Saddlesore 1000: Mission Went South As I Traveled North

[specialist8]

Great report of a great effort, S8.

You made the right choice to stop. I chose not to advise you that your tracking app probably gives you your speed as as a more accurate mileage because I did not want to encourage you to continue. With your bike being in less than optimal working order and knowing that the delay would put you on unfamiliar, darkening 2 lane roads in the deer and critter infested UP, I simply did not want to influence your decision.

Glad you’re safe.

I like your style MTC. The two deer that sprang up on Day 2's drive trying to cross the road was far easier to react during the day than night.

S8, congrats on your SS1000 attempt. I’m sorry you were unable to complete it but it’s clear you’ll be able to manage one once your bike’s maladies are resolved.

I will share with you that my ‘14 had the exact same problem with the rear brake at about 18,000 miles. The only resolution was a new rotor, new pads, and a thorough caliper rebuild. I had the work done at the dealership and not only was it not inexpensive, but it took two months to get the new rotor from Honda.

The dealer suggested I not rest my toe on the brake lever while riding, because he felt that certainly caused the rotor to overheat and warp, but as a rider of nearly 50 years, I can’t imagine I was doing that. In fact, I rarely used the rear brake on that bike at all. But I do wear size 13 boots and it’s possible I was resting my foot on the lever without realizing it.

Anyway, once you get your bike sorted, I hope you’ll make another attempt at completing your SS1000. I look forward to hearing about it!

Thanks LongRanger, the SaddleSore will be attempted once this rear brake fix is complete. I'm glad you chimed in with similar issue. I was advised that going the route of thorough caliper rebuild, pads and rotor is my best bet if I'm considering keeping this bike long term. The more I read through posts on this forum, the more I realize I have a great machine on my hands and I'm not sure I want to depart with it voluntarily. My mechanic (non-Honda) said the SAME thing about resting my toe on the brake lever. I've always angled my right foot to not have that happen once I got my 1100. I feared any slight pressure, whether involuntary or not would trigger my brake light and I'd hate to be that driver on the road who's riding his brake.

I'm going to private message you about the brake rebuild so we can discuss further without derailing this thread.
InhouseBob, Gold Oxide, Tod.Branko, DRB146, Cormanus, Tev62, Sourdough44, thanks for the encouraging words and responses. I'm always a long-winded talker when describing things I have much interest in. Expect most ride reports to be of this nature haha my earlier ones certainly were too.