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pancho
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« on: November 15, 2014, 07:07:24 AM » |
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Hey guys,,, I have noticed that my front brakes are dragging when it is cold in the mornings,, sometimes holding the wheel fast. It passes and everything loosens up after riding awhile..... If I really push on the calipers, I can get them to back off enough to allow me to go, but they are still dragging and squeaking until everything gets warm,,, There is no pushing the bike around,,, too tight!!
What needs fixin here to take care of this??? don't want to be replacing pads and rotors every time I turn around.
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The most expensive things you will purchase, are those things you would not have needed if you had listened and obeyed.
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #1 on: November 15, 2014, 07:19:50 AM » |
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How old is the brake fluid? Changing the fluid (if old) and cleaning the pistons and making sure the pins the pads slide on are clean and smooth may help. Use some fine emory cloth to smooth out any burrs on the pins.
Also make sure the axle is completely seated in the forks. The head of the axle should not protrude ANY outside the edge of the fork.
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pancho
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« Reply #2 on: November 15, 2014, 08:22:37 AM » |
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Hey Chris,, how is that arm and shoulder doing??
I know the slides on the calipers are good, clean and freshly lubricated because I had them off and disassembled for painting last year,,,, also pushed the pistons out as far as they would go without breaking the seal to clean them... the fluid, may be original as I have never changed it,, do you think it could be causing a problem like this when cold??? It is not getting below freezing in the shop where the bike is.
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The most expensive things you will purchase, are those things you would not have needed if you had listened and obeyed.
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #3 on: November 15, 2014, 08:27:45 AM » |
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Hey Chris,, how is that arm and shoulder doing??
I know the slides on the calipers are good, clean and freshly lubricated because I had them off and disassembled for painting last year,,,, also pushed the pistons out as far as they would go without breaking the seal to clean them... the fluid, may be original as I have never changed it,, do you think it could be causing a problem like this when cold??? It is not getting below freezing in the shop where the bike is.
Arm and shoulder are doing great. Thanks for asking. Im only to 30 good push-ups at a time so far but getting stronger. Getting old sucks as far as recovering after an injury. But NO PAIN and almost 100% range of motion. If fluid is original it cant be doing you any favors. What about that axle? |
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pancho
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« Reply #4 on: November 15, 2014, 09:07:33 AM » |
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30 pushups!!! are you kidding me??? I just tried and did eleven "good ones" before I had enough,,, from the sounds of it, I'd say you are well on your way to a complete recovery.
Well, you are right about the fluid, but I can't think of a mechanism that would cause it to act like that,, the axle is in the right place,, just checked,, (I learned how to do the front wheel pretty early on to getting the bike). I think I will crack the bleeders just to see if it is fluid pressure causing the problem...
Just building a new motorcycle shop and the bike is in there with all the construction materials and tools,, and all the bike tools and lift are in the old shop,, makes it a bit hard to do anything in the cold,, but I can crack the bleeders to see if that takes the pressure off.
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The most expensive things you will purchase, are those things you would not have needed if you had listened and obeyed.
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #5 on: November 15, 2014, 09:35:54 AM » |
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Thanks........(about the recovery)
I would think that if the brake fluid is really cruddy the junk in there (maybe even some moisture) might be more reactive to cold than the oil. Just a theory
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Michvalk
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« Reply #6 on: November 15, 2014, 10:04:58 AM » |
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Chrisj CMA is right. Change the fluid. The moisture in the old fluid can and will cause problems, aside from the junk that seems to grow in there  |
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pancho
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« Reply #7 on: November 15, 2014, 12:04:09 PM » |
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Yeah,, I know you guys are right about the fluid,,,, here is what it looked like under the clutch slave when I rebuilt it for leaking,,, talk about crud you don't want in your system!! Just went to WalMart for a turkey and a jug of dot 4,,,, still will still check and see if pressure is released when I crack the bleeders.  |
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The most expensive things you will purchase, are those things you would not have needed if you had listened and obeyed.
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Pappy!
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« Reply #8 on: November 15, 2014, 02:52:41 PM » |
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Just replied to another post about cold weather and bikes not moving.
My front brakes do the exact same thing. My fluid gets changed about every two years.
I just ride slow around the block and let them build a little heat and they are good to go the rest of the day.
Probably the calipers. That's one of those "when I get around to it" jobs.
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RonW
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« Reply #9 on: November 15, 2014, 04:18:45 PM » |
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Moisture will cause fluid to turn into sludge especially on an 'original' fluid, and sludge has