sod's law

[Austin]

I knew it. In the past month I have posted about how I have never had to look at cycle parts like head bearings, and how my brake caliper greasing keeps 'em moving freely through winter. That was until today

Went to pull the bike out the garage and I could hardly move the bloody thing, so instead of a run out I thought clean up the calipers instead. Did my usual, pistons out a touch, scrape out all the cr@p , plenty of copper ease, push the pistons back in (very difficult this time), new pads in all greased up, remount the calipers and pump up the hydraulics. But, nope still as seized up as ever. Did it all again and still the pistons aren't giving up their grip. So that'll be a 4 x piston & seal kits and another few hours in a week or so. and.....

while I was at it I noticed the steering had a tendency to stick (like almost jam) in the straight ahead position. Hmmmm, that'll be the head bearings rusty, pitted and needing replacing. I thought it had been handling a bit strangish recently. If I get all the parts I know what I am doing next week

I suppose the swing arm bearings will be next...... arghh shouldn't have ebevn thought it, let alone write it

Oh, and my MOT is due in 3 weeks time.

[MCsanandreas]

go for taper roller bearings in the steering head,just had mine done.

NICE!

[AIRWOLF]

Presume it's the transalp were talking about ?

It's probably having a sulk now it's got some competition for your attention

[piguglyshandydrinker]

Presume it's the transalp were talking about ?

It's probably having a sulk now it's got some competition for your attention

EXACTLY!

You definately have a female Alp there Austin

Phil
(During a routine meddling session, I managed to remove the pistons/seals & clean up the seal recess and re-used the seals with success (don't tell anyone I said that tho )

[Colin Campbell]

Eh up! Have you tried ACF50 yet on brake components? I read it was good in a classic bike mag and tried it, a small coating on the pistons and the sliding pins etc, and the salt corrosion is prevented for 12 months.
It works really well on my KTM 950, did have loads of seizing up on the front calipers, wish I'd had ACF when I had a Transalp as that used to suffer.
Cheers
Col

[Lord Vader]

AFC,salt,brake thingys not moving
i think i shall try that on my @

[Lutin]

brake thingys

That's a technical term is it???

[Austin]

thanks for the messages guys, I have just ordered a taper head bearing kit from Wemoto and a complete caliper seal kit. I am not really looking forward to the job as I know I will be dealing with difficult to remove rusty components, and I have manged to get through 30 years of biking without ever actually needing to strip a steering head or pull a caliper completely apart - still you live and learn.

I really do think both these things are caused by not using the bike for a couple of weeks, it allows rust or ally corrosion to build up that would otherwise be removed just through use.

ACF50 near my brakes; thanks for the thought but no chance, thin runny stuff like that will be in all the places you really don't want it in seconds. Nah, I will stick with copper ease grease on any moving brake parts - designed for the job it is.

I will let you know how I get on.

[MCsanandreas]

thanks for the messages guys, I have just ordered a taper head bearing kit from Wemoto and a complete caliper seal kit. I am not really looking forward to the job as I know I will be dealing with difficult to remove rusty components, and I have manged to get through 30 years of biking without ever actually needing to strip a steering head or pull a caliper completely apart - still you live and learn.

I really do think both these things are caused by not using the bike for a couple of weeks, it allows rust or ally corrosion to build up that would otherwise be removed just through use.

ACF50 near my brakes; thanks for the thought but no chance, thin runny stuff like that will be in all the places you really don't want it in seconds. Nah, I will stick with copper ease grease on any moving brake parts - designed for the job it is.

I will let you know how I get on.

i had steering bearings fitted as it can be a nightmare of a job. turns out it was and bits had to be removed with an angle grinder! also i think you need a hydraulic press to fit the lower bearing? sometimes i think its easier to get the "pro's" in.

[wheeliebin]

i had steering bearings fitted as it can be a nightmare of a job. turns out it was and bits had to be removed with an angle grinder! also i think you need a hydraulic press to fit the lower bearing? sometimes i think its easier to get the "pro's" in.

LOL, that should fill austin with the confidence needed for the job.