Front brake problem...

photomike666 · Post by **photomike666** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 4:34 pm

Got an issue on the race bike I just resolve, and with a track day in 2 weeks its shitting.

Since the last track day I have fitted new pads, freed up the calipers while I was doing it. Plenty of copper grease, nicely mobile pistons.

Once done there was not enough pressure at the lever. It comes right back to the bar. The pads are also binding slightly.

So this weekend I have realigned the front wheel, replaced the brake fluid and bled them twice (Sat & Sun). Left a cable tie on the lever over night too. Still too little pressure in the lever & the pads are still binding.

Any thoughts? Pressure wise I'm thinking possible master cylinder, and the binding just needs the pads to wear in???

Strika · Post by **Strika** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 5:09 pm

It's air in the lines mate. sometimes brakes can be an arsehat to bleed. Keep at it. Try reverse bleeding. Does your bike have a bleed nipple at the M/C? If so, bleed from there too.

born green · Post by **born green** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 5:56 pm

Yep, i allways bleed the M/C 1st, if's its a radial.. do u run 2 lines?, i bleed the left one 1st, than the right, and back to the M/C,
See how u go, if u still got prob's let us know, if ur not to far away, im happy to drop over and have a look..
Still got time..

MAXUMIS · Post by **MAXUMIS** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 6:18 pm

As the fella's said above but all so if the disc's are badly worn with new pads will cause the same style of problem.Just my 2 cents

z900/zx9 · Post by **z900/zx9** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 7:43 pm

Hope ya get it sorted ,if not at least ya got a spare bike.I had to switch bikes today went to go for a short run and flat battery.Its on its way out and the track bikes at Kons getting a brake check and flush,so no spare battery there.Kazz said ok so were not going then.I said nope just get the old z9 out

and we were on our way

TONY-J · Post by **TONY-J** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 8:04 pm

i had the same problem on a rz350r resto, i had air behind the cups after i had them out and no amount of bleeding would work ( used 2 bottles of brake fluid trying ),tried reverse bleeding and the cable tie trick, and even cracking the banjo's too.

what i did was take the caliper of the forks, remove brake pads, pump away unitl piston cups were nearly all the way out, then as you prise them back crack the bleed nipple(make sure you always have pressure on the cups until nipple is done up ).

i done this to each caliper 2 or 3 time and i had full pressure again.

good luck

Post by **robracer** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 8:15 pm

Good point there Tony, Mike when was the last time you had the pistons out?
Strip down to clean & high temp grease on the caliper pistons, check the seals at the same time.

born green · Post by **born green** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 5:49 pm

Hi mike,
how did u go? Have u got it sorted yet?

photomike666 · Post by **photomike666** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 6:33 pm

Been too hot in the shed & my kids have stolen the pedestal fan. Will probably have a go tomorrow

born green · Post by **born green** » Tue Jan 17, 2012 6:46 pm

photomike666 wrote:Been too hot in the shed & my kids have stolen the pedestal fan. Will probably have a go tomorrow

Yep.. bit warm..
Ive had my 10 out of the shed doing the usall check over before its next outing, had the pads out, deglazed the rotors, pads, and good check over. check all hoses, bolts and anything that works loose.
Oil change, than a good clean, tomorro i will put her back together.. im a bit anal about it

often spend 3/4 hours between track days, just peace of mind... seems to work, never had a prob on the day, and this bike's done over 30 track days, so fingers crossed, that it keeps working...
Let us know how u go...

Now its inside for a ouzo or four

Strika · Post by **Strika** » Wed Jan 18, 2012 3:51 pm

I'm with you BG. But my lead up is just slightly different. Mine used to go like this.

Get that part back from being repaired the night before.
Spend that night consuming many beers while putting the bike back together.
Load the van/trailer while pissed at 3am.
Up at 5.30 and get my mate to drive, as I'm still pissed.
Get to track and park, open rear door to have contents fall on top knocking you over.
Pits gather around chuckling while you sort out the mess.
Get ready to get bike and gear scrutineered. Upon old mate's suggestion, get a couple of breath mints into me before entering scrutineering bay.
Scrutineered with flying colours.
Back up to pits to put the bike on the stands and warmers on.
Down the back of the pits 10 minutes before first race.
Blow a scoob and stop the back teeth from floating half race distance.
Go out and do a PB and win 1st race.

Works for me, but the disclaimer is in my sig

Jonno · Post by **Jonno** » Wed Jan 18, 2012 4:55 pm

born green · Post by **born green** » Wed Jan 18, 2012 5:00 pm

Strika wrote:I'm with you BG. But my lead up is just slightly different. Mine used to go like this.

Get that part back from being repaired the night before.
Spend that night consuming many beers while putting the bike back together.
Load the van/trailer while pissed at 3am.
Up at 5.30 and get my mate to drive, as I'm still pissed.
Get to track and park, open rear door to have contents fall on top knocking you over.
Pits gather around chuckling while you sort out the mess.
Get ready to get bike and gear scrutineered. Upon old mate's suggestion, get a couple of breath mints into me before entering scrutineering bay.
Scrutineered with flying colours.
Back up to pits to put the bike on the stands and warmers on.
Down the back of the pits 10 minutes before first race.
Blow a scoob and stop the back teeth from floating half race distance.
Go out and do a PB and win 1st race.

Works for me, but the disclaimer is in my sig

After getting to know u.. i pretty well belive it

But i try and get a early nite.. only a couple of ouzo's.... i need all the heads up i can get..

Strika · Post by **Strika** » Wed Jan 18, 2012 6:05 pm

Honestly BG, i've done my best work when totally fucked off my head. I tend not to think about it too much then and can't be arsed braking so hard etc., next thing you know, a PB drops into the time sheets...

I think a hangover is worth at least a second!

born green · Post by **born green** » Wed Jan 18, 2012 6:27 pm

Strika wrote:Honestly BG, i've done my best work when totally fucked off my head. I tend not to think about it too much then and can't be arsed braking so hard etc., next thing you know, a PB drops into the time sheets... I think a hangover is worth at least a second!

Can i quote u on that one

so u saying i should get tanked on friday night

mate i would prob fall off than

Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum