rainmaker

 Houston has had less rain (until Wednesday) this year than has fallen on the
Sahara Desert (this year according to local meteorologists).

So I decided to do my part by having my FXDX break down on me Tuesday
morning trying to go to work. Push the start button and hear some arcing
followed by the sound of the starter gear hitting the ring gear but no
spinning sound. Then a loud click and power off as though the circuit
breaker let go. Turned the ignition off and back on and the lights are back
but this time hitting the start button only produces the loud click and the
lights go out. Repeat a few more times and decide it's time to call Road
America.

I've had this roadside assistance service since '02 when I got the FXDX and
have only used it once for a flat. That time the response was reasonably
speedy, about an hour, but this time it was unreasonably unspeedy. After
being told the truck would be here within an hour it actually took about 3
hours. But that's another story. Anyway, when I dropped it off at Republic I
was told it would be awhile before they could work it in. Like Monday. Maybe
Friday but probably Monday. I told the service writer I needed the bike
repaired as soon as possible as my backup vehicle is my '78 FX which has bad
brakes except when it rains when it has no brakes.

So I take the shovel to work Tuesday, no problem. Wednesday we had some
sprinkles and today we had a dry line ahead of a cold front bring some much
needed rain. I have been fortunate to have missed most all of the rain
during commutes but it looks like we have a cold front to bring some more
rain chances tomorrow. I guess I need to break down and get some brakes to
replace the banana caliper at the rear of this bike. I looked at some GMA's
but I really want the PM 4 piston model 1255-0052-CH and after online
shopping a bit I see it's available for under $400. Seems reasonable
compared to what else is available. Anyway I'm wondering if the stock master
cylinder is capable of powering these brakes? Has anyone got a better
suggestion as to caliper/master cylinder combo? Thanks in advance for the
advice.

Harold
--
74 CB 450 - Stolen; 74 Z1 900 - Traded; 76 FX 1200 - Stolen; 78 FX(E)
86 CI - Daily rider nice weather; 02 FXDX 88 CI - Daily rider other weather

 
Found out why the bike wouldn't start last Tuesday morning. The ground cable
was loose. I blew half a days vacation because I forgot to check both ends
of the battery cables when it wouldn't start. Pretty embarrassing but a
cheap lesson. The dealer only charged me for 1/2 hour labor ($47) and threw
in a new upgraded ground bolt and cleaned up all the arcing mess. The bike
also got a bath so it wasn't a total loss. And I got to kid around with them
when I went to pick it up. I went straight from work Friday around 6:30 on
my shovel. Pulled right into the service area and stated I needed some
warranty work done on the bike. Both techs that were within earshot got a
good chuckle. A customer that was there just looked dumbfounded. Anyway I
apologized to them for taking up valuable wrenching time with such a sorry
excuse for a service appointment and got another laugh when I was backing
the shovel back out of the service area and was asked how I was going to get
both bikes home. I told him I had a bar that connected the two frames so I
could ride one and the other acted like a sidecar. It's nice having a back
up bike but I do need to upgrade the brakes on the shovel so it's not such a
nightmare when it rains.

74 CB 450 - Stolen; 74 Z1 900 - Traded; 76 FX 1200 - Stolen; 78 FX(E)
86 CI - Daily rider nice weather; 02 FXDX 88 CI - Daily rider other weather