The "Official" Oz Monster Say Anything Thread...

[Betty]

So what's going on with you lot down there? I have heard that the weather is pretty shitty in Sydney ... isn't that when you are meant to get on the forum and talk crap - it's been pretty quiet.

[Two dogs]

Well post up some pics of your holiday Mark so we have something to talk about 
Its about as shitty as it gets here double demerit long weekend 10 degres and wet
 
And Brian has his tail between his legs so hasn't posted up any crap lately
for us to retaliate too

[suzyj]

Can I just say now how much I hate Spada brakes?

When we got the Spada, the front brakes were sticky.  After much stuffing about, I replaced the pistons and seals, and got them working okay. We figured that when it was time to replace the pads, we'd also replace the rotor and go for sintered pads and braided lines, to at least get as much braking as we could.

A fortnight ago, the bits arrived so I went at them, only to find the pin that holds the pads in place is seized up, and the allen key hole is rounded out, so I can't get the pads out. Not to worry, I squirted some penetrating oil in and ordered a new (titanium no less) pin, and figure I'll just destroy the old one when I remove it, then replace it with the new high zoot factor one.

So the new pin arrives and I go to do the rest of the work today.  I file flats on the old pin and have at it with some vice grips.  No way.  I apply some heat, then have another go.  The pin snaps off inside the caliper and turns, with the threaded bit still firmly seized in place.

So after trying a sequence of ever more desperate measures, I finally chucked the caliper in the bin. I'll go order a new one from Honda tomorrow.

[monstermick58]

Suzyj, Why dont you take it to a machine shop (or a brake shop) and get them to extract the pin?








                                  Mmick

[Betty]

Well post up some pics of your holiday Mark so we have something to talk about 

Ha. Would you believe I left the bloody camera at home.










No? How about that I am technically incompetent, don't have a proper computer and don't know the login details for our flickr account.

We have just encountered our worst weather ... mid 20's, drizzle yesterday arvo, rain cleared for our Segway tour of Milan this morning. It is meant to turn a bit nasty tomorrow though.

[suzyj]

Suzyj, Why dont you take it to a machine shop (or a brake shop) and get them to extract the pin?

Naah, not worth the effort.  Metro had a caliper in much better condition for $80. Those guys are awesome. I've also ordered a seal kit and new rubber bits from Honda, and will swap the newish pistons across from the other one.

[dragonworld.]

Can be a trap for the unwary!? 

That low K, small capacity "bargain" could be an expensive baby!! 

A lot of newby riders will not/ cannot, park their bikes under cover (Carport!?) let alone a garage, not to mention the "Grey" import types that are notoriously corroded with the associated problems both internal and external!! 

Suzyj's caliper is a fairly "normal" problem with these sort of bikes! If your handy with tools and willing to put in some time then they can be saving! Otherwise have a good look over these areas BEFORE purchase! 

[suzyj]

Good point Dragon.  I wouldn't trade the experiences we've had with Kristyn's Spada for anything though. I reckon there's real value to having an unreliable first bike just for the education it provides. Kristyn's gone from knowing essentially nothing about bikes to being quite competent at working on hers. She wouldn't have learned any of that if she had a new bike, and could instead end up completely reliant on the dealer.

[dragonworld.]

Zackly Suzy!! Its how I learned to work on bikes as a youngster! 

Not being endowed with much cash forced me to buy "Bargain bikes"  (Read: neglected shitbox!  )

This was invaluable as a teaching tool for not only fixing said basket case but, learning what to look for when inspecting a bike before purchasing the beast!

[braando]

Just browsing through some old photos and i stumbled across one of my favourite shots.
Matty Vas, they say that a picture sais a thousand words don't they..?     
Male bonding at its best form our coasties,  if you didn't know better, ummmmmm.....

[Betty]

As you may or may not know the Ducati Museum is still closed as a precautionary measure after the quakes ... so we couldn't visit this time.

But yesterday we called in to Vittorio Tessera's scooter museum ... bloody amazing! With his business downstairs he has his personal museum upstairs. Something like 160 scooters with the biggest 'hall' dedicated to Lambretta and the two smaller rooms filled with all sorts of weird and wonderful scooters (even a couple of Vespas). Maybe someday we too can have a 'proper' shed for the toys.

There were a few scoots I would love to have ... a pretty little KTM or an amazing Honda perhaps. But that Ducati Cruiser ... ohh I've been wanting one of those for a while.

[Betty]

Just watched Stoner hold off Dovi for a GP win and close the gap on Lorenzo in the title chase as he was forced into the pits mid-race.





Oh and it was a 125 race from 2004. There always seems to be some sort of bike racing on the box over here ... from MotoGP down to Minimoto. With several channels dedicated to football there is always something on - I may not know what the commentators are saying but they are excited about it.

[dragonworld.]

Anyone else got an email from "THAT OTHER"  Monster site that quite a few of us were originally members on??

The one that treated us like shit, censoring us, and was instrumenal in steering us to this excellent Forum??

Sucks to DMMF!! Go crap on the floor and fall back in it!! 

[Two dogs]

Got one in my junk folder today[laugh]

[Two dogs]

Thought this may be of interest to anyone that rides up the Old Pacific road and what the  are attempting and getting away with 

Very similar to what happened to a buch of Monster riders from here last year

http://www.netrider.net.au/forums/showthread.php?t=132920#.T9rLbksThvU