Pirellis, Sprockets, Chain, Front Calipers, Pads and Ducks.

[Pterodactyl_imp]

[Mechanical and Technical? Seat Time? I dunno, so why make a decision when someone else can make it for me? In the interim I will opt for General Discussion.]

Finally Last Blast is on the road again (cue Willie Nelson). Initially I changed the sprockets and chain. Then what began as a simple tyre and front pad change became complicated when the front brake, after I reinstalled the front wheel, was a little spongy. I suspected a contaminated caliper piston seal. So off with the front calipers for a strip down and inspection. Two of the pistons did have slight scratches and I suspect that the right side lower piston seal was contaminated, probably by grit getting past the dust seal. It was difficult to remove and had a horizontal scratch past the oil seal. In any case, something had to be done. First I cleaned and then measured the pistons and calipers and found all to be in round and well within tolerances. I gently rubbed the scratches out of the pistons with jewellers grade wet and dry, ensuring I was keeping them in round and not making flat spots. I couldn't bring myself to change the pistons, the bush mechanic in me wouldn't let me. I ordered new seals (dust, oil and connecting) and caliper mounting bolts. It took time but finally they did get to me. I also stripped the front master cylinder down and found it to be all good.

Assembly was straight forward and I put new Dot 4 fluid into the system. I don't have a vacuum bleeder and didn't feel like forking out the hundred or so dollars for one. I started the bleed by attaching a good length of tube to the bleed nipples and vacuum bled by simply sucking on the tube. Of course, being careful not to ingest or swallow. It worked, priming the system and getting rid of most of the air. I then finished the bleed in the conventional manner, with a spanner, tube and bottle.

So with new tyres, sprockets, chain and brake pads I rode south from Sydney through the Royal National Park to Garie Beach. With new pads (sintered) and tyres I took it easy through the twisties and pulled up at Garie to admire the view and check that all was in order. About 60kms down and no leaking brake fluid, chain master link looking good, chain slack as set and all the bolts still tight. My initial impressions of the Pirellis was positive but as yet I hadn't gone near the edges. They are, however, a different tyre to the previous Michelin RP3s. Not better, or worse, but definitely different. How? Hard to say so more on that later when I have put some hard miles on them.








A perfect winter day; 20deg C, clear sky and nil wind. Beautiful day for a ride. After spending twenty minutes or so soaking up the sun I rode back up to the RNP and on to Stanwell Tops. I always take photo here, can't stop myself.



So enough of the view and back down into the park. With the tyres starting to scrub in I put some more pressure on them in the corners and was starting to get near the edges by the time I reached Audley Weir for a coffee.



Audley is either peaceful and nearly deserted or jammed full of day trippers. Today was peaceful.



Within the hour I was back home and very happy with the work I had done. The tyres are good, but the bike has been transformed by the sprocket and chain replacement. Quiet transmission and no lash making for a "as new" ride. Smooth and quiet, really smooth and quiet. The difference was startling.

And I nearly forgot! Here are the ducks.





Cheers

 

[Django]

Thanks you very much for your nice report.

How do you like the sinter brake pads? I put in brembo sinters recently before the race track exercise and noticed some improvement.

[Mechanical and Technical? Seat Time? I dunno, so why make a decision when someone else can make it for me? In the interim I will opt for General Discussion.]

Finally Last Blast is on the road again (cue Willie Nelson). Initially I changed the sprockets and chain. Then what began as a simple tyre and front pad change became complicated when the front brake, after I reinstalled the front wheel, was a little spongy. I suspected a contaminated caliper piston seal. So off with the front calipers for a strip down and inspection. Two of the pistons did have slight scratches and I suspect that the right side lower piston seal was contaminated, probably by grit getting past the dust seal. It was difficult to remove and had a horizontal scratch past the oil seal. In any case, something had to be done. First I cleaned and then measured the pistons and calipers and found all to be in round and well within tolerances. I gently rubbed the scratches out of the pistons with jewellers grade wet and dry, ensuring I was keeping them in round and not making flat spots. I couldn't bring myself to change the pistons, the bush mechanic in me wouldn't let me. I ordered new seals (dust, oil and connecting) and caliper mounting bolts. It took time but finally they did get to me. I also stripped the front master cylinder down and found it to be all good.

Assembly was straight forward and I put new Dot 4 fluid into the system. I don't have a vacuum bleeder and didn't feel like forking out the hundred or so dollars for one. I started the bleed by attaching a good length of tube to the bleed nipples and vacuum bled by simply sucking on the tube. Of course, being careful not to ingest or swallow. It worked, priming the system and getting rid of most of the air. I then finished the bleed in the conventional manner, with a spanner, tube and bottle.

So with new tyres, sprockets, chain and brake pads I rode south from Sydney through the Royal National Park to Garie Beach. With new pads (sintered) and tyres I took it easy through the twisties and pulled up at Garie to admire the view and check that all was in order. About 60kms down and no leaking brake fluid, chain master link looking good, chain slack as set and all the bolts still tight. My initial impressions of the Pirellis was positive but as yet I hadn't gone near the edges. They are, however, a different tyre to the previous Michelin RP3s. Not better, or worse, but definitely different. How? Hard to say so more on that later when I have put some hard miles on them.








A perfect winter day; 20deg C, clear sky and nil wind. Beautiful day for a ride. After spending twenty minutes or so soaking up the sun I rode back up to the RNP and on to Stanwell Tops. I always take photo here, can't stop myself.



So enough of the view and back down into the park. With the tyres starting to scrub in I put some more pressure on them in the corners and was starting to get near the edges by the time I reached Audley Weir for a coffee.



