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Definitely better off with a car

Peter Halfpenny

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While I’m here, can anybody recommend a set of (incorrectly named) bars that clip on the fork stanchions?

Also, if I wanted to lose the combined braking system, do I just need to use a bolt and washer to seal the second line in the rear calliper do shorter one in rear master? Can imagine the stock system being a pig to bleed properly when I sort this front leak out
 

andyBeaker

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While I’m here, can anybody recommend a set of (incorrectly named) bars that clip on the fork stanchions?

Also, if I wanted to lose the combined braking system, do I just need to use a bolt and washer to seal the second line in the rear calliper do shorter one in rear master? Can imagine the stock system being a pig to bleed properly when I sort this front leak out
I have never done it myself but I believe there is a lot more to delinking the brakes. Custom made kits are available.

I would think long and hard before doing it - I have owned both standard and delinked Birds and done many, many miles on both. In the real world I would say there is very little if any difference. If anything the linked brakes are possibly better when really heavy braking is required.

The riding gods who witter on about trail braking, sliding the back end out, rear wheel steering, etc will support delinking. As I said, in the real world.........

There are a few tips on bleeding the linked system - someone who has actually done it will be along shortly....maybe not as bad as you may think....
 

andyBeaker

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Those crappy Allan bolts on the grab rail are non standard - there was probably a Renntec rack on there at one stage.

The standard bolts are recessed and there should be rubber plugs to cover them up.

You have been sold a pup.
 

Cougar377

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While I’m here, can anybody recommend a set of (incorrectly named) bars that clip on the fork stanchions?

Also, if I wanted to lose the combined braking system, do I just need to use a bolt and washer to seal the second line in the rear calliper do shorter one in rear master? Can imagine the stock system being a pig to bleed properly when I sort this front leak out

If you do then you'll need to inform your insurance co. (if you don't then it's just the excuse they need to invalidate your cover).....who will then hike your premium because you've altered it from the "safer" linked brake setup.

As one of those "riding gods" that AB mentioned, I've always trailed the back brake in corners. First time I did it on the Bird it scared the shit out of me...! Bike stood up and headed for the hedge. EEK................!!!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S. AB doubles as Scrooge at this time of year. :bash:
 

Peter Halfpenny

Registered User
Those crappy Allan bolts on the grab rail are non standard - there was probably a Renntec rack on there at one stage.

The standard bolts are recessed and there should be rubber plugs to cover them up.

You have been sold a pup.

Mismatched bolts all over it. There was nothing even holding the tank down when I took the seat off
 

andyBeaker

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You have a lot of magnolia in your house don't you Andy mm?

No magnolia, but loads of light pastel shades. One of the spare bedrooms has just been done n Dulux Timeless and looks very nice. Master is Nutmeg White.. Living rooms Desert Wind, second bedroom AlmojdmWjiye.

Bit darker in the kitchen - Hessian, which compliments the gloss cream units and oak worktops beautifully.

Wel, you did,ask.........
 

slim63

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Its already a well known fact that I detest linked brakes along with anything else that takes control away from the rider, so from experience if you delink it will show up the soggy stock front end but I would still recommend it (y)

Before AB goes off on a geriatric rant, no I'm not a riding god, nor do I profess to be but I do occasionally trail the rear brake in a bend if I need to, I have proved more than once that I can stop quicker with normal brakes than I can with linked ones wet or dry

I think (but don't know) the reason for being able to brake harder/later & stop quicker could be I am able to moderate the braking force applied front & rear to suit the conditions rather than being stuck with the 30/70 split (?) of bird linked brakes, could be different for others but its what I have always done so will stick with the thought that linked brakes are shite for me personally :D
 

andyBeaker

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Either way, the rear on the Bird is pretty weak.

Never tried or even done it by mistake, but I would guess it would be a struggle to get it to lock up. Hard enough getting through the MOT, even in the unlikely event the tester knows what he or she is doing.
 

slim63

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Either way, the rear on the Bird is pretty weak.

Never tried or even done it by mistake, but I would guess it would be a struggle to get it to lock up. Hard enough getting through the MOT, even in the unlikely event the tester knows what he or she is doing.

This (ex) tester knows what he's doing :D But yes linked brakes are a pain to test even so !

Again yes bird rear brakes are weak, linked or not but if you delink & change the rear master cylinder they are brilliant even on just the two pistons ;)
 

Cougar377

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Mismatched bolts all over it. There was nothing even holding the tank down when I took the seat off

AB's right...:( you bought a hound....;)

Still...maybe not all bad.... Is that a Corbin saddle..?
 

Centaur

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I wouldn't ride Jeremy Corbin with or without a saddle! Now take a whip to him.....that is different. (y)
 

Cougar377

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View attachment 42230

I couldn’t tell you but here’s a pic.

One thing I can question after seeing a stock one in the flesh... what were Honda thinking? Definitely made last minute on a Friday

Not a Corbin, but better than the stock effort.

At least your bike doesn't look like this...

Hayabusa.jpg

I think the front is on the right side of the picture....:thinking:
 

andyBeaker

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Not a Corbin, but better than the stock effort.

At least your bike doesn't look like this...

View attachment 42231

I think the front is on the right side of the picture....:thinking:



Absolutely gorgeous.................

Also good to ride, in a different way to the Bird - feels like you have to be more committed.
 

slim63

Never surrender
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Well as a lot of you know I freely admit to being a Suzuki nut first & foremost but I still think the hedgeabuser is the ugliest bike on the planet in stock form, later models as above being the worst looking things ever by a long way imo

Still good bikes as long as you don't have to look at the fecking thing though
 
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