Rear brake pads were pretty thin when I got the bike so thought I'd throw some new pads on the front too. What a bitch of a job this turned out to be. Pads were OEM from new and they'd obviously never been removed. Rear pins showed one to have a bolt welded on and the other needed a bolt removal bit to remove it. The fronts were no better, one I managed to get out with the normal allen bit, the other needed cutting with a dremel and drilling out. How hard can it be to do some basic maintenance like cleaning the brake pads and calipers on occasion. I'm dreading what else I'll find like the condition of the linkage bearings. Ordered some new stainless pins to get them working as Triumph intended.
Had the same problem with the front on my old bonneville - had to droll out and buy another. Haven't these people heard of Copper Grease???
I think " to droll out" means you nag it to death, like "please please come out" and such said over many hours or days so that it gets right fed up and just can't resist anymore.
I hate it when you find things like this because it just makes you wonder what else has been bodged. I'll be looking at the shock linkage and change the fork oil as I doubt this has seen any maintenance. I know it a 13 year old bike but it's only done 6.5k. It'll have new pads and pins in and the calipers have all been stripped and cleaned and now have fresh fluid. I've already fitted new chain and sprockets. It's a worry as it had a full service history, this is why I do all my own servicing. Will be checking the valves too later in the year.
