Wheel alignment

Thursday 26 March 2020

First official day of lockdown

We've actually been in lockdown at home since I collected Jennie at the airport on Monday but this is the first official day nationwide and boy, it's quiet!  So far, everything is working out really well, we're keeping a reasonable distance from each other, separate bathrooms and Jennie isn't allowed in the kitchen at present.  This means I'm doing all the cooking but on the positive side, it keeps her away from sharp knives if I get under her skin!  She's busy catching up with her passion of genealogy (family history) and I've been doing motorcycle maintenance with gardening and other domestic stuff yet to come.  We had hoped to take the boat out fishing but apparently, that will be frowned on despite the isolation that comes with fishing.  I'm a member of the Coastguard should I ever need their services, but received an email from them this morning.  Roughly translated, it said "Don't expect to be rescued for at least 4 weeks so don't go on the water".  It's a beautiful day too, flat water, warm and sunny - sigh......

View from our front deck today

Once our immediate 14 day quarantine is up, we are allowed to go for a walk, keeping the regulatory 2 metres from others and visit essential services such as supermarkets, pharmacies and so on.  No need for that at present.  As it happens, new brake pads for the KTM arrived yesterday so today was always going to be earmarked for fitting them.

EBC HH pads - serious stopping power

I love EBC HH pads.  I fitted them to my Blackbird, Street Triple and GSX-S1000.  Far superior to the OEM pads on all those bikes in terms of stopping power.  They're not snatchy and they're kind to disc rotors - what's not to like and why aren't pads this good fitted as standard?  I found a UK supplier on eBay advertising a full front and rear set for GBP84 (NZ$172) including delivery.  A sight cheaper than NZ so it was a no-brainer.

This is where my ABBA  bike stand comes in really handy as both wheels can be lifted off the deck at the same time by using the attachments.

Both wheels off the deck

Getting both wheels off the deck is particularly handy because as well as swapping the pads, it allows me to easily de-glaze the disc rotors to maximise stopping power and bedding-in.

Essentials - pads, brake cleaner, wet and dry paper

First job was to remove the old front pads which were in "as new" condition.  As opposed to some other bikes I've owned, access to the KTM pads is a piece of cake.  Pop off a circlip  at the end of each pin, unscrew and withdraw the 2 pins and spring strip - the pads just lift out.

Removing the tensioning spring and old pads - piece of cake

Next job was to break the glaze on both faces of each rotor.  Sanding block, 400 wet and dry paper used wet.  About 5 minutes per face.

Wet de-glazing with a sanding block and 400 wet and dry paper

Glaze removed, disc thoroughly washed, calipers cleaned with brake cleaner

New pads inserted followed by tensioner, pins and circlips

A quick pump of the brake lever to reposition the pistons and job done.  The rear single caliper and disc was done in the same manner.  Only a single pin so really quick.  Next job is to go out and bed the pads in with a series of high speed, elevated temperature stops.  When that happens is in the lap of the gods at present.  Nothing else needs doing to the bike so tomorrow is a whole new day!

24 comments:

  1. Meanwhile, slaved away over a hot laptop...

    I might scare mine with the hose in the weekend...

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  2. Haha - never mind Andrew, it'll soon be the weekend :-).

    Gardening starts for me tomorrow although the beach is only 100 metres away so might take a stroll with Jennie (at a respectable 2 metres of course)

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  3. You boys seem to be enjoying your Imprisonment... er isolation. Old Sydney town is a bit of a ghost town at the moment but we don't have a full lock down yet. I've still been going to work but that might change at any minute depends on how many more cases appear. It would probably be better if every country on the planet took a one month lock down at the same time, just get it over and done.

    I put those EBC HH sintered pads in my old R1. The brakes on that thing are fantastic, so much better than the 15 R1. Thanks Geoff.

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    1. Hi Steve, the lockdown is going just fine with plenty of tasks (not all of my choosing, haha). Our PM isn't afraid to make the tough calls. The old pads have no appreciable wear but when EBC's are so much better, why wait?

      Take care mate.

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  4. My ONLY replacement brake pads. Good choice!

