still can't figure out: brake lines or plungers?

[bill v e]

have a 2000 interstate w 150,000 miles - brake lever must be pulled all the way back before brakes catch like they are supposed to - how can i be sure whether its the lines bulging or the plungers - don't want to have to check plungers if i can figure out which way to go. not ready to do my own work on this one, so i want to try to diagnose first before i'm at the mercy of a shop. brakes have been bled and i know it's not air in the lines. tia

[Jack]

Does pumping the brake handle help?  How are the pads?

[shortleg]

  Sounds like pads or bleeding.
 Would be bleeding if when you pump them they come up.
               Shortleg[Dave]

[Wildman]

Chech the lever pin and bushing.
Check the the position of the plunger.

[bill v e]

pumping does not make any difference - still takes pulling all the way back, but then works fine

[Scott from FL, now in Maine]

+1 Lever pin and bushing. I am betting on wear to the parts 

[sandy]

First I'd flush the fluid out with denatured alcohol and refill and bleed with DOT4 fluid. Another test: Hold the lever in tight for a minute. If the lever continues to come in, then the internal seals are leaking. I doubt bulging lines will cause that much of a problem.

[bigdog99]

are the brakes new,,,, if they are did you get the right size? if they arent are they worn? may be a too simple of a question sorry in advance

[Gryphon Rider]

bill v e,
Do you have to squeeze the lever really hard to get the brakes to work, or is it really easy (virtually no effort) to pull the lever back to where it starts working, then it works with normal pressure?

[Rio Wil]

I am nor sure what "all the way back" means, are  you saying you squeeze the brake lever toward the grip and it (almost) bottoms out against the grip before the brakes engage.

Do you have a little wheel like affair on the brake lever with the numbers 1 thru 5 embossed on it and its sitting on the lowest number? If you don't have this little wheel, then wear on the lever is suspect.

When the brake lever is squeezed and released, does the lever return to its full outward movement or do you have to pull it back out.  If you have to pull it back out, the spring inside the plunger might be broken.

[franco6]

Bill, measure the thickness of the rotor .your valk has high mileage so probaly a complete rebuild of the master and slave cylinder would be a good idea. don t forget the back brake and clutch actuating system as well. its all very easy ,leave the shops out of it!

[Blackduck]

Couple of points, is the effect the same when you are stopped and just trying the brakes or is there a difference when pulling up to stop.
Warped discs will push the caliper pistons back when in motion, this requires more fluid to actuate the brakes. Any feeling of pulsing in the lever when using the brakes?
Are the calipers free on the mounting pins?
Would try bleeding the system before tearing anything apart.
As per previous emails check the lever/pivot for wear as well.
Cheers Steve