Vagueness and the Aftermath - A sporadic diary

[RED-DOG]

I'd be inclined to think that the calliper was sticking a little rather than the pads wearing out through poor quality.

Yes, you would think, but I made sure the pistons in the slave cylinder were free and fully retracted. the wheel was turning freely and there was no undue heat in the brake disc. I checked it several times, as is my want after replacing shoes or pads.

That wasn't always the case, but ever since a sticking brake shoe set fire to my Transit pick up while going over the Snake Pass I've been a bit paranoid.

I suppose it is possible that the pads started sticking mid journey but I didn't notice anything. Don't forget that by the time the pads wore out we had done something like 2k on very steep and curvy mountain passes with fully laden bikes.

Nice to know your taking notice though, and I appreciate the feedback.

You may have freed them up whilst replacing the pads. I'd deffo be servicing the caliper now you're back in Blighty. Trip looked awesome BTW.
I've have added to my collection of bikes. I'll post a pic or two when I get back home. (School run what)

You're right of course. I'm reluctant to strip it down again because it's a palaver to service my calliper, mainly because you have to remove the exhaust and to remove the exhaust you have to remove the oxygen sensor or 'lambda' as it is sometimes called. (God knows why)


I hate messing with sensors, they're such temperamental bastards. Sensitive, some might say.

Click to see full-size image.

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Can't wait for pics of the new bike.

[RED-DOG]

There we were, lost in the Andorran Pyrenees in a monsoon. There was no place to stop and take shelter so we had no option but to don our rain gear and press on. >

For a couple of hours the rain was so heavy that visibility was almost zero, it was especially bad when we were actually riding inside the clouds that were making the rain.

I was fairly dry inside my waterproof clothing but my brother John was complaining of water ingress via a small tear in the crotch of his rubber trousers.
"My neck is a bit wet " I announced," The water is creeping down from my helmet."
"My neck is a bit wet too" said John, "The water is coming up from my crotch".

The Andorran countryside was wild and beautiful, but the towns were the complete opposite. Andorra is an independent principality and operates as a tax haven. Every building is a duty free shop. It's like riding a motorcycle through a giant airport.

Click to see full-size image.

Click to see full-size image.

[RED-DOG]

After a few hours the rain eased a bit. Now it was like standing under a power shower rather than a waterfall.

We were still miles away from our destination though, and we were running about four hours late. We had no phone signal so couldn't contact our air B&B host, we knew he didn't live on site because we had rented the entire property and we had a dreadful feeling that when we failed to show up at the appointed time and didn't make contact, he would give up on us and go home.  

We were wet, hungry, exhausted and completely lost. While hugging the mountain for safety I strayed too close and scraped my bike along a low granite outcrop. I had absolutely no control and screeched along like I was on a rail. The lads riding behind said I produced more sparks than a catherine wheel.

Eventually I broke free, wobbled about a bit and somehow managed to stop without falling off. I examined my bike for damage and found a huge scrape mark all along one side. I don't know if you can see it in this picture, but I ground about half an inch of metal off my centre stand.

Click to see full-size image.

While checking the rest of the bike over I saw to my horror that my rear tyre was worn right through to the canvas. I have no idea how that happened, but I knew it wasn't ideal for the conditions.


too

Click to see full-size image.

k


I took this picture just as the last of the daylight disappeared.

Click to see full-size image.

[Karabiner]

Some tremendous bloggage Tom - great pics too.

I once took a coach from Marbella to Victoria bus station in London and the route was via Santander which I suspect is the same road you are on.

[RED-DOG]

Some tremendous bloggage Tom - great pics too.

I once took a coach from Marbella to Victoria bus station in London and the route was via Santander which I suspect is the same road you are on.

Thanks Ralph. This road on a bus must have been even more hairy than it was on a bike.

[Karabiner]

Some tremendous bloggage Tom - great pics too.

I once took a coach from Marbella to Victoria bus station in London and the route was via Santander which I suspect is the same road you are on.

Thanks Ralph. This road on a bus must have been even more hairy than it was on a bike.

You're not wrong Tom - in fact one went over the edge a few weeks after I got home - this was ~October 1980 but I can't find any old reports on Google.