Audley is either peaceful and nearly deserted or jammed full of day trippers. Today was peaceful.



Within the hour I was back home and very happy with the work I had done. The tyres are good, but the bike has been transformed by the sprocket and chain replacement. Quiet transmission and no lash making for a "as new" ride. Smooth and quiet, really smooth and quiet. The difference was startling.

And I nearly forgot! Here are the ducks.





Cheers

[url=http://www.ebay.de/itm/100ML-Spritze-Blasenspritze-ohne-Nadel-fur-Abmessen-Abmessung-Pflanzen-Dunger-/331215465360?hash=item4d1dfaeb90]Something like this device has always helped me to bleed the brake fluid.

 

[redbirds_imp]

Very thorough report Ptero . Did you change gearing with the sprocket change? The photos are great.

 

[Rocky_imp]

Nice narrative.
Great pictures

 

[Guth_imp]

Thanks for the thorough report. Great addition of content. Looking forward to learning more as you put more miles on the new tires.

 

[the Ferret]

Hot dang, bet it feels great to be back on two wheels. I know I am looking forward to it. The Stanwell Tops picture is very reminiscent of the California, Oregon coast line I have been seeing all week. Stunning.

 

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Hot dang, bet it feels great to be back on two wheels. I know I am looking forward to it. The Stanwell Tops picture is very reminiscent of the California, Oregon coast line I have been seeing all week. Stunning.

It sure does Ferret. I wish that I had had my bike at the rally. After the FJR and no riding for a short period I realise what a good machine the CB is.

Cheers and safe travelling.

Thanks you very much for your nice report.

How do you like the sinter brake pads? I put in brembo sinters recently before the race track exercise and noticed some improvement.

[Mechanical and Technical? Seat Time? I dunno, so why make a decision when someone else can make it for me? In the interim I will opt for General Discussion.]

Finally Last Blast is on the road again (cue Willie Nelson). Initially I changed the sprockets and chain. Then what began as a simple tyre and front pad change became complicated when the front brake, after I reinstalled the front wheel, was a little spongy. I suspected a contaminated caliper piston seal. So off with the front calipers for a strip down and inspection. Two of the pistons did have slight scratches and I suspect that the right side lower piston seal was contaminated, probably by grit getting past the dust seal. It was difficult to remove and had a horizontal scratch past the oil seal. In any case, something had to be done. First I cleaned and then measured the pistons and calipers and found all to be in round and well within tolerances. I gently rubbed the scratches out of the pistons with jewellers grade wet and dry, ensuring I was keeping them in round and not making flat spots. I couldn't bring myself to change the pistons, the bush mechanic in me wouldn't let me. I ordered new seals (dust, oil and connecting) and caliper mounting bolts. It took time but finally they did get to me. I also stripped the front master cylinder down and found it to be all good.

Assembly was straight forward and I put new Dot 4 fluid into the system. I don't have a vacuum bleeder and didn't feel like forking out the hundred or so dollars for one. I started the bleed by attaching a good length of tube to the bleed nipples and vacuum bled by simply sucking on the tube. Of course, being careful not to ingest or swallow. It worked, priming the system and getting rid of most of the air. I then finished the bleed in the conventional manner, with a spanner, tube and bottle.

So with new tyres, sprockets, chain and brake pads I rode south from Sydney through the Royal National Park to Garie Beach. With new pads (sintered) and tyres I took it easy through the twisties and pulled up at Garie to admire the view and check that all was in order. About 60kms down and no leaking brake fluid, chain master link looking good, chain slack as set and all the bolts still tight. My initial impressions of the Pirellis was positive but as yet I hadn't gone near the edges. They are, however, a different tyre to the previous Michelin RP3s. Not better, or worse, but definitely different. How? Hard to say so more on that later when I have put some hard miles on them.








A perfect winter day; 20deg C, clear sky and nil wind. Beautiful day for a ride. After spending twenty minutes or so soaking up the sun I rode back up to the RNP and on to Stanwell Tops. I always take photo here, can't stop myself.



So enough of the view and back down into the park. With the tyres starting to scrub in I put some more pressure on them in the corners and was starting to get near the edges by the time I reached Audley Weir for a coffee.



Audley is either peaceful and nearly deserted or jammed full of day trippers. Today was peaceful.



Within the hour I was back home and very happy with the work I had done. The tyres are good, but the bike has been transformed by the sprocket and chain replacement. Quiet transmission and no lash making for a "as new" ride. Smooth and quiet, really smooth and quiet. The difference was startling.

And I nearly forgot! Here are the ducks.





Cheers

[url=http://www.ebay.de/itm/100ML-Spritze-Blasenspritze-ohne-Nadel-fur-Abmessen-Abmessung-Pflanzen-Dunger-/331215465360?hash=item4d1dfaeb90]Something like this device has always helped me to bleed the brake fluid.

[url=http://www.ebay.de/itm/100ML-Spritze-Blasenspritze-ohne-Nadel-fur-Abmessen-Abmessung-Pflanzen-Dunger-/331215465360?hash=item4d1dfaeb90]Something like this device has always helped me to bleed the brake fluid.
I like the response from the sintered pads but to run them up to 100% efficiency will take up to 200kms of road riding. I use sintered on the front and natural on the rear. This was discussed extensively on another thread.

Thanks for the tip on the bleeding device. It looks as though it would work well for both a suction and positive pressure bleed.

Very thorough report Ptero . Did you change gearing with the sprocket change? The photos are great.

Thanks 'Birds. No, standard specification sprockets.

Nice narrative.
Great pictures

Thanks for the feedback Rocky, I appreciate it. Hope you are enjoying the summer riding.

Cheers all.