Today's developments - and a third question

[MMC]

Now here's a funny thing...

I've been meaning to change the master cylinder on the Panzer for a while, so took advantage of the already knackered brakes (after yesterday's disk lock debacle) to do that.

Bizarrely, it seems to have made a lot of difference. Front wheel now spins more cheerfully (wouldn't go a whole turn on its own though - more like a third of a turn) - whereas last night it needed pulling round altogether!

Bled brakes, but the lever's still spongy. Arse. They stop fine though.

In any case, I needed new disks and pads, so they're on order from Motorworks (the chap I spoke to at MotoBins really couldn't be bothered) for tomorrow.

So - in the meantime to give things a test, I've taken the Panzer out for a run. Thought, with all this rubbing and resistance, I'd see how hot the disks were getting without using the front brake. After a five mile trip, they're hot. Left side hot but touchable, right side so hot as to be just not quite touchable.

If they're rubbing this badly, should I be riding the bike at all?

 

[Stewart H]

A couple of possibilities here, firstly is there a gap between the lever and the master cylinder piston? there should be a small one otherwise its possible for the piston not to return to its stop, this can cause residual pressure in the system, second thing is sticking pistons in the caliper, these can someimes be cleaned in situ by using an old toothbrush and brake cleaner after removing the pads, better to remove the pistons and clean them and their bores (I use an old scotchbrite washing up sponge and brake fluid for this) If you are careful and lucky you may not need any new seals.

Stewart

 

[Fanum]

If they're rubbing this badly, should I be riding the bike at all?

Too hot to touch at the discs = good potential to boil the brake fluid = sudden total brake loss.

Your call, my crutch trimming friend

 

[MMC]

Too hot to touch at the discs = good potential to boil the brake fluid = sudden total brake loss.

Your call, my crutch trimming friend

That's the line I was thinking along too, my BGT pal.

I'm going to leave the old heap until the new disks and pads arrive, give everything a bloody good strip down and see how it goes then