06-14-2018, 12:01 AM
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.
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.
Current:
13' E92 M3 Comp | 05' Yahama R6 | 95' E36 M3
Past:
14' BMW 335xi GT | 06' Porsche Boxster S | 15' Jeep Grand Cherokee | 84' BMW 733i | 85' Honda Shadow VT700 | 06' Acura TL