Self Nomination

Let me start with - Had a really bad day yesterday so this could get long.

As some of you know I had problems with my chain up WeeMac in which (at the time) i thought was the cause of the knocking. I had to go in to Galashiels early in the morning before the rideout to have some slack taken out that the stiff links had caused, well I did the rideout and made it home so ordered a new chain which was fitted on Friday.

Knocking was still there and now there was a wiring noise. The garage took it back in and put on the rolling road. They traced it to the callipers, the pads had too much verticals movement and was banging against the callipers(not helped by slightly warped discs). It was near closing time so I took the bike home.

Saturday morning - supposed to be on a rideout so got in the shed at 6.30 and stripped both callipers down. Could see where the pads had been banging the callipers so cleaned up all pots and reassembled - thought it might be sticking pot anglin the pad.

Checked oil as I had topped up after WeeMac, now showing too high. Undid the filler cap and half undid the drain plug to remove enough oil. Did up drain plug.

Removed sprocket cover and found the front sprock that was like knew before WeeMac was now shagged! All teeth were now curled. Went for short ride and brake callipers still banging. Rang around for sprocket and no one had one in stock.

Toys going out pram.

Corby Kawasaki had an idea what the problem with callipers might be, could I get to them (nice lads there and very helpful) and they could have a sprocket in for Monday.

Ok, give up and decided to just give them it and get it sorted. Apologies sent to rideout and I gear up and leave. Hear comes the numpty point.

Get 3/4 of a mile out if Witting around a few twisties and on a left hander my foot flies up in the air and I nearly fly of the bike on the left hand side. I look down after recovering and the right side of the bike if covered in oil, so is my boot and footpeg!!!

3 guesses what I hadn't done????

no filler cap!
Unlucky about the bike, just when the weather was getting nice too!

Got it in one.

Here's an amusing part, RAC - running at 120mins. So got the rag from under the seat and started cleaning up while i waited for recovery. After 30mins a Harley pulled up. We had a bit of of a chinwag and he said he would keep and eye out for the cap just in case. As he left the RAC called and said they would be mins. sound.

Just as the RAC turn up the Harley guy arrives back with cap in hand - what are the odds on that, and it was in tacked mine o ring.

Cap on, RAC degreased foot peg and off to Kawasaki.

Unlucky mate, really bad news, having a bit of a mare with that bike, little things here and there, hope you get it sorted and it doesn't cost too many pennies mate.

As for the numpty point I ain't nominating you, it's something I'm sure lots of people have done (but won't admit to) and the consequences could have been far worse, from a blown engine to a serious off.

I once worked at a garage where in one week the new apprentice did an oil change, forgot to replace the filter and started the engine, next in assisting him remove a siezed oil filter by hammering a screwdriver through it to give better leverage, he went and did the same thing to fit the new one. He didn't last the week!!

What I'm saying is sometimes its an accident, sometimes it's beyond numpty!!

Been there, done that [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Well John, you're still alive to tell the tale.
I hope your unlucky streak is over now Maybe the re-found filler cap is the start of the lucky streak?

At least you know what the problem is and I hope Corby Kawasaki can get it fixed for you without too much trouble. Would be interested to know what the cause and solution are, so let us know when you get the bike back.

No numpty nomination here. Just relieved your OK and things are getting fixed.

not wanting to rub it in john but mine just passed its MOT
with no advise,s said it was in very good nick for a 10 year old bike with 28,000 on the clock
but then again mine,s a proper GREEN Kawasaki

Bloomin Eck John

You'll not do that again.

Glad the ending wasn't worse and hats off the the Harley boy.......what a find. A black filler cap on a black road?

Rosco

Hope I bump into him again.

A weekend to forget.

The odds on the cap being in the road and not the verge is high enough let alone the fact no one had run over it.

I know I am going to need new discs at some point so been doing some research and have found some that get good reviews from some on the Ninja site, they are British (Coventry) and cheap enough for me to afford:

Zone Products Discs

Might be a bit of a daft longshot this, but. . . could there be any mileage in looking for a local engineering Co. that could skim the discs bringing them back into alignment ?

A. Would it be possible ?
B. Would it be price viable (cheaper than purchasing replacement(s) ) ?

They're not that heavy to begin with though, making them thinner could cause them to warp again, unfortunately.

Mmmm, had a call from Corby Kawasaki, Im very lucky as the front bearings had completely collapsed. Their baffled that the wheel still turned.

Should be able to pickup later today or tomorrow.

YZFJohn wrote:Mmmm, had a call from Corby Kawasaki, Im very lucky as the front bearings had completely collapsed. Their baffled that the wheel still turned.

Should be able to pickup later today or tomorrow.

Hopefully this is an end to the indifferent luck you've been having John, could've been a lot worse if the wheel did decide to give up the ghost while you were riding it. My wheels are off tonight to get new tyres fitted so I'll be sure to give mine a good once over with your story in mind!!

You really are having a run of it John Hopefully that's the end of it. Sounds like you've been very fortunate on several occasions of items not failing totally.

Double edged sword - lucky nothing's hurt me but unlucky in how much is going wrong. Still have a smile.

Sobering thought John. Fingers crossed it'll be perfect from now on.

YZFJohn wrote:Double edges sword - lucky nothing's hurt me but unlucky in how much is going wrong. Still have a smile.

Yeah I suppose REALLY lucky would be you safe and the bike behaving, lets hope old bikey starts behaving..

Hi John,, hope you have sorted your problems ,,,very lucky indeed fella, i know what the front disc problem is like on those (prone to it) but never had it knocking on the calipers,, sounds like the bearing was causing more faults!!!,
im just glad your ok and that you got help when required , hope the bikes ok as soon as eh!
but if you had a chain fitted why didnt they tell you the front sprocket was buggered ??

Phew, good job the bike lasted up in Scotland John.

Sounds like its not been ridden like that in a while.

Soon be as good as new.

mechy69 wrote:Hi John,, hope you have sorted your problems ,,,very lucky indeed fella, i know what the front disc problem is like on those (prone to it) but never had it knocking on the calipers,, sounds like the bearing was causing more faults!!!,
im just glad your ok and that you got help when required , hope the bikes ok as soon as eh!
but if you had a chain fitted why didnt they tell you the front sprocket was buggered ??

I don't understand why the ones that put the chain on didn't say the sprocket was knackered, makes u wonder if they linked the 2 chains and feed the new one through.

I was wondering about that myself.
It's a pretty shoddy effort by them regardless.

That knackered front bearing is a sobering thought and could have been extremely nasty. :/

Looking forward to picker her up and not hearing any knocking or whining.

YZFJohn wrote:Looking forward to picker her up and not hearing any knocking or whining.

I thought you were single John

robertcains wrote:

YZFJohn wrote:Looking forward to picker her up and not hearing any knocking or whining.

I thought you were single John

No nick he said NOT hear any whining, obviously with that comment of course he's single

Just picked her up and road back to work. The "Kwikasfookie" is back on form. Just need to balance the carbs.