How much should the front tire spin when the bike is on the centre stand?

[gently-does-it]

I've been told that the front brakes on my 2002, 1150 GSA are sticking.
When I have the bike on the centre stand and spin the wheel with my hand I get about half a revolution.
Is this normal?
With the calipers removed from both sides the wheel spins freely so there are no issues with the bearings.
I have stripped the calipers and cleaned them as best I could without removing the pistons, but this didn't help much, if at all.
If I have to order new parts does anyone know if I can get just the seals for the pistons or do I have to buy pistons and seals in one kit?

 

[GlynnJ]

Have you taken the front wheel off recently? If so, there may be a very slight misalignment causing the brakes to bind. The solution is to make sure you are on a level surface, slacken the front spindle, push bike off centre stand, keep upright with front brake on and bounce up & down on the forks. Keep the bike exactly upright and put back on the centre stand. Then tighten up the spindle and try spinning the wheel again. If this doesn't work you probably have a piston issue.

 

[Black Rooster]

with my 1100GS it was the pins in the caliper that were sticky

my front wheel rotates very freely mabey 3 or 4 revolutions if i give it a good spin

 

[ChrisH Kerry]

Should go more than 1/2 revolution, does sound like brakes are sticking. Did you take the callipers apart and clean and grease the pins? That should help unless the pistons are corroded and they're sticking, in which case maybe a rebuild is in order. With other bikes I've fettled the seals are available alone or as a kit with pistons ...

 

[AberdeenAngus]

1200 section ?

 

[Black Rooster]

may also be shot wheel bearings ?

unbolt the claipers and spin the wheel

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

With a good tug....................mine spins for 5 mins

 

[Gecko]

Should go more than 1/2 revolution, does sound like brakes are sticking. Did you take the callipers apart and clean and grease the pins? That should help unless the pistons are corroded and they're sticking, in which case maybe a rebuild is in order. With other bikes I've fettled the seals are available alone or as a kit with pistons ...

You grease your caliper pins....? Copperslip maybe but grease + brakes

 

[Black Rooster]

With a good tug....................mine spins for 5 mins

a bit too much info their johnny

 

[Black Rooster]

rubber grease the pistons seals and copperslip back of pad contact area and pins

 

[gently-does-it]

Have you taken the front wheel off recently? If so, there may be a very slight misalignment causing the brakes to bind. The solution is to make sure you are on a level surface, slacken the front spindle, push bike off centre stand, keep upright with front brake on and bounce up & down on the forks. Keep the bike exactly upright and put back on the centre stand. Then tighten up the spindle and try spinning the wheel again. If this doesn't work you probably have a piston issue.

No, the front wheel hasn't been removed recently. But thank you for the tip.

Should go more than 1/2 revolution, does sound like brakes are sticking. Did you take the callipers apart and clean and grease the pins? That should help unless the pistons are corroded and they're sticking, in which case maybe a rebuild is in order. With other bikes I've fettled the seals are available alone or as a kit with pistons ...

I took the calipers apart but didn't specifically clean the pin. It didn't seem overly corroded or covered in crud. I'll check it again tomorrow though.

1200 section ?

?

may also be shot wheel bearings ?

unbolt the claipers and spin the wheel

I have done that and the wheel spun freely for several revolutions.

Thank you all for the replies, I appreciate them all.

Can anyone explain what mechanism "pulls" the pistons back into the caliper body once the brakes are released? Is it the grip of the piston seals?

 

[Black Rooster]

Can anyone explain what mechanism "pulls" the pistons back into the caliper body once the brakes are released? Is it the grip of the piston seals?

u pull the lever and a colum of hydrolic oil pushes the piston

release the lever the colum move back under the reduced pressure ( partial vacum)

i am sure an adult will come along and correct me

 

[Black Rooster]

Originally Posted by Black Rooster

may also be shot wheel bearings ?

unbolt the claipers and spin the wheel

unbolt one and spin the wheel if sticky then the one remaning caliper is at fault

if not replace and remove other


might help

 

[ChrisH Kerry]

You grease your caliper pins....? Copperslip maybe but grease + brakes

Yeah that's right - rubber grease designed for brake components.

 

[Den]

Can anyone explain what mechanism "pulls" the pistons back into the caliper body once the brakes are released? Is it the grip of the piston seals?

Think of brake caliper seal as your foreskin. You pull it back and as long as its not too far, it automatically reverts to its original position.

I'm just back from the pub.

 

[Melch]

Think of brake caliper seal as your foreskin. You pull it back and as long as its not too far, it automatically reverts to its original position.

I'm just back from the pub.

Blue Oyster Bar?

 

[gently-does-it]

Think of brake caliper seal as your foreskin. You pull it back and as long as its not too far, it automatically reverts to its original position.

I'm just back from the pub.

This explanation actually helps. Thanks for taking the time to post it while you were waiting for your post-pub porn video to stream.

 

[Ogmios]

Oyy!

Blue Oyster Bar?

well obviously not a Bar Mitzvah.