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    1. Thanks for dropping by! Yep, there's no down side to fitting them, is there? They'll last for as long as I have the bike because I'm really light on braking - normally a combination of situational awareness, throttle control and gearbox.

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  5. Look after yourselves Geoff. See you on the other side of all this madness.

    Ian

    www.oldireland.ie

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    1. Thanks Ian and the same to you. At the very least, it's good to catch up on the backlog of small jobs that one tends to put off as they aren't very interesting!

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  6. Quarantined in paradise, ok, not being able to go out fishing is a bit of a bummer but otherwise... did you notice how quiet the world has become? Same here.

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    1. Hi Sonja!
      Yes, the silence is a bit eerie, isn't it? The weird thing is even the birds seem to be fairly quiet! We put out seed for the local birds and they seemed very orderly this morning rather than happily chirping and squabbling! Hope you and Roland are doing well.

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  7. “Quarantined in paradise” is a good way to put it. Seeing pictures of things like a deserted Las Vegas does seem really eerie. Especially when you realize that it’s world wide. Those look like the same aftermarket pads I’ve been using. They really do work great.

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    1. Hi Richard,
      At least the weather is holding up at present so we can get outside. Our neighboura are also in shouting distance and they're great people so we can keep an eye on each other. Best wishes on keeping clear of the virus - it looks like the US has problems in keeping it under control at present. I think Donald's statement about being open for business by Easter is a tad optimistic!

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  8. Hi Geoff,
    We've spoken before. I continue to enjoy your blog and learn of improvements for my own 790 - I'll add the brake pads to the Bridgestones for future action.

    Must be really tough living with that front view :-;

    Keep up the good work.
    Steve
    http://sdtravelogue.blogspot.com/?view=timeslide

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    1. Hi Steve, we have indeed! All the best for the future, whatever it holds for us and continue to enjoy your 790!

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  9. Bike looks pretty pristine, especially compared to mine, which still has last year's bugs on it. I know, I know, supposed to clean it before storage. But when you always think you're going to get one last ride.... and then it snows.
    We're still a few weeks from riding season here, although there are some hardier souls than me out and about. I'd prefer to wait until the ice, salt, and sand is off the road. Here's hoping that we've turned the corner with this virus by then so we can get out and enjoy 2 wheels again.
    Take care Geoff. See you on the other side.

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    1. Hi David,
      There's a reason! The day before official lockdown, I was due to take the bike for a service. I have a great relationship with the service mechanics and didn't want the "I'm disappointed in you" looks that go with a filthy bike! As it happens, the service was cancelled so I now have a pristine bike waiting for me!

      Every good wish in combating the virus. You seem to have a degree of isolation which should be of help. You and the family take care too and safe riding when you start again!

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  10. Best wishes in these difficult times Geoff.

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    1. And to you on your travels too Warren. A bit of isolation is a small price to pay. A good time to lift my culinary skills 😁

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  11. Since fitting the HH pads to my R1 (which are awesomely strong btw) it has a nasty squeal at light front brake pressures around town. Do you think a de-glaze might help? I have a lot of spare time at the moment..... ;(

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  12. HI Dave,
    That would be irritating! It would be worth trying a de-glaze. Do your pads too and use plenty of brake cleaner. Also when you're able to bed them in, get your rotors really hot with a series of high(ish) speed stops.

    Hope everything is ok with you and the family. All that prep for the cycle ride, sigh....

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    1. Thanks for the braking tips. I will give it a go.
      Everyone is healthy here, so all good thanks. Who knows, something else will come along that I can use the fitness for. I am still training for now as it keeps me on the straight and narrow.

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    2. Good to hear Dave! We came out of quarantine at the weekend so can now leave the property for exercise and essentials. Have been getting my exercise with the mountain bike in a resistance frame!

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  13. This disaster movie that we're all living in is bringing out some wonderful creativity amongst folk who normally don't have the time for fun. Some great social media coming out of NZ. I love your Officer O'Leary, tee hee. Stay well!

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  14. It is indeed Sue! Some of the backyard sporting moments and family dance routines have been exceptional. We need some lighthearted moments!

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