Case of the Mondays

[NFJ79]

Well after spending sometime this weekend fixing up my Lifan Gy2, replacing engine mount bolts that vibrated off and making sure the other engine bolts were tight. A bolt on the front brake caliper came loose and hit my front spokes while i was going 50mph. Damage report: several spokes ripped out from the rim and broken front brake bracket. I has a case of the Mondays. Looks like I'll be riding the Ducati for awhile.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/NFJ79/2011-06-06_17-21-18_723.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/NFJ79/2011-06-06_17-21-40_912.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/NFJ79/2011-06-06_17-20-55_61.jpg

[FastDoc]

a) Thank God you're OK.

b) Thank God you have a Ducati. 8)

[NFJ79]

Yeah i'm happy I didn't lock up the front and fly over the handlebars. The search begins for used front forks. I was thinking about replacing the spokes, but the nipples completely ripped out of the rim. From what i've read I am better off replacing the front wheel. I was happy because I just got this bike running perfect.

[Weldangrind]

a) Thank God you're OK.

b) Thank God you have a Ducati. 8)

X2. Very sorry to hear about your mishap. :(

[BrianW]

I'm happy to hear you didn't get hurt.
Where are you located? I have a set of forks you can have.

[SpudRider]

Yikes! 8O I'm very glad you were not injured, NFJ. :)

My Zong employs the same front brake caliper. I guess it's time to inspect it again, and add some red loctite to those bolts. ;)

Spud :)

[Mike_51_deluxe]

That sucks, sorry to hear that! :(

[2LZ]

Gad zooks! 8O I'm glad you're ok! If that was a hardened bolt holding that caliper, Lord only know what could have happened!
Thanks for the warning! Time to check over Mrs. 2LZ Hondanoid! :idea:

[NFJ79]

I'm happy to hear you didn't get hurt.
Where are you located? I have a set of forks you can have.

That would be awesome! I'm located in Albuquerque, NM 87120. I'll pay shipping!

[NFJ79]

Yikes! 8O I'm very glad you were not injured, NFJ. :)

My Zong employs the same front brake caliper. I guess it's time to inspect it again, and add some red loctite to those bolts. ;)

Spud :)

When i get my bike road worthy again, I'm going to loctite everything on the bike. I've had to replace 3 engine mount bolts already.

[chrisdigital20]

Oh Shit! now i am really freaked, checking that set of bolts tomorrow. Glad you did not get killed!!!, I am rocking a Shineray 200XY-I. like it so far, have 1k on it now. hope i do not die from this bike :(

[SpudRider]

Oh sh--! now i am really freaked, checking that set of bolts tomorrow. Glad you did not get killed!!!, I am rocking a Shineray 200XY-I. like it so far, have 1k on it now. hope i do not die from this bike :(
You are wise to inspect your front brake caliper, and brake pads, on a regular basis. ;) However, this is the first instance I have heard of a Chinese, front brake caliper failing in this manner. :)

Spud :)

[BrianW]

My forks have a caliper attached to them already, too.

[NFJ79]

I'll take it if you wanna part it. I'm not sure if my caliper is trashed or not.

Can i just re-lace my rim if the nipples got pulled out of the wheel?

[NFJ79]

Will this front wheel work on my bike?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/05-chinese-flywing-150cc-dirtbike-21-front-rim-wheel-/160600228847?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item25648503ef

[katoranger]

It may work. The hub would be the question.

If the nipples have pulled through I don't think I would try to reuse the rim.

You could relace a need rim to you hub. Daddy459 is planning that mod with a new aluminum rim.

[SpudRider]

I'll take it if you wanna part it. I'm not sure if my caliper is trashed or not.

Can i just re-lace my rim if the nipples got pulled out of the wheel?
If the wheel is not bent, and the holes in the rim are not excessively damaged, you might be able to drill the holes to a larger diameter, and relace the wheel with larger spoke nipples from Buchanan's Spoke & Rim. If in doubt, however, you are better off to get either a new rim, or an entire new wheel. ;)

Spud :)

[SpudRider]

Will this front wheel work on my bike?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/05-chinese-flywing-150cc-dirtbike-21-front-rim-wheel-/160600228847?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item25648503ef
Compare this wheel to your current wheel; I think it might work. This wheel appears to be a standard, Lifan front wheel. :)

Spud :)

[NFJ79]

Thanks Spud! I think price wise I am better off with a new wheel. I'm going to try my luck with the ebay wheel.

[SpudRider]

Thanks Spud! I think price wise I am better off with a new wheel. I'm going to try my luck with the ebay wheel.
I agree. :) If that wheel is the same as yours, it will probably cost you less time and money to purchase the new wheel, rather than to relace the old wheel. In addition, if you are inexperienced in truing motorcycle wheels, the new wheel might be stronger, and safer, than a relaced wheel. ;)

Spud :)

[NFJ79]

I ended up buying the ebay wheel. Should be here in a week. Cant wait to get the Lifan up and running again!

[SpudRider]

I ended up buying the ebay wheel. Should be here in a week. Cant wait to get the Lifan up and running again!
That's good news! Please keep us updated. :)

Spud :)

[NFJ79]

Good news! Thanks to BrianW, I got my Lifan back on the road! Changing out the forks and wheel was easy. I didnt have a motorcycle lift so i had to make due with what I had.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/NFJ79/photo-1.jpg
Ready for the road!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/NFJ79/2011-07-07_16-42-53_710.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/NFJ79/2011-07-07_16-42-35_475.jpg

Bad news. This happened to me tonight on the Duc. Tire has about 3k miles on it. Not sure if i wanna chance it by plugging it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/NFJ79/2011-07-07_21-54-14_669.jpg

[Weldangrind]

Don't you love it when China Riders help each other? :D Glad to hear you got your bike back on two wheels.

No, I wouldn't run your Ducati on a plugged tire. Life is too short.

[dmmcd]

I've run plugs on two occasions on the rear of my SV. The second time I put over 3k miles on it without issue. That looks like a location that would readily accept the right type of plug...

Not trying to convince you of anything, I'm just sharing my experience. It is up to you if you want to take the risk. I personally didn't see any issue with it, and kept a close eye on tire pressure to make sure it wasn't leaking.

[SpudRider]

Thanks for the update, NFJ79! I'm glad you bike is running once again. :D

Spud :)

[FastDoc]

Nice pics. Those GY's always are nice looking bikes.

Your lift looks precarious. In my life I've had 2 bikes fall off a lift, both times no damage to the bike but once I was significantly injured. I'm just sayin...

The debate rages eternal on the Gold Wing forum about running plugged tires. I think it's probably OK, but at 3,000 miles I'd assume the tire on your Duc is 3/4 worn out so I'd just replace it and call it good. If it was newer I'd recommend having it plugged and patched from the inside.