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Post by pilgrim on Apr 16, 2009 16:23:55 GMT
Gosh, I missed a lot last night/today! I won't enter the pie throwing part but I must say if you find the bike so bad at handling and stopping amorti why not sell it, get some money back and save on bike tax and insurance? Or buy another bike that suits your needs more.
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Post by eliminator on Apr 17, 2009 15:15:50 GMT
This is a fun thread. ;D When's round 5? Each to their own chaps?
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Post by amorti on Apr 17, 2009 15:46:55 GMT
This is a fun thread. ;D When's round 5? Each to their own chaps? It was just a bit of banter, no hard feelings anywhere (we cleared that up off-screen) Each to our own chaps? I'd rather get in hers
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Post by pilgrim on Apr 17, 2009 15:54:24 GMT
Best thing you've posted all week amorti! Fine sentiment, who wouldn't? ;D
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Post by eliminator on Apr 17, 2009 17:48:54 GMT
"I'd rather get in hers " She's over rated, believe me. ;D
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2009 18:07:38 GMT
Amorti mate, Showing your age again.
The rest of you are old enough to be her GRANDAD
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Post by amorti on Apr 17, 2009 18:43:06 GMT
I just picked up a whole NTV650 brake system for £10. Assuming it all works out, I'd be unlucky to get less than that back for the divvy's master, lever and switch. The caliper is trash (and I'm not even going to attempt to extract the pistons), but the master (which is all I want) looks reasonable though it's been stood a while and even has a straight lever. It'll get stripped and the seals checked out before I use it of course. I will post a progress report once I'm done
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Post by amorti on Apr 17, 2009 18:46:16 GMT
"I'd rather get in hers " She's over rated, believe me. ;D That was one the first google images page when i searched for "Chaps". There were also some slightly more disturbing images. I shan't search that with safe search off again, believe me.
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Post by CD on Apr 18, 2009 10:12:35 GMT
If the Honda master cyl does the job it could be a great way to improve the brakes on the D600. The overall stopping power seemed adequate, but accurate control was another thing.
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Post by amorti on Apr 18, 2009 12:20:44 GMT
I see no reason why it won't work - it'll fit the bar, fit the hose thread, the lever looks fine to clear the switch unit, mirror can go on either the divvy clamp mounted thread or the m/c mounted thread (which is RH thread though). What's not to work? Assuming my maths is right (it is), I will end up with a brake "feel ratio" of 24.6. My CB-1 with single brembo goldline caliper and brembo 13mm master had a ratio of 24.3, and it felt just great, I could certainly live with a teeny tiny bit "squishier" than what the was. Obviously the parts are lower spec, but it's only a hydraulic pump (which has new slave seals and may get new master seals too), so it's not exactly complicated. Off now to go and open it up and check out the seals. Will report back later PS, here is some further evidence of my compulsion to fiddle with things: s74.photobucket.com/albums/i264/a_morti/Blade/Once the brake light arrives, I'll just be needing a few brackets and a bit of paint, and that'll be another job done!
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Post by amorti on Apr 18, 2009 17:09:26 GMT
So, the deed is done! I stripped the NTV m/c first to check its general condition. The seals were fine, the rubber boot though was shagged. The two little screws on the cap were no good, I had to drill one of them out. I squeezed all the fluid down to the caliper, swapped the top cylinders, then squeezed the fluid back up the line. Et voila, swapped cylinder, with no need to bleed! I took it a very short 2 mile urban trip from my dad's where I did the work (he has circlip pliers) back to mine. It already feels better than before, and I'll be leaving the lever tied back over night, as my cheat method will have let a couple of bubbles in there. All in all? Success! Anyone who doubts still is welcome to try my bike on a back to back test with theirs. turns out the built in mirror thread is not only the wrong type, but from its location it's useless on the divvy. I drilled out the original clamps holes a little bit (maybe half a mm each side) and since the pictures found a nice big allen bolt to blank that hole off with. If I ever do get some, it'll be hand to mount the control box for hot grips, so not a dead loss.
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Post by m40man on Apr 18, 2009 17:40:54 GMT
Job looks a good 'un . Nice.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2009 6:12:23 GMT
Well done, looks good, feels better, but the suspension is still dodgy
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Post by amorti on Apr 19, 2009 10:02:47 GMT
I'm getting there, one thing at a time!
I asked my dad, he reckons he can find something suitable to make spacers at his work. I so enjoyed using a plumbing fixing to fix that mirror for free, and back-bleeding the master with so little effort, that I'm back on the easy and cheap/free fixes theme for a little while now. And considering Yamaha thought it would be funny not to fit the divvy with fork oil drain bolts, that means the oil is probably staying in there for a little longer, too. Although it was too thin from the start and it's now done >10k... When I do get round to it, I will be making the drillings for drain bolts.