[Rod Paradise]

I'd be inclined to think that the calliper was sticking a little rather than the pads wearing out through poor quality.

Yes, you would think, but I made sure the pistons in the slave cylinder were free and fully retracted. the wheel was turning freely and there was no undue heat in the brake disc. I checked it several times, as is my want after replacing shoes or pads.

That wasn't always the case, but ever since a sticking brake shoe set fire to my Transit pick up while going over the Snake Pass I've been a bit paranoid.

I suppose it is possible that the pads started sticking mid journey but I didn't notice anything. Don't forget that by the time the pads wore out we had done something like 2k on very steep and curvy mountain passes with fully laden bikes.

Nice to know your taking notice though, and I appreciate the feedback.

You may have freed them up whilst replacing the pads. I'd deffo be servicing the caliper now you're back in Blighty. Trip looked awesome BTW.
I've have added to my collection of bikes. I'll post a pic or two when I get back home. (School run what)

You're right of course. I'm reluctant to strip it down again because it's a palaver to service my calliper, mainly because you have to remove the exhaust and to remove the exhaust you have to remove the oxygen sensor or 'lambda' as it is sometimes called. (God knows why)


I hate messing with sensors, they're such temperamental bastards. Sensitive, some might say.

Click to see full-size image.

Lambda signifies balance (among other things), ie the proper balance of air/fuel.

[RED-DOG]

Ah... Thank you Rod, now it makes sense.

[Mohican]

Here's the newest one. Screen and rack have been removed as I didn't like them. Needs a little work.

Click to see full-size image.

Here's the current stable.

Click to see full-size image.

[RED-DOG]

Here's the newest one. Screen and rack have been removed as I didn't like them. Needs a little work.

Click to see full-size image.

Here's the current stable.

Click to see full-size image.

Wow! How cool is that? And don't tell me the colour coded T shirts were a coincidence.

That's quite a little collection you're building up. What's the story behind this latest addition, did you just see it and fall in love?

[Mohican]

I had been looking for a while at something different to my R6(black one) for a while.That's how i ended up with the XSR(yellow) last year but couldn't bring myself to get rid of the R6. I need a bike to ride over winter and I'm not keen on using the those two so i've been looking for a hack for winter.Then I remembered I'd joined the kawasaki Drifters(red one) owners forum in 2014 when I first was looking for something different to ride.Luckily there was one for sale on there(hard bikes to find)and although I paid more than I wanted for a third bike, I did get one I really like. It's slow,doesn't like cornering and is heavy at low speed but my other bikes can do that stuff and for slow gentle rides,it's perfect. The bonus is the double seat that came with the bike. 4 bolts to change and I can take the missus out on it.

[RED-DOG]

Has she been out on it yet?

Do you commute by bike?

Where do you keep em all?

[Mohican]

Has she been out on it yet?

Do you commute by bike?

Where do you keep em all?

No.
When I choose to but not as a matter of course.
In my garage.R6 against the LH wall,XSR on a paddock stand on the RH side. Kwaka manoeuvred carefully inbetween the others  so that the handlebars are past the other two.

[tikay]

There we were, lost in the Andorran Pyrenees in a monsoon. There was no place to stop and take shelter so we had no option but to don our rain gear and press on. >

For a couple of hours the rain was so heavy that visibility was almost zero, it was especially bad when we were actually riding inside the clouds that were making the rain.

I was fairly dry inside my waterproof clothing but my brother John was complaining of water ingress via a small tear in the crotch of his rubber trousers.
"My neck is a bit wet " I announced," The water is creeping down from my helmet."
"My neck is a bit wet too" said John, "The water is coming up from my crotch".

The Andorran countryside was wild and beautiful, but the towns were the complete opposite. Andorra is an independent principality and operates as a tax haven. Every building is a duty free shop. It's like riding a motorcycle through a giant airport.


 

Click to see full-size image.

Great photos, great stories Tom, keep them coming.

You look like you are wearing space suits.

No idea why this question came to mind, but given your famously thimble sized bladder, how long does it take you to, you know, adjust all that apparel in order to get your willy out & have a wee? Must take a while.