Mostly Harmless.

[azekeil]

The plan for the weekend went.. according to plan, which was nice. I dropped my bike off at a different dealership to have it's MOT done (the one I usually use has just got a really big performance tuning rig and now they don't have room to do MOT's - DOH!).

On Saturday morning we tidied and shuffled more stuff in kissycat1000's place. Sooon, soooooon I tell you, it will be her house :)

sciamachy along with wife Sue and baby Frank came to visit to pick up some baby things. We went to the pub for lunch. kissycat1000 talks about it here. Later on sciamachy and I went back to the bike place to pick up my bike. I think this may have been a bad idea for sciamachy.

The damage on the MOT was pretty much as expected:

• 2 new tyres: £250
• Silencer: £230
• Brake pads front and rear: £50
• Dipped headlight out: pennies
• Rear brake switch faulty: £5
• Minor service: oil/filters change and safety check: £130
• Fixing the leaky fuel cap and carb clean: £50
• 7 hours labour: £250

Obviously the last two jobs are not needed to pass the MOT but they need doing anyway - I was just waiting to see if they were worth doing. I've already done the front brakes but buggered the pads a bit putting the second lot on. I expect it will need a bleed as well, although it was fine this morning. It's rubbing a bit so I need to fiddle some more with it. Ah well I'll get them to check it when it goes in for the rest of the work. Total, if it's all done at the garage; about £1000. Ouch. Most of that is standard maintenance though *sigh*.

I'm hoping fiendster can help me weld up the silencer. But at any rate I got it reinsured 3rd party only on Saturday for £360. I have an alarm/immobiliser and have managed to keep it chained TO stuff for the last year. Plus although it's a nice looking bike, it's not showroom condition - I just don't think thieves will be interested in it.

Saturday night I stayed in to babysit while florence90 and kissycat1000 went out on a hen night. You can read more about their night out in her post I linked to above. I did nice things like remake kissycat1000 and florence90's bed because kissycat1000 didn't have time, then chilled out in front of the telly.

Sunday morning arrived. I hadn't slept too well and was a bit tired which affected my mood. Although I think kissycat1000 was probably more sleep-deprived *grin*. Pub lunch in Bristol, seeing the usual suspects. kissycat1000 crashed out on my bed so I played computer games.

The evening was hot and made us both restless. What with interrupted sleeping patterns and lack of motivation to do anything better I played more computer games. kissycat1000 decided to write her post and so I played more games. Although I think she decided to write her post *because* I was playing my game. Eventually we went to bed to lie quietly and not be able to sleep up there either.

So, all in all, meh. I have to tinker with my bike. I hope trying to fit the pads myself will not end up costing me more than to let the bike shop do it. Ah well. I shall try and get some rear pads today and fit them this evening.

Comments

[sciamachy.livejournal.com]

The pads shouldn't be a problem - I'd invest in a can of brake cleaner, and recruit a big meaty mate to give you a hand with the wheel though - when you're wrestling it back on it's a devil of a job for one guy as you're not only lifting the wheel, but trying to get it aligned correctly and keep the brake shoe in position, and knock the axle back into place, so an extra pair of hands is very handy indeed.
If you can't get someone local, gimme a ring and I'll whizz down of an evening & give you a hand. The front OTOH is a doddle; just remember to jack up the bike and be careful not to knock it over. (Don't ask me how I know, etc) :-)

[azekeil.livejournal.com]

Taking the wheel off..?? Erm, I don't have to do that for brakes I'm sure - I've done it before. I'm going to get them to do the tyres anyway. And luckily I have a centre stand :)

[sciamachy.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm only going by what I know of the CB500, but on that the rear brake shoe is attached to the swing-arm by a rail that it slots into, and a loop through which the axle passes, so to get at the rear brake you need the rear wheel off. Dunno if it's any different on the Triumph, but I suspect it may be similar.

[sciamachy.livejournal.com]

Actually, you're right - I just checked on the Daytona 1200 parked outside, and I think your brakes are the same, roughly - the rear ones hang down below the hub, right, and they're braced against the swing-arm by a connecting rod that forms a triangle with the swing-arm? Shouldn't be a problem then.

Damn... I gotta get me a new bike! :-)

[azekeil.livejournal.com]

Yes. Although that is the ONLY bit on that bike that is easy to maintain. And did you notice all key parts use Torx-shaped keys? God what a pain that is.

[serena-lesley.livejournal.com]

*kiss* thank you for babysitting and doing useful stuff.. I love you!!!

And hopefully the brakes will be fine.. :)

[azekeil.livejournal.com]

I love you! You got time to come on IM before work? :)