Joshy asked me for a photograph from Marina Barage. I didn't have a good photo. Hence, I went to Marina Barage last night to take this picture. Though I liked this picture which I have stitched it up using Photoshop. I still wish to know how I can improve the picture. Drop me a comment if you have some idea.
Went through some old pictures I took. Saw this picture and I like it. We are all so happy then. All go to Sepang together. Gone are the days. Wonder if they are willing to go to Sepang again. Maybe taking the bus by Motor World?
Lost some photos after I formatted my C drive recently even though the files are in other partitions. Hence, went to take the picture again. I still prefer to previous picture. Sigh. Think will go back again someday.
The stars tonight is beautiful. Tried to take some picture of them. But unable to capture the beauty I see. Shall read up more on this.
I received an sms from HSBC with the following information.
<ADV> Get a SURE-WIN instant prize when u charge a min of S$88 on you HSBC credit card! Simply SMS to 91842000: HSBC <space> 16-digit credit card number <space> Amount spent at F&B outlet or Caltex station. Valid til 9 Feb 2009. Details on hsbc.com.sg T&Cs apply. To unsub, SMS <N> to 74722.
Who in the world will feel safe to sms their 16 credit card number to a mobile number they do not recognize? I was thinking that this is a phishing SMS and called HSBC to report this to them. To my surprise, it is a genuine sms from HSBC. The person on the line even tell me that there is only 1 number we can sms to HSBC, which is 91842000. I reply to her that who will know that the number is really belonging to HSBC??? I wonder if HSBC actually think of security when they launch such promotions. This is crazy.
Bought a 18-200mm IF-ED AFS 3.5-5.6G DX lens on 14 Jan 09. I am thinking that this will make a very good travel lens due to the wide range of zoom. Will bring it when I go overseas in future. Below are a few panning shots I shot with the lens.
I called Clifford this afternoon to ask if he managed to get the correct brush set. He says that his guy still looking for it. Was thinking that most probably today will not be able to get my bike back.
Clifford called me at around 4+pm to tell me that the starter motor is repaired and ask if I will go get the bike today. Of cos I will I missed it man. 1 day after I installed the new fairing and it go to hospital. Of cos I'll get it. When I reached his shop, I saw that they are still installing the starter motor back to my bike. However, there is bad news. The motor is turning the wrong direction. Clifford took it out to check and tell me could be the motor issue and not just the brush set. If so, will need to buy a new 1.
Clifford continue to try to repair it and managed to get it to work. Woosh!!!!! My bike is alive again. Went straight from KNT to Bishan to join Eien they all for movie.
My bike is now washed. Thinking of going out for a ride. hehehe.
Called Clifford this afternoon to ask if he managed to find the O Ring for my starter motor. He managed to. However, the brush set that the agent provided to him is different. He will bring the sample to the agent to check tomorrow. So, still no bike for me today. Stayed home the whole day. Weather is great now but cannot go out for a ride. :-( Not sure if he need to part number. I shall sms him regarding it. Hope it helps.
Today I learnt another new photoshop skill from the Photoshop CS4 Essential Skills. I used Surface Blur, Dust and Scratches and Curve for the retouching. Not much effect on this model but I guess I have improved the skin texture a little. Will use some other photos. Hope can find 1 that really see some difference.
Before
After
Went to KNT to check my bike. At first clifford suspect battery weak. He tried to charge it. Issue persists. He then change a new Battery for me. Issue persists. He then get chin to strip the starter motor. He found that the starter motor is faulty. There is 1 option for me. Only change the carbon or change the whole starter motor. As the seal is leaking. I believe the issue is going to come back again. He say he can try to source for the oil seal on Monday. I sure hope he can find it. If not, I think I will opt for a new starter motor though it will cost about half a thousand to get it repaired. Sigh. No bike to use this 2 days. :-(
It seems that this bike is never without trouble. Just changed the whole charging system in May 08. Now having some issue again. It seems that it take alot of energy for it to start the bike. Not sure if it is the starter motor issue. Will get Clifford to help me troubleshoot it tomorrow.
Finally, I have installed the fairing. It is a last min decision to try as it seems tough to install the head fairing. All thanx to Kelly for his encouragement. The head fairing is indeed simple to strip and install.
The difficult part of installing the fairing in fact is in the tail. The screws holes for the taillight is not drilled. I can't do anything about it there in the parking lot. The screw hole to screw the sub-frame to the the tail cowling is also not there. I ended up calling my dad and used cable tie instead.
The mid and bottom cowling did not fit nicely too. All thanx to Neo who highlighted to me to try screwing the 2 pieces together first b4 I screw it to the frame of the bike. I managed to do it.
The tank cover is a disaster. I will not dwell into it and will give screwing it up.
Damn I am so tired physically but not feeling sleepy. Not good. Tomorrow meeting my ex-colleagues for lunch. Hope I can wake up.
Learnt a new tool today. That is extract filter. It works great. That is how I removed the background of the picture in the Title Header. Will continue to improve my photoshop skill. Hopefully can help to improve my photo quality due to lack of skill in that area too.
I cant wait to fit on my new set of fairing for my R1. However, Clifford ask me to go to his shop next week to do it. Guess there is no choice. Will do some DIY tomorrow til Friday since it's my off day and I have nothing to do anyway. Once the fairing is up, will post all the picture I have. :-) Not many pple seen the actual fairing yet.
