The Concept of God

From the simplest to the brightest human minds in the planet there has always been a struggle whether to believe if God exists or not.  I'm not writing this piece to convince anybody to believe what I believe.  For some reason, today I had this urge to write about the idea.
I don't go to church regularly.  In fact I can't remember the last time I attended  a service.  I won't claim to be perfect or sinless or holier than anybody because I am certain I am not. But I do believe that there is God.
I haven't seen someone being risen from the dead but it won't stop me from believing in Him.  My personal opinion is that everyday is a miracle.  I don't know how the different parts of my body works but what I know is that I am alive.  I consider this alone as a miracle.  I also do not know why I was born into this world.  It is not my idea to exist but here I am.  If the beginning is not so clear the end is also the same.  Some people because of their intelligence refuse to believe that there is God.  I don't know if it is their understanding of their own existence that lead them to the idea.  I think only God can explain why we are here.  The purpose of each one of us existence' he knows for sure.  To be born in this world live a few years and then die later won't make any sense.  This applies to all of us however great or small.
I believe only God can put some real sense into a man's existence.

Honda Bravo After 3 Years

I skipped the 2nd year review of my Honda Bravo which is enough reason for me to write its 3rd year review.

As of August, 2012

Brakes and Suspension
The puny little bike is now sporting a front disc brake for more stopping power.  Although it will be much better for me not to ride too fast, I don't think I would be able to overcome the habit.  Prior to the conversion, I've changed the front and rear brake shoes once.
Disc brake caliper requires mounting holes on the fork and so I bought a 2nd hand set that came from a China bike.  Took me some time before I was able to tune the suspension.  Rear damping is still stock.

Rims and Tires
It is still the same wheel size 1.4 x 17 front and 1.6 x 17 rear but the tires are now back to stock.  I found out that the bike consume more gas on thicker (rear) tires.  So it is 2.25 x 17 front and 2.5 x 17 rear for the rubbers.

Electricals
I am using OSRAM 35W bulb which costs around 200Php in my area.  It is well worth the money.  I've changed the headlight socket several times, though.  I don't know where these stuffs are coming from because they break quite easily.
I have also converted the panel light to LED (DC) .  Stock was a peanut bulb driven by the alternator (AC.)  It is only a single bulb by the way the lights the whole thing up.  The tail light voltage has been rectified for future conversion to LED.
The battery is still stock.  Kudos to Honda for qualifying a component like this in their MCs and Yuasa for providing such an excellent product.  Can you imagine 3 years and I am still able to use the push start button!!

Engine
I can see some dark spots in the cylinder block indicating oil leakage.  I am not worried  as long as the concrete where the motorcycle sleeps is dry of oil which is the case so far.  I've changed the engine and rear sprockets several times to experiment speed and acceleration.  Right now it is back to 14/36 stock.  Drive chain has been replaced once being too noisy to DID 428.

For three years, this little motorcycle has proven its worth over and over again.   Reliability is simply bulletproof.  Maintenance cost is minimum while gas consumption is frugal.  Still gets 45-55 km/L depending on how I ride it but 50km/L average isn't something to complain about.


Additional Mods
1. Honda Wave 100R OEM shocks - much better ( P500 2nd hand )
2. Honda Wave pillion foot rests. - stock foot rest sawed off ( P500 2nd hand )
3. Honda XRM 110 exhaust pipe - thicker sound ( P1k 2nd hand )
4. 53mm block - more torque ( P1.6k + P200 shipping )
5. TMX 155 carburetor - ( P2k )

As of September, 2012

Honda Bravo After A Year

Honda Bravo Fork Oil Replacement (1)

I had an unfortunate accident back in 2009 that resulted to a sprained wrist and bent motorcycle forks.  That time I have no idea about repairs so instead of buying replacement forks, I had the fork tubes removed from the sliders to have it straightened in a local machine shop.

After they are nice and straight, the fork is then reassembled.  The mechanic used 2T oil instead of fork which is not a good idea.  The problem really is, here in the Philppines, it is quite hard to get fork oil for some reason.  Mechanics and DIYers have to make do with what is readily available with disappointing results. If I remember correctly, the 2T oil lasted only a few hundred kilometers before it started to leak.  Also the ride quality is not so good being on the harsher side.  I thought back then that I can fix the problem by tuning it.

I did some research in the internet and came to the conclusion that perhaps the mechanic put so much oil into the fork.  In the days and weeks that followed, I experimented with different amounts of 2T oil, 50mL, 60ml...so on but I was never happy.  So I ditch 2T oil and then searched for alternatives.

I found out that some people are using ATF instead.  Same experiments repeated again with disappointing results.  I then headed to Caloocan city which is probably the motorcycle parts and supplies capital of the Philippines.

I was able to find a shop that sells fork oil but only after trying a number of other shops.  That oil is really hard to find, indeed!  I bought a 500ml bottle of Repsol Horquillas in a Suzuki dealer store.

