BRUCE SLAM MSR 160
THIS MONTH I HAVE MOSTLY BEEN… “Pampering my bike”
Along, long time ago I did something very stupid, which involved using a cable tie to hold a shock absorber’s reservoir in place. It cost me a collarbone, a smashed up CBR600 and a blue-light blast in an ambulance. That’s not one of my more cherished childhood memories, but it taught me a crucial lesson at a vulnerable age; to look after my bikes.
For a lot of people ‘maintenance’ is a dirty word, or even a euphemism synonymous with bedroom activities, but for me it’s much more tangible. It’s pain evasion. And although I’ve already launched myself down the road on the Slam far more times than I’d care to admit, that’s all been of my own accord – through being a bad rider, basically. Nothing’s going to stop that from happening, but what I can prevent is the bike’s condition causing me any more grief.
I’ve been getting out on the MSR as regularly as possible, which has helped my riding abilities, but it’s also taken its toll on the bike. Anyone that rides a pit bike will relate to the harsh vibes that get blasted relentlessly through these miniscule motorcycles. It’s torturous on your ballsack, but does even more damage to the bikes. Bolts come loose and bits start dropping off, if you’re not careful. Such as clutch levers. Now, no one warned me that was on the cards, but I quickly learned it was all part and parcel on pit biking... just before I ploughed forks first into another tyre wall. Ya bugger!
So having limped home, I decided to go over the Slam good and proper. To service it, if you like. In terms of age, it’s still a very new motorcycle, but all race bikes demand a higher level of service, at more regular intervals. And that’s the attitude I’m now applying to the MSR. I’ve changed its oil (all three egg cups full of it), bled the brakes (as the lever was a wee bit spongy), and lock wired all the bolts I really don’t fancy coming loose (suck as the sump plug). Hell, I even stripped the caliper and gave the front brake pads and disc a damn good seeing to. The clutch lever assembly dropped off because one of the purchase bolts did a runner. I bunged another one in and set the levers up to my preferred angle while I was at it. The same went for the brake lever on the opposing side, and I also spent a chunk of time replacing and rerouting the fuel line to the carb (to remove a kink that came as standard). It’s all been basic stuff, but it’s given me peace of mind with the bike. I want to ride it hard, but to do so the bike has got to be it top form.
I still haven’t raced the darn thing, but all the time I’m out practicing I’ve been getting quicker and building my confidence. Now the Bridgestone’s are scrubbed in, they’re working a right treat on the Slam. The grip levels are awesome and have made the bike something of a weapon. I’d like to gain a bit more power if poss. Exhaust systems seem to be the quickest and easiest way to find a bit more punch, so that’s got to be up high on the agenda. Any recommendations?