Brake Pads and Fluid.

TheDangerousQuietOne · Post by **TheDangerousQuietOne** » Apr 28th, '07, 04:00

My 2001 Honda Varadero 125 needs a trip to the garage...

The rear pads are so thin I'm not riding it except to a garage to get them changed. The front pads have a couple of mm left but I'm probs gonna get them changed at the same time.

The fluid hasn't been changed since the bike was new and it's 6yrs old now...I'm assuming it needs changing as I was told it should be done every 4 yrs.

My question is this: How much (roughly) is this going to cost me and where is a good/cheap garage near Falmouth? There is a place called South West Motorcycles about 2mins from the campus in Penryn which is small but seems fairly good. I haven't had any work done by them before so can anyone comment on their work??

Jay · Post by **Jay** » Apr 28th, '07, 08:22

Do it all yourself mate, as it is an easy job and it will save you on expensive labour charges.

Mike Daytona600 · Post by **Mike Daytona600** » Apr 28th, '07, 10:29

Jay wrote:Do it all yourself mate, as it is an easy job and it will save you on expensive labour charges.

You're right Jay it is, but only if you know what you're doing. Brakes are the most important thing on a motorcycle I always say, so if in any doubt take it to a garage.

deej · Post by **deej** » Apr 28th, '07, 18:22

chris and brett are good guys,nice relaxed attitude and should be able to change your brakes without any fuss. chris is away this weekend spannering at silverstone for a local guy racing in british superstocks but brett should be around

Blimey · Post by **Blimey** » Apr 28th, '07, 19:48

Firstly forget about the rear its crap

But like mentioned if you have the tools have ago yourself if your confident. Its what biking is all about. You learn alot more about how to ride it that way.

But if you go pro PADS will set you back about £10 a set for that and fluid about £5/£10 a litre. They will prob charge you 1 hours labour.

deej · Post by **deej** » Apr 28th, '07, 20:02

barek fluid should be about £3.50 tops as you'll only need 500ml max for a rear brake, pads are easy enough to change, hell even i can f do it. it takes a while to get used to it to start with but if you take your time and remember how you removed them you'll be fine, make notes as your going along if you hsave too. when we removed the engine from my old van we took photos on the digicam then used the wifes laptop to see where everything went when we put it all bak together.

TheDangerousQuietOne · Post by **TheDangerousQuietOne** » Apr 29th, '07, 05:06

Unfortuanately I have 0 tools, I even borrow the spanners for adjusting my chain!!

I'm taking it in monday to have the pads changed front and rear but will see how much he wants to change the fluid. I could change this myself as I know how it's just a case of not having a garage and needing space and time to do it.

deej · Post by **deej** » Apr 29th, '07, 09:59

you dont need a agarge if its sunny lol

whilst its in there you might as well just get them to do it but watch what they do so you can do it yourself next time

jimbo#9 · Post by **jimbo#9** » Apr 29th, '07, 10:07

camra good idea..
been thinking that for my car job...
cables n stuff.. rrr

if ya want to but lack the tools trie looking for basic tools at bike shows etc..
start with basic ones.. build up slow..
i use to borrow my dads but he use to moan so i built mine up over the years now i only ever borrow one socket of the bugger..
i will nab it one day lol...

any thing you do yourself check it and double check it before hitting the road..

a haynes manual or similar is a good advantage to,
covers every thing from brake fluid to piston changes etc..
or you can down load them now ... i down loaded a workshop manual for my rg 125..

TheDangerousQuietOne · Post by **TheDangerousQuietOne** » Apr 29th, '07, 10:56

Yeh I'm planning on building up my tools slowly, my dad has several duplicates of most things but I haven't got round to trolling through his dozens of toolboxes to find them. Money is the limiting factor at the mo, the internet is the best place to find individual spanners and the like but they are fairly expensive.

jimbo#9 · Post by **jimbo#9** » Apr 29th, '07, 11:17

i know that quality tools cost bucks,,
you get trade stands at bike shows that sell packs of spaners etc cheap..
5 10 squid pack of spanners 4mm to 22 mm
different thing but at shepton mallot i saw autosol for sale 5 bucks for three thats cheaper than one in the shops,, thats how cheap u get stuff at bike shows..
auto jumbles, market stalls..

a haynes manual is a must for a budding macanik..
or the internet!!

but piking dads is allways the first route..

remember check check n check again.....
esspecially with brakes..

TheDangerousQuietOne · Post by **TheDangerousQuietOne** » May 4th, '07, 15:11

I've got the bike back, only £53.50 altogether which is much better than I thought.

£12.23 for the pads..more than I expected for just one set but bearable.
£30.50 for an hours labour...this is amazingly cheap! I'm used to paying £50!

Was awesome being able to ride it again and actually use the rear brake.
Only prob is how the rear wheel has been put back on...the nuts at the back of the swingarm hold a plate in place and both plates are way out of alignment...but I'm not sure if this affects the bike. It rides fine anyway. Will post some pics up later.

Blimey · Post by **Blimey** » May 4th, '07, 18:52

The plates you mean could be the wheel alingment plates. Don't know what bike you have again and can't be bothered to look but if it is then the wheel may not be running true causing excessive tyre wear as you will be riding along like a crap.

Didn't need fluid changing then???

TheDangerousQuietOne · Post by **TheDangerousQuietOne** » May 4th, '07, 21:20

Yeh the alignment may be out, havent checked it but it rides fine.

The fluid was changed yeah, only cost £3.20 for the fluid.

deej · Post by **deej** » May 4th, '07, 21:41

i thought brett and chris would look after you, nice blokes and they do seem to know their stuff