Rear Brake Rotor replacement

It was raining Cats & Dogs in the morning when I was suppose to replace my rear rotor. The idea was to replace as early as possible and come home to take plenty of rest!

So wait wait wait... and wait wait and wait and wait and wait...... but rain didnt stop, until finally it became a drizzle. went down to factor around 11am and finally had it replaced.


Worn-out disc brake


Nicely fit and ready to roll!!

With new disc brake in place, braking still not very effective, shall hold lightly on the lever till the pads are fully bedded in and disc had roughen out....

Thailand Blues....

When I first got my very own bike(TA200), Stanley brought me to Malaysia for makans, that is where I started loving Touring with bike. Since then were just short trips to nearby Johor towns. It was only when I rode my babe (GSX1300R) before I went further to places like Genting, Malacca, KL, Penang, Port Dickson.

One of my goal was to ride up to Thailand from Singapore thru Malaysia. I've missed out one last year (2007) when Freddy invited. This year, I'll told myself I'm going to ride at least 1 time to Thailand and in future if there is more chances, I'll travel more to Thailand with Jean and tour around it.

This Thailand trip, we were suppose to join the Phuket Bike Week 2008 event. Due to Sokrang festival, there wasn't anymore cheap hotel rooms. Unlike the others and Neo who were going for the bike week. We're just going to enjoy the Sokrang festival in Hatyai. Leaving on 11th April 2230hrs and coming back on 15 April.

For the past few weeks, Jean's been getting reckless, she cant go with me due to her exams, and she very worried coz since Dec last year till now, there were many reports of bike accident along NSHW and Thailand. Jean kept asking me to take care, ride cautiously and safely. I promise myself that I will call her whenever I could, and ride safe.

Even myself, I started feeling reckless and moody. Coz I was going on a long trip without Jean. I felt her concern and I was worried about her.

Another reason of mu blues where, most of my closer friends were not coming along, they give reasons/excuses like :
Mindef related exercises
Just change job, not nice to take leave
Bike not fierce enough
Gf dont allow, scare Gf scold

However, this is 1 trip that I have been waiting for along time.......... Thailand, here I come!!!!

Rear Brake Rotor (After Market)

Rear Brake Rotor, £14.99(SG$42.10) Start Bid price, £25(SG$70.20) buy now price
Shipment £10 (SG$28.08)
Got a good deal from the same guy at £23.99 ($67.37) inclusive shipment.

The story was, My rear rotor(disc brake) had been wear since day 1 I took over the bike from Johnsen. Other riders seldom use the rear brake, but not me. It became worst each day till today and now, it was so worn out that I've decide to look into ebay for a cheap after market deal.


Spotted on ebay. There were many sellers selling it.

I had my drive chain and sprocket replace in the morning, when I got home, my rotor was lying on my table. It was delivered to me while I was at the bike shop.


On my table when i got home from replacing chain.

Assuming that the rotor will reach my doorstep only when I'm in Thailand, I could have had the rotor installed together with the drive chain! Damn!!! Now I'm desperate to get the rotor installed, because its lying uselessly on my table!!!!


So nice, its ready to install,
but why of all time when I just got back from bike shop!!

Chain replacement for Thailand trip.

DID X-Ring 50VM(530VM) 120ZB approx $170
Front Sprocket approx $80
Mileage approx : 111,770km

About a month ago, While cleaning my chain, I notice some *tok *tok sound while rotating the rear wheel slowly. Was it time for my chain or sprocket to go? My drive chain had been running in all sort of condition, hard, fast, gently, slow, sudden, wet, dry, sandy, clean, etc et.... The chain clocked approx. 40,000 KM. I guess its really time to replace them.


D.I.D, My prefered brand.
X-Ring, My prefered choice.


New set of Chain & Sprocket

It was for the best coz I'm going up thailand on friday and cannot affort to have a chain snap(unlikely but super dangerous). I need to travel with a safe and peace mind and to come home to see my worried wife


This is 1 Area I always wanted to open up for cleaning.


Tools that are required to open up the sprocket cover and remove the sprocket.
Not forgetting a Jack.

Order from Motor Factor the same set of chain as my current, and a stock front sprocket. Told them to alter to the shortest my wheel could hold. Was comparing my old and new sprocket because it ran almost half the mileage of the drive chain. It did wear enough for me to decide a change.


Comparing the Old and New Sprocket, the (teeth) are
slightly tilted and sharper, a sign of wear.


Old Chain


New Drive Chain, the *tok sound went away.

ZeeVinCeZ teach you how to save petrol

Quoted from ZeeVinCeZ:

Tips For Filling Up Gasoline

This is an advice from the expert on How not to lose money at the petrol stations especially when petrol prices are sky rocketing!

Read it and take action to start saving the next time you go to the petrol station:

I've been in the petroleum pipeline business for about 31 years, currently working for the Kinder-Morgan Pipeline here in San Jose, CA. We deliver about 4 million gallons in a 24-hour period from the pipe line; one day it's diesel, the next day it's jet fuel and gasoline. We have 34 storage tanks here with a total capacity of 16,800,000 gallons. Here are some tricks to help you get your money's worth.

1. Fill up your car or truck in the morning when the temperature is still cool. Remember that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground; and the colder the ground, the denser the gasoline. When it gets warmer gasoline expands, so if you're filling up in the afternoon or in the evening, what should be a gallon is not exactly a gallon. In the petroleum business, the specific gravity and temperature of the fuel (gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, ethanol and other petroleum products) are significant. Every truckload that we load is temperature-compensated so that the indicated gallonage is actually the amount pumped. A one-degree rise in temperature is a big deal for businesses, but service stations don't have temperature compensation at their pumps.

2. If a tanker truck is filling the station's tank at the time you want to buy gas, do not fill up; most likely dirt and sludge in the tank is being stirred up when gas is being delivered, and you might be transferring that dirt from the bottom of their tank into your car's tank.

3. Fill up when your gas tank is half-full (or half-empty), because the more gas you have in your tank the less air there is and gasoline evaporates rapidly, especially when it's warm. (Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating 'roof' membrane to act as a barrier between the gas and the atmosphere, thereby minimizing evaporation.)

4. If you look at the trigger you'll see that it has three delivery settings: slow, medium and high. When you're filling up do not squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to the high setting. You should be pumping at the slow setting, thereby minimizing vapours created while you are pumping. Hoses at the pump are corrugated; the corrugations act as a return path for vapour recovery from gas that already has been metered. If you are pumping at the high setting, the agitated gasoline contains more vapour, which is being sucked back into the underground tank so you're getting less gas for your money.

Hope this will help ease your 'pain at the pump'.

Bearing for rear Wheel set.

SLS Bearings
KOYO Sprocket 62/32 : $12+ (price increased from $8+)
NIS Wheel 60/32 2 set : $6+ each
Labor @ Planet motor $20
Mileage : Approx 111,500km

After changing only the front wheel bearings at HKL last sat, I had been thinking that I should get the rear's change as well for a 1 time change thingy. I didnt change the rear at HKL coz they didnt have stock and I do not want to wait for them to bring in.

I was told of getting alternative from SLS Bearings near Lavender S11 Food Court. I would like to get the whole set KOYO coz they were made in Japan, however there were no stock for wheels so I got NIS from China instead. I was assure the standard and material were same quality. But if given a choice, I would get all KOYO or Nachi.

Jean got bored while at HKL servicing.

Jean was getting bored while I was having my tyres replaced.

HKL Servicing and Metzeler M3 for thailand trip.

HKL @ Alexandra
Mileage : 111,188 km
Nachi Front Wheel bearing x 2 : $10 each
Metzeler Sportec M3 Sport tech 120/190 tyre change package: $400 for both tyre
Ariete Tyre Valve : $45 1 set

My tyre change plan was after the 3rd Falcon ride to Ayer Hitam. Although I couldn't make it due to my puncture, I still go ahead to had them changed. My current Pilot Power 2CT served me a good 14,028 km . I had rode on almost all kind of road condition in S'pore and frequent M'ysia 's Highway, probably once or twice on Pasir Gudang's Track.


Front tyre hasn't really worn out, but it wont last a next rear tyre's life and I would like to change 1 pair, especially of the same brand and same type. I dont like 1 front 2 rear rule.


The Rear is not in the condition to ride anymore.


View of a "Worm" just patched from the inside


My new set of M3, very good manufacture date, these are dual compound.


Week 21 2007


Week 35 2007


Nachi 6205 bearing for front wheel, these old bearings gotta
go for safety reasons as a long trip's coming up


The new bearing were dual seal too, but the seals were not
rubber and I dont want to wait for stock to come.

This next itemI;ve got out of itchy backside were the L-shape tyre valve. My current L-shaped valve had a torn rubber seal on the outside of the rim and these new ones from Ariete had their seals on the inside of the rims.


