New Pads

It was perfect weather for riding today, but instead I did some maintenance to my bike, like that was as much fun as riding. Still in doing the service on my bike gives me a certain level of satisfaction that I know that the bike will be in good order for riding. I cast a careful eye over everything today. I'd been down to MCAS on Saturday and bought a few goodies for the bike ready for Sunday's servicing. With a little know how you can save yourself hundreds by doing things yourself.

I'd replaced the front brake pads with a set of DP brake pads.The old pads had less than the recommended 2mm of pad thickness. It looked closer to about 1mm. I also flushed the front and back lines with fresh Motul brake fluid. It had been over 2 years since I'd done this. The fluid that came out was definitely darker in colour than the new stuff. It only took 15 minutes to bleed all 3 lines.

I'd also done an oil and filter change and exceeded my expectations by not getting a single drop of oil on the garage floor, I've never been able to change it without getting some oil on the floor, that's the first time in 9 years of  living here and servicing my bike that's happened. I was pretty chuffed with myself.

I'd also cleaned out the radiator, which looks pretty badly damaged from stones. I think I'm going to have to get a new/second hand one. After that I'd degreased around the front sprocket area, chain rear sprocket and wheel. Then it was a quick wash then a polish. I'd removed about 1/2 kg of rocks and grease from the belly pan when I had it off.

Here she is in full service mode

I'd also bought a set of 90° valve stems for the wheels of my bike. I've become that pissed of with the shit compressor fittings that you get at service stations when you go to fill your tyre with air, most of them you can't get the F'ing fitting inside the wheels with the discs and spokes in the way. Frustrating to say the least. These should sort that out, but will have to get them fitted later when I'm getting my tyre changed.

Of course all of this work was overseen by my supervisor who decided she would check out my workmanship. I think I got the wink of approval.