Why you should safety wire your brake caliper mounting bolts
- Thread starter frankenduc
- Start date
Donnyballgame
New Member
I am drilling holes tonight.
barry38
Member
About 10 years ago I had taken my CRB1000F to the shop for a tire change. Got it back, rode about 10 miles head a weird noise from the front. Went to stop, no front brakes. Got off the bike and looked the the front. The right brake caliper had come off and was jammed between the fork tube and the wheel. Luckily this happened at 30MPH, could have been really ugly.
Everybody, go check your mount bolts............
Everybody, go check your mount bolts............
BLUEBALLS
New Member
Safety wiring is necessary for track bikes, shouldn't be considered an option. I safety wire my street bikes as well because of situations just like this example. The security is more than worth the minimal amount of effort involved.
About 6 or 7 years ago my buddies & I were doing an elevated pace tour through Washington State & Idaho. One of the guys just picked his 'Busa up from the shop before departing on our road trip - the steering head bearings were in for replacement. Well, on the second day into our trip we had a fuel/pit stop after wailing through a long set of super sweet sweepers. While enjoying some water I looked down at his front brake calipers and found one of the bottom caliper bolts hanging 1/2 way out from the caliper. The top bolt on that same caliper was easily unthreaded with light effort using 2 fingers.
I've been safety wiring my street bikes ever since. None of us have gone back to that shop for any servicing either [the shop didn't properly set or torque the steering head bearings either, so the bearings were shot before the end of the road trip as well].
BLUEBALLS :cheers:
About 6 or 7 years ago my buddies & I were doing an elevated pace tour through Washington State & Idaho. One of the guys just picked his 'Busa up from the shop before departing on our road trip - the steering head bearings were in for replacement. Well, on the second day into our trip we had a fuel/pit stop after wailing through a long set of super sweet sweepers. While enjoying some water I looked down at his front brake calipers and found one of the bottom caliper bolts hanging 1/2 way out from the caliper. The top bolt on that same caliper was easily unthreaded with light effort using 2 fingers.
I've been safety wiring my street bikes ever since. None of us have gone back to that shop for any servicing either [the shop didn't properly set or torque the steering head bearings either, so the bearings were shot before the end of the road trip as well].
BLUEBALLS :cheers:
BLARNEY
Member
I safety wire a few things on track bikes.....
Anything that can cause a MASSIVE leak ( Oil Drain, Oil Filter, Coolant Cap ) and anything
the can make the wheels stop rotating ( brake calipers ( front and back ) front and rear axles, pinch bolts ).
If it doesn't leak, the tires turn and the brakes work..... you are in pretty good shape.
Tom
Anything that can cause a MASSIVE leak ( Oil Drain, Oil Filter, Coolant Cap ) and anything
the can make the wheels stop rotating ( brake calipers ( front and back ) front and rear axles, pinch bolts ).
If it doesn't leak, the tires turn and the brakes work..... you are in pretty good shape.
Tom
Lenny ZX9R
Control Rider
Just Sayin!:doh:
Olde English
Member
Could you guys suggest some safety wire drill jigs?
*Edit: and what size pliers is a good size for motorcycles?
*Edit: and what size pliers is a good size for motorcycles?
Lenny ZX9R
Control Rider
Rick, he was just sayin!:agree: 9" saftey wire pliers work good for me.
vtjballeng
New Member
Cheap method:
1/16 Ti Bits, 10 pack $1.99... other sizes similar:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93076
9" pliers for $9:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=45341
.025" ss wire for $5:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=8893
Better stuff is available when you are ready to pay more.