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Post by CD on Apr 19, 2009 17:32:33 GMT
Well done. You might have found the way to fix the (seemingly) weak Divvie 600 brakes.
I now bleed my brakes with a syringe to push fluid up from the caliper end. The pressure avoids air getting sucked in via the bleed nipple threads and the whole job is quick and easy. I do however have to tie back the lever over night as it seems fine bubbles always get in somewhere.
I use a 100ml syringe though suspect a 50ml would be better - bought from ebay for a few quid.
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Post by amorti on Apr 19, 2009 18:51:39 GMT
Well done. You might have found the way to fix the (seemingly) weak Divvie 600 brakes. I now bleed my brakes with a syringe to push fluid up from the caliper end. The pressure avoids air getting sucked in via the bleed nipple threads and the whole job is quick and easy. I do however have to tie back the lever over night as it seems fine bubbles always get in somewhere. I use a 100ml syringe though suspect a 50ml would be better - bought from ebay for a few quid. Yes, I believe I have. More power and more control! As soon as I beef the springy bits up a little, I should have a reasonable front end. It's never going to stop or steer like my blade, but it should be at least one or two leagues closer. I have done the syringe trick in cases where I was having difficulty getting the first bit of bleeding done. It is a good way to avoid the hundreds of pumps it can take just to beat an air-locked master cylinder. Because also, those pumps are running a dry rubber seal up and down a dry bore, which is never good. It will never (I don't think?) bleed the system fully, but once you have it all full of fluid, you are half way there already. When I topped up the fluid (didn't have to bleed it of course, and tying the lever back has deffo finished my lazy job for me) I was surprised to see red brake fluid. I think it's due to how much red grease I used when rebuilding the slave cylinder. Looks pretty!
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nobby
Boy Racer
Posts: 164
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Post by nobby on Apr 19, 2009 20:24:39 GMT
I would also say that perhaps you need to get rid of your divi amorti. seems to be the best way
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Post by amorti on Apr 19, 2009 22:16:02 GMT
Like Mr Honda said: hate something, change something, make something better. I'm surprised by the amount of negativity when I have found a very cheap mod that anyone can do to make their bike better and safer. Who doesn't want better brakes? Meh, I have chosen my way
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Post by General Gman on Apr 20, 2009 7:59:24 GMT
Good thread, Amorti - like you say, better brakes is a good thing.The twin disc model brakes *can* be quite decent, but the single disc ones like you say are burdened with an over-large master cylinder.The suspension is never gonna be great, but it can be improved (not that I ever bothered, I just rode round the problems). Personally, I quite like the bagginess of the divvy - you can get away with an awful lot and it won't bite you in the arse.
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Post by amorti on Apr 20, 2009 9:28:33 GMT
Thanks GMan. I rode the divvy to work today, so that was its first "proper" ride after a couple of 1-2 mile shake-downs. It is a revelation. You can really actually use the front brake, without fear of the front end tucking under. It gives so much more confidence in the bike, it's actually now quite acceptable to ride. Advice from advanced training for a good E-stop is to apply the brake progressively, then give as much squeeze as you can. You never could do that before, it grabbed and set the suspension (weak as it already is) diving. Now you can do it. I thought I'd give it an "extreme" test just on the entry to work's car park. I did a proper E-stop, including locking and releasing, and actually had confidence that I wouldn't throw it on the floor. It's not overstating the case to say it's made me hate the Diversion much less
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2009 9:56:24 GMT
Still don't understand why you're 'fixing ' the divvy when you dislike it so much. If you're viewing it as a project then I suppose I understand that but there's only so much you'll be able to do. The improvement might make it worthwhile in your opinion but the learning you're doing while improving the bike is probably more beneficial than actually improving this bike.
I do think what you've done is interesting but can't for the life of me see why you didn't cash in, get something you wanted to commute on and then carry out improvements.
We don't get that many decent threads on here any more, this is the first for a while.
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Post by CD on Apr 20, 2009 10:10:42 GMT
The biggest improvement I made to my 900 was fitting some really good front brakes. But, doing most of that for a fraction of the cost HAS to be worth looking at. It showed up the soggy forks, but 15/40 engine oil has helped. The forks dive, but the soft setup suits the bike. If I really wanted knife-edge precison I'd buy a sports bike.
Agreed, the syringe won't do the brakes 100% but leaving the lever tied back overnight finishes the job. Minimal effort gets the job done with. I'll not be going back to pump n twist brake bleeding any time soon.