Aeiete's Tyre Valves


Rubber seal is inside, but blocked by the nut which had lock tight applied too.


Front Wheel


Rear wheel

March 2008 Falcon Ride

It was the falcon riders monthly ride to Ayer Hitam for some coffee. I had

already missed the first 2 ride so I dont want to miss this one.
I was to meet up with my usual group at lavender and set off for the meeting
point at GP Petronas where the main group is. They were leaving at 11pm sharp
for Ayer Hitam.

We arrive at GP Esso around 11:15pm, but the main group had left.
When we were about to leave to catch up with some guys at the next
toll. My bike felt weird when moving off, the rear was fish-tailing
on both sides, I suspect my rear tyre had deflated and I was right
when i got off the bike to check.


Just a few of us at GP ESSO, the main group had left.


This stupid thing was in my tyre that cause me to miss the ride

While trying to inflate the tyre, we found a sharp thin piece of metal
sheet that look like a broken piece of penknife had pierced my tyre.
But no worries as I always had a tyre repair in my bike.

It was easy to get the "worm" into the hole. However there was a problem
getting air into the tyre. It took a very long time to get the pressure up
to around 8 psi. I decided to make a U-ture at exit 312C and continue
inflating the tyre at a newer petrol station "Shell" on the other side.
I bid the rest farewell and thank them for staying to help before heading
to shell with Andrew.


Worm in the tyre.

With those brighter lightnings, I spotted a piece of rubber in the tyre
valve. That was what's slowing down the air from getting in. Once removed,
getting it to 42PSI only took 1 minute. Took and short rest, and head
home..... slowly.....

I was very lucky to find my tyre deflated at the petrol station, I cannot
imagine moving off and stuck in the middle of no where on the NSHW with
a deflated tyre with only "worms" and no pump to inflate. Nasty things
could have happen.

Options for these kinda situation on the highway:
* Push the bike to the nearest station
* Get a friend to buy a pump and repair kit from the nearest station.
* Phone call for help
* Wait for highway tow truck to petrol pass and seek help from them.
* Wave to a SG Vehicle and hope they honestly help
* Wait for highway police for assistance
* Wait to get robbed while waiting for any of the aboved.

Therefor always prepare emergency kits when traveling in NSHW. At
least there is a chance for you to rectify the problem rather than waiting
to get robbed, being alone or with just your GF is going to put you in a
very disadvantage situation!

Suggest for tyre puncture situation:
* Torch light
* Tyre repair kit
* Air pressure canister/Air pump
* Communication device (hp)
* Standard bike tools
* Some knowledge on how to repair and SA and "A LOT OF LUCK"

Finally got the rear tyre in place. Damn, I've missed this round too!

Thanks Andrew and the rest who help/assisted.

Freddy, Maverik, Mark & Vanessa, Geraki, Mr Seng and Denson, sorry for delaying the ride.

An impromptu outing to Pasir Gudang 22 Mar 08

Alan called on thur night to asked if I was interested to go PG for a session, I told him fri morning is out for me as I had plans meeting contractors and sourcing for furniture and electric appliance for my new apartment. I told him Sat morn is fine.

We met 8am at GP Petronas. Alan didnt want to meet at JB shell as he was afraid of the jam due to the recent "Happy Mat" case. I brought breakfast along coz I need to have my meals at least an hour be4 a track session, else the whole circuit will stink with my vomits hehe...

I meet Victor for the first time today, he was riding an XR SM, Alan & with their Fazer, Cavin with his 954 and Me with my usual "babe"

When reaching PG, the gate was closed. We were about to leave when someone called out from behind the gate to say "opens at 9AM" Thank god! We left for breakfast.

After BF, we came back to PG and book the 10am session. The photographer, videographer, lap timer were all Carine, standing directly under the hot sun, haha.

Once geared up, off we went. Nothing much to talk about the experience except I felt my boots scrape the ground a few time during some bends.



Victor and his XR


Seriously, Alan should change to a sports-tourer or a sports bike.
He just love the tracks.


Cavin with his 954.


Me and my babe. As usual, I came with only jeans and guards.
Whats the point of getting a suit when I only come here twice a year?


Cheese!! Cheers!! Cheekos!!!


Rear Before n After.


Didnt realise my farings substain some scars while doing the bends...


Boots where I felt it scraping....


Guards were scraped too.....


Foot rest pegs.... Scrape....

SOME VIDEOS COMPILED