I Ride My Bicicleta To Schoooool

[GTBrandon]

Turns out being on a racetrack wasn't enough risk for my twenty-year-old self, so it was time for another mode of transportation. I wanted something to enjoy calm cruises, get to class without trying to manage to find a parking space, and enjoy sweet sweet gas mileage and 87 Octane. So after a couple days of looking on Craiglist, I had a slew of bikes lined up to see over the weekend. Managed to find a 1985 Honda Shadow 700c in Harrisonburg from a younger guy who seemed pretty cool and had owned the bike for around five years. He threw in two helmets, original tools, a bike cover, and service manual for $1,150 which seemed reasonable for a first bike given its condition with only 15k miles. It needed a little TLC which I was okay with, so onto the items at hand.

I needed a lot of choke to start even in the warm weather, so my first thing to do was take apart and clean the carbs up. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to take everything apart and made me see so quickly the appeal of working on bikes. Anyways, cleaned up the carbs, put everything back together, and bike runs much better now




Next, I had a slight leak coming down the side right here. I didn't see any lines running there that could be leaking other than a breather tube for the battery which I think was loose. I reconnected that so I think it should hopefully fix the issue.

Took that time looking for the leak to clean up the bike a little and I have never seen more sludge coming off tires, in my garage of all places..



Now the only other part I really need is the rear turn signal stocks as the rubber failed over time and I've got a limp-dick turn signal currently..Have them ordered and on the way so my OCD can be at ease again. 



On the list of to-do:

Front Pads/Rotors (Where can I get cheap rotors, I can't find any under $150 and that seems ridiculous for a bike)
New threading on the clutch reservoir (Currently held on one side with a hose clamp)
New Tires (Current ones 10 years old but ya boy doesn't have the money right now and they still have tread so...)
Custom Plate (You know I had to do it)
Eventual modifications to turn into bobber down the road?

Also, 10 points if you understand the title reference.

[ViPER1313]

Ok Cartman

[Sijray21]

Very nice! Is that black liquid coming from the fork? Or the calipers?

[GTBrandon]

Very nice! Is that black liquid coming from the fork? Or the calipers?

Came from cleaning the wheel. Fork seals and calipers were rebuilt a year or two ago so not worried about them leaking.

[Sijray21]

Oh, that's a relief. That's also a lot of brake dust/crud....

[V1GiLaNtE]

Why do you need new rotors? Are they currently damaged? It's typically uncommon to need to replace rotors on a motorcycle. I would just do new pads and call it a day.

Do you want to do a bobber-ish build or the real deal? Am I wrong in assuming typically a bobber is rigid in the rear with no suspension? Personally, I'd get rid of the ape hangers and throw on some bikemaster drag bars or something first. Super cheap on Amazon for like $25.

[GTBrandon]

Why do you need new rotors? Are the currently damaged? It's typically uncommon to need to replace rotors on a motorcycle. I would just do new pads and call it a day.

The rotors are heavily scratched, deeper than I’ve ever seen on a rotor before so I thought better be safe than sorry. Bought 2 sets of front rotors from eBay for $40 so out of all of those, I should be able to find two good ones.

I got super cheap brake pads so I wonder how well they’ll do compared to what my moto riding friend told me were non-existent front brakes.

[V1GiLaNtE]

I got super cheap brake pads so I wonder how well they’ll do compared to what my moto riding friend told me were non-existent front brakes.

Why in gods name would you skimp on the only thing which prevents you from being ejected head first into somebodies back seat..?

Brakes and tires are two things you should never cheap out on with motorcycles. There is not a very large margin of error when riding.

[GTBrandon]

I got super cheap brake pads so I wonder how well they’ll do compared to what my moto riding friend told me were non-existent front brakes.

Why in gods name would you skimp on the only thing which prevents you from being ejected head first into somebodies back seat..?

Brakes and tires are two things you should never cheap out on with motorcycles. There is not a very large margin of error when riding.

I thought for $15 these would do the job for learning as I drove around the neighborhood. Once I’m riding on the main roads then I’ll be buying EBC’s and new tires, just wanted something in the meantime given how cheap they are.

Any recommendations on tires?

[V1GiLaNtE]

I got super cheap brake pads so I wonder how well they’ll do compared to what my moto riding friend told me were non-existent front brakes.

Why in gods name would you skimp on the only thing which prevents you from being ejected head first into somebodies back seat..?

Brakes and tires are two things you should never cheap out on with motorcycles. There is not a very large margin of error when riding.

I thought for $15 these would do the job for learning as I drove around the neighborhood. Once I’m riding on the main roads then I’ll be buying EBC’s and new tires, just wanted something in the meantime given how cheap they are.

Any recommendations on tires?

Per Tyler M's recommendation I am running the Bridgestone Battlax BT-023. I am thinking of going to the Michelin Pilot Power/Roads next, but I have awhile way to go with my current tires (~5k on them now I think?) So I'm probably about halfway through them, based on my more "aggressive" street riding and foreseeable track days. I would like something with more grip and am willing to sacrifice the longevity. We shall see. If the gas prices keep going up I'll probably start riding to work everyday again once the cooler months come. I can't really stand riding to work in the heat and humidity. 

However, for you see below:

[GTBrandon]

Well as I sit here nearing midnight with the bike apart in my garage and finally eating dinner, I guess I should update with what's been going on.

I installed the new turn signal stems so no more electrical taped, lazy-eyed looking turn signals on the bike. Adjusted the idle screw and secured my grip on with some hairspray for better response. Then I went to go do my brakes...

