M'cycle part stores, pretty bike, bike repairs, Cue/CD

At lunchtime, I called up Manassas Honda Kawasaki (MHK) and Coleman Power Sports (CPS) to check availability and price of chain breakers; MHK had one in stock for $20, CPS had several, $15 and $45. (I figure the $45 is a breaker/riveter kit.) After work, I called up MHK again, got them to tuck the tool away for me, and left for Manassas around 5:15--dressed for Cue, in case I didn't come back to Lorton first. A couple minutes out, I U-turned and came back for my finger lights; I also got a slice of cold pizza and a FlavorIce pop, and then left around 5:30, forgetting the lights in the kitchen. :P

I came back to Manassas by way of 28, guessed the wrong way to turn at 234, realized it once I was in the wrong lane, and U-turned to get back to Mathis. Went to MHK, oohed and ahhed over some bikes, picked up the tool, and drooled a bit over a silver 2003 Suzuki SV1000. (Lightly used--2600mi, traded in for a cruiser by a guy who just decided that sport bikes weren't for him--and a mere $7500, down from the MSRP of $8K.. ah, if only. Maybe next year.. ;)

Once home, I practiced chain breaking on the old chain, then removed first four, then two more links, reassembling the chain to the proper length. With dad's help, I adjusted the chain/wheel, bolted everything back together, and went in for dinner--leftover rotini with clam/tomato sauce. I then watched some taped Third Watch, then Becker, then left for Cue sometime after 10, on the motorcycle--after all, I have to make sure it's running right and that the chain is adjusted right, before Melody gets here. :D Tomorrow I'll change the oil, and tomorrow or Friday I'll get it safety inspected, since my not-really-valid-in-VA NY inspection expired in August or September. Also, I'll clean a lot of rain-induced dirt off all the shiny bits. :)

Cue was fun, Moira and Becky were both there (among others), and I won yet another CD! I don't cheat, I swear--I just make sure to enter the drawings! This week's CD was HypoFixx - From Man to Machine, a metal/industrial album, as this week was a CD release party for it. That makes three CDs I've won in drawings, and five CDs acquired total. :D

Bike inspections, VA vs. NY

Well, that's handy. In New York, the only places that did state safety inspections for motorcycles were motorcycle repair shops. Expecting the same in VA, I found that the few shops the area do them, but on limited schedules that don't jive with my work schedule. However, the 2nd one I called (Coleman) mentioned that in Virginia, regular gas stations can inspect motorcycles! I called the closest Mobil, who verified this, but they only do them only until 5pm. I then called Westgate Shell in Manassas, known to my memory to run longer hours, and lo & behold, they do motorcycle inspections ($5) until 8pm. My bike will be legal again tonight! (It's had a not-really-legal-in-VA-but-I'd-probably-get-only-a-warning NY inspection valid through September '03. :)