It was time

[fb747]

Today it was time for two things... it was time to to change my brake pads, and it was time to perform a flapectomy.

The first three pads went in OK, I just removed the old pads pushed the pistons back in a bit and popped the new pads in. The fourth and final pad gave me quite some grief. I tried pushing the pistons back but they just didn't want to go. So up 4 floors to my apartment I head to grab my bleeding gear to crack the nipple in hope that it will relieve the pressure and the piston will slide back in and i'll be able to get the final pad in... This did not work.
I finally got the pad in after taking the caliper off buggering around a bit and then sort of shoving the pads in and sliding them onto the rotor and bolting the caliper back up.
The result was shit to put it bluntly, the brakes were nearly stuck on and I could only pull my lever in about 2cm before it went rock solid.
I sat and pondered this a while then decided I would crack open the master cylinder cover and take a peek. I was met by a hiss of air followed by brake fluid coming out the reservoir and going everywhere. It was a bitter sweet moment in that I was happy I had figured out what was wrong but sad that things were getting covered in brake fluid.
I sucked some brake fluid out of the reservoir with my bleeding syringe cleaned up the mess and my brakes worked as they were designed to... Hooray.

I went with Daytona Red semi metal pads that I got from Ni Rincan (2 wheels) a bike dress up store near where I live. I haven't bedded them in fully yet but initial reaction is pretty good, they are a bit spongey till they get some heat in them then they come to life.

The reason I had pushed so much fluid up into the reservoir is evident in the following image.






I moved on to operation flapectomy.
I decided I would do this inside due to the degree of fiddlyness so out came the petrol cap and upstairs I went.
The operation was successful with only a couple of minor mishaps, I had been thoroughly warned of the tiny spring and ball by previous posts but I had to move that key flap to see how it worked didn't I... This resulted in the spring shooting up into my face then dropping to the floor... So I thought.
After scouring the kitchen floor for a very long time I gave up and sat back down at my workstation to realize that both the spring and ball were right there in front of me! Amazing!
I pulled the keyhole flap assembly apart to give it a clean and broke one of the legs off the spring that helps close it.
May I suggest to anyone considering flapectomization to not touch the keyhole flap assembly as it can easily end in tears.

I edited one of the pictures from the files so that it shows budding flapectomizers exactly what to remove during the process as it took me some searching to figure it out.



Then it was time to put it all back together go for a ride and take this pic..



Cheers, Ben.  
         

   

[axiom-r]

Hi Ben,

Is this the gas tank breather mechanism?  Assuming you are removing the "flaps" to let her breath as easily as desired??  Never saw this procedure before...

tim

[fb747]

Hey Tim,

Yea I have been having issues with fuel coming out of my keyhole lately especially with the tank bag on. Removing the little orange rubber bits in the pic is supposed to let it breathe a bit more so that when I have a full tank in this hot Japanese summer pressure doesn't build up and push fuel out the key hole.
It also lets air in easier when screaming down the expressway using lots of fuel so that I don't get a vapor lock type of situation and have the bike starve for fuel.

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=2024.0

^^^ Help full.     

[markmartin]

Thanks for the report Ben.  Following directions in manuals is good, but it's also good to know what can possibly go wrong also.  Not glad to hear you had some trouble, but glad you were able to fix it all and appreciate the details of your tribulations.

BTW, nice pic -- the bike's lookin real good.  Of course, I'm partial to the blue '89's.  

[StatDoc]

Pardon my ignorance - and please note that I've not yet removed or taken apart the cap - but what impact - if any  - is there to water intrusion on the fuel tank with the flapectomy?  I ask because my FJ lives outside during the summer months (at least at present - she might get garage space next year!)

cheers

Steve

[FJmonkey]

Pardon my ignorance - and please note that I've not yet removed or taken apart the cap - but what impact - if any  - is there to water intrusion on the fuel tank with the flapectomy?  I ask because my FJ lives outside during the summer months (at least at present - she might get garage space next year!)
cheers
Steve

If you have her covered then there should be no issues. If not covered (get your bike a good cover!!! Or get her in the garage ASAP!!!) then we would have to look real close to see if there is a gravity down path that might allow rain water in. If you have young daughters then you could steel one of their Power Puff Girls vinyl window clings and cover your fuel cap while parked. Remember to remove before meeting the guys for a ride.   

[Arnie]

FJmonkey,

You recommended "Power Puff Girls vinyl window clings"  WTF is this?

Arnie

[rktmanfj]

     

[FJmonkey]

FJmonkey,
You recommended "Power Puff Girls vinyl window clings"  WTF is this?
Arnie

A silly joke for fathers that had to deal with their daughters. Might be limited to USA. Any old piece of plastic that can be wrapped around the cap will protect the fuel tank from water intrusion.

[ddlewis]

..If you have young daughters then you could steel one of their Power Puff Girls vinyl window clings and cover your fuel cap while parked. Remember to remove before meeting the guys for a ride.   

My Pretty Pony works well also as does Strawberry Shortcake.  Hello Kitty, not so much..

[FJmonkey]

..If you have young daughters then you could steel one of their Power Puff Girls vinyl window clings and cover your fuel cap while parked. Remember to remove before meeting the guys for a ride.   

My Pretty Pony works well also as does Strawberry Shortcake.  Hello Kitty, not so much..

No prizes but thank you for playing...

[FJTillDeath]

Just curious after reading your posts FJMonkey, but any particular reason you have that as your name? Like do you ride with one of those "hanging monkeys" from the bar/ mirror?

I know I sometimes do

[StatDoc]

FJmonkey,
You recommended "Power Puff Girls vinyl window clings"  WTF is this?
Arnie

A silly joke for fathers that had to deal with their daughters. Might be limited to USA. Any old piece of plastic that can be wrapped around the cap will protect the fuel tank from water intrusion.

my two must have out grown that phase  now they're in the "daddy I need (insert from list, "tuition, housing, books, lab fee, car, generic") money phase ..... .  Looks like she's moving into the garage (the bike, not one of the daughters) - the tank bag should take care of any "on the road" water intrusion.

cheers

Steve

[FJmonkey]

Just curious after reading your posts FJMonkey, but any particular reason you have that as your name? Like do you ride with one of those "hanging monkeys" from the bar/ mirror?
I know I sometimes do

Inquiring minds want to know the history behind my moniker. Not to get too long winded I will tell you that it comes from two things.
1. A monkey really exists, it was given to me by my daughter who is now 14. When I received it as a gift for my Birthday I told her the monkey would ride the bike with me. She seemed excited that I would take it along.

Here is a decent photo of the FJMonkey.


Here he is at the 2011 FJWCR


2. Sometimes in the canyons when you are in the groove and taking on the corners I feel like a monkey holding onto a sidewinder missile that is tracking a target going like a bat out of hell. Not a 3rd gear wheel lifting Kookaloo moment, but it feels just as good.

Thanks for asking