Tuesday 15 December 2009

Pirelli Angel ST sport touring tyre Hayabusa

I fitted Pirelli Angel st sport touring tyres to my bike. I have waited a while for them to bed in before giving me confidence in leaning and using the tyres on the road. I have found them to be as good as other tyres that I have fitted plus recently there seems to be adverts promoting the tyres.

Found on the web that:
Last summer, that is why Pirelli chose the Hayabusa to launch its new Angel ST sport-touring tyre with a speed-record attempt – the bike duly averaged 143mph for 24 hours over 3,209 miles, including all fuel stops and rider changes, setting the world record for standard production bikes. And it had the same rear tyre on throughout.

and on youtube recently Mcn took a stock hayabusa and returned a quick time on the drag strip at santa pod.
link to youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRo3dgEyO4U

Saturday 7 November 2009

Sticking piston due to dust seal in Brembo Gold line 4 pot calipers

5165 Series: P3034
(2 x 30mm + 2 x 34mm Pistons) Cast Aluminum Body

20.5165.50* LH GOLD LINE snap-type pads pin
20.5165.58 LH GOLD LINE cotter-clip pads pin with anti-rattle plate
20.5165.60* RH GOLD LINE snap-type pin
20.5165.68 RH GOLD LINE cotter-clip pin/ anti-rattle plate

OE front application on most current Bimota, Ducati, Guzzi, Laverda, and other European makes from ‘93 to present, as well as standard issue in brembo brake kits.

GP 32-36 Front Caliper
(2 x 30mm + 2 x 34mm Pistons) Billet Aluminum Body

After fitting new sintered (07bb15sa) pads to my Brembo gold line 4 pot calipers and having driven about 100 miles, I noticed there was a resistance to move the bike slightly. I decided to lift the front wheel with stands and found that the front wheel was slightly binding as it turned. I then loosened the left hand brembo caliper with the two 8mm allen screws. As soon as the left hand side was removed the wheel rotated freely. I then read that the front wheel should be bounced with the nuts loose then tightened in a certain sequence and then re-tightened to correct torque. With the wheel on the ground and loosened I bounced the wheel tightened the pinch nuts, then tightened the front wheel and checked again with wheel in the air. It was still binding, I took the pads out of the left hand caliper and pulled the front brake lever. I noticed that one of the larger pistons was slow to move out. I then put a screwdriver handle in between the smaller pistons and a pair of mole grips on the opposite large piston. I managed to push the piston out enough with the lever, then pull it out the final few milimeters with just my hands rocking the piston from side to side. The piston was clean and undamaged. I cleaned the dust seal and the main seal. Then thought i should remove them just in case. I have had bikes in the past where water has setteled behind the seals causing corrosion and pushed the seals out. I removed the main seal, cleaned and found no dirt. I put the piston back in but it was extremely tight. Then taking the piston out I decided to take the dust seal out also. It had a indent on the inside and when looking at the indent in the calpier body it seemed to be a locating plug. When I checked with a small screwdriver with a smaller blade to fit the gap. It scraped off and was a build up of dirt. I cleaned it by soaking in brake fluid and scraping with tissue until it softened enough to remove.

I replaced the seals after ensuring all dirt was removed, covered them in brake fluid. The piston pushed back in easily and realised I had found out why the brakes had not returned to their normal play. Now when pulling in the lever there was very little play. Spinning the wheel there was no binding from the brakes. At last working as they should.

Reminds me of a few things to follow.

Take time to clean and strip parts

Some times it is easier to take longer and remove items then try the quick way in situate.

Look in the forums for help and advice. Ask mechanics for advice. If you have a good friend like Pat who was my old supervisor when I was a mechanic years ago. He told me the probable cause straight away....

So thanks to Pat

Bike is back on the road and nearly 29 thousand miles covered now

Sunday 1 November 2009

front brake light switch Ducati 916


In the past the front brake switch stopped working and I noticed the ball bearing or rubber stopper that fits in the brake had dropped out. After replacing this part. It has been working for a while but checking the lights when I pulled up at home recently I noticed the back brake light was on permanently. Found it was the front switch sticking, as you can see it has now been taken off. the faulty switch when pushed in stayed in. It is a sealed unit which rs supply. I will have to source a replacement switch.

