Stranded - I mean it this time

We left Saskatoon this morning thinking we had completed repairs that should last us the trip.  We weren't able to replace the front seal on the final drive (pinion gear seal) because you need some specialty BMW tools to do the job.  We tried bringing the entire pinion gear assembly to the dealership, but they didn't have the necessary tools either!  We didn't think the seal was leaking that badly, so we expected to be able to continue on and perhaps top up the final drive gear oil once in a while.  The new speed sensor / oil plug we'd picked up had been improved to it was no longer as delicate as the original, so we weren't worried about doing the job a few times on the side of the road.

Unfortunately, the seal had different plans.  This morning we got about an hour west of Saskatoon before we noticed I was rapidly losing gear oil again.  We had lunch at the A&W in Rosetown SK, and then went looking for an patch of shade in which to look at the final drive yet again.  From what we can see, the oil is leaking from the pinion seal we have in hand, but can not install without a special tool (or two).  I'm losing oil too quickly to continue.

We've friends in Three Hills, AB, and they have offered to drive over 4 hours to come get me with their trailer, and take us back to their place.  We are so fortunate to have so many caring and giving friends and family!  Once in Three Hills, we'll remove the final drive pinion gear housing from the bike again, and I'll carry it on Dad's bike into Calgary to have it repaired.  Dad will stay behind in Three Hills to visit.  Hopefully my trip to Calgary will also allow me to see some friends who, just the other day, I had to inform that plans had changed and I could no longer see them.  C & K, I'll be calling you tonight!  I'll stop changing plans on you soon, I promise!

How I got from Rosetown SK to Three Hills AB

If you ever find yourself in Rosetown SK on a Saturday, looking for internet access, don't bother wandering around downtown trying all the local businesses, or trying the grocery stores (with a dining area), or asking the police, or the coffee shop, or the library.  You'll just end up hot, thirsty, and sweaty.  Instead, just go back out to the highway and find the little Rosetown Info Centre.  They don't have WiFi, but they've a computer and a printer you can use.  They also sell ice cream there, and have a Diary Queen right next door if you want a Blizzard instead.  (BTW, happy 25th anniversary, Blizzard.  We love you!)

If you ever find yourself in Rosetown SK on a warm, sunny Saturday and you need to kill a few hours, you can hang out at the high school down the street from the A&W.  There is lots of shade on the luxurious grass surrounding the school, the town's swimming pool is just down the street and opens for public swim at 2pm, and there are places around the school to hide under when the rain comes.  And in Saskatchewan in the summer of 2010, the rain will almost always come.

 Sleeping through class at Rosetown Central High