The performance is really different from the previous fluids I've tried.  I know I'm no expert but it felt like nothing happened to the forks because it feels like stock.
Lately, I converted the front drum to disc brakes.  No choice but to replace the front forks with the type that can hold a disc brake caliper.  I was able to find a used one from an internet seller.  Although it is not a Honda original, it was a plug and play affair when I tried it on my Bravo.  It didn't take long before I decided that I would re-tune the suspension.
I found that it was 2T oil that was inside forks because of the smell.  Not only that, it was lot of oil that was poured into the tube which explains the harsh ride.  The problem is, the old  Repsol which I bought earlier has been used up.  Fortunately, after scouring a city and 3 towns, I was able to find a shop that sells Phoenix fork oil in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.
After some trial and error, I settled with 70mL on each leg.

Disc Brake Conversion Cost

Some pricing information for those who would like to convert their front brakes from drum to disc.  I'm just curious if anybody would want to do it the other way around.  :D

Originally Posted by win_26  ( from MCP )
Breakdown ng Parts/Prices nung nagdisc brakes ako:

Front Shock Housing - P800.00 (Mcp Classifieds)
Wave 125 Disc Rotor and Rims - P1300.00 (Mcp Classifieds)
Xrm Nissin Master to Caliper -P2200.00 (Mcp Classifieds)
Wave 125 Caliper Bracket -P 189.00 (Honda)
Wave 125 Speedometer Assy -P 540.00 (Honda JT)
Wave 125 Bearings, Dust Cover, Collars, Speedometer Retainer - P 777.00 (Honda)
Wave 125 Hub Bolts - Wala ako idea kasi free lang bigay ng mechanic ko.

P5806.00 Total Cost (Wala pa yung labor parts pa lang)

I chose honda parts over yung nabibili sa shops since i want to make it look oem on my wave alpha.

Eto na naman yung quote ng TriumpJT for Master to Caliper

Brake Master - P2745.00
Cylinder Master - P2080.00
Disc Rotor - P1240.00
Hose - P 730.00

Goodluck. In my opinion, its worth it kahit sinasabi ng iba pricey. Pero safety is the no. 1 priority kaya i think of it as an investment.


Below is the breakdown for my own conversion.  Note that Honda Wave specially the 100cc series have a lot in common with Honda Bravo.

24 high tensile bolts - to fix the caliper, from a screw and nuts shop in Lipa
250 front fender - from a shop in Lipa
200 fender brackets - same shop as above
??? disc brake pads - from a shop in Lipa, fits XRM and Wave
100 speedometer cable -  from a shop in our town, for Honda C100 model
  40 side mirror thread adapter -  from a shop in Lipa
??? brake light switch - same shop where I bought the thread adapter
1000 - front forks - from an internet seller in Laguna, for a China bike not sure which model
2800 nissin brake set with master, caliper, lever, hub, tire rim, spokes, rotor disc, wheel speed sensor - from an internet seller in Manila, for a China bike not sure which model

It is around 4k PhP for my conversion.  I hope to get some money back if I am able to sell the stock parts just lying around in the storage.


Related Post
Honda Bravo Front Disc Brake Conversion

Honda Bravo Front Disc Brake Conversion

Several months of study, planning and search for parts finally paid off.  My puny but trusty Bravo is now sporting a disc brake in its front.  Well, the conversion isn't really complete at the moment but it is more on the aesthetics that needs to be ironed out.  But functional, yes it is and it is like a new found freedom brought about by more stopping power provided by the new equipment.

Here's a list of parts that I bought for the conversion

1.) disc brake system  (master, caliper, ABS, disc, hose, lever) - i got these items from an internet seller.  The master and caliper were both Nissin brand.  Dunno about the ABS which is like a small shiny canister between the hose and caliper.  Hose needs to be replaced because of cracks.  Lever also needs to be sanded and repainted to make it look good.  Disc is Ok which is good news.

2.) wheel set - 1.4 x 17 rims with hub and bearings also from the same internet seller.  I've got some spare tires, took one and it fitted perfectly on the rim.

3.) speedometer sensor - not sure if this is the correct name but it is the thing that attaches to the hub and  where one end of the speedometer cable is also connected.

4.) brake light switch - it was missing in the brake master.  It's a safety feature and therefore a must!

5.) bolts and washers - so that the brake caliper can be mounted on the fork.

6.) fork assembly - I bought this from another internet seller.  He used it in his own conversion but he eventually sold the the bike with the original forks.  I guess from a China bike because it is quite different.  Also not a Showa brand.

7.) speedometer cable - the original one for Bravo won't fit.

8.) side mirror thread adapter - the master caliper that also holds the right side mirror has a small hole.  The stock mirror's threaded end is a little bit larger.  I was thinking of having it rebored or rethreaded and the adapter is quite a lucky find.

9.) disc pads
10.) front fender - it is cheap, the old one won't fit because of the hole placements.
11.) retaining clips or brackets - this is for the front fender.  This thing clamps on the fork slider and holds the fender in place.

Whoa!!! I didn't realize that I bought all of those items above.  Cash spent is about 4k Php.  To recover some amount, I am thinking of selling the parts I removed from the bike.

Things to do :

1.) fix the handle bar - i sawed the metal that holds the right side mirror to give way for the brake master.  Some grinding, filing, sanding and painting will be required.

2.) brake system overhaul - i have this feeling the brake is quite sticky.  Some parts might be stuck.

3.) replace that brake hose

4.) tune the front forks - i am in the process of doing this at the moment.  I found out that the ride is too harsh specially for an old man's back.

Related posts:

Bravo R Conversion 1 and 2

Modified Honda Bravo