Saddlesore 1000: Mission Went South As I Traveled North

[specialist8]

DAY 1 Driving Stats

[url=https://postimg.cc/fVs0wyzG]

DAY 2

My plan the next morning was to see if my bike could get the brake repair it needed instead of living on a prayer for the next 600 miles. I knew this was incredibly unlikely asking for a turnaround like that but my options were to ride back home 500 miles with no rear brake, speedo or odometer, and a check engine light that I still didn't have proof was just the speed sensor inciting it. I even pondered the thought of a ferry from Muskegon to Milwaukee which would knock off 200 miles from the return trip. Or even more if I got a tow from Milwaukee back to Chicago, chopping off 84 more miles and making some tow truck driver's day haha

I called Traverse City Honda and they were unable to do any sort of motorcycle repair. Having already called the prior day most auto/powersport shops in the region I knew my options were now at a standstill. If i was to get any miracle repair, it would be on my way back home. I already knew that the shop that half helped/half hindered my situation yesterday would be unable to assist with a full brake repair, so I avoided driving back south since my sights were set on reaching the Mackinac bridge even if I needed the bike towed from there to get back home. At least I'd have something nice to look at while I waited. I told myself that if the bike responded well enough on that 15mile ride and my ability to drive wasn't hindered despite just the tachometer working, I would complete the circle tour as initially set out. It wasn't hard to convince myself that trudging again through the concrete jungles of Indiana/Chicagoland was less than ideal compared to the alternative.

Continuing the counterclockwise loop, I'd be eating up more miles of beautiful roads I've never been on but heard plenty about. I left the quaint hotel around 6:30a and it was drastically colder than most mornings in Chicago (59 degrees). Luckily I brought chaps, have the heated grips and doubled up on the thin gloves but that morning ride on the somber roads of Northern Michigan put me in a mood that could have inspired another SaddleSore attempt if I was devoid of all logic and reason.

Set out for the bridge and the circle tour thereafter, here are some pictures and a video that describe it better than I can write:
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Jump to the 4 min mark if looking for over the bridge footage.




Over The Bridge Achievement Footage (aka taking a load-off to ponder what was a smooth ride and now that I know my bike is adequate, I guess I have no excuse not to get home in one piece)
[url=https://postimages.org/]

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To be further continued..

[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.

[pdedse]

I love the bridge photos! Sorry for your mechanical issues and hope you get that sorted out soon.

[Cormanus]

It’s an extraordinary bridge.

[Tev62]

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!

I wouldn't be surprised. I ride three different motorcycles. When riding with my good buddy he often tells me my brake light is on, but only while riding the CB. I do seem to be unconsciously operating, albeit lightly, the rear brake on this bike too. I have a heavy pair of ADV boots which have exacerbated this, I'm sure. I just dug out and rewaxed some old short ankle length boots to bring them back into service for the CB, it needs a finer touch from me it seems! So far so good.

[Lord Popgun]

There have been a few members here that have ruined rotors by riding the rear brake unknowingly.

[specialist8]

Popgun, i can see how that's a common problem for the inattentive rider.

Im by far anything close to a skilled rider but i can attest to my rear rotor warping not being related to careless foot drag.
I consciously reposition my right foot on the right peg angled outward a few degrees bc when i first bought the bike, it seemed too easy to trigger if i didn't consciously point foot outwards as i have the past 20k miles. Sounds silly but I'm a fidgety guy so i don't mind the business of repositioning haha

Defer to the route that gives you the most smiles per gallon.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Popgun, i can see how that's a common problem for the inattentive rider.

Im by far anything close to a skilled rider but i can attest to my rear rotor warping not being related to careless foot drag.
I consciously reposition my right foot on the right peg angled outward a few degrees bc when i first bought the bike, it seemed too easy to trigger if i didn't consciously point foot outwards as i have the past 20k miles. Sounds silly but I'm a fidgety guy so i don't mind the business of repositioning haha

Defer to the route that gives you the most smiles per gallon.

It might be possible on the CB1100 the rear rotor is a bit more "constrained" than it could be. My foot didn't come close to the pedal (I avoided using brakes), yet the rear rotor at times could be heard as if it something was dragging. It was never serious enough to be concerned, but it did generate a bit of heat. The rotor and pads appeared normal.

[Lord Popgun]

I do my foot the same way Specialist.

After going back and reading your first post, where you said you stopped and could see the pads holding the caliper, I'd agree you were not riding the brake. Instead I think something else was wrong. And that was covered in some above posts.

Have you resolved this yet?

[Vic_imp]

S8 - great story and pictures.