Sunday, February 21, 2016

BBBC #21

This post is part of the blogger challenge titled BBBC. Today's topic is:

21. Best book ever (or at least a really good one!)

I don't know about being the best book ever but it definitely is the best book I've read in the last couple of years. While the movie is also good (assuming you watch it in 4K!) the book goes into much more detail and explains a lot of things in the movie. For example, the movie just shows the Chinese space agency cooperation but the book goes into detail on why it was such a huge sacrifice on their part. I also like that Andy Weir put in quite a bit of effort to try and get the science right. Examples being oxygen generation, water recovery and the ion propulsion of the spacecraft.

Sometimes things get a bit repetitive in the book as in problem after problem after problem but that may be the way it would be if you are the only resource around. It doesn't matter what planet you're on...

And no Ural update for a while until I get some parts. I'll just be cleaning things up such as the engine block, transmission and final drive. Probably even the frame. Today, I am in the process of changing out the front brake lines on the BMW. Stainless replacements have been sitting on the shelf for a couple of years. So far the two lines to the calipers are done.

Later - I just replaced the one from the master cylinder to the splitter and bled the front brakes. I've had this hand vacuum pump for over thirty years and it still works! Everytime I use it I end up shortening the plastic lines so it'll make a tight seal. After bleeding both calipers, I buttoned up the fairing and hope that these lines last for another thirty years.

5 comments:

  1. Good to see you spiffing things up while waiting for parts for the URAL. As to brake bleeding, ever consider speedbleeders? It makes things so much easier and into a one man job as well.

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    1. I figured that parts sitting around for two years was looking ng enough.

      I've looked at speed bleeders before but figured that things are easy to reach on a motorcycle. After all, I have this Ural habit to support.

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  2. I loved the movie. After watching it, I even thought I should probably read the book, but never did. Now I'll add it to my list. Thanks!

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    1. I picked up the audiobook and listened 3x. Every time you pick up a little bit more.

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  3. WE got the audiobook also and saw the movie, the book is better

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