« April 2007 | Main | June 2007 »
What's cuter than two kittens ... try 8. We had two cats that had kittens within about a week of each other. It was weird because they nursed each others kittens. These kittens are as good as they come ... mainly because Julia and Caleb have pulled them all over the property. I'm a softy for kittens and motorcycles. HG
Last week I had determined that since the Valk had turned 16K this past week and the rear brakes sounded a little funny ... I would try and tackle replacing the disc brake pads. I searched the web and really didn't find much pictorial help ... so I decided to make it a tutorial for some other poor soul who might want to turn a wrench. Disclaimer** ... I am not a mechanic or even an avid hobbyist at stuff like this ... this is purely economical ... in other words I just could not afford the fees to get this done ... so I did it myself. With that said ... if I can do it ... most anyone can. You do need a good working knowledge of how or what a caliper is and how it functions ... with that ... here we go.
The Valk '03 has three sets of disc brake pads. Two in the front and one set on the rear. I decided to start with the rear set. It may look intimidating ... but once I did the rear ... the front pad were easier.
Start by getting your tools handy and an additional light source may be a good idea if your eye sight is not what it used to be. The rear brake caliper is held on with two bolts ... the first one is where the arrow is. I think it takes a 14mm to take that one loose. If you also notice I have a small bungee cord handy. I used it once I got the caliper off to keep from pulling on the break line.
The second bolt is a little harder to get to and it does not fully come off the caliper. The important thing is just to get it loose from the bracket. With that done ... the caliper should slide off. I attached my bungee and hung it from my luggage rack.
The next order of business is to take this cover screw off. I think all that it does is keep dirt and dust out of this area. I found out after I did it this way ... you might want to take the screw out and get the pin loosened while the caliper is still on the bracket. But ... this is my first time. Live and learn.
This is the allen bolt that pins the pads to the caliper. Take this out and then be careful that your pads don't fall out and scratch your pipes.
With the old brake pads out ... you now must compress these pistons so that your new pads will fit. I used this clamp and it worked fine. On the front calipers I just used my extremely strong fingers to push them in. When you push them in ... the stay in. I worried about that.
I then replaced the old pads with the new. Placing the pin back into the caliper and then sliding the whole thing back onto the rear rotor. I replaced both the bolts and replaced the dust cover screw on the caliper pin. Here is the whole thing back on. I then sat on the bike and pumped the rear brake pedal and checked to see if the pads seated correctly. They did. Then I checked my fluid level.
I then moved to the front and to save time ... I just did the same thing on each of the front calipers. I have marked the bolts to removed the front brakes. There are three bolts on each side. On the left side brake ... you probably will have to take the hanger loose that holds the speedometer cable ... or you won't be able to get to that bolt that is hard to get to. Truthfully ... by the time I did the last brake ... I did it in about 15 minutes.
I took her for a spin and man did it make a difference.
I hope this helps.
HG --
motorcycles valkyrie brake job motorcycle disc brakes valkyrie
Here's a full digital sign that we just completed for our friends at Heritage Church DFW ... the sign is a 3' X 4' ... we think it came out pretty good. The sign is mounted on .040 aluminum with a 1/2" angle iron sign holder. enjoy the sign ... Mark and Lilly and all who see it.
hg --
I know, I know ... the blog has no priority right now. Life is just happening and I'm just along for the ride.
Yesterday was Caleb's last t-ball game of the season. Here is his first "at bat" ... very good form. Head down, arms correct ... good stride. He likes t-ball.
Today it will be official ... we will put the sign in the yard and our place will be up for sale. We will try our hand until the backyard is complete ... then if it has not sold we will hand it off to the realtor. I have spent hours upon hours mowing to get it ready to show and finally ... it is done.
Pray it will sell at the right time ... selling a home, moving, and moving a business is beyond my scope of comprehension right now ... so I'm just covering my bases by just asking that it sell at the "right time" ... if its next week ... so be it ... if it is in a month ... that's ok too.
I know that my blogging readers will understand that summer is our busy season ... I will be back.
HG --
A picture paints a thousand words.
HG --
It's official ... life is getting faster and faster. Man ... spring hit, the monsoons started and I'm behind. This is the main reason why we are selling our place ... by the time we get our business stuff done ... I have to start mowing and working on our place. I mowed 6 hours on Friday, 4 on Saturday, and 2 yesterday ... I have another 2 to finish and then onto weed wacking. I'm such a whiner.
Yesterday we had a great mother's day ... until we headed home and I guy rear ended us at a stop light. This makes the second wreck in the Toyota since we got it .... same place. The damage is minimal ... but the time it takes to go and get it repaired is the hassle. Of course the guy does not want to turn it into his insurance ... so that means more time in working it out with him. Did I say ... I was a whiner.
I guess it could be worse ... I could live in San Francisco where gas is over $4 ... oi vey.
HG --
Missed me? We've been deep, deep, deep into our first wrap project. A fleet of three trucks for a local landscape company. We finished yesterday and they took delivery on the first truck. We started Saturday. We had all sorts of problems with the new laminating machine and it took us all day Saturday and most of the day Sunday to laminate 8 panels. It was frustrating to say the least ... and yes the new/old laminator is going back. Here is a shot of us completing the first side. The second side went much faster. We gained a whole new insight on what to do and what NOT to do.
We were pretty impressed with the finished product. For our first project.
Anyway ... that's the reason I haven't been blogging for the last few days.
HG --
Ronn asked yesterday about motorcycle wraps. Here is a wrap done for scootershuttle.com by skinzwraps. I wanted to illustrate that motorcycle wraps are really tough because of all the curves. But done right ... it looks great. You are pretty much limited to wrapping fenders, tanks, side components, farings, etc ... I don't think this would be good for frames ... it probably can be done or has been done.
A lot of folks would want to know ... does it come off and does it harm my paint. First ... is your paint in good condition to begin with? If it is ... it will not harm your paint and the wrap will come off. Of course the installer is crucial at this point ... since cutting is essential in wraps ... you don't want any knife marks left in the paint.
I don't know if I would go for a full wrap on my bike ... maybe a partial ... but it does make you think. Writing off the cost of your bike and accessories as a full business expense. Because it is a moving billboard.
I like the way I think.
Be safe --
HG --
Since getting our large format printer we have been doing some different stuff. Car magnets, lots of stickers, banners, lots of signs and we are doing vehicle wraps. We are doing a 3 truck fleet for this landscaping company this week ... if the weather will cooperate.
I did the design on this box truck ... they provided the photo. I am pumped about getting you some pictures of the real thing ... this is just a mock up. Vehicle wraps are the rage and lots of people are interested ... especially since lots of cities have strict sign ordinances. Plus ... if you don't like the color of your car ... you can change it.
How much does it cost, you ask? I guess the average full wrap is between $3,500 - $5,000 ... if the budget can't handle that ... there are lots of alternatives with partial wraps.
Believe me ... this is the only kind of wrap I like. So, I guess you could call me a "wrapper".
Peace out
HG --
Recent Comments