I got up a bit earlier this morning. It was still pitch black outside. Being Melbourne that must have been around 10.00am
Nah, it wasn't 10.00 but it was well before 5.30!! I trundled out to the shed with the work Trackies and sloppy joe on. After popping the rex on the stands I started removing the front wheel first. As luck would have it, the big socket was the exact same size as a big snap on one I bought for another bike! Ripper.....only problem was, after turning the tool box upside down three times, I worked out that I have lent it to someone...and can't remember who!!!!
(If anyone in here has it, could they let me know...it's kinda handy!!!
) Anyway, I thought fcuk fcuk fcuk!! Then I checked the factory tool kit...and Lo and behold...there was a tool that did the job in it!! Woohoo! Nothing fancy, but adequate for the job.
I pulled the front wheel out and then started on the back. It's been ten or more years since I removed an axle with eccentric adjusters. So I studied it carefully for a few minutes before touching anything. It appeared to be simple enough. SO I did what I thought was the logical thing...and bugger me if it wasn't just simple! Removed circlip on left, unscrew axle. Pop off chain, caliper and spacers and out it rolls! Gotta be one of the simplist set-ups I've encountered.
I chucked the rims in the car and ran down to drop them off. I got talking, and eventually it was decided that I would change them myself.
So, after another ten year hiatus from tyre changing machines, I got busy! The last machine I used was a three pedellar! This one had 1???
After mucking about without anything on it for a few minutes, I had it sussed. I removed the cores and broke the beads, then rear first, then the front, removed the old tyres and refitted the new ones. I then threw them on a static balancer (Bearing and axle) and balanced them up. The most being needed was 10gs thankfully. They were no less easy or hard to fit than any other tyre iv'e fitted, and they popped onto the bead positively as well.
I ran them home and refitted the wheels to the big girl. I could almost here her groaning with appreciation. (Yeah..it coulda been something else...but I'm not going into it in here
) The front popped in easily, without me forgetting the speedo drive. (I havn't had a bike with a speedo drive for a while) Then the back went back in even easier than the front. Gotta be one of the fastest wheel change set ups apart from endurance racing stuff!!! Nice!
I then hopped on the bike to go scrub the new Roadsmarts in and see what they were like! The intention was to go catch Mal. But at the servo getting fuel, a client called needing something, so I had to change plans. I ran around to the Yarra Blvd, which was empty and after a sighting lap......started "testing" the new tyres feel, handling and grip.
Here are my initial observations. The first lap I encountered water in a few of the turns. One in particular had water which you couldn't see due to the tightening radius, until you were on it. I think the tyres may not have been thoroughly scrubbed at this point as they both just let go. Thankfully the water was only 4 or 5 foot wide, so once both tyres were through, they just got back on with it. It put the wind up me a bit and initially didn't instill me with confidence. I put it down to unscrubbed rubber U turned and pinned it. Each turn I progressively leant the bike over further and further until it was edge to edge. I then U-turned and wicked it up another notch and ran back to the other end. Another U-turn immediately and I lifted it another notch for the last run.
I pulled up at Skyline to reflect on what they did and have a gander at them.
Front turn in is not as sharp as the Pilot. But I have not run a PR2 front yet, but rather have matched a Pilot Power front with a PR2 rear. So It is perhaps unfair to compare. On the flip side of that, the Roadsmart is not slow steering by any stretch of the imagination. It is just that initial turn in isn't as quick, but the Roadsmart does turn in completely progressively and is perhaps even a little better in terms of feel, feedback and bump absorption. I found it a lot more confidence inspiring when running the front in hard. The rear didn't put a foot wrong once scrubbed either. I didn't use a lot of throttle, more just turn speed and lean angle, so I havn't really taxed it yet. But with 42 Psi in it, the edges were balled up
Like a race tyre...not like the PR2's which more sorta go orange peely. These had tiny little balls of rubber on the edge from four laps, two at near full lean. (It's only a couple of Klms each lap)
The centres are obviously a lot harder with no signs of wear compared to the sides.
On the way back, I came over the city link and tackled the Right hand sweeper off the Bolte and onto the WG with a great deal of "spirit"
.As much "Spirit" as I have ever really used and they appeared to be rock solid.
Sunday will give me a better indication with a run up reefton to really sort them as potential or imposters!
"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me" Hunter S. Thompson.
There are really only two questions in life. 1.Which way do i go? 2.What is the lap record?
