Hello All
On my ride yesterday, I noticed my back brake, and possible front, dragging somewhat. It settled down partway through the ride. How did I notice...?? Back brake rotor and front left were warm, with little brake usage. Also, fuel efficiency dropped sharply and when I clutched-in and glided, the bike slowed down quickly.
So, at any rate, it is time to install a new SMC, and finally do my first full brake fluid replacement and air-bleed.
For those who have seen some of my previous posts, I have terrible anxiety and stress when I do something the first time if I haven't observed someone doing it once before me. If I've seen it once, I have all the confidence in the world. Also, I do NOT have a good spot to do bike maintenance. My driveway is sloped, and I do not feel it is a good idea to do it on the road in front of my house. I do NOT have another location. I'll likely try my sloped driveway (after all, it is the only place where I can put the bike on its centre stand.. I've tried 50 times on flat pavement, and cannot for the life of me - all 167.5 pounds of me, put this frikkin bike on its centre stand.)
Anyhow, cutting to the chase...
Changing SMC... I have a PDF manual (if someone could link me a nicer PDF manual that would be great, mine is not all the best scanned quality, but it is adequate).
Here's some questions:
- How much fluid will I need to buy...?
- Will I need to buy any extra parts (gaskets, crush washers, etc) or just the SMC itself (of which I have 2 brand new ones)...?
- When I detach the two hydraulic lines (one in, one out) of the SMC, how much will it leak/drip/flow...?? And how careful must I be at wiping this drippage from bike parts (I've heard that brake fluid is terribly caustic, and I don't want to leave traces that will cause damage)...?
- What other tips or advice do you gurus have for preparing, executing, and tidying up after this operation...??
Thanks in advance for any help you can give...
I'm in a better psycho-spiritual state now than last year (there was a tonne of **** going on in my life, and I was still in the fall-out from tonnes of **** that had happened previously). But still, things are tough... Cash flow is net zero, or even minus, and I still have some family issues... And I still have my anxiety and psycho-paralysis when doing new-to-me tasks...
So, if you guys can help "hold my hand" through this operation and be patient with me, I would be very grateful and appreciative.
Many thanks! Rubber side down, and God Bless!
On my ride yesterday, I noticed my back brake, and possible front, dragging somewhat. It settled down partway through the ride. How did I notice...?? Back brake rotor and front left were warm, with little brake usage. Also, fuel efficiency dropped sharply and when I clutched-in and glided, the bike slowed down quickly.
So, at any rate, it is time to install a new SMC, and finally do my first full brake fluid replacement and air-bleed.
For those who have seen some of my previous posts, I have terrible anxiety and stress when I do something the first time if I haven't observed someone doing it once before me. If I've seen it once, I have all the confidence in the world. Also, I do NOT have a good spot to do bike maintenance. My driveway is sloped, and I do not feel it is a good idea to do it on the road in front of my house. I do NOT have another location. I'll likely try my sloped driveway (after all, it is the only place where I can put the bike on its centre stand.. I've tried 50 times on flat pavement, and cannot for the life of me - all 167.5 pounds of me, put this frikkin bike on its centre stand.)
Anyhow, cutting to the chase...
Changing SMC... I have a PDF manual (if someone could link me a nicer PDF manual that would be great, mine is not all the best scanned quality, but it is adequate).
Here's some questions:
- How much fluid will I need to buy...?
- Will I need to buy any extra parts (gaskets, crush washers, etc) or just the SMC itself (of which I have 2 brand new ones)...?
- When I detach the two hydraulic lines (one in, one out) of the SMC, how much will it leak/drip/flow...?? And how careful must I be at wiping this drippage from bike parts (I've heard that brake fluid is terribly caustic, and I don't want to leave traces that will cause damage)...?
- What other tips or advice do you gurus have for preparing, executing, and tidying up after this operation...??
Thanks in advance for any help you can give...
I'm in a better psycho-spiritual state now than last year (there was a tonne of **** going on in my life, and I was still in the fall-out from tonnes of **** that had happened previously). But still, things are tough... Cash flow is net zero, or even minus, and I still have some family issues... And I still have my anxiety and psycho-paralysis when doing new-to-me tasks...
So, if you guys can help "hold my hand" through this operation and be patient with me, I would be very grateful and appreciative.
Many thanks! Rubber side down, and God Bless!