HW's Inaugural Maintenance

I put the axle right in a plastic bag and was planning on putting it right back. What I need from you now is to okay that and tell me, "Wannabe, it's gonna be alright."

I would clean the axle, then put a light coating of some type of grease on it, white lithium, fancy red stuff, anything that says marine, the thinner less tackier stuff.
Then Wannabe (in my best Bob Barker voice), it should be...probably...maybe...is gonna be alright...
 
I would clean the axle, then put a light coating of some type of grease on it, white lithium, fancy red stuff, anything that says marine, the thinner less tackier stuff.
Then Wannabe (in my best Bob Barker voice), it should be...probably...maybe...is gonna be alright...

Okay, thank you. I do have white lithium grease because I got all of the supplies that you recommended except for AN OBVIOUS CAN OF BRAKE CLEANER DUH!
 
I put the axle right in a plastic bag and was planning on putting it right back. What I need from you now is to okay that and tell me, "Wannabe, it's gonna be alright."
Like @sixpack577 says it's good to clean the axle first...

I always clean it with some brake cleaner (so you better get some, LOL!) then apply the grease just before I install the axle.....this way there's less chance of grit or dust getting on it.....

I also always lay anything I take off from left to right on a flat surface and re-install it right to left......old habit......
 
And a big fan...a Big one
see it next to the bike...
lol

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Just sayin'. :D

Thanks for the coupon info, that is very nice of you. The purchase was already made. I got the Big Bad Can of Original Formula.

I do not know if the non-VOC, non-chlorinated and sugar/fat free versions the store has would work as well. I am not in a position to be using less effective tools and perhaps not seeing the repercussions this first time through.
 
The diet brake cleaner works just fine for what you'll need in future.
Those big cans seem endless...until suddenly they are not...
I'm not one to enjoy huffing fumes, and even wear a respirator when spray painting.
But there are still a few good chemical smells out there, like leaded gas without ethanol...or brake cleaner...it reminds me of a leather shop.
Or nothing like new tires in the basement...it smells like a bike dealership in there, lol
 
But there are still a few good chemical smells out there,

It is funny that you say that. I considered putting on a mask when I sprayed the cleaner earlier, but did not, and regret it a bit. I hate breathing in chemicals.

The rear wheel is installed! This is significant. Everyone have ice cream tonight and it is on me!

I can say just after finishing that it is extremely difficult up until it actually happens, particularly because one has to feel their way through it at least once.

For assembly I put a car ramp in place and used wood blocks for exact spacing. I had a makeshift support stand outside for the caliper. So I never strained myself putting it together, like I did pulling it apart. Everything had a place to rest.

I do know that I pressed the sensor against the rotor a bit as the the brake alignment was off. I see people warn about this here and hope that it is not super sensitive to touch. It appeared unmarked.

If I lower the stand now the bike tilts forward. I have to get the tie-down more proper next time. This means I have to assemble the front to compress the bike and get clearance on those shock bolts. So much to do up front. But I do not think there is any assembly up front requiring the level of muscle and finesse that the rear took.
 
It is funny that you say that. I considered putting on a mask when I sprayed the cleaner earlier, but did not, and regret it a bit. I hate breathing in chemicals.

The rear wheel is installed! This is significant. Everyone have ice cream tonight and it is on me!

I can say just after finishing that it is extremely difficult up until it actually happens, particularly because one has to feel their way through it at least once.

For assembly I put a car ramp in place and used wood blocks for exact spacing. I had a makeshift support stand outside for the caliper. So I never strained myself putting it together, like I did pulling it apart. Everything had a place to rest.

I do know that I pressed the sensor against the rotor a bit as the the brake alignment was off. I see people warn about this here and hope that it is not super sensitive to touch. It appeared unmarked.

If I lower the stand now the bike tilts forward. I have to get the tie-down more proper next time. This means I have to assemble the front to compress the bike and get clearance on those shock bolts. So much to do up front. But I do not think there is any assembly up front requiring the level of muscle and finesse that the rear took.

Yep, first time for everything, and feel your way through it.
I'm glad things are coming along well...wait until you ride it again...fixed...by You...
 
Has anyone done this? To separate the brake pads I put wood shims on each side and pressed them in simultaneously. This provided a uniform separation. I think the shims are 1/4” so as the thick end got close to the caliper and movement became difficult, that was a perfect gauge to indicate maximum separation; all by feel.
 
Has anyone done this? To separate the brake pads I put wood shims on each side and pressed them in simultaneously. This provided a uniform separation. I think the shims are 1/4” so as the thick end got close to the caliper and movement became difficult, that was a perfect gauge to indicate maximum separation; all by feel.
There are a few ways to do it, yours sounds like a good one....

I always take the calipers off to check the pistons/seals, clean them and press them in before putting the pads in.

The pads seem to last a long time though..... EBC HH sintered pros
 
I am next considering replacing the brake lines, at least the front. I am maintaining ABS by the way. The fork, nose, and side fairings are off and the upper triple tree is loose. I find that I cannot even trace from the hard lines back to the ABS pump! Where the heck is everything LOL? The ABS pump area is outright tiny. I can see removing the bolts on the ABS then wondering how to pull the hardware out, and the same from the front, the hard lines on the controls. Would it help to remove the air intake pipes and air box? That does not look particularly helpful to me.

At a glance this procedure appears to be really ambitious for my experience level.
 
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