3 maintenance questions

[tkd]

2007 Nomad w/11k on the bike. I am the second owner. The brakes have not been done. I can still see probably 3 millimeters of brake pad on both the front and the rear and I have no pulsing at all. Problem is the rear (and rear only) has begun to squeal when I stop. Does this sound normal?

Second question. Since I live in MN, the evening can be a little cool (it's about 62 as we speak). I am getting ready to change my oil. Currently the bike has 20w-50 in it, but I'm thinking that as the season goes on, 20w might be a little thick as things cool down. I really wanted to go with Mobil 1 20w-50, but it is nowhere to be found. I can find a Mobil 1 full synthetic in 15w-50. The summers aren't too incredibly hot (probably 85 average) What do y'all think about that.

3rd question. Motorcycle Jacks. Pep boys has one on sale for $69 bucks. Rated at 1500 pounds. Range of lift is 2" to 16" and has 6 lockable positions. Anyone ever used this or have any thoughts.

Appreciate all the help

Take the pads out & scuff them off a little with some medium grit sand paper on a flat surface. They'll quit squealing most of the time. I use the spray-on anti squeal stuff by Permatex on the back of the pads when I change them. Don't put it on too thick. I do a couple light coats & let it dry a bit (not completely, as it's supposed to adhere) before assembly.

I think 15w-50 is fine from 110^oF down to about 45^oF , then I thin it down to 10w-40. I usually ride until the roads actually freeze. Even then, as they don't stay frozen here. Once the sun comes out the roads thaw quickly.

When I lived in Baudette, once the roads froze, they were frozen until May at least. ;)

I can't help with the jack. Never looked at that particular one AFAICR. I have a Craftsman, which was $100. It's held up well for 5 years, so I'd recommend it over the Chinese models, though they are almost half the price. I think the Craftsman jack is larger and a bit sturdier too.

[coldfingers]

tkd, I'm in Minnesota also and I run 10-40 in mine all the time with no problems.

Coldfingers

[Idaho]

Can't help much with the first question about brakes.

It gets cold here in Idaho at 5,000 above sea level in the fall and winter. I never even thought about changing the oil from 20W-50 to 10W-40. Had no problems.

I agree with CQ on the jack, get a good one. Also you will find that in order to lift your beloved Nomad with the jack you will need to lift it with the rear frame tabs setting on one arm of the jack and the other arm lifting on the bottom of the engine case. Some of us use blocks between the frame of the bike and arms of the jack to help with stability and to keep from lifting against the engine case. As a shameless plug I also make an adapter that will make it possible to securely lift your Nomad with a jack. Look in the for sale section for Idaho's jack adapter.

hope this helps, good luck.