There are a few occasions where I feel embarrassed, with even less where I feel genuinely ashamed. Today was one of those days.
With some free time this morning and an urge to finish an outstanding job, I set to work replacing the rear brake pads on the FireBlade. Initially I thought I could just swap them over, but if a job is worth doing, its worth doing right, so the job morphed into a caliper clean as well.
Setting to work, I initially feared I'd sheered off the retaining pin, but quickly realised that I didn't have to hunt down a replacement as it was just a cap protecting the main pin itself from grime. Thankfully all the bolts etc. came away quickly and easily allowing the pads to drop free. As they fell into my hand, my shame was complete. Just look at the state of them! They look almost mummified, encrusted in what could pass for decades of dirt and filth. 

The caliper itself looked a lot worse than it was and a following a decent scrub, the piston came up like new and I'd cleaned out years of muck from recesses of the caliper itself. Getting it back together was nice and easy, with the rear pads slotting into their retaining mounts without protest. 
The way I ride means that these pads are likely to stay in place for several years, so knowing the job has been done right, fills me with a little happiness on this wintry Thursday. 

So I caved in and ordered up some new rear brake pads in readiness for this mornings MOT at All2Wheelers (www.all2wheelers.com) in Poole. Despite asking for next day delivery when I order them on Monday evening, in readiness for a Wednesday delivery, they didn't arrive so I rode down to the shop this morning, fearing the worst, hoping the best.

It's a bright, chilly day today, with some grease and dampness on the road, but the ride was uneventful. In reality I hadn't ridden much since early December, so getting into my full Rukka kit felt like putting on a favourite old sweater. Ironically, just after I arrived, Caro text me to tell me my pads had arrived.

Rocking up to All2Wheelers, I was greeted by the owner and we had a nice chat and I mentioned the pads. He was going to see them anyway, and there is no point trying to pull a fast one.
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It's a small little place that specialises in lower capacity imports like Sinnis and Reiju and they have a nice little range of the retro custom bikes from China such as Herald, Brixton and AJS and a few larger capacity used bikes for sale. Sitting in their shop area I quickly spot a lovely looking Suzuki GS1000 and a minty 1981 Honda Super Cub 50. Certainly worse places to wait for my MOT result.

Crunch time and the FireBlade failed. But not on the rear pads, she failed on a lack of rear number plate light. I've had the bike since 2014 and she has never had a light there, but thankfully, after a but of a clean, the circuit was clean enough to accept a new bulb. Power on and the little white light glowed away to it's hearts content. 

We chatted for a bit again and I mentioned how I had been following the progress of their restoration of an early eighties Kawasaki Z1100R. I was then invited around the back to see where they were. After being left outside for twenty plus years, the machine was a wreck, but kudos to the owner who is committed to the time and money its going to take to bring it back to life. There is a long way to go and it will never be worth the money spent on it, but passion projects never are. I for one can't wait to watch this journey from rust bucket to pristine show stealer. I'm a bit annoyed with myself for not asking if I could take a picture, but you can follow its progress through the updates on their Facebook page, which is here www.facebook.com/all2wheelers

If you're Dorset based and need a MOT for your bike, or any other bike servicing etc, I can highly recommend All2Wheelers. Give them a call.

So with the new bulb fitted and working I'm now the proud owner of a new MOT certificate, complete with advisories for new tyres and you guessed it, new rear brake pads.

With an MOT test this week, I took the time today to give the FireBlade a once over and while I was there, I had a rummage around to see if I could find the cause of the hot starting issue.
For a bike that will be 17 later this year (just let that sink in) she's done pretty well, but the hot starting problem is annoying to say the least. The last time it happened, it was a disconnected breather hose that seemed to be the problem, but today when lifting the tank, everything seemed to be in place. Cross fingers it was just a kinked line somewhere and its been sorted. Only time will really tell though.
Part of my prep for the MOT was checking the lights and the brake pads all round, which ended up being a minor strip down and included a clean of the front calipers and then a wash under the fairings. 
​So with the Ipod on I set to work. Taking the left fairing off, I was greeted by an engine bolt trying to make a break for freedom. Looking at it, it must have come loose some time ago (I know - bad Matthew) with the only thing keeping it in place, being the fairing itself. Very lucky.
With the bike up on the stand, my attention turned to the front calipers, which is never a clean job. They came apart easily enough and there was plenty of life in the pads for Thursday, so that was a good thing. With the pads out, I inspected and then cleaned up the calipers and pistons and started putting them back together. Thankfully I'd fully rebuilt these a few seasons ago, so they were still in good condition, with each piston moving freely. When I'm back out on the Ducati this season, I think I'll take the time one weekend morning and strip them back down again. 

Speaking of pads, I think i'll be getting an advisory or even a fail for the lack of material on the rear pads. I'll order some up and hope they arrive, but its fairly unlikely. I'm not one to skimp on rear pads, but in reality, some budget ones will suffice. The rear caliper is weak at the best of times and I do all my braking using the front wheel. I'll see whats on offer.
​Wish us luck everybody.