Testing my suspension...

As some of you are no doubt aware recently many bikes, lots of people, craploads of cylinders, and yet only enough fuel displacement to power a V6 traveled from Canberra to Tarago in order to sample their cold tasty beer and their hot tasty sandwichs. Despite what seemed to be foolproof plans we somehow managed to misplace a rider at Bungendore (we also pissed off white-van driver). A wide range of bikes including L and P platers on 250s to the more experienced on their 1 Litres experienced the smooth roads and wide sweeping bends of Bungendore road. I used this time to test my new suspension settings. Despite Laurie (my suspension mechanic) complaining that being eligible for the super featherweight class is not condusive to stock springs, he did a superb job in ensuring my bike stuck to the road (and not, say, stuck to a tree).

So many bikes - it was great that two new comers could join us on this tour!

It was super to have so many riders in our little gang, a few more and I think we can start pushing around school kids for lunch money before moving onto larger racketeering schemes.

Its time I started eating more...

I received some advice from a fellow GSXR750 rider whilst at Canberra Motorcycle Centre (Mitchell) a few weeks ago.

This is his bike, which you will notice is the same as mine. Apparently there are not many of these in Canberra because he advises riders not to buy this colour scheme. The crafty dealer wants to keep the best for himself.

I was told basically that the manufacturers of the GSXR750 aren't to grounded in the real world and tend to set suspension springs in the bike way to tight. however for a measley $50 and 1/2 hour pf your time you can get all this soughted out by visiting a Suspension Specialist in Fyshwick.

Now what I was told is true, my bike handles 100% better when I'm caring 15 to 20 kg over the back wheel (this fact prompted me to ask CMC abou the issue). So I meandered on down to visit Laurie - the suspension mechanic - and get my bike fixed.

A spring!

He fiddled with the bike, checked compression with the bike off the ground, while I sat on the bike, and whilst it was at rest. Turned knobs and screws. He even pulled out a hammer at one stage (I always break into a cold sweat when mechanics use hammers). After he finished tinkering he looked me in the eye and said, "this is the best I can do, you're just to light for these springs." Its comments like this that send people like me straight to macca's...

This could be me, if I don't fix the suspension

I have two other options, ride around with lots of weight on the back, or spend lots of money on softer springs. So far I choose fast food. I will add the bike does perform a little better.

Dreams can come true

I've always wanted to do this. Now my life is complete

More on O-week soon...

How to perform human brain transplants

Because I know you are all interested. A 'leading' scientist in Transplantology - Dr Robert J White' published his method for transplanting heads in wikipedia, which I have dutifully cut and pasted for you all to see. Thankyou Dr White

1. The two 'patients' would be transferred to a specially designed operating room, equipped with apparatus for total body, human brain transplantation.
2. Two teams of specially trained surgeons, nurses, scientists and technicians are on hand. This is because the two patients will be operated on simultaneously.
3. Both patients will have to have a series of devices to monitor their brain and body activities during the operation. This will include brainwave, heart and blood monitoring. The most important measurement will be that of the brain.
4. The operation in both patients is directed at the neck. The incision encompasses the entire neck with surgical division of all the tissues of the neck, including skin and muscles. A stage is reached in the operation where only the arteries, veins and spine remain.
5. Bony vertebral elements of the spine at both the front and back are removed over several segments, exposing the spinal canal with its spinal cord and coverings. Metal plates are affixed to the remaining spine with screws above and below the area of absent bone. These will be used to fasten the spine together at the time of transplant.
6. The surgery on the blood vessels is the most dangerous part of the operation. This is because to be transplanted, the brain can only be without its blood supply for an extremely short time. Therefore 'Loop' catheters are filled with a substance to prevent blood clotting, and are introduced into each blood vessel in the patient, to enable vascular transfer to be carried out.
7. Since the blood vessel transfer is the most concerning part of the procedure a specially designed piece of equipment has been made available. This mechanically supports the brain circulation, or can cool the brain very rapidly to temperatures in the region of 12°C. This protects the brain for periods of over one hour if the blood circulation is completely cut off.
8. The loop catheters are now arranged so that the blood circulation is passed from the donor body to the recipients head. The donor body now supplies the circulation to the recipient head. The spinal cords are divided and the recipient brain and head are transplanted to its new body. Its body is now used as a transfusion source.
9. Both spines are fused together with the metal plates. The loop catheters carrying the blood supply are individually removed as the blood vessels are sewn together. If necessary the brain can be supported by the special instrument to provide it circulation or to cool it during these essential procedures.
10. Now all the tissues of the neck wound are sewn together including the skin, and the brain transplanted patient is moved into a specially equipped intensive care unit. Great concern will remain in the area of tissue rejection, infection and circulatory support. Appropriate medications will be required. Also this patient will require permanent respiratory support and artificial feeding.
11. When consciousness is regained we would expect that the patient's brain would function normally. They should be able to hear, see, taste, smell and think, and their memories should be totally intact. They can be instrumented for speech.

Many Monkeys died in the making of this procedure