jambo
23-11-10, 11:07 PM
This is probably teaching most people to suck eggs, but I had an experience this week which I thought would be worth highlighting.
Whenever I set off on the bike I tend to have a little routine to check everything is as it should be. I know what the bike was like yesterday, but hey, you never know, something could have changed right?
Check of oil & chain lube, then I back the bike out of it's space by foot, checking for dragging brakes / flat tyres as I go. I pull the clutch in and out, twist the throttle, and start the bike, I then tend to give the brakes a little squeeze and then head off slowly. I accelerate & brake gently for the first couple of sets of lights then build up pace. This lets the bike warm up before it gets any grief and means my head's straight before I do anything too silly.
On Monday I did the above and set off, as I braked gently to the first set of lights the front brakes bit nicely, then the lever travelled a little further than normal. I stopped and squeezed the lever again, good feel, followed by lever travel. I look for the leak and see fluid escaping from the front right caliper banjo.
No biggie, I'm only a few yards from the house. Turns out a copper washer had seemingly failed. Looked OK when removed, and I had a spare, but even though the banjo bolt was tight fluid was escaping. The caliper's not been disturbed for about 3 weeks since I did the pads, and that bolt's not been undone for a year. So why it should have started to leak on Monday I'm not sure.
So just a little reminder to everyone. Keep on top of your maintenance and don't go hacking off at a rate of knots until you're sure all is well with the bike and rider.
Be safe:smt039
Jambo
Whenever I set off on the bike I tend to have a little routine to check everything is as it should be. I know what the bike was like yesterday, but hey, you never know, something could have changed right?
Check of oil & chain lube, then I back the bike out of it's space by foot, checking for dragging brakes / flat tyres as I go. I pull the clutch in and out, twist the throttle, and start the bike, I then tend to give the brakes a little squeeze and then head off slowly. I accelerate & brake gently for the first couple of sets of lights then build up pace. This lets the bike warm up before it gets any grief and means my head's straight before I do anything too silly.
On Monday I did the above and set off, as I braked gently to the first set of lights the front brakes bit nicely, then the lever travelled a little further than normal. I stopped and squeezed the lever again, good feel, followed by lever travel. I look for the leak and see fluid escaping from the front right caliper banjo.
No biggie, I'm only a few yards from the house. Turns out a copper washer had seemingly failed. Looked OK when removed, and I had a spare, but even though the banjo bolt was tight fluid was escaping. The caliper's not been disturbed for about 3 weeks since I did the pads, and that bolt's not been undone for a year. So why it should have started to leak on Monday I'm not sure.
So just a little reminder to everyone. Keep on top of your maintenance and don't go hacking off at a rate of knots until you're sure all is well with the bike and rider.
Be safe:smt039
Jambo