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!

1. Vacuum Caps come in a miscellaneous size package:



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

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.

Drey wrote on 03/25/16 at 08:15:01:


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.

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.