gt@hplvla.UUCP (gt) (09/05/84)
<<< LEAN WHEN YOU TURN >>> I am curious about something... For those of you with newer (or older) bikes sporting "integrated braking systems," how do you like them? The thing I keep wondering about is dirt and gravel. I know that it is usually the big super slab bikes like Gold Wings and Ventures which have these systems, however, there are certain times when gravel is unavoidable (eg. road construction, driveways, etc.). I almost never even use my rear brake on my big street bike, but when I'm in gravel I don't even think of using the front brake. Has anybody noticed any problems along these lines or am I just anticipating something that never occurs? Specifically, I wonder about coming down a steep gravel section (eg. a long rural driveway) at low speeds where the front wheel is likely to lock up. George Tatge HP Loveland Instrument Div. ihnp4!hpfcla!hplvla!gt Today's safety tip: When coming around a corner at 35 degree lean and spotting a large deer/elk in front of you, follow these simple steps: Determine if it is a deer or elk (wapati eh?). If deer then determine if buck or doe. If buck then look at calendar watch to determine if antlers are in or out of season. If antlers are in season then determine if buck is facing towards you. If all true then calculate chances of surviving a launch off of road edge. (include factors such as guard rail, anticipated vertical drop, temperature of river water, etc.) If survival chances are better than .000001 then pull bike upright and go for launch. else honk horn. If elk then go immediately to launch procedure.
tierney@fortune.UUCP (09/08/84)
#R:hplvla:-740000900:fortune:3000002:000:1061 fortune!tierney Sep 7 13:13:00 1984 Almost never use your rear brakes??? Sounds dumb to me, that's 25% of your braking back there. Anyway, about gravel: I've done much riding on gravel in Ontario (its mostly gravel in the north). My bike was a '76 Honda CB750/4 with 1 front disc and 1 rear drum. Gravel was no problem, just brake as you normally would except always put the rear brake on a second ahead of the front. Also be aware of the pressure on the brakes so you detect any lockup BEFORE it happens and back off that brake. The funny thing about gravel is that you are more stable at 35 mph than at 25. I used to regularly drive 50 on good gravel roads (read all-weather) in the north country. Charlie Tierney -------------------------------------------------------------- { hpda harpo ihnp4 cbosgd } !fortune!tierney DEC { decvax !decwrl !amd } !fortune!tierney Berkeley { ucbvax !amd } !fortune!tierney MaBell: (415) 595-8444 USnail: Fortune Systems, 101 Twin Dolphin Drive, Redwood City, California 94065