HondaCruiser

Hi guys! Awrighty…I’ve some good news at last! It took just one message on a Fbook group called AJS Owners, and a great chap called Ray sent me a message saying he’s replaced his very same brake reservoir with one that’s used on the EOS bikes! And what’s more, AJS now have it in stock…not cheap though…around £80! But here’s the thing…when I’d contacted AJS some months ago, they sent back an email saying they haven’t got one in stock for the 125DD. But if I were an employee at a parts place, and I knew that another model uses the same unit, I’d have said Ok, so we have got one of yours, but you can fit the one we di have in stock for the EOS, which is the same unit. End of story! Anyway, problemo over! Next thing, once the mot is done, I’ll change the handle…it’s got that straight handlebar which isn’t bad, but it’s rusted in places so I’m planning to replace it with a half apehanger bar! Heres to some cool cruising in the coming Spring! Ride safe guys! ps I added a pic of the unit AJS supply

Thanks again for your help! I actually loosened off the pivotal bolt that holds the pushrod in place on the brake lever just to find out if it’s the actual brake pedal that’s stiff, or the piston inside the master unit. the jury is out on that one…I couldn’t ascertain whether it’s the piston or lever! looks like it’s going to be a long slog…taking off the master unit from the pedal etc, then getting inside where the piston slides in and out…however, that may be nigh on impossible, as these units are normally sealed I guess. if only I can find out from a dealer what Nike this same unit is used on, I can then go for a straight replacement. so…still lost until I disassemble everything!

Hi thanks fir dropping in! this is half the problem…I don’t know what bike the AJS is based on. if I knew that, I could just buy a brake reservoir for that model and fit it on!

Hi and thanks for the tip! I loosened the hex bolt but the pedal is still stiff. looks like the tension is in the piston assembly itself. I also noticed the spring isn’t doing its job bringing the pedal back. reasin fir tha is probably cos the spring has jumped from its anchor point underneath the fitting. but as I said, I reckyevrn if I place the spring in its right position, the pedal is so tight, it may not pop back to its rest position. looks like I may have to strip the whole asset down to see what bloody happened! other thing I checked is when the pedal is pressed, the rear brake does apply. it just doesn’t release when you remove your foot.

Thank you for the swift reply! I haven’t had a look at the inside of the reservoir yet. But I’m sure that the pedal should not be as stiff as it is. I get the feeling that the spring would not have the force in it to return the pedal as the pedal is so stiff. Ill post some more pics in a few secs just show the angle of the piston, pedal etc. When the pedal is depressed, it does engage the rear brake and the brake light comes on too, but the pedal doesn’t return. I mean I’m comparing it to other bikes I have…the brake pedal should pop back immediately you lift your foot off it. This pedal just stays put. Strange! Heres a pic of the sliding piston…a better angle. Looks ok. And the pic shows the spring that’s supposed to return the pedal. I don’t know if the spring position is correct as you can see the end of the spring is not engaged anywhere. The last pic I took just now of the underneath of the spring shows a little nub and I don’t know if the spring should be anchored by that nub or not. Even so, the pedal is damn stuff…tried wd40 on it but still stiff. Would I be better off just replacing the reservoir or stripping it down to check the seals etc pls?

Hi i just joined your forum. Thank u for having me! I’ve introduced myself in the Newbies section too. I bought a project bike a few months ago, an AJS 125 DDe 2013 model. It needs a rear brake reservoir unit, the one that fits next to the rear brake pedal and has a sliding piston going in and out of it as you depress the pedal. Try as hard as I can, I just cannot find one…neither new on nor a used one! Do any of you good people here know where I can get one pls…used or new, as long as it works. The brake pedal pushes the piston in when I press it, but the pedal feels kinda hard and doesn’t return. The return spring is ok. It’s a metal box that holds the brake fluid for the rear brake. I’ve attached a few pics to show you. Any help would be fantastic. I’m trying to get the bike ready for the road this Spring and this is all that it needs! Thank you!

Hi im new here so pls be patient! Relatively new rider….been riding for about 5 years. I’ve had a number of bikes, ‘Saki, Yam, Honda etc, not to mention some Chinese ones! im not a power freak and the biggest I have at the mo is 250 Virago. I don’t do highway riding, that’s to say motorways. I only ride around town or on B roads. I’ve tried all kinds of bikes but cruisers suit me best. Im going to post in the main forum in a sec, but I thought I better follow protocol here and intro myself! im in the uk.

Just my 2 cents about my CBT! My instructor was a an ex-army bloke, so I don’t know why he acted as he did...maybe because he’s a tiny skinny guy and was trying to impress us all or something! Anyway, he explained the controls etc etc, all 3 of us were in twist n go bikes. We did all the usual stuff in the car park, and that’s when he started using expletives, like “what are u f**king doing?”, “you pussy, I didn’t ask you to do that!” or told us stories of former pupils like “I had one c**t who f***ed up everything...” etc etc! When he took us on the road, we were already put off by his attitude and his swearing, so naturally we made plenty of mistakes, taking wrong turns etc! i took a wrong turn and he shouted in my earpiece asking me to pull over! ”What the f**k are you doing, pillock?” Anyway, we all passed thankgidbut the gist of the matter is, instructors like those shouldn’t be instructing!

Thank you very much for that confidence booster! im probably overreacting and am sure you’re right! i felt exactly the same when I went for the CBT but sailed through it. I’ve been practicing at a car park next my home when it’s empty, doing slaloms, figure 8 and U turns etc that will be required for the practical, and I feel I will be ok! i guess ur right...if there’s no point doing the test for an A2, then why not go for the full A...after all, what’s the worst that can happen...a fail!

Thank you very much! i have a Honda 125 VT cruiser at the mo, and am happy with it! Id be very happy with a 300 or 400cc bike all my life really. im not into speeding on a fancy Speed bike nor would I like to go for a massive Harley or somesuch! Quite like the look of a Honda VRX 400 or a Yammie Virago 535!

Thank you for your swift response! Yes that’s what I was afraid of! i really am very comfortable riding my 125 now and feel nervous in learning all over again on a a2 bike...call it age related fear! i will have to think about this seriously...do I really want to through nerve wracking tests at my age or is a 125 ample for me!! Appreciate your help very much!

Hi everyone! im new here so pardon me if my question is silly! im 63 and yes, I took it up a little late but better late than never, eh! i did my CBT almost 2 years ago and haven’t been able to find a slot where I live for my Theory test, apparently due to covid, people wanting to take tests have soared! My CBT runs out in March so I’ve got to get my skates on in order to do the theory then mod 1 and 2. But I’m so confused!! I don’t really want to buy the latest Harley Davidson but just want a bike to pootle around on...max 300 or 400cc would be fine for me. My question is: can I take the A1 or A2 test on my 125cc, as I’m familiar with it and don’t want to waste time getting used to a bigger bike, say a 600cc, to take the test on? ive had conflicting advice as some said yes, I can take the practical tests in my 125 which will allow me to ride a bike of upto 500cc, which I’d be happy with. but some people say no, if I take my practical tests on my 125, then I can only ride a 125 for life, unless I take new tests on a bigger bike! Who is right pls? now u know why I’m confused and the March deadline is fast approaching...yikes!! pls help!