Super4 mods/maintenance long overdue

[Bodhi]

Been a while since I posted anything on here so thought I'd fire up a little update on things I've done to my bike.

About this time last year I intended on changing the rear disc and pads on my Super4, but in trying to remove the Pad Pin Plug I just couldn't get it shifted, which ended up resulting in a bodged caliper and still not able to get the damn pin out despite drilling the plug off completely.

Anyhow, time got the better of me (due to having a baby) and it is only now that I've finally made the modifications. The pads still had life on them but it was simply that the disc looked tatty as anything and was still the one that came from the Factory, so it wasn't dangerous or anything for me to have been riding around with it for the past year.

So, after getting a second hand CBR400 Caliper off eBay and a new Stainless HEL brake line I proceeded to take everything off and fit the new stuff. Got everything on grand and brakes bled but the damn pads were jammed against the new disc, in that the rear wheel wouldn't turn at all. I eventually managed to get the wheel to turn, but the pads were still rubbing the disc a bit more than I'd have liked. So I rode it to work anyway this week while I waited for new piston seals to arrive and last night I set about taking the caliper off, popping out the piston and taking a look at this caliper properly that I'd got off eBay. Surprisingly it was actually in pretty good nic. Seals were in decent enough condition, pretty clean inside the caliper itself and the Piston just need some mild aggitation with a little sandpaper etc to get the light rust marks off it and it popped back into the caliper nicely with the new seals.

I should add at this point that I'm pretty much an amatuer when it comes to anything mechanical. I'm wanting to try my hand at a lot more things though and the rear brake seemed like a good place to start.

Really pleased with how it looks now too with the Stainless line instead of the old tatty rubber hose. The new Brembo rear disc looks awesome too (and was cheaper than any EBC or Kyoto ones i found).

So I've got my parts ordered now and I'm gonna sort out the front brakes now. New disc/pads and seals etc again.

Also fitted new Renthal Kevlar grips and some bar end mirrors a few weeks ago and I can't recommend the bar end mirrors enough, so much more visibility than standard mirrors and look so much better.

I'm trying my best to gradually modify my bike into a sort of cafe racer style bike, bit by bit I think. Let's just see how it goes. Thanks for reading.

[superv500]

I love that feeling when you stand back from the bike and admire your handy work. Keep up the good work.

[Richh]

Also fitted new Renthal Kevlar grips and some bar end mirrors a few weeks ago and I can't recommend the bar end mirrors enough, so much more visibility than standard mirrors and look so much better.

Hi Bodhi. You got any photos you'd care to share? I'd be interested in seeing the bar end mirrors especially - that's something I'm considering.

Do they increase the overall width of the bike significantly, or are they the style that stick up, rather than out? I'll just be using my bike (also a Version R as it happens) for commuting, so if they stick out more than the standard mirrors, I guess I'll just leave 'em alone :)

So yeah, some photos would be good please fella :)

[Bodhi]

The Bar end mirrors I have on do increase the width of the bike by a couple of inches each side, which does make it a lot harder for filtering, but I find the better rear view that they give me outweighs the advantage of filtering. I have the Renthal Streetfighter bars fitted to my Super4 though, so the width was already a lot wider than standard bars anyway.

Will see if I can get a few pics posted.

Have also now changed the front setup a little bit. The front discs/pads etc were totally knackered and in need of an overhaul. I managed to track down an EBC Contour disc for the front for £117, so I bought it, yes, just the one. And now I've changed the bike to a single disc setup. Have always considered it so as not to be forking out hundreds of pounds just to replace the discs etc. Had my first ride on it this morning and doesn't feel like too drastic a reduction in braking and I've still got a good bit of bedding in to do on the EBC HH pads. Ended up really being my only option anyway as when I removed the calipers I noticed that my right one was damaged. Whoever had been replacing the Piston seals for me the last time obviously buggered it getting the dust seal out and broke the seat area that holds the dust seal in and therefore didn't bother fitting a dust seal on one of the pistons, clearly the reason why that piston looked like it had been attacked by a hatchet and the pads were always sticking to that disc. Anyhow, would realistically have needed to replace the caliper or get it repaired in order to run the 2 disc setup again so I'm running the single disc now just like on the CB-1 but on the left hand side of the wheel. My only aesthetic issue is that there are exposed holes in the wheel now that the disc would have previously covered, so might see if I can do something about that, like maybe get the centre from the old disc cut out so I can bolt it over the area to make it look a bit cleaner.

[tomigun]

A while ago I had the same situation as you when I tried to change the rear brake pads.The pin was stuck.I tried to open with W 40 but 0. Finally the pin unstuck after I threw enough cleaning brake calipers spray.

[Bodhi]

Hey folks, here a link to a load of photos I've uploaded with the new mods. You can see a progression hopefully from how it used to look as well: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjvsDiq2

Let me know what you guys think.