Uncle Charlie's Tech Tips #439

[charliechitlins]

This could be an anomaly, but I don't think so...

Recently, while trying to remove an AJP master cylinder for the first time in several years, the bolts that clamp it to the bars were seized in.

This could either be from moisture, or from corrosion caused by the two different metals.

Either way, they'll all get anti-seize from now on.

[kevin j]

Great advice.

EVERY bolt that comes off, ever, on anything I own, gets never seez. Worth the effort in the long haul.

k

[nigel dabster]

Sounds like the thing was not set up right in the first place there charlie.

A rule of thumb is that the perch should move just a litlle when forced by hand, i.e. under normal use it should stay where it is. As part of your overall prep and maintainence this should be checked over, tightened and realeased.

With the old twinshockers this seemed to need doing every week and old habits die hard as they say.

The principle here is one that it is better to have a lever ane master cylinder that will move in a crash than one which breaks.

Handy andys tip No.666!

Anti seize is good too, of course, particularily on different metals.

[charliechitlins]

I always make the clamps nice and snug so there is little chance of the bolt coming loose.

I also put teflon tape around the bar. This allows the assembly to turn under stress.

Every bike I set up gets this treatment, and everybody likes it.

I do think Nigel's way, though, would have prevented this problem due to the amount of tweaking the screws.

[t-shock 250]

Doesn't everyone use antiseize on their bikes?

It's the first thing you do when you get a bike, especially a NEW one!