That's a cool bike project. Good luck.
Pushing caliper piston out air wasn't cutting it
Thoughts on reusing this piston. Finger nail doesn't catch.
Decided I would make my own piston since they are like $50 on-line . Got stainless bar stock, a lathe, and no boss next week.
Tossed in some fresh plugs and the new caliper is on in mostly bled, I got some decent lever, but I think I'm still might have some air in it but my hand got cramped up and I ran out of brake fluid.
Looking for recommendation on budget tires also.
Carbs should be here any day, changed the oil to be prepared
The oil smelled like gas, Ill assume that's why the tank was empty when I got it. The floats where all stuck up also when I pulled them apart.
I went looking for Shinko's for that bike; I've had a couple in a pinch and thought they were pretty decent although not the longest lasting (but not horribly short, decent for the money really) and Dennis Kirk lists Shinko 712's for the front and rear for $125. This is assuming a 100/90-19 can be used on the front which I think is accurate. Hard to go wrong at that price.
Nice work on that DIY caliper piston.
pres589 (djronnebaum) said:I went looking for Shinko's for that bike; I've had a couple in a pinch and thought they were pretty decent although not the longest lasting (but not horribly short, decent for the money really) and Dennis Kirk lists Shinko 712's for the front and rear for $125. This is assuming a 100/90-19 can be used on the front which I think is accurate. Hard to go wrong at that price.
Nice work on that DIY caliper piston.
I have put a ton of shinkos on bikes and have liked them that was the tire I was looking at. I think a 100/90-19 would fit.
Thank you on the caliper.
I found some forum post (so you know it is 100% true first time every time) that the 100/90-19 size is appropriate for the front of a Maxim 550. So don't check my work, just buy!
In reply to pres589 (djronnebaum) :
I auctally just walked in from checking with a set of calipers. A 100 width tire should fit perfectly. Once I get a few laps around the block I'll get a set ordered.
This afternoon is not going smoothly. Went to move the bike and grabbed the front brake lever and my fine chinese master builds no pressure. Found the piston for it scored the bore really badly. Got another on order.
Looks like that front brake line/hose is showing signs of cracking near the banjo. As for your tire options, I'd pass on the Dunlop D404s. These were OEM on my new '19 Honda 500 and are some of the worst tires I've ever ridden on. Absolute Junk at even the lowest speeds (and yes, I scuffed them in for 2-3 hundred miles with very little improvement in cornering traction). Note; I'm big fan of other types of Dunlop tires (both car and motorcycle). I'm now happily running a Metzeler Lasertec up front and will be installing the same on the rear come spring. The Kenda K761 and Shinko 712 also have good reviews.
Anyway, nice work on an older machine. That bike is lucky to have you as its newest owner.
In reply to FMB42 :
I ordered 3 new front steel braided front lines and all them I have ordered seem to be on perpetual backorder.
Also thanks for the dunlop review. I normally put shinkos on everything, probably should continue that trend.
Sorry, I missed the 'steel braided front lines on order' in your cool thread.
Ya, Shinkos almost always receive very good reviews. I learned this after spending a lot of time reviewing MC tires.
In reply to FMB42 :
Your good. I don't know if i even posted that. The brakes worked for a while.
The 705s I had on my DR where awesome.
I have been really considering the dual sport tire path because I encounter a lot of dirt driveways and roads basically anywhere I go.
Yep, I might go dual sport in the future (there's a large off road park near by and another venue that runs scrambles (TT?), flat, and circle track. But for now, I'm just looking to get my feet off the ground pavement wise.
In reply to FMB42 :
My supermoto has dual sport tires on it, really works good for how I ride it. Dual sports are my favorite bikes in general
Today was the day, above 45°F and had some free time.
Dr-250 petcock. Fuel filter, need to grab some spring clamps. Was one short.
First fire and some revs. It sounds way cooler than I thought it would. Whoever cut up the exhaust did it good.
Took a quick spin around the block and it's not bad. Need to fix a valve stem in front tire for now and get a battery. Had a tiny mower battery jammed in there.
Needs:
Battery
Rear seat bracket
Front valve stem
Some miles then tires.
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