Thursday 22 October 2009

brembo brake pads 07BB15SA sinter fitted on the Ducati 916




Before I fitted the pads I did feel the front brake was a bit spongy at times and thought best to change pads before inspecting. The old pads although within spec had a little more life in them. I took off the brake calipers and pushed out the pistons. I found that one of the larger pistons on the right side was very hard to move. When the brakes were cleaned and all back together. I noticed the brake distance and feel had improved. This led me to believe the piston had caused the spongy feel before and could have fed back to the brake lever the travel on the lever before biting. Although I say travel this in reality was only a few millimetres. The difference now is the brake lever feels as though there is no play until biting point. As when the bike was new.

For a quick fix to replace the pads took me longer than normal but. In addition to replacing the pads with brembo 07BB15SA sinter pads. I carried out the following:

Cleaned the pins that hold the brake pads. Rubbed them down with a abrasive paper and greased before reassembly. I plan to replace these pins next time.

Degreased and cleaned inside the calipers. Cleaned the pistons of any dirt or build up of grime. Greased the pistons with suitable grease and made sure that they moved easily.

Last is to check all bolts are back to torque. Road test and to drive the bike to bead in the brakes. Most manufacturers say to avoid heavy breaking in the first 100 miles or so.

Sunday 18 October 2009

boxhill on a sunny day and tyre pressures




After a ride out to box hill, I could tell the steering was very heavy. This led me to checking the tyre pressures. You can see in the picture below they were both low, they should be 2.0 front and 2.2 rear. I will have to keep a check on them more often or have them filled with nitrogen. This stops the natural air leak into the atmosphere.
Lots of bikes out at box hill car park. As soon as the sun is out.
Vinny

Sunday 13 September 2009

ace cafe london brighton run


Popped to Brighton today as the ace cafe organized their event at Brighton seafront. As the picture below shows it was packed with so many motorcycles and three wheelers. There was also scooters and choppers. A varied bunch of bikers listening to the bands and shopping at the stalls.


Monday 17 August 2009

Change brembo rear Pads on a Ducati 916 bp

Just taken a few videos showing how to change the pads on the Ducati. As with any advice, If you are not sure then do not attempt to, as brakes are an important part of the mechanicals. I also cleaned and greased the pistons, checked seals on the caliper before this picture. This helps the pistons to move without problem. The most common issue with brakes is having dirt on the pistons affecting the brakes to drag or bind.

Video 1 shows the new pads, 12mm t bar socket at the ready with new brembo 07bb2010 rear pads. Checking the fluid level which is low on mine as I have not topped up. If it was full, then it would need draining as when the pads are pushed in the fluid will overflow or stop the pistons from going back in.

Video 2 shows where the locating bolts are and how to access. Make sure the socket is fully covering the head of the bolt and undo both.

Video 3 shows rocking the caliper on the disc so that the motion pushes back the pads. I have already cleaned the pistons and greased them. This makes the brakes ease back as they should. The pistons move back until the pads will not move anymore.

Video 4 shows the pads being replaced. As the pads are dropped below, the new ones are added and make sure the pins and spring clip are all put back as they should be.

Video 5 shows the pin in place before pushing in place. After the circlip is replaced and checked that it is home fully.

Video 6 shows the brake play is checked and that there is play in the lever. On the ducati there is adjustment on the lever. If this was over tightened, it could cause the brakes to bind

Wednesday 12 August 2009

Pirelli Angelst tyres fitted on Ducati 916 bp



The tyres needed changing on my Ducati 916 bp and looking around I did not want super sticky pirellis as most of my miles are commuting to work. On the advice of tyre shop fwr in kennington road london, I have fitted some pirelli angelst tyres front and back. 120/70 zr17 pirelli angelst and 190/50 zr17angelst.
I was going to fit a 180 on the rear as I have always had a 190 profile on the rear. When you read reports from other people they say that the 180 will enable a quicker change of direction. I guess its a personal prefrence. In the end a 190 replaced the 180 so will have to keep to that for now. Look forward to running in the new tyres so that I can test them and see how they compare to the dunlops that were fitted.
Vinny

Monday 22 June 2009

Handy service spec including torques settings for Ducati 916 bp Biposto





Handy Service items
list of some of the items that you need to service the bike
Tyre pressures
front 2.2 bar and spindle nut tighten to 15-20 nm
rear 2.4 bar and rear wheel nut tighten to 157nm

Oil capacities with oil filter is 4.0 litres but i find it is around 3.5litres. Easier to fill with less and add when visible in the window.
Torque setting to tighten up the oil drain plug is 42nm and the oil filter is 17nm. If removed the guaze is 42nm and its best to replace the ally washer.

