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[Chuffster]

Well yesterday, I got a touch over excited and got up at the crack of dawn (well before to be honest) and changed the blandits brake pads, metal on metal was not feeling too good the night before. First side off, pistons pushed back, new pads installed and caliper refitted. Now comes problem one, someone has obviously overtightened the caliper bolt before. Nowhere near torque setting and the bolt sheers off. Not good. So we go to the other side, off it comes. The pistons will hardly move back, but with a lot of cogoling, a few swears and curses, think we are there. Well only just, on replacement there is a slight bind. No time to worry just now, work calls.

Then I get a call from Justine early evening, just been knocked off the Ninja. A UPS van had taken her out just a few hundred yards from work. I escaped my work and ran off to the rescue. She was being interviewed by a policeman at the time. I checked the bike, not exactly pretty. Front fairing is completely smashed, looks like it slid into the kerb. This in turn has bent all the fairing brackets. The left panel is all scraped up, as is the generator cover. Slight scuffing to the rear tail piece and grab handle. The gear change pedal has sheered off and the front indicator, well whats left of it, is hanging forlornly on its wires. The obligatory scoffs to bar end and lever.

Justine is rather shaken by the whole thing, has a few bruises, but, fortunately was wearing the right kit and has escaped any major injury. I have located the bike at her work for now, and will collect at the weekend.

The police have already been in touch, it was all on CCTV. £96 if you want a copy..... Apparently it clearly shows that the van driver that cuased the accident is at fault, footage of him just pulling straight out of a side turning onto a main road. Plenty of witnesses as well. Lets hope the police do him for driving without due care and attention, apparently there is a case for it.