Full service?

[Magua]

Damnit. My back brakes have died on me finaly. They do work but only with full presure from my foot. I'm thinking of putting my bike in for a full service and was wondering what does this involve and does anyone have any ideas on costing?

I was thinking along the lines of Red Baron since they are a Yamaha Dealer/supplier.

[Mr Skid]

Damnit. My back brakes have died on me finaly. They do work but only with full presure from my foot. I'm thinking of putting my bike in for a full service and was wondering what does this involve and does anyone have any ideas on costing?

I was thinking along the lines of Red Baron since they are a Yamaha Dealer/supplier.

I'm of two minds about getting my bike serviced at Red Baron since I saw one of their workshop guys wheelieing a mx bike in and out of the workshop repeatedly. It could have been their shop loaner,but it still made me uneasy.

I keep reading good things about Motohaus on this site though, maybe check them out?

I know you've had a bit of a hard time with your bike, but what else is wrong? The rear brake isn't that complex a device, if it's not applying enough force, then maybe the fluid needs changing? That's not too difficult to do, I'm sure someone on the site would be able to give you foolproof instructions on how to do it.

[Shade]

Ya mean people use the rear brake?

[Zapf]

apprently Red baron is no longer a authorised honda service center. I was informed of this on a letter from Honda NZ. So u can guess that someone is not happy....

And I have bought some gear off Kerry at Motohaus, and he is great. Havne't had any service done there so won't know... but that is my 1c

will probly call in, in the next few weeks to get a quote for a pipe for my SV thou. Pitty I have to see the motormail sign heheheh

[kerryg]

Damnit. My back brakes have died on me finaly. They do work but only with full presure from my foot. I'm thinking of putting my bike in for a full service and was wondering what does this involve and does anyone have any ideas on costing?

I was thinking along the lines of Red Baron since they are a Yamaha Dealer/supplier.

Like Paparazzi said your back brake is a simple thing. I'm not familair with the set up on your exact bike but assume it's a hydraulic set up. Firstly I'd have look at whether your pads are worn out (usually 1-2mm at least of pad material should remain). This should be easy to check visually without removing anything except perhaps plastic dust cover. If nearly worn out, replace them (very easy and needs no special tools or know-how). If the brakes are spongy or travelling nearly to the bottom of the lever stroke I'd have a look at bleeding the hydraulics. Starting with the obvious: is there fluid in the reservoir? Make sure it's topped up, and kept topped up while bleeding. Attach a short length (about 0.5 to 1 metre or so will be plenty) of 1/4inch/6mm plastic tubing to the bleeder nipple on the calliper, put the free end in a jar with some clean brake fluid in it, crack the nipple open about 1/4 turn and depress the lever to bottom and hold there while retightening the nipple and repeat a few times until clear fluid is coming out and there are no air bubbles. And Bob should be your uncle. If not it might be a crook seal in the master cylinder or something a bit more vexatious but 90% plus of cases it will be sorted out by doing the above. Good luck.

[vifferman]

And I have bought some gear off Kerry at Motohaus, and he is great. Havne't had any service done there so won't know... but that is my 1c

Yeah, he's a Top Bloke, is Kerry.
And he's getting his workshop geared up, with a new mechanic, EGA machine, etc. I dunno when it's happening (sometime in November), but he has an "opening special" (more like "revamp special") with discounted hourly rate and 10% off parts.

[kerryg]

apprently Red baron is no longer a authorised honda service center. I was informed of this on a letter from Honda NZ. So u can guess that someone is not happy....

And I have bought some gear off Kerry at Motohaus, and he is great. Havne't had any service done there so won't know... but that is my 1c

will probly call in, in the next few weeks to get a quote for a pipe for my SV thou. Pitty I have to see the motormail sign heheheh

Don't know that Red Baron were ever Honda agents, and of course they have Yamaha and Kawasaki agencies so I wouldn't read too much into that. They're also big-time used motorcycle importers so maybe Honda doesn't like that or something...?? I've had a few dealings with them and they've been really good.

I agree about Kerry at Motorhaus. Top guy

[vifferman]

Firstly I'd have look at whether your pads are worn out (usually 1-2mm at least of pad material should remain). ....If the brakes are spongy or travelling nearly to the bottom of the lever stroke I'd have a look at bleeding the hydraulics. ... If not it might be a crook seal in the master cylinder or something a bit more vexatious but 90% plus of cases it will be sorted out by doing the above. Good luck.

