LeBell

My Yamaha xj750 Bobber project

Geary LeBell — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 17:19:47 +0000

My first motorcycle was a Suzuki RM125 dirt-bike. Sammy, an old friend and I would ride the trails and local gravel pit north of Saint John, New Brunswick. Even back then, my dream street motorcycle was the Yamaha V-Max. With each passing year its design, performance and need I say “looks” get better and better. There is absolutely no other late model motorcycle I would rather ride. The only other bikes that come close are the older classic models from the 80’s like the Honda Nighthawk 750, Kawasaki GPZ 1100, Yamaha Fazer 750 (the baby v-max ) and yes of course, the Yamaha XJ-750. At a retail price of well over 20K though, the reality of owning a V-Max will have to wait a couple more years. The good news is my old XJ-750 is a diamond in the ruff and with an investment of considerably less $$$, I will have have a kick-#ss and unique looking motorcycle that will last me as many years as it takes to get my V-Max.

My dream motorcycle, a 2009 Yamaha V-Max (1679cc V-4)

I purchased the 1981 Yamaha Seca XJ-750 pictured below a few years ago and overall, have been pleased with look and performance. The riding comfort is ok, could be better, but that don’t bother me much as I rarely ride for any long distances. Well, it’s time for a change and the bike you see in the picture directly below this text is in for some big changes!

My Yamaha Seca XJ-750 Motorcycle (Before Picture)

I’m calling it My Yamaha xj750 Bobber project.

In a nutshell, a Bobber motorcycle has the front fender taken off, the rear fender “bobbed” or cut back and many extra items like the center-stand, and reflectors removed. Other parts, like the air intake, handle bars, signal lights, tachometer are altered and minimized. You can read more about bobbers on Wikipedia.

Starting in late fall (2010) and continuing over the winter / spring, the bike will be taken off the road and dismantled. The list below gives you an idea of what is planned and the priority.

Outstanding issues that need to be addressed:

Fork seals
Brake pads
New front tire
New (wider) rear tire
Fix slight clutch slip

Bobber changes: (in order of priority)

Remove center-stand
Remove all reflectors
Add straight bars / drag bars
Add mini tachometer
Add round headlight
Paint frame, rims, engine and gas tank flat black
Remove and minimize cold air intake
Chop “bob” the rear-end
Install low-profile (mini) signal lights
Get a custom seat made (identical to the one below!), and
Of course there’s more to come!

Below are two sample photographs of what my XJ-750 will look like when it is complete.

Sample Yamaha XJ-750 Bobber - Right Side

Sample Yamaha XJ-750 Bobber - Left Side

I will be documenting the entire process complete with photos and posting it on my website.

Wish me luck!

Enjoy!

Lilac Ragdoll Cats and Kittens

Geary LeBell — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 21:13:28 +0000

Website presence for Lilac Ragdoll cats and kittens offered by Ragglerock Ragdolls / Sentimenal Catteries. Website provides a genetics overview of the difficulty in obtaining Lilac Ragdoll kittens in a litter. Links to other RaggleRock websites are also listed which provide a wealth of Ragdoll cat and kitten information, photos and history. Website was built in WordPress and for the moment, contains one page. Features include: link management, modified theme, fancyzoom image enhancement, contact form with CAPTCHA, page editor enhancements, and wordpress site and database backup solution.

A Baby Raccoon in Prince Edward County

Geary LeBell — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 03:10:05 +0000

While I and a few others consider these to be cute photographs of a baby Raccoon taken in Prince Edward County, I must confess, there is a sadness that comes over me when I look at them. They say “a picture tells a 1000 words”, but in this case, the words that come to mind while viewing these photographs are an illusion; the photographs alone do not accurately describe the scene. My wife and I came across this little guy (could be a female, but in this article is referred to as a male raccoon) while traveling across a country road north of the Sand Banks Provincial Park off of Hwy 33 (Loyalist Parkway) in Prince Edward County (P.E.C.). Upon seeing him, I pulled over to the side of the road, grabbed my camera, a Sony A700 with a 70-200 2.8 G Sony zoom lens attached and proceeded to take pictures as I slowly approach the subject; figuring he would surely take off quickly into the brush when getting too close. To my surprise he did not make any attempt to flee his human aggressor (i.e. me). He just stood there watching me with a friendly and puzzled demeanor. Six feet from the subject and laying on the ground for the optimal photograph, he finally starts to walk slowly to the side of the road, occasionally pausing, turning back and looking at me with confusion. His movement was slow; he was the perfect photo subject, allowing me to get low with a wide aperture and take my time getting the perfect shot. After getting the enough photographs, I stood up and coached him off the road so he wouldn’t get hit by a passing car. This was not easy as he appeared to be fearless, slow, confused and generally; not concerned with my actions. I feel the reality is though, this baby Raccoon was sick. Mostly likely distemper, which is always fatal. After a few minutes of gentle persuasion he eventually made his way into the bush, slowly disappearing between the blades of grass. I know this is the last time I will see him. I thank him for the photographs and memories from that day, you will be remembered by me and all who read this article.

