1989 Honda PC800 Pacific Coast – Page 68 – Not Your Average Engineer

June 19, 2011June 16, 2021

Brake and Clutch Hydraulic System Rebuild, and New Metzeler Tires

At approximately 52,200 miles on my PC800, I decided it was time for new tires. I put two brand new Metzeler tires on the bike but found as I put everything back together that the calipers on the front wheel were sticking. one thing led to another and before I had ridden another 100 miles, I installed braided steel brake lines made up by Fluid Connector Products Inc in Salem. The lines cost about $125 to have built up plus my time and gas money driving up and back. I also replaced all 15 of the crush washers at about $2/each. While I was at it, I rebuilt the master cylinder and calipers. I also rebuilt the clutch slave and master cylinders. In the end, this project cost me about $300 for tires and mounting and $300 for the brake and clutch hydraulic system rebuild. The bike feels amazingly responsive now so I would hazard to say that the expense was totally worth it. Eating Top Ramen the rest of the summer is a small price to pay for safety and performance. In the picture above you can see the old hoses I took off the bike.

I removed a lot of plastic to safely take off and re-install the hydraulic lines.

The new lines taped together with the old lines. I got the two lines that run to the controls lengthened by an inch to compensate for my GenMar bar risers. It ended up being a good decision.

The banjo fittings on the braided stainless steel lines aren’t quite the same as the old ones but they worked well enough. I wrapped the braided stainless steel lines in electrical tape to help avoid damage. Next time I have the bike apart, I am going to put some rubber cushions on the places where the lines can rub metal.

The line to the clutch slave cylinder installed.

I used a thick towel to keep my plastics fresh and preserved. Not a single drop of DOT4 fluid (as far as I can tell), landed anywhere to cause damage.

Lines installed on front wheel.

Bleeding the lines took some work but they’re rock-solid now. For those wondering, this upgrade is TOTALLY worth the money. You will thank yourself when you get it done. And doing it yourself is actually very easy. I was surprised at how painless the whole operation was from start to finish.

June 18, 2011June 19, 2011

Nuclear Free Covered Bridge Ride

Today I went on an epic 300+ mile covered bridge ride. In the rain. Solo. Crossing into Lane County, I discovered that the county is a nuclear free zone. In total, I saw eight covered bridges. I also rode across National Forest Development Road 19 which until a few weeks ago was buried under many feet of snow. It was a great ride but my derriere sure is sore.

The covered bridges I visited include: Earnest Covered Bridge, Wendling Covered Bridge, Goodpasture Covered Bridge, Belknap Covered Bridge, Office Covered Bridge, Lowell Covered Bridge, Unity Covered Bridge, Pengra Covered Bridge, and Parvin Covered Bridge. I considered heading further south to pick up the covered bridges around Cottage Grove but it was getting late and I was getting hungry. Those bridges will be left for another evening or weekend.

This ride is part of my continuing series of photographic expeditions to capture a photo with my motorcycle in front of all of the covered bridges of Oregon.

June 18, 2011

Parvin Covered Bridge

I had a devil of a time finding the Parvin Covered Bridge. Most of the online maps of Oregon covered bridges have it in the wrong location. The location I have marked on my Oregon Covered Bridges page is correct.

The county is renovating the bridge. They are almost done putting in new approaches and some new decking. The bridge is now as good as the day it was built.