Torque for rear wheel pinch bolts. This is for the two bolts that are loosened to alter the chain adjustment. 32nm
Front wheel pinch bolts are 20nm

valve clearance
0.15 inlet 0.20 exhaust
closers 0.05

Plugs Ngk DCPR9E
0.6 mm gap and tighten to 15 - 20 nm plus grease the threads slightly. I replaced the plugs at 14k. now at 23k the plugs are still ok.

Chain tension is 25mm. Turn the wheel until you feel the tight spot in the chain. Then take the measurement and adjust.

I have carried out the following and have cleaned the air filters, removed the sump plug on the side and cleaned the gauze. Checked plugs not replaced as they are ok. Have a look at the pictures below. Colour looks ok although the air filters need a clean.

As with any service, check all nuts and bolts visibly to see if there are any loose. Check all lights to make sure they are working. Tyre depths. Brake fluids are topped up. Cooling mixture is at right level with engine cold. Wheels spin easily and have no play (for possible worn bearings). Battery levels are correct and it is clean externally. Quick check of charging after to make sure the charging system is working. Check brake pads front and rear are within spec. There is a fuel filter in the tank which should be changed. Easier if the tank has little fuel in to take out.

Sunday 10 May 2009

Ducati 916 bp wont start or fire


The sun is shinning and its ideal weather for a spin. Press of the button and the bike turns over but not firring after a few turns of the engine. Tried three more times and still no starting.....I normally reset my trip meter to gauge use of fuel and have only covered 140 miles. Usually I can cover around 170 miles before it is empty but I must have reset at some point. I look in the tank and there is not enough fuel to cover the bottom of the tank. I place the bike upright which puts enough fuel to start the bike.....Who says that Italian bikes are unreliable?
I took the bike for mot and had a small amount of play in the rear wheel. As Lift the bike up to check I think it is the wheel bearing as the play is from top to bottom and side to side. At greyhounds Thanks go to Arcadio, Mark and Gary. After each one has a look, Mark spots the wheel nut is slightly loose. No wheel bearing replacement for me and a simple tighten up of the rear nut....

Thursday 2 April 2009

When you need a motorbike mechanic

My mechanic Pat has gone mobile so if you need a motorbike fixing be it Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Harley, Triumph, Norton, Ducati, Moto Guzzi, I have seen them all in his workshop and can recommend him. Make sure you say you have seen him on my blog and he will look after you.
Pat from Viking Motorcycles 07981182730

Friday 13 March 2009

When to change Oil on the Ducati

Thinking about my bike service with the engine oil and when to change. I have been looking in the service book and it is every 10000km or 12 months, with a quick google conversion this works out at 6000 miles. The last time I changed the oil was at 22k in June 2008.

Looking into wikipedia and the service book and with memories of discussing with friends. It is a emotive subject and I heard a story from Jon when dispatching that he used frying oil in his bike to prove a point. That it is better to change often than to use a high grade oil and leave longer in the bike. He ran a bike for a week and changed the oil to prove it would work ok. I also noticed a top ten that ran a honda c90 without oil to see how long it would last. Not something I would recommend. Another issue is the use of the bike that affects the oil. On short journeys the oil is broken down and needs changing sooner. On long journeys the bike does not need changing as often.

So for now I will top up the bike oil and leave for a few more months till June.

Monday 9 March 2009

The ace cafe and british bikes


Found myself near the ace cafe and decided to pop in. I understand the history of the cafe was a meeting place for British bikes, preparing for a night out. Now there is so much traffic and speed cameras around I can see how its changed.
On Saturday I could see lots of Japanese cars and bikes but very little Bsa's or Nortons. Plenty of Japanese bikes. I guess it is a sign of the times.
pic on twitter
Vinny

Monday 2 March 2009

Box hill and the Ducati


The weather was cold but no rain which is the main reason for me that I managed to get the bike out. There was quite a few bikes in the car park at box hill. If you do not know there has always been motorbikes meeting up there for as long as I can remember. I have always seen a variety of different makes and it makes me wonder about bike riders as the car park was also full up of friendly bikers talking to each other. Ducatis, Harley Davidsons, Yamahas, Kawasakis, Hondas, Ktms, Moto guzzis, choppers and sidecars etc.
I also sent a pic by twitter with the location on google maps.
Vinny

Tuesday 20 January 2009

Design beauty or a Pain in the ****


Today on the way home i had to wonder if the exhaust design of the 916 is right. Its cold and on the way home i can feel the heat of the exhaust through my over trousers. Yet to look at it is one of the best parts of the bike is the looks. I hope in the summer i dont have to trickle through traffic. Its only when driving slow in town that it becomes apparent.
Maybe the new bikes have a better way of conducting the heat away from the seat.
Vinny