Brake problems

[mylovelyhorse]

My front brakes were dragging somewhat. I had a look and decided to have the pads out then the calipers off for a good clean. I didn't get too far in this because the pad retaining pin has seized in place on both sides Spending some time with a drift and hammer didn't budge it a bit. I even resorted to swaddling to caliper in cloths and then applying some GT85 penetrating oil. Still couldn't get them to budge so it looks like I'll have to split the calipers to give them the cleaning they obviously require. New pins, new seals and new brake pads (in case I've contaminated them) have been ordered and should be with me tomorrow.

Riding into work this morning I have rather less braking efficiency than I regard as optimal. I mean the brakes will slow the bike down and stop it but they certainly wouldn't overpower the tyre and cause the ABS to kick in... Plus the lever just about comes right back to the bar I'm not sure why right now as I didn't lose any fluid or (so far as I know) allow any air in. I suspect one or two seized pistons are not moving properly / at all. It'sa not pulling left or right under braking though.

I've been leaving 4+ second gaps everywhere & being really rather cautious - same on the way home tonight!

Plan for tomorrow evening will be to remove and dismantle one caliper, cleaning and replacing seals, pins & pads as I go. I've searched the forum and confirmed that if I am careful not to allow fluid out of the banjo hose I should be able to bleed the bike OK. Think I might order some of the Stahlbus brake bleed valves from Motorworks while I'm at it.

Advice always welcomed.

 

[Packer]

To be honest with you if you know that the calipers are in such dire condition the bike shouldn't even be on the road. Try a heat gun, the alloy casting should expand a lot more than the steel pin.

I used to clean the late style Brembo calipers on my 1150GS twice each winter, the salt played hell with them.

 

[mylovelyhorse]

To be honest with you if you know that the calipers are in such dire condition the bike shouldn't even be on the road.

Well I might have slightly over-egged the braking issues but nevertheless you're right. I took a slow ride home and parked up the bike until I was ready to sort out the calipers. I ordered some fresh pins etc from Motorworks, along with pads & a seal kit.

A blow torch warmed up things enough for the pad retaining pins to be withdrawn. I didn't take the calipers off the brake hoses but instead I just worked hard for some hours to clean everything up. The pistons show a little corrosion but I am not going to replace them yet. To be sure there was no problem I replaced the brake pads (although there's meat left on the old ones) and all is good now.

When we get into early Winter '16 I think I'll take the bike off the road for a while, remove the calipers and send them away to the refurbishment place recommended in another thread http://www.powerhouse.uk/content/motorcycle-brakes/motorcycle-brake-caliper-rebuild-service.php.