I got the calipers off, removed the wheel, installed the "new" rotors, and greased the axle nut. Then came time to change the brake pads. That's where the fun began. I got the old pads out, one side being covered in cobwebs, with pads that were deeply grooved down the middle from a rock I guess. Then I went to squeeze the brake and surprise, only ONE out of all four pistons (left and right side) moved. That explains why the bike has been so hard to stop....

Tried to get the pistons out but they were in there, like really, really in there. After an hour of trying to be gentle, I ended up taking a pair of pliers and ripping them out, scoring the pistons heavily in the process. It was the only way those things would come out, and it makes me wonder on a bike from 1985 when the last time they actually worked was. Anyways, at this point, I need a caliper rebuild kit which is stupid expensive ($80 per side just for the pistons and two O-rings) so that's on the shopping list.

Along with that, last time I went riding the left side cover flew off and I didn't notice until I was back home. After looking online, it's around $80 for a used one because of how "rare" it is. So my plan is to fab one myself, just gotta figure out what material to use and how exactly to go about shaping and securing it to the bike.

Other than those two items, I want to sync up the carbs, find a small rattle that seems to be coming from the instrument cluster, and find a leak that I think is coming from the battery of all places.

Tires will be on the way in the next few weeks once I have my license and the bike is sorted out. Looking at Michelin Commanders, but also considering Pirelli Night Dragons for better grip while sacrificing tire life, dunno.

Finally, the helmet that came with the bike, a Gmax that apparently is pretty old, needs to be replaced by a better fitting, higher quality, and overall safer helmet. I went to the store and tried on helmets before finding one that fits my apparently oval shaped head. It's the Shoei RS-FR, so I need to save a little bit of dough to get that.

Also for gear, I picked up a used 3-piece jacket and gloves this weekend from Zach which was awesome. Now all I need is to get some smaller boots as my Timbs are too tall around the toes to smoothly fit under the shifter. For now I'll manage though, as I already have quite the shopping list going for my "cheap" bike.

[.RJ]

Pro tip: use an air compressor to blow the pistons out of the caliper. Dont force them out like you did.

I have a vacuum carb sync if you'd like to borrow it.

[V1GiLaNtE]

Now all I need is to get some smaller boots as my Timbs are too tall around the toes to smoothly fit under the shifter..

You should be able to adjust the height of the shift lever to accommodate your boots. I had to do it when I went from riding in my Redwings to my Sidi riding boots. 

[GTBrandon]

Pro tip: use an air compressor to blow the pistons out of the caliper.  Dont force them out like you did.

I have a vacuum carb sync if you'd like to borrow it.

Where does the air go to push the piston out? I would assume that means disconnecting the brake lines and push the air through that path?

I'll prob sync up with the beer bottle method, but I'll let you know!

[.RJ]

yes, remove the brake line and blow air through where the banjo bolt threads in.

you should probably replace those lines if the calipers are gummed up enough to be stuck.

[balactm]

Nice First Bike! Had an 85 shadow as my first as well. I too have an oval shaped head (long oval to be specific). I've found good luck withe LS2's fit for a long oval. Got mine for ~$140 shipped I think. Way more affordable than the arai/shoei types. There's a seller on ebay, I believe "wisconsin cycle salvage" that has good deals on used parts. Scored a minty clean gas tank for mine for under $100!

[GTBrandon]

Plz help

Bought four brand new pistons, cleaned the calipers/seals, and put back together. After pumping the brakes, I still am only getting one piston to move. The pistons seemed like a really tight fit, so I’m thinking maybe they need to be sanded down a little bit?

Now I’ve gotta get these pistons out again to figure out what’s going on. No access to compressed air, what’s the best way to get them out if they’re snug in there?

[GTBrandon]

Nice First Bike! Had an 85 shadow as my first as well. I too have an oval shaped head (long oval to be specific). I've found good luck withe LS2's fit for a long oval. Got mine for ~$140 shipped I think. Way more affordable than the arai/shoei types. There's a seller on ebay, I believe "wisconsin cycle salvage" that has good deals on used parts. Scored a minty clean gas tank for mine for under $100!

Ha too funny, maybe it’s the same one [emoji102]

Good suggestion on the helmet, I’ll have to check it out as $400 sucks but it’s also the most important item so not sure if I want to cheap out.

[.RJ]

Plz help

Bought four brand new pistons, cleaned the calipers/seals, and put back together. After pumping the brakes, I still am only getting one piston to move. The pistons seemed like a really tight fit, so I’m thinking maybe they need to be sanded down a little bit?

Now I’ve gotta get these pistons out again to figure out what’s going on. No access to compressed air, what’s the best way to get them out if they’re snug in there?

did you clean out all the crud behind the seal?  

you will also want to lube the seals with some rubber-friendly grease, this will help the assembly.

[GTBrandon]

Plz help

Bought four brand new pistons, cleaned the calipers/seals, and put back together. After pumping the brakes, I still am only getting one piston to move. The pistons seemed like a really tight fit, so I’m thinking maybe they need to be sanded down a little bit?

Now I’ve gotta get these pistons out again to figure out what’s going on. No access to compressed air, what’s the best way to get them out if they’re snug in there?

did you clean out all the crud behind the seal?  

you will also want to lube the seals with some rubber-friendly grease, this will help the assembly.

I cleaned behind the seals as best as possible but there was still more that could be cleaned with a pick, so I’ll try and do that.

I lubed the seals with brake fluid, should I be using something else on top of that?