Fast Bikes » Brakes

Fast Bikes Issue 261 – May 2012

Moby — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:29:25 +0000

The new issue of Fast Bikes is out now folks – and it’s absolutely rammed with fantastic content – including a 36-page Valentino Rossi magazine, and a set of Fast Bikes fairing and visor stickers!

If you’ve not woken up the the massive benefits of subscribing yet, you better nip down your local newsagents and grab yourself a copy of the new issue of Fast Bikes – on sale NOW! Or if you’re too lazy to walk, you could always download the issue from Apple Newsstand, or Zinio if you’re an Android/PC.

Take a look at what’s inside:

Plus: a FREE 36-page Valentino Rossi magazine!

Take a look inside:

And free Fast Bikes stickers for your fairing and visor!

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Charlie’s ZXR400 Brake Overhaul

Moby — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 11:01:32 +0000

I love best intensions, I love them so much that I now have quit a collection of them. Over the Christmas period the Mrs was working for the majority of the break leaving just me and the 400’s to while away the Christmas period. I was going to get her finished.

It didn’t quite work out that way; my avoidance of the cold in the garage demoted me to the smaller workings of the shed to continue to prep the performance parts to go onto my beloved 400 project.

I had cleaned up the callipers sometime ago and was happy enough with the amount of gunk I got off of them, the pistons would do and a new set of Brembo pads from HPS completed the job. That was until I saw how effective a little bit of paint had on inspecting the No Budget Cup H2. I had to get my callipers painted too and it was a wonderful tactic to avoid Turkey Soup and crap TV.

Therefore a visit to a hardware store and the Hammerite Smooth Black metal paint came to hand. It was pretty tricky painting but in the end it’s like anything really, patience and care culminated in a pretty good job even if I do say so myself. I gave each calliper three coats, making sure to avoid any areas that would seat the all important lines.

Once done I thought I would have a crack at the exhaust hangar too, once again a great job – from about 15 metres distance, the smooth surface made this more of a chore, it will do but when I am “re detailing” I may be replacing this one.

All in all though I have the callipers ready to put on the 400 and can then fit my Goodridge brake lines that arrived two days ago. I am getting there for sure…

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VFR400 Brake Nightmare

Moby — Mon, 24 May 2010 12:00:02 +0000

After paying some attention to the basics, I needed to concentrate on the more serious issue of the completely shot rear brake and cracked front disc. Sorting new front and rear discs was simple and another visit to Wemoto meant I had a rear master cylinder rebuild kit and new seals for the rear caliper. I brought the bike over to our workshops and then asked Moby for some help, since he’s got a piston puller and a wealth of experience that I don’t.

Because the rear pads were worn so badly, the pistons were jammed out of the caliper; no wonder the rear brake felt a bit on the non-existent side. Moby thought there was a chance that because the metal of the pads had been wearing against the disc, the brake fluid could have boiled in the line and the whole lot would need replacing, but fortunately it wasn’t as bad as that.

He took the pistons out of the rear caliper and cleaned the whole lot up for me in our parts washer before fitting new seals and at the same time rebuilding the rear master cylinder – massive thanks for that. As the rear brake pads had worn down to the metal, the rear disc had more grooves in it than a James Brown record and Moby also replaced this, along with both front discs, meaning the brakes were once again trustworthy and working, which is reassuring.

Next time: The carbs come off for an inspection and clean…

Pip

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