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Message started by Drey on 03/24/16 at 21:25:05

Title: Weekend Maintenance Questions
Post by Drey on 03/24/16 at 21:25:05

I'm planning on doing some maintenance this weekend. The rain is going to relent, at least for a few days, here in Seattle. I'm hoping to take that opportunity to replace my front brake pads and swap in a raptor.

I have a couple (likely silly) questions about these projects. I'm still teaching myself to be my own mechanic so I want to make sure I get these things right.

Raptor:

1) The post on replacing them mentions a vacuum plug. Do they come in different sizes? (seems likely) what size do I need to ask for?

Brakes:

1) Post on replacing them mentions "anti-squeal grease" is there a specific product I should be looking for? I have a NAPA and an O'reilly's nearby if someone wanted to shoot me a link!

2) When bleeding the brakes. I understand you should attach tubing for the fluid to flow out. Is there a specific size I'm looking for.

Any other tips would be great! Thanks guys!

Title: Re: Weekend Maintenance Questions
Post by KennyG on 03/24/16 at 21:59:05

Drey,

What I did instead of running into town to buy a vacuum plug was cut the existing vacuum hose off about an inch and a half from the vacuum port.

I then found an Allen head machine screw with a snug fit into the hose and filled the hose part way with silicone, probably RTV, and threaded the Allen screw in. The Allen screw was probably a 10/32 or 10/24, I cannot recall.

I have attached a pic, and it is the short hose with the Allen head peeking out behind the speedometer cable.

It has been on for over a year now and I expect that it will last as long as any of the tubing on the bike.

Often the plugs that you purchase at the auto parts store are made from inferior Chinese rubber and when you have to find the leak it is a real dog thingy.

Kenny G

Title: Re: Weekend Maintenance Questions
Post by DesertRat on 03/24/16 at 22:06:02

1. Vacuum Caps come in a miscellaneous size package:

http://contentinfo.autozone.com/znetcs/product-info/en/US/drm/47388/image/3/

just ask the staff to help you find a pack

2. Anti-squeal goop should be found around the counter or better yet ask the staff for a SMALL sample size pack. Like the size of a sugar packet.

3. 1/4" tubing should fit the bleeder screw

Title: Re: Weekend Maintenance Questions
Post by gizzo on 03/25/16 at 00:32:53

I usually snip the hose off and stuff a ball bearing in it to plug a hose.

Title: Re: Weekend Maintenance Questions
Post by prechermike on 03/25/16 at 03:50:36

When I replaced my petcock, I looked around for a suitable plug. Those caps you buy, like someone said, just don't seem to last. I found a small, yellow wire nut and shoved it in the bit of hose that was left. I figured it would last at long as the cap things. But it's still there, or at least it was yesterday.

Title: Re: Weekend Maintenance Questions
Post by Drey on 03/25/16 at 08:15:01

Thanks for your help guys. I don't know why going to the auto parts store is always the most stressful part of figuring out what I'm doing!

Just for future reference, if whatever I find to plug the vacuum line fails, what will the bike do? So I know when it happens and I don't panic that the ole girl is ruined forever. ;-)

Title: Re: Weekend Maintenance Questions
Post by Dave on 03/28/16 at 04:55:55

656A6B7476657C240 wrote:

Just for future reference, if whatever I find to plug the vacuum line fails, what will the bike do? So I know when it happens and I don't panic that the ole girl is ruined forever. ;-)

When you get the cap and get everything changed....pull the cap off and witness how the bike responds so you recognize the symptoms. (Don't ride it this way....just notice how the bike idles and responds to the throttle).

If the plug fails....you will have an air leak, and the engine will run too lean. The idle will be rough (if it idles at all), the bike will most likely stall whenever you rev the engine and close the throttle. When accelerating at low throttle settings the engine will surge and not provide a steady acceleration. The symptoms will most likely go away at higher throttle settings - however if you continue to ride the bike with an air leak ......the bike will still be running too lean and could burn up the spark plug electrodes....or the exhaust valves could be burned.

When you find the rubber cap that is the right size - buy 2 and keep one in the tool kit as a spare.

Title: Re: Weekend Maintenance Questions
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/28/16 at 18:55:47

Don't let the master cylinder run dry. Getting it primed can be really tuff. Waste fluid if you must.

Title: Re: Weekend Maintenance Questions
Post by Kris01 on 03/28/16 at 18:57:26

Pack the cap with RTV. If it dry rots and fails the RTV will still be in the shape of the cap and seal a potential leak.