PPMPR: Project Poor Man’s Pro Race

[toratora]

Getting ready for this weekend's riding. Had to do some chain adjustments today. I did forget to switch out the front sprocket on the PMPR. lolz

I cleaned and lubed the chain on the Malossi bike. This chain needs to be replaced too. Have to check in with Benji to see if he can get me a 136 link chain for it.

We have a brand new bicycle park opening up in San Francisco tomorrow. There will be some festive action going on. Rode by there today to check it out.

[toratora]

We had two big cultural events in San Francisco today. The opening of the McLaren Bicycle Park, and Jimmy's Picnic in the Park—a gathering of vintage automobiles (and some motos).

And then I rode over to the Golden Gate park where they hold Jimmy's. Lots of V twins were there!

Rode up Twin Peaks on the way home.

[toratora]

The bike park looks like a BLAST !

I rode over there on the moto today—had too many things to accomplish. The kids seemed to be having a great time. I'll be checking it out with my BMX Action soon enough.

[toratora]

Finally made it back out to the Friday Night Ride last night. Was a good time.

I was surprised how some of the guys have gotten way more aggressive. A Motocompo showed up. It got dropped very quickly, but it was cool to see it out there.

[toratora]

Awesome pictures! and I really like that Bell helmet;)

Somehow I've managed to get a lot of riding in this year. Still seems like not enough! lolz

I like that helmet a lot too. Sadly it's about to expire. It's basically good until April, but I already feel it moving around on my head when I ride the 899. The current Bells don't really have a bright helmet in the line up. The closest one to something I like has nearly a total black front profile. I get it for track, but on the street it's good to be seen! This helmet would be great if they switched the black and white areas.

[toratora]

Road with the big boys today. In our group no one could touch me on 236. On the long straight up hills though I got dropped. lolz

It was a super fun ride. Obviously I didn't lead today as I didn't have enough bike. Our group lead though has amazing skills, and it was super fun to chase him through the twisties. Super fun group today--and no one from our group crashed. <3

[toratora]

Went on a nice evening buzz around SF tonight with Rob D. and Joe. Rob was on his ATK, and Joe brought out what I call the H4 (KH400)—a wicked cool Kawasaki triple that was so rad I thought I was riding with Raimu Senpai!!

We are really lucky to have a bunch of fun roads, and beautiful vistas.

[Karim]

Nice work. Easily getting 35kph more out of the bike than I am.

[toratora]

Yeah this bike moves out fairly well. I've no problem keeping up with cars at freeway speeds.

[toratora]

On the Doc Wong ride in October I lost the front brake. I thought it was from over heating the brake fluid. Boy was I wrong! To remedy this situation I went out to flush the fluid. While doing so I decided to take a look at the pads. I had thought that I had new Ferodos in this bike, but I was way wrong. I don't know what these pads were, but they totally delaminated under heat. Things are cleaned up now, and there are some new Ferodo pads in there too.







Here's a nice trick. Cut and X into the cap of a water bottle, and you'll have a handy little run off for your brake fluid.





When doing brake work make sure to protect the painted parts because brake fluid will quickly damage them.



Another trick is to leave most of the foil on the brake fluid bottle. Poke in two holes, one slightly larger then the other. This provides a nice controlled way to fill up the reservoir.



I have a MityVac with the attachments, but I wasn't at home, so I just used some hose. It worked fine.



Another thing I like to do is put a small bevel on the leading edge of the brake pad. This keeps them from squealing.