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Post by amorti on Apr 20, 2009 11:07:57 GMT
I have a bike to go fast on, the divvy only has to fulfill the role of a bike that should go at a reasonable speed, handle OK and above all be very cheap to run. I don't need to run the blade to work, and it's bad for me. I caught myself doing 140mph on the motorway for absolutely no reason. That was early last week, and the last time I rode the blade to work. The diversion owes me probably about £800-£900 over 15 months and 10k miles, and that's including consumables and two sets of tyres. I would probably get about £500-£600 (it's cosmetically shabby) for it if I sold it with full tax and MOT. What does that money get you that's in reasonable mechanical repair, and better (for what I want) than a diversion? I don't want a 500 twin, and would have to put more money in (which I don't have or want to spend if I did) to get a bandit, fazer or hornet. While they are better bikes, they have full size tyres which are relatively expensive and short lived, and won't get >55mpg on my commute. And they're still not a fireblade. I ride to work because it's cheaper, faster, more convenient, and as a side benefit, more fun than the train. The diversion is ideal, or could be if it were just a little bit better. I will keep it until it dies, it's not going anywhere. From here to then I intend to make it as nice to ride as possible within its inherent limits (unless anyone objects ) PS, Bev - could you really find me anyone that owns a divvy 600 because it's a great bike, or even because it's the best thing at what it's used for? They're not and never were, and all of us that have one, have it because it is cheap, and good enough. Or would you suggest by your logic that every owner should really sell up and move on? I gained most of the experience I would need to work on a divvy already by stripping and rebuilding my CB-1. I wish I still had that, it's a better bike than the Divvy. Faster, quicker, smoother, better handling, better stopping, better looking (subjective). But not as comfy, too physically small, and only has an 11.5 litre tank, where the divvy is about 19. So not suited to motorway commuting. And I don't need / can't justify 3 bikes! However I do hope any knowledge I generate / uncover / apply will be helpful to other owners - that's why I post answers as well as questions on owners' boards
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2009 11:20:36 GMT
I'm sure there are D6 owners or ex owners on here who loved/love the bike. I do think if the bike you have is not what you want then get rid of it and try something else - a change is as good as a rest. I still have my D9 because I like it although Jnr appears to have taken ownership over, except when it's needing fixed. My wife still prefers to be on the back of the D9. Admittedly a D9 is not a D6 and I have never owned one but I have ridden one several times.
The D6 is perfect IMHO for getting back into biking and I'm sure many on here would agree. Once you have honed your skills then I'd say yes, sell up and move on. You'll find most of us have.
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Post by teejayexc on Apr 20, 2009 11:22:37 GMT
The first part, I would doubt it. The second part, haven't you just answered that in your post? And long may you continue to do so, it's what keeps the forums interesting.* *this by no way implies you are right or wrong, and should not implicate me in agreeing with a Jock
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2009 11:24:49 GMT
The first part, I would doubt it. The second part, haven't you just answered that in your post? And long may you continue to do so, it's what keeps the forums interesting.* *this by no way implies you are right or wrong, and should not implicate me in agreeing with a Jock The disclaimer is published too late TJ I think you agree with me.
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Post by beeblemaster on Apr 20, 2009 11:34:33 GMT
Sounds like you've had quite a result, amorti. Definitely food for thought if I ever want to improve the feel of the braking...
You'll have to do a study on the braking system of a CX Custom US single disc model ;D
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Post by amorti on Apr 20, 2009 11:40:53 GMT
You do realise that all you lot are doing is setting me scheming for 10k miles time (when the tyres on there are worn out) for how I'm going to put a 17" rear wheel on there? Just to annoy you? And wondering how to fit a HID headlight? Don't worry, I'll document it all. TJ - I think you have a point. I use the divvy not because it's the best, but because it's (among) the cheapest at what it's used for. That being, being cheap. Burger! I think you may have me on that one!
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Post by amorti on Apr 20, 2009 11:44:23 GMT
Sounds like you've had quite a result, amorti. Definitely food for thought if I ever want to improve the feel of the braking... You'll have to do a study on the braking system of a CX Custom US single disc model ;D What size piston(s) does it have? I think though that there with a heavy barge bike tiny disc s and old school caliper s you will still have shocking brakes! Enjoy: www.therevcounter.com/motorbike-chat/31596-one-for-mcsatan.html
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Post by teejayexc on Apr 20, 2009 11:47:10 GMT
TJ - I think you have a point. I use the divvy not because it's the best, but because it's (among) the cheapest at what it's used for. That being, being cheap. Burger! I think you may have me on that one! Just copied quickly, so you can't change yer mind and delete it . At the end of the day, both the D6 and the D9 were bikes built on a shoestring budget, they're not going to be at the forefront of technology but are both quite good at what they do
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