NewBob

Apologies if there's any previous threads on this, I've searched but can't find anything. So I've left my bike standing for a while and before getting it back out on the road I've drained/replaced fluids, sorted valve clearances, service stuff etc.. But, while cleaning up the brakes I've discovered some "lumps" in the rear brake drum! The surface of the drum that makes contact with the shoe is warped in 2 places, quite close to each other and at the rear of the drum and quite obviously! This causes the shoes to rub on each rotation. I have no idea how this has happened or if it's always been like it but my questions are, Where can one get drums skimmed or resurfaced and at what cost? Would a dremel and a lot of graft save me the expense and has anybody else ever done this/have advice? Thanks

Oh and fog... 5am rural roads, blinded by main beams and bike is covered in muck, salt etc! Its dark when I leave and dark when I return. Washed the bike in the dark and adjusted the chain using a touch... I really need a garage or a car. Still good fun

Still commuting by motorcycle, wind, rain, ice, floods, cold... Ice All good fun

Just a note, the Haynes manual says SAE 10W/40 API grade SG or higher. Double checked as I started questioning if I'm using the correct oil as the first time I bought some I took the advice from the suzuki dealer (streetbike). I've found most of the parts are available from wemoto at less cost with fast delivery. Oem parts and some cheeper versions or aftermarket ones

I use Motul 7100 10w40 semi synthetic. I'm not sure what effect using 10w30 would have? It's thinner... I'm not an oil expert so I'd wait until one of the pros responds??

I'm no expert but have you considered mounting the mirrors onto your original bar ends? Looks like you can detach the weights from the mirrors and thread your assembly through maybe?

I'm wandering what I should do next (when I have the time). So far using this site, a Haynes manual, YouTube and Google I've learned how to; Change oil and filters, replace clutch cable, clutch plates, unseize front break pistons, replace pads and rear break shoes, spark plug and a few other bits and bobs. Valve clearances are next but while I've got the petrol tank off I'm replacing the rear break light switch (it's working but I believe the wires are loose or damaged as during break shoe change and re adjustment it stopped working. I had to twist it around the frame and cable tie it in place!) Most of these were out of necessity but now I'm wandering what (if any) jobs should I try and do/learn next. The bikes a suzuki van van (09), over 25k miles on the clock and used all year round. Anything else I can get done while the petrol tank is off? I'm not looking to spend too much money but jobs that should be done (or checked etc) that are fairly inexpensive or just good to know jobs etc please. I'm building up a decent tool kit and new skills

I use Motul chain wax (c4) too, I find it ends up all over the swing arm tho and gets lots of road grime etc stuck to it in no time. I've tried a couple of other brands but found them harder to apply or not last as long etc... Only reason I started using this is because the dealership recommended it but on a 125 I'm thinking perhaps a lube formulated for racing is a bit overkill? Tbh I don't clean the bike enough so maybe my fault there's so much grime

I should really clean my chain more (all weather use) but the chain wax I use can be difficult to remove so thanks for the tips. A biker once told me just to de link it and drop it in petrol overnight, I've never risked it but would that work and not damage o-rings? I currently use wurth brake cleaner on it, found that and a toothbrush gets most the wax off fairly easily but I might now consider using light oil and paraffin as described above. Probably watch the thread a bit longer first tho before taking the leap into the unknown

I'd recommend trying army surplus stores, I have this bag. https://www.military1st.co.uk/14002205-mil-tec-molle-us-assault-pack-large-coyote.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIx8zQvJaQ5QIVCLDtCh2QjQ83EAQYAiABEgLXAfD_BwE Bought it 6 years ago, its large 35ltr, can carry a lot of weight, I've done small supermarket shops with it, parts from motorcycle shop, tool shopping, the list goes on. Never had to spray it with anything (ride all year round) and nothing inside has ever got wet. Might not be the most stylish bag but will last forever and for additional space you can always attach carabiner clips to the outside and hang stuff off or tie that long breaker bar to it etc... and I got mine for £20. These types of bags are very common in army surplus stores so you may get a bargain. If you're willing to spend more might as well get a back box or both. I've recently bought one and wish I had years ago, best thing you'll ever bolt onto your bike. You can pop your bag in the back box with your work stuff in and on the way home if you need the extra space the bag goes on your back and the box can hold your shopping or whatever, doubled your storage

Note to self, when topping up oil ensure oil filler cap is tightened properly otherwise you will hear a change of sound in the engine noise and discover your leg and the whole side of the bike is a lovely slippery black. Doh

I think ill stick with fully armoured gear thanks. Plus no one wants to see my junk hanging out as i ride through town in a mankini surely??? Budget is low but Im still looking for quality and buy in bits at a time, just jacket is needed atm. Thanks all for feedback, some useful some erm... well thanks anyway :0)

Anyone have any good advice for summer gear on a budget? Im sweating my nuts off atm riding in the same gear I've used all through the winter. Brands, shops, anything that might help, cheaper the better or even second hand if you have old spares to sell. Not like its gonna be sunny long, is it?