Yeah, chances are it's probably worn pads, combined with old fluid and a piston that needs a bit of a clean-up.

[Mr Skid]

While we're on the topic of motohaus, does anyone know the relationship between them and the motorcycle surgery? Are they the same place, or are they neighbours or some such? The have different phone numbers so I'm confused..

Also, I was looking at the motorcycle surgery logo when I was visiting Zapf's mates, and it appears to me to be a sillouete of a rider highsiding. Is that what happens after they work on your bike? :spudwhat:

[vifferman]

While we're on the topic of motohaus, does anyone know the relationship between them and the motorcycle surgery? Are they the same place, or are they neighbours or some such? The have different phone numbers so I'm confused..

They're a separate business, and neighbours (in the same building, and they sometimes borrow Kerry's stuff (tyre machine, etc.)
They tend to specialise in 'exotica' (Ducatis, Triumphs, etc.) and are apparently quite pricey, but don't even have the proper engine analysers, EGA machine, etc., so I dunno why anyone'd go there instead of to the 'approved' service agent for their make.

[Magua]

I know you've had a bit of a hard time with your bike, but what else is wrong?

You sure you want to know?

Flatspots, fuel economy (NONE!), high beams indicator is stuck on, rusted over screws, broken fairings, torn seats, uneven wear on the tyres (twisted forks?), cracked speedo glass, sellotaped mirror.

But yay! I get a new airfilter on Friday! This could be the answer to my fuel economy woes or a waste of $20
.

[Magua]

Dunno if you can really see my brake pads in these photos but the wheel spokes prohibited a better photo, may try again later.

[Mr Skid]

You sure you want to know?

Flatspots, fuel economy (NONE!), high beams indicator is stuck on, rusted over screws, broken fairings, torn seats, uneven wear on the tyres (twisted forks?), cracked speedo glass, sellotaped mirror.

But yay! I get a new airfilter on Friday! This could be the answer to my fuel economy woes or a waste of $20
.

Wow, and I call my bike Rangi..

New air filter is worthwhile, and your lucky it's only $20. I was quoted $60 squid for an aftermarket one for my cbr.

Ok, here's dr. paparazzi's recommendations:

flatspots + fuel economy
Rebuild carbs, or at least spray some carb cleaner into their throats.

high beams indicator is stuck on
so you mean the switch block is broken?
Go visit atomic bike wreckers and see if they have something. Otherwise if it's the contacts spraying some switch cleaner might sort it out.

rusted over screws
are they important screws? Are the heads rusted completely, or do they just not turn? A bit of CRC never hurt anything alot (that and turps are my miracle tool kit in a can/bottle when I'm serving the neighbourhood children's bikes)

broken fairings
Got a soldering iron? I've patched mine back together with a soldering iron and some cable ties as welding rods. Worked well for me.

torn seats
Find somewhere that sells vinyl, and recover it yourself. A bit of glue and a staple gun should do the job I'd think.

uneven wear on the tyres (twisted forks?)
Is it more wear on the right side than the left? I understand that's not uncommon, given the camber on the roads. You can check for straightness of frame by stripping all the fairings, tank etc off the bike then using two lengths of string check for symmetry on the bike.

cracked speedo glass
Is it possible to disassemble your speedo to get at the glass? if you measure the circumfrence and thickness of the glass, you should be able to get a piece cut to fit.

sellotaped mirror.
I'd go with gaff instead of sellotape. It looks more manly. Otherwise check out the price of a replacement mirror at somewhere like atomic.
My mirrors are a bit nasty looking, but they function perfectly, and I reckon I should be able to get another decent crash out of them.

I finish exams at the end of this week, so hopefully will have a wee bit of spare time, so if you want a hand, let me know.

[Bonez]

Ya mean people use the rear brake?

You're stupid not to use both front AND rear brakes to assist slowing down the bike.

[Jackrat]

The one brake pad I can see is not past it's used by date yet.
When did you bleed them last?
If you take it to a shop,make it Mt Eden and don't just say give it a full service,because they will and you won't be able to afford it.Have a talk to the nice man an work out exactly what you want done.
If you happen to look out and see a green & yellow tow truck parked by your bike some time this week,an there's a balding Tattooed scuff checking out the rear brake,don't panic.
It's just somebody I know quite well