Grumpy Old Git

OK, So I split the LH calliper, removed the spring (in surprisingly good condition) and the pads. Soaked the treaded end of the pin with plus gas (again), tried molegrips - No joy! Heated exterior of calliper applied mole grips - slight movement? Soaked again in plus gas and left for an hour. Heat and mole grips again, - and - 'snap' the pin sheared about 1/4 inch up from the calliper body! Centre tapped the sheared end and applied small diameter drill bit (hammer action) to see if that would get it turning - Answer no! Another soaking with plus gas and left for tonight. tomorrow I will try putting the remaining pin stub in the vice and try turning the calliper body off (rather than molegrips). Will try with heat also. Once I get this one out (and the calliper rebuilt), I will attempt the right hand one (but I am going to re-use the old pin on this one (just clean it up and leave it in place),

Looks like you will need to strip down the gearbox - Not a difficult task but you will need new gaskets for the rebuild. I would expect you to find either a cracked selector or slightly bent - Easy to replace (if that is the problem) otherwise the fault could be loose shaft bearings. Before stripping, put into 5th gear. Once you have got the outer cover off, replace the gear lever and 'give it a wiggle' and see if you can spot any play in the internals (try moving the lever as though you were selecting 5th). If there is no obvious fault, then you are probably going to be 'outside your comfort zone' and will need to get expert advice (unless you have a 'mate' who is a motorcycle mechanic, then this could be expensive). Alternative is to replace the gearbox (last resort) with either a new or reconditioned one (with warranty).

Probably a silly question, but are you certain that the tap is not off when it is 'on'.....?

Re-use current pin(s) after splitting and replacing pads - Option. Ride as is - not on as pads are VERY close to being just plain metal and, they would damage my shiny new discs! - Not an option. Cut pin, remove old pads (spring may be able to be removed?) then get to 'grips' with the pin shank and try and remove (without bending the pin) - Possible option. Weld bolt onto head of pin - Not an option (not enough visible of the pin 'head' to weld (even if I had a welding kit) - Not an option. Looks like first option is the way to go - however, if I've split the callipers, then I might as well try and 'grip' the pin and get it out. Shame it's not 'Chinese' as a swift tap with a hammer (as Hoggs suggested) would shatter the pin completely!

A spray with 'contact cleaner' can help.

The same calliper (and seals) are used on various Triumphs (it is the 2+2 pot type) - A few on-line suppliers have the seal kits (and are cheaper that the OEM shop) but still expensive. I may resort to just trying to split them (as Stu suggests) and re-use the current seals. NB. I too have an angle grinder! Currently I'm not 'happy' to continue riding it until I get the new pads in (and the sun is shining again today ).

I have four different weights of hammer - as the pin is threaded, which bit of the pin would you advise me to hit with which weight of hammer and how hard! With comments like that - I may 'forget' that I still owe you a beer!

We had in consecutive years: Ace Café; Tower Bridge; the Graffiti Tunnel. So few folk actually 'grabbed' those tags, I decided not to include the Tower of London this time but, there are a few tags quite close to the M25 this year!

Ok, It is rare that I need help but this has got me beat. It would appear that the last owner either tried to remove the pad pins and rounded out the hex socket head or, did it when replacing the pads. Anyhow, I've tried 'plus gas' - a good soaking; hammering a hex drive into the head; hammering in a Torx drive into the head; mole grips on the other end; impact driver; NO MOVEMENT AT ALL! Tried heating the calliper body using a hair dryer; tried cooling the pin with freezer spray - Still nothing! I'm (very) reluctant to drill into the head to try and use 'screw extractors' so, any other tips? NB. YouTube shows cutting through the pin and/or dismantling the whole calliper - Don't want to do that as it will require a complete new set of (expensive) seals. In case you can't view my profile - The bike is a 2007 Rocket III

Turn off the fuel and remove the spark plug(s). Drain the carb(s). Turn over a few times. Dry and refit plug(s). Turn on fuel. Should start OK now.

Did you not get a guarantee with the kit?

Weather permitting - I'll be there.

3 Hours! I assume that includes stopping for about 45 minutes for a 'rest'? The 'meet' is 45 minutes from me and London is only 1 hour (to the inner ring road). Come along - you'll have time for two cokes!

Not tonight - Brakes to 'sort'.

Flint Castle Beaumaris Castle Criccieth Castle Aberystwyth Castle Llawhaden Castle Laugharne Castle Swansea Castle Cardiff Castle Wales completed! and I only got soaked on the Sunday! Recommend the Druids Inn (near Mold) for an overnight stop for N Wales - excellent!

Go. Be sensible and follow the advice of the people you will be working with/for and you will be fine. As said earlier - The 'locals' are mainly very friendly and will welcome you if you do not abuse their way of life. Enjoy!

The old guy was 'terrified' and, in that state, would he let a stranger get into his car to drive it? I think not! If the woman had walked over to the guy and spoke to him quietly and understandingly, the situation may never have escalated that far - It matters not who was right or wrong, a little understanding of the other persons point of view and state of mind always helps.

In answer to the original question by the OP: No.

A few years ago (when I owned a caravan), we were looking for a site in deepest Devon are were on a single track road (with passing places) when we came head to head with a BMW. The driver (male) made various gestures for me to back up so. Handbrake on, engine off, out and opened up the van. Wife (bless her) walks over to the car and advises that we are going to make a pot of tea and would he like one? This had the desired result (after a few curses about 'bl@@dy tourists') and he reversed approximately 100 yds to a 'passing place' and let us through. Not quite the same situation but, does not the Highway Code advise that you should give precedence to vehicles coming up a hill?

Yep!

Some Londoners try to act tough (like Northerners' are) so, pi$$ing in your sink was just 'bravado'. Since when has Lancashire been part of England? I thought it was a French enclave.

I was in t'dales on Sunday.

Wrap your 'smart phone' in tin foil and place in a bucket full of water - 'They' will not be able to track you then (oh, and don't forget to wear a woolly hat that covers your eyes, nose and ears -so no satellite recognition either). NB. Apply the same technique to 'smart' watches, tablets, PCs, etc. etc. etc.