Nova Children’s Daycare Centre

Geary LeBell — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:13:05 +0000

This website project included a complete website re-design in WordPress and ongoing Search Engine Optimization (SEO) services.

Nova Children’s Daycare Centre is a childcare facility located in Belleville, Ontario. Other areas serviced in the Quinte region include Stirling, Foxboro, Quinte West, Bayside, and Frankford.

Nova Children’s Daycare Centre provides quality pre-school and full-time childcare. The certified (E.C.E) Early Childhood Education staff are committed to the enhancement of early childhood learning experiences. If quality care; emotional, physical, social and academic levels of development; age appropriate child-directed activities; extracurricular activities; planned events; and nutritious meals are important qualities you seek in a daycare, they would love to hear from you!

My good friend Sammy

Geary LeBell — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:01:54 +0000

Sammy was passing through Toronto a couple years ago while on his way home from Calgary to Saint John. He arrived at the airport late in the evening and was scheduled to fly out early next morning. After driving into Toronto, Irene and I picked him up at the airport and cruised Toronto, staying up all night. We haven’t seen each other in quite a few years, so caught up on what we’ve been doing since, and reminisced about old times, it was great fun!

Old House Near Napanee

Geary LeBell — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:19:47 +0000

This photograph of an old dilapidated house was taken a few years ago south of Napanee. I’ve been out that way many times since and cannot seem to locate it.

Rusted and Worn Truck South of Springbrook

Geary LeBell — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:47:48 +0000

Yes, can you believe it!? Another photograph taken near Springbrook, Ontario. There are some great photo opportunities out that way!

This photo was taken a couple years ago while out exploring the Quinte area for houses with acreage for sale. We came across a small home with a barn and if I recall correctly, 12 or so acres. We decided to go for a walk on the property to get an idea of the landscape and happened to come across a couple of rusted vehicles that were surrounded by forest near the back of the property.

I believe the house was located on Harold Rd., south of Springbrook, Ontario just off of the Stirling-Marmora Rd (14).

An awesome sight, I could stay there all day photographing stuff like that

Old Burnt Home East of Springbrook, Ontario

Geary LeBell — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:34:35 +0000

This home; virtually destroyed by fire several years ago, still contains traces of the family that lived there. The name, hand, and foot print of what appears to be a child who lived there is imprinted into a small concrete pad measuring approximately 30″ x 30″ at the base of the front entrance.

Inside, the ceiling and walls are largely collapsed which makes me wonder “How long will this structure remain standing?”. Graffiti drawings inside the front foyer, the only room that appears you can enter relatively safely (Don’t Enter, It’s Not Safe!), bring color to an otherwise dim and dreary room.

Would like to see this place for yourself? Coming east along Spingbrook Rd. from the town of Springbrook, make a left on Bronson Rapids Rd. and keep following it until the road starts to twist and turn, it will be on your right.

Anyone know the some history surrounding this house?

Trail Stroller

Geary LeBell — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 02:04:47 +0000

The chassis of the stroller was in the same area as the previous posting “Trail Tricycle”. Partially buried, rusted and worn, they look to have been dumped here many moons ago.

Old abandoned objects and structures are my most favorite things to photograph. Too see how the material world is affected by the passage of time and to know that these subjects were once new and in the case of the Stroller and Tricycle, of great enjoyment to a child.

I guess what I’m really saying, is that everything has a history and I acknowledge its significance by taking the photograph.

Trail Tricycle

Geary LeBell — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:03:09 +0000

While out walking the dogs along a trail, we came across an old tricycle

Location: North side of highway 2, between Bayside and Bellville, Ontario, Just west of Wallbridge Loyalist Rd.