| Author | Message | ||
     Jd110033 |
ok, how the heck do you take the front wheel off? the brake caliper is not wanting to come off. the top of the caliper is hitting the rim and it does not have enough clearance to come off.do i take the rotor off to get the wheel off? and i would love an answer pretty fast. i got to get the wheels off so i can get to the shop in the morning and mount my avons. thanks guys. JD | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Since you obviously have the caliper unbolted, move it back and forth to spread the pads (you can also carefully use a screwdriver-I usually spread the while still bolted on). It should then come free. If you dont spread the pads you will fight it. If you've taken the pads out, it should come off. It is a tight fit. | ||
| Jd110033 |
i spread the pads and its still not coming off. one side seems like it wants to. but when i try to "wiggle" it to get the other side to come up, it "pops" back in and it goes right back to where it was. should i put the wheel back on and try it from the top? and thanks for the fast reply. JD | ||
| Jd110033 |
so i put the wheel back on and bolted everything back. and i tried to take the wheel off again and this time the pads keep getting tight. frustration. i love it. lol i am not going to pay the $55 to get the tired changed. if i can get it off, then its only $20. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
The pads shouldnt be getting tight in the 2 minutes it takes to get the caliper off, you're not somehow squeezing the brake lever? Anyway, if you have the wheel unbolted,you can actually remove it without unbolting the caliper (just spread the pads completely apart). Have you tried just pulling the wheel off without unbolting the caliper? Its only a little force thats needed to get the caliper past the rotor and rim. I've considered grinding the caliper down a little just to make it easier (for quick changes). You could also pull the pads out too (I never have, but many do, -per the manual). You cant get the wheel back on without removing the caliper though (well, its next to impossible). | ||
| Jd110033 |
thanks gearhead...im going to let it sit for the night. hit it up in the morning. i have a feeling i wasn't putting enough force behind it. did't want to break anything. lol i will let you know how it goes in the morning. | ||
| Reuel |
Pull the pads! It gets a whole bunch easier when you do. | ||
| Swampy |
Jd, I have not been able to get the front wheel off unless I pull the brake pads. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Swampy, say it isnt so?! I've lost lost faith and am seriously disillusioned.  Sorry, jd. I guess I'm the only one who doesnt need to pull the pads. And you can actually pull the wheel without pulling pads or caliper! (though it wont go back on that way-or maybe it will......) | ||
| Ezblast |
LOL - I've pulled it without pulling the pads - EZ | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
My faith is restored! | ||
| Johnnymac |
Well, my Viper Strykes are shot after 3500 miles and I'm in dire need of a new rear tire. Since nearly every tire is back ordered for 1 - 2 weeks + delivery time, my choices are limited. I would have liked to go with the Michelin Gold Standards since they have an S speed rating but everyone is out of stock. I like the look of the tread and the extra siping cut into the treads looks like they would make an excellent wet tire and probably the best choice when caught by unexpected snow and icy conditions. Since I will likely need yet another tire by the time that threat becomes a reality I decided to try something that no one else here appears to have tried. So... I just ordered a Pirelli ST 66 in 140/70S from motorcycle-superstore.com where they are not only in stick but also $7 cheaper ($65.99) than at American Motorcycle Tire. Shipping is free on orders over $75 so a set of rim protectors and a T-handle wrench is on the way with the tire. I can't wait to try the tire!  http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/5/32/404/5915 /ITEM/Pirelli-ST-66-Touring-Rear-Scooter-Tire.aspx The few reviews from customers are great and the one said he had used the Avons previously and that he liked these the best. I will give you all a full update and pics once I have them mounted. The front tires to go with them look pretty aggressive as well and should be excellent in the rain and nasty but I still have my front Viper Stryke to install and will be mounting that when I mount the ST66. If I end up liking the rear I will likely try the ST66 i the front when the Avon wears out. I think I may have some debris from the garage in the bead of my current VS that is causing it to have a slow leak. I'm positive it's the reason for the premature wear on this tire. I am sure that if I was more diligent on maintaining proper air pressure that it would have lasted another 1500-2000 miles easily. This Pirelli will be my 3rd tire in in the 5 months I've owned the bike and I've put 8000 miles on it so far. Rack 'em up!!  | ||
| Ezblast |
Thats usually how long the VS last me and thats actually pretty good, compared to the Pirelli in stock sizes that usually lasted 2000 miles - a touring tire should last longer, however, careful around the corners. EZ | ||
| Wardo |
Hi guys, new to the forum and blast riding. Been on the bike since the day after riders edge and have no intention of ever getting off, until it snows. So my front brake has been making a kind of rubbery noise when slowing from above 10 mph, anybody know what that is? | ||
| Indybuell |
What do you mean by rubbery noise? Have you taken the pads off and inspected them? You will also want to take the front wheel off to get a good look at the caliper, and both sides of the rotor. did you buy a Rider's Edge bike? You may have some worn pads  | ||
| Reuel |
I'm trying really hard to imagine a rubbery noise. It just isn't working.  If your pads are not worn, and there's no vibration when you brake, you're probably fine. | ||
| Berkshire |
Mine makes a noise which, I'm 90% sure, comes from the cooling holes in the rotor. It's not rubbery though - more of a warbling whistley whine, like thin air, or a tiny, tiny machine gun being fired thru a harmonica - or one of those sound-effects things you blow through that goes "wheeeee!" like a turbine (not a turban). Perhaps a rubbery sound is more similar to the sound of thick air, or a sweaty fat guy falling down carpeted stairs? ...it may be a good idea to check that the pads are installed straight - one time I put my back brake together in the dark and one of the pads wasn't quite in the right place - sort of in there crooked so the guide surfaces didn't hold in place. Later it fell out so that only the "pin" was holding it, allowing it to smack against the hub of the wheel and make some minor gouges - I'm lucky it didn't wedge in and lock up the wheel! | ||
| Johnnymac |
"a sweaty fat guy falling down carpeted stairs?"  | ||
| Reuel |
If that's the noise, it's normal. | ||
| Wardo |
Lol Berkshire, i would like you to know that my coffee has just been ejected from my nose at extreme velocity!! I think your definition of the noise is better. It was a riders edge bike so i will have my friends at harley check it out. Thanks for the info everybody. Been on this forum less than a day and already love it. I will check the pads tomorrow. Thanks again!! | ||
| Swampy |
Wardo, Welcome to the Thumper forum! Different material pads will have very different characteristics, like niose, brake dust and stopping power. Just make sure you have plenty of pad left, and as long as the rotor is good and it stops well, use it! I'm just north of Lansing if you need help. | ||
| Wardo |
Thanks Swampy. We'll have to get a Michigan ride together first thing next year. Going to have another bike by then, but will keep the blast for goofin around. I will check the pads tomorrow seeing as i cant ride due to our lovely Michigan weather (hate this state. Im interested to know what i can mod on the blast. Im looking for better intake, better pipe, maybe some bar end mirrors. I have no idea where to look for things like this. Any Help would be great. | ||
| Ezblast |
Welcome to the Dark side! Cue maniacal laughter! hahahahahahahahahaha! EZ | ||
| Wardo |
Thanks EZ, I WANT YOUR BLAST, BOTH OF THEM. The mods are sick, thats what i want mine to look like by the time im done. Where do you do your shopping? I MUST KNOW!!!!! | ||
| Ezblast |
Our sponsors, Ebay, and the links section in this KV - Enjoy! EZ | ||
| Reuel |
Ok, I'm about to not let anybody change the tire on my Blast. One of the pulley bolts is broken half way down, and an EZ-Out isn't going to work. Anybody know the exact threads? I'm not inviting disaster with the Helicoil idea am I? Or, is it just time to get a new wheel? Money is a limiting factor these days... | ||
| Ezblast |
Drill it out - start from the center, and go from there. EZ | ||
| Reuel |
Threads are already beginning to be damaged. I'm going to get a bit that's just smaller than the threads and see if I do any more damage. | ||
| Reuel |
Question answered. Time for a new wheel. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
I'm guessing you destroyed it? I dont see any reason you couldnt use a helicoil or just a longer bolt. The threads/hole goes pretty deep, you could use a longer bolt and clean the thread till it bottoms or even drill through. Its what I'd do if I didnt want to spend the money. (just dont screw up the wheel face where the pulley sits-thats critical). Or at least until one comes up cheap on e-bay, Winter is coming. (Message edited by Gearheaderiko on October 29, 2008) |