Its ok, recently had 1 wrote off still going through claim so had 0 no claims anyway and even with that insurance came down for my 2nd yr on the road. Fingers crossed it doesnt affect it as they never had full details of this one anyway.

I checked the bike over and it seemed fine and still does. Although I believe it was deliberate as I had been completely stationary as had he for a while I reported it to insurance but not police and have decided not to make a claim. Infact after my self service the bike seems very slightly better than before. I do wish this idiot could be taken off the road but sadly Police are too busy these days to give a toss about anyone who's not rich or a celebrity. Thanks all for your feedback tho it is truly appreciated.

So was stationary at an island waiting when the car behind me suddenly shunted forward. He hadnt touched me and i responded with a hand gesture to tell him to wait as a car was on the inside/middle of the island but indicating left (and did cut across all 3 lanes to make his exit). The car behind then shunted me, my foot was on the rear break but the bike still moved forward a little as his car pushed my bike! He did pull over after i did making out it was accidental. Whats the likelihood of damage? I probably got pushed forward about 1ft ish not much more. I did secretly film him admitting he'd hit my bike but not sure whether to make a claim or not? Thanks in advance

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Also does it matter if the new oil level is below the max but above the min? Managed to swap out oil & air filter, change oil and adjust chain in 1hr in the wet and windy weather having never done any of these tasks before... bike rides fine (slightly better than before) I noticed there was no spring behind the oil filter and according to the manual there should be! Been riding it since October without but will that be a issue? The locator pin is in the same way it came out but found a youtube video where he took these out (in same order mine are in) then replaced them with the spring below the pin instead of around it (above the base/magnet) and it said neutral solved but im not sure weather to do this?

Yep this happened, well i havent started it up yet as i had to fetch the boy but the spring and pin fell out! I think they went back in the way they came out but neutral was a problem anyway. Still have the bits? Id be more than happy to put a drink on top of the postage

Going to attempt my first self service (well mini service) on my suzuki van van, got the bits, air filter, oil & filter, O rings but a sump washer was included i wasnt expecting (havent seen that in the youtube vids) am i right in thinking its for the nut under the bike where oil comes out? Also i was told i should have jets done... problem is im a newb and i dont know what the flip that means :/

Mine did over 8000 miles before i crashed n sold it, passed mot first time and is back on the road with new owner loving it its also faster than the other 2 ive had (honda cb125f & suzuki van van) hitting 80mph but did feel like itd fall apart from 65 upwards

Probably tic over screw needs adjusting, kept happening on my sinnis trackstar, is it really quiet ticking over before its warmed up and can cut out before you've even hit the road? Until you adjust it just keep a little throttle on at every light or junction etc and it wont die... just be careful cornering at slow speed cos if it stalls then you could end up going for a slide!

Not good as prolonged use causes excess sweating and can lead to dermatitis/skin issues I've used those a lot last year but over a pair of silk inner gloves and under my non waterproof gloves. They kept my hands dry and helped keep the wind off them, 1hr+ trip everyday through the winter and hands were only starting to get cold at the end of the journey. Bought some waterproof thermal gloves just before December but you need a pair of gloves underneath still and if you put cold hands in it traps the cold in too!

Somthing I hadnt thought about before now... the age of the tyres. These tyres have the date stamp of 09 (same year as bike 1009) although the tread looks great there are visable cracks in the rear (i havent noticed any in the front). Could that also be contributing to why I feel unsafe/slippy on the cold roads? I'd just presumed as it's only done 6500 miles and the tread is fat there would be no issues but on second thoughts, rubber degrades, i don't know if the previous owners banked corners much and therfore im thinking (bear in mind im new to all this) they may be more worn down in the middle (upright position) and may be why im experiencing difficult cornering and no cofidence in leaning anymore! Am I overthinking this or have I just stumbled on what could be an issue to a inexperianced rider on semi-offroad tyres on fast urban roads through Birmingham in winter?!

Thanks guys, i do apreciate all the advice. Since writing that a lot of confidence has come back, i have loosened up a lot and the back break is getting used a hell of a lot more but yea i should definatly adjust it for comfort as well as responce time. I feel even though im slower now i ride better/safer and feel a lot more of what is going on between the bike and the road. This has its drawbacks, little wobbles from front tyre ie. When i breaked a little whilst on white lines today and felt it, or that road surface my tyres dont like etc.. make me paranoid again but ive piced up speed in the straights again and ive stopped coasting (caught myself doing it twice so far but each for about 1 second before i realize and stop doing it). Cornering is still an issue tho, its as if im trying to fight against the bike. The hard part is trusting the grip between the tyre and the road, it doesnt feel good in the cold or wet! In the dry/warmish its seemed ok, i do think i should seriously concider full road tyres before the real winter comes. Im definatly not cornering correctly (or like i used too) so i need to make a concious effort to accelerate into the turns. At the moment im breaking (rear) on a couple of bends still and/or using the engine to slow me, and im cornering on the inside near the curb a lot and never used too! Again i think its the tyres making me too nevous to lean and trust the bike. The downhills have also improved a bit, i do take it very easy tho (go faster uphill . I'll keep at it, someday ill get there, dont know where yet but ill be there... eventually cheers