gives others peace of mind should I start to cough.

I do tend to agree with skepticism as to the worry re: possible side effects of the vaccine. Do you take it or do you take your chances? A hard call as far as I see it. But which is the lessor of two evils. It gets a little scary either why you look at. Are you going to look back and say I wish I had not taken it or are you going to look back and say I wish I had taken it. Guess we will not really know until that time comes. On the other hand we have been given so many drugs and needles in our life time and never question it. I certainly do not have the answer but despite the occasional setbacks which is all we ever really hear about, seldom the good they do, I do believe for the most part our health care people have a pretty good track record. Mask wearing and distancing are at least a safe preventative but it still depends on everyone doing it. Take India, they have 0ne billion more people than the US. More crowding and poverty, yet their infection and death numbers are half of that in the US. Why? For one, Mask wearing and distancing are strictly enforced by the police. That has to say something. Don't get me wrong Canada has its share of people who refuse to follow the guide lines as well. They complain Lock-downs are harming them and yet the lock downs are a result of high covid numbers that maybe could be less if everyone tried to do their part and maybe we would not have these lock downs.

Regarding people caught it even though they wore masks. It has never been stated that a mask will protect you from getting it. We all know that only works if the mask has a perfect seal around the face. What it does do is help prevent or reduce the mask wearer from spreading those nasty little guys to others should that person unknowingly or knowingly be a carrier. Then there are those who cry it infringes on my rights. Well we do not have the right to shoot, knife, or bludgeon someone to death without just cause so what gives a person the right to infect someone with a deadly virus. Individual rights only count as long as they do not infringe on the rights of others such as the right to remain healthy. Hence the mask. It would be the same as saying I can't be charged with speeding because it is my personal right to drive however I feel like it. DUI? can't charge me that either your stepping on my personal right to drive as intoxicated as I want to. Of course medical authorities may not have all the perfect answers and I too am concerned about some of the results produce by science. but does that mean I should take the word of some nobody on twitter, face book or any other medium used by self appointed experts over those with a scientific degree. Yes they can make mistakes, they are human but are dealing the best they can with what they learn each and every day. We would still be a lot worse off with out them. Some disease's that were pretty much eradicated over the last couple decades are starting to make a comeback because we have those who in their own expert opinion or based on the opinion of some feather brain have decided that inoculations are deadlier than the disease. As far as I am concerned better to be a live sucker than a dead skeptic. Oh and regarding the funding angle what the exact details are I have no idea hospitals in Canada do not get the additional funding so that rules that argument out at least on this side of the border and funding or not a lot of front line workers are isolating themselves from their spouses children and other loved ones. Would they really be doing this if the whole thing was a farce? I think not. So if they are taking it seriously then who are we to say otherwise.

Or to let you know you are about to fill your drawers

When you say shock I hope you mean shock and spring combo.

True enough but with only 27,000 miles on it (if that is honest millage) I cant really see it needing much short of brake hydraulic work and carb work if it sat for a long time. Either of which I would consider minor in the scheme of things. But then I do all my own work, It would be a bigger issue if you had to pay someone to do it. If it was a Canadian bike close to were I live I would seriously consider it.

Maybe it is different with the 2nd gen I know my 1st gen shows the oil level when on the side std. just shows it a tad lower.

This covid has shown it does not play fair and does not always stick to the rules. My Dr calls it the sneakiest virus we ever had. Just because your in the high risk group though the odds are against you does not guarantee a death sentence and just because your in the low risk group does not guarantee immunity or Symptoms and whether or not you are a contagious carrier. Symptoms are also all over the board from a single symptom to several symptoms to no symptoms at all. All of this is what makes it so difficult to deal with including convincing people who feeling very healthy that they may still be a health risk to others.

Drain the oil put in the prescribed measure of oil less one quart. With the bike on the side stand note or mark the oil level. Add the final quart and again note or mark the oil level. Now you can check your oil level while it is on the side stand without any special tricks.

I have had my 89 since 2006 and it has never been stored inside the garage. It has its own landing pad of 24 x 30 patio stones with a vapor barrier under it ( before that I just parked it on a sheet of plastic). I cover the tires then put on the all weather cycle cover by Guardian. I also run out an extension and plug in my battery tender. Leaving garage available for other purposes. With regards to second gear if it has failed, I would NOT consider it a deal breaker and turn my nose up at it because it. But I would maybe use it as a bargaining chip. I generally shift 1-3-5 when I am just riding in leisure mode anyway, using all 5 gears only when I want to really stretch that pony out to get up and move. I call it my sport mode.

Good news indeed. Make sure you mind your P's and Q' and make sure you stay on your best behavior

Thank you for the enlightenment Brad. A great Christmas reminder specially for such bleak times as these.

Sorry to hear about Marca's set back. I am still praying for her and hope things soon take a turn for the better.

I got a lump of coal in my Christmas stocking

VID-20201224-WA0001.mp4

Merry Christmas and happy new right back at ya

I just stuck on short pieces of vacuum hose and plugged the open end with a tight fitting steel ball which I got from smashing apart on old bearing. the ball has to be large enough to not go into the vacuum tube but small enough to fit tight in the hose. Mine have been on the bike for 7 years now with no issue.

Even if you had put a new valve in it may still have broke because Valves do not usually break on their own. there is usually an underlying cause. improperly seated keeper coming out, broken spring, if adjustable rockers the Jam nut could have come loose, foreign object causing the valve to bend poor lubrication cause a partial seizure which could result in piston / valve collision, or over revving the engine. Just say,n

Great News. Praying for a smooth and successful recovery.

Amen to that.

Praying for both of you that Marca comes through this with flying colours. Make sure to give her a couple very loving and reassuring hugs on behalf of Marita and I.

I may have one. I will need to check. If I do its yours. you may have to pay some postage. On another note most of us replace the box with one of these. https://www.amazon.ca/Electop-Negative-Waterproof-Protection-Automotive/dp/B0838TZ2Z2/ref=sr_1_7?crid=2KKCQQSMX9XLL&dchild=1&keywords=mini+fuse+block&qid=1608593946&sprefix=mini+fuse+block%2Caps%2C178&sr=8-7

that is amazing. I imagine it took some creative program writing to make it happen.

Merry Christmas to all as well and hopefuly a Happy New Yaer. My oriental friend told me that in the oriental calendar, 2020 was the year of the rat. 2021 is the year of the ox or as my oriental friend likes to say, year of the Happy Cow so lets all hope 2021 is the year that rids us of all our problems and brings us a year of good health, compassion and peace of mind.