hiwayREBELS

Saturday, October 01, 2011

DIY - Changing the Disk Pads

Last time i had to change my disk pads of my front disk brake in my pulsar 220 I ended up paying 150 bucks for the disk pads and 150 bucks as labour charge just to change the pads! Then I thought why not I myself do some work and save some bucks. With some little clues from the internet I was able to do it myself. So here is the procedure to do it yourself.

Note:

This method works perfectly on the Pulsar 220 front brake. The procedure may be similar for other brands.
Please do it at your own risk. I did the disk pad change twice so far and I didn't face any issues though.
Click the images below to view a larger picture.

1. Remove the bolts, marked red in below photo, that hold the caliper. You would need a size 12 spanner. A ring spanner would not damage the bolts so try buying one if you dont have those.

2. Now slide out the caliper off the disk smoothly.

3. Now remove the clip that retains the pin shown in the picture. You would need a plier to remove the clip.

4. Pull out the pin that holds the pads in place.

5. Now the pads will drop out freely. Disk pads have grooves that serve as an idicator about the usable life of the pad. In the below photo the pad on the left is a new pad and the pad on the right is the old one. Notice the groove is almost vanished on the old one which means its time to change the pad.

6. Clean the caliper insides using a brush and keroscene. Dirt usually gets clogged around the pistons(marked in the photo below) and it could affect braking. So cleaning it whenever changing pads is recommended.

7. In the above picture the pistons have almost come out. The pistons need to be pushed in to make room for the new pads. To do this keep one of the pad on top of the pad and push against the pad so that the pistons retract. I dont have a photo of the retracted piston.

8. Now position the new pads in the caliper and put back the pin that you removed in step 4

9. Now put back the clip that you removed in step 3.

10. Now slide the caliper back on to the disk, by gently positioning it such a way that the pads are on either side of the disk.

11. Bolt the caliper back on to the fork.

Thats it! Hope this helped. By the way, thanks to Rubert for allowing me to take the photos while he did the work.

God bless you.

Monday, September 26, 2011

KTM's 125cc street bike!

Finally its on the magazines that KTM DUKE 125 will be made in India! Its a great news that Motorcycle manufacturing gets outsourced to India aswell. If you are wondering when this bike will be available for the indian biker to buy, the aswer seems to be no, atleast for now. KTM has made this bike for the European market, news say. Motorcycle market is booming with new models with international quality every now and then. I wonder why this Duke should not be sold in India.

Coming to the Specs of KTM 125, the bike has 15PS of power and torque of 12NM @ 8000RPM. Now thats sounds like a fun bike to me.

Now coming to intresting part for the Indian bikers, is that a KTM 200 would be made in India and be sold in the Indian market aswell. This would be a naked street bike. Im guessing this would be a good competitor for other bikes such as the Pulsar 220, Karizma, R15. From the price point it would be a good competitor for our CBR 250R and the Ninja 250R.

KTM bikes are expensive. Hopefully making them in India would bring costs down. Its very exciting to see more options in the market now. Hopefully we'll have more motorcycle models would be made in India and made for India.

Friday, September 09, 2011

We're commin back - Ride report of Day 3

Click to read about our Day 1

Its Independance day today! Lets celebrate by riding free. Its 8am, 15th August 2011. My brother and myself are at our parent's place at Trissur. Having had a sound sleep we are now ready to get back to bangalore on four wheels. I wish we had another day to spend with our parents. Anyways time start back to Bangalore. For the return we have chosen the route via Guddalur. We also wanted to ride up to Ooty, but since we cant fit it comfortably in a day's ride we left Ooty for another bike trip.

We waved bye to our parents, we started off. Rubert, being familiar of the place, took the lead towards Shoranur. The roads are narrow and almost always there are houses on the highway everywhere. Slowly the civilization ended and the ghat sections started. Wow, the twisty roads are everywhere here.

As always we had kept our head lights on. We got a billions of hand signals from pedestrians, people in the car and everywhere saying that our head lights are on. Why are they so concerned that my lights are on?

Being the Independence day, we thought we should wear the flag. We searched for a shop selling our national flag and finally found a shop in a village. We bought a few flags and stuck them on our motorcycles. We also gave away some flags to the children in the village. After saying Vande Matharam, we started rolling. Just as it was on day 1 of our ride there was no rain today. Its amazing our silly prayers are answerd by God. I thanked God for a rain free day as I rode through the lush greenery filled twisty sections of the hills God created.

Our mom had made a litre of black coffee. Time to drink some. Ahaa hiwayRebels Cafe. Anywhere any time. After enjoying a refreshing drink, Rubert checked up with the locals for the route towards Guddalur. Did I mention Rubert speaks good Malayalam! We still have about 70 km to Guddalur.

Typical Kerala houses show up regularly on the way. Another thing seen everywhere are coconut grooves. Our eyes are filled with green. Iam in love with the places. Ideas of owning a farm house popped up. If God willing let that happen! Suddenly I realized i have left my saddle bag open. This is the third time i left it open. But thank Jesus nothing had fallen off any of the time i did forget to lock it.

Its 12:30 Pm and the tramac improved. I was wondering why such a Race track quality road in the middle of the forest. But least did we thought there is a awesome section of twisties that is going to assault us. The roads reminded me of the Isle Of Man TT. We were totally enjoying each and every curve on the road. I wish they close public traffic on these roads and conduct races on these roads just like the Isle Of Man TT.

Its been a while I rode these kinds of twisties. I realized I need to brush up on my skill on knee scrapping. The roads are soo for the bikers who want to scrape their foot pegs. At times there were coffee(or tea?) plantations that feasted our eyes. We stopped for some snaps here and there. After having some coffee and energy bars we rolled off again towards Guddalur.

At the junction near Guddalur the road going left takes you to Mudumalai and then to karnataka. The road going right takes you to Ooty. After having lunct in Guddalur took the left turn and continued towards Mudumalai.

Soon we were at Mudumalai. We encountered a herd of elephants on the road. Man thats scary. But the beautiful beasts were as calm as a baby. I wish I have taked a few snaps of the creatures. We also spotted deers. I wish they weren't endangered. Then we could make a barbeque in the forest!

Now we are in Bandipur part of the reserved forest. Mudumalai part was more green than the Bandipur. Why? Is it because Veerappan kept Mudumalai free from civilization? After a quick break for some more coffee and photo shoots we rode as if there is no tomorrow.

As we came near Mysore the traffic on the roads started growing. Mostly cars. Like us many people are returing to the concrete jungle after their weekend vacation. On crossing Mysore the highway is packed with cars. Thank God the traffic is moving at steady 90-100 km/hr.

As we were coming close to Bangalore, I knew this is one trip to cherish though its a short one. We have done too many things in just 3 days. We got a chance to surprice our parents. They were having one of the surprises of their life time? Dad did joined us on his motorcycle to Chavakkad. Above all its was a time for brothers' time to bond.

We reached our homes by 9PM with a feeling of contentment of doing a good trip and thanking God for taking care of us all the way. What could be next? May be a trip to Kanyakumari and return back through the coastal kerala? May be.

Read: Previous Day

Friday, September 02, 2011

We're home - Ride report of Day 2

Here I am, Rubert, posting my 1st blog. Thanks to Hubert who gave access to post about Day 2 of our ride home.

Church Alter

I setup my alarm at 6 to wake up and get ready. Because it’s Sunday and the mass is at 7.30 am. Looks like I was so tired that I didn’t even hear it screaming. Then someone was calling my name and I opened my eyes and it was Hubert waking me up. We all got ready and took dad’s car and went to church.

The actual plan is to go to church on bikes and then from there leave directly to Chavakkad beach. But we went grocery and meat shopping and went home as it was late. Mom was preparing amazing lunch and Hubert and I went to fix my bike. I learnt how to change the front disc brake. Thanks to Hubert again. By the time we finished it; it was lunch time and had delicious lunch. Thanks to mom for all the effort which she put in making it.

Installing Front Disk Pads

Now it’s almost 2:30 pm and we decided to leave to Chavakkad beach. We all got ready and we started rolling. The best part is my Dad was on Avenger and my mom was his pillion. This is the best part because after 12 years I’m seeing mom as pillion.

Dad riding Avenger. Mom Pillion.

BTW, above is not effects. Thats how my mobile took when riding!

As soon as we were off the HI way, the roads became awesome, curvy and the nature put-up its best display. Lakes were overflowing (due to recent rain) and the roads were slightly covered with water between lakes.

Lake behind our mean Machines!

Another Lake View.

BTW, I managed to click some pic’s using my mobile while riding (please don’t hate me for doing this when riding. I did this coz I wanted to take pic’s of my parents when on bike). Also I was careful enough not to harm anyone or myself (man, it’s time to buy a helmet cam which I’ve been planning for some time now).

The ride lasted for an hour if I’m right and we reached the beach. We parked and entered and it was awfully crowded which we didn’t like. We sat there and took some snaps and had chats.

At the Beach

Mom Tryin to take her own pic!

Some serious talk???

Then we decided to ride a little further and find a peaceful beach where no one or less people gathered. As we rode we saw wall rising at the edge and we stopped by at a place and asked people around to know whether any beach is available somewhere around. Bad luck! they said there’s none other than Chavakkad. But still we rode about 2 km and below is what we found - Thottapoo (thank God).

Found the right place. It's on the other side of the road

This was a peaceful place where we saw few huge fishes surfacing to gasp air, no one around and the water slamming on the wall of rock. Latter we were accompanied by few youngsters who were playing around.

Can't get to the water as these rocks are slippery.

Mom brought few snacks and we had it while watching the awesome display of the Arabian. Then we took some pics of our bikes and with mom and dad.

Covering mom with his Camera

Mom ridng Avenger!

The 3 Bajajeers

Me on the slippery Rocks. Man it was scary.

Now the sun started to settle down and we though we will leave home. After 15 mins or so we had to turn on our lights as it was becoming darker. The traffic was very less until we reached the HI way and then we were home. Thank God for bringing us back home safe. All the way dad topped 60kmph and I loved it.

It was dinner time when we reached home and had parottas. It was a good family get-together. Off to sleep.

The Making of "The Parotta".

Read: Previous Day Next Day

Photo Gallery - Slideshow

Thursday, September 01, 2011

We're goin home - Ride report of Day1

I've had only 3 hours of sleep but am already late by an hour as per plan. Where am i going? I ’am going to meet my parents in Trissur. Oh don't leave the blog...read on, its a bike trip to Trissur. My bro Rubert, co-rider of this trip, is ready already and now am guilty of sleeping a little extra than him.

Its 4:30 in the morning now and I’m setting up the saddle bag on the bike as the engine is warming up. All set time to roll. Rubert and I had agreed to meet up near the petrol bunk at BTM. Gave a call to Rubert that am starting and started off. The feeling of leaving on another trip is awesome. GOD! What a feeling. Waved off hand to Wife and left our building.

At the BTM petrol bunk now, watch showing 5:10 AM. Met Rubert and started off the ride. We took the Hosur – Salem - Coimbatore route. This is the quickest route so we decided on this one on fear of rains in Kerala. Yeah, it rains heavily there. The Forecasts predicted rains from all the way from Coimbatore to Trissur. But we are praying it shouldn't. Faith on God.

There are few more riders on the road today going various destinations. From pulsars to CBRs bullets, all dressed up for the ride... its Bikers Day out on the highway today.

It’s time for coffee. Rubert had brought a liter of black coffee! What an idea sir ji. The coffee was reeeallly refreshing. Kudos to Roobs! After cleaning our helmet visors off all the bugs that died on the visor, we started rolling. Rollin’ rollin’ rollin’...keep rollin’ rollin’ rollin’.

We've now reached the outskirts of Salem and its only 7:50AM. Yeah, we were keeping up with time well. It’s time for breakfast. Our requirement is a drive-in restaurant, may be a ride-in restaurant. So we settled on a road side hotel where the lorry drivers stop by. We had a few parotas and omelets and resumed back the ride.

A week before the ride we were brainstorming on the route. One of the dream routes is to go through Guddalur. But because of the weather forecasts predicting rain and also that we might be in the forest area late in the day, there is even more chance of getting caught in the rain. And by that time we would also be in the Mudumalai and Bandipur reserved forest area. Hence we compromised on the scenic route and took the quicker route.

The salem-Coimbatore route is little dry. Because of the highway road widening all the trees on the sides are chopped off. So there isn’t much to take pictures of. Soon we were on the bridge that was over the Bhavani River. There was good amount of water flowing in it, because of the rains, probably. The Sun wasn’t out all day. We took some pictures over here, Gulped some black coffee, and energy bars and then the throttle is wide open again.

Pulsar 220 is a good bike to enjoy on. The power is good and usable. I love the roar it makes when the throttle is wide open. I’m even thinking of installing the K&N air filter that would directly fit on the pulsar's stock air box. But it costs RS 2.6k. The Bajaj's air filter element is just under RS 100. I wish the visor on the bike is a little taller so that it would help block some wind off me. This would make the p220 a good Sports Tourer.

It’s 11:20 AM now and 50 km to reach Coimbatore. Now Rubert finds that his front brake's bite isn’t right. May be the pads worn out? We decided to enter Coimbatore city and get the disk brake pads. We got the pads a Bajaj dealer and then Rubert suggested we make a visit to our old neighborhood Meena Estate, Coimbatore as it is nearby. So we headed there. The house where we stayed was empty but it pretty much remained the same as it was about 10 years ago. We were in high school back then.

We met few of our old neighbors. They were surprised to see us. After some chit chat with them and exchanged phone numbers, gulped some coffee, ate some energy bars and we were back on the saddle again.

Its 1:00 PM now, we are at the Kerala border. The roads are bad because of the heavy rains. Though the sky is overcast with black clouds, there isn’t any rain yet. Praise the Lord. Am having a rain pant in my saddle bag, but i don’t want to wear it now. I want to simply believe that God answered my prayer and that rain would not come. 100 odd km to reach Trissur.

We are near Palakkad now. This is the longest leg of our ride today. The road is full of trucks and cars piled up on either side of the road and the pace is just 10km/hr. At times the traffic grinds to a halt. Praise the Lord we are on two wheels. We still have gaps to squeeze through. Now the Kerala's trademark humidity kicks in. It’s sweating like taking a shower. Its cloudy and dark, but there isn’t a rain. The pace is 5-1km/hr through the gaps. I'm lovin it.

It’s time for a break. Coffee break. Man, the lush green is thick and everywhere here. No wonder Kerala is called God's Own Country(The whole universe is God's own though). After some coffee, lots of water and energy bar - not in any particular order, we rolled on. It’s 2:00 pm and 50 more km to Trissur.

Our parents didn’t know we were coming as we planned to surprise them. We were hoping they are at home when we reach there. In all our breaks Rubert was on his phone. Only later when i checked my Facebook, I realized he has been updating his status throughout the ride! Cool techie.

We have finally entered Trissur officially at 3:00PM IST. Trissur is a small typical Kerala town. It’s called as the Cultural Capital of Kerala. We just reached our parents place. I was knocking on the doors and my Dad opened up the door. For a sec there was a pause and its totally worth it.

There ended our Day1.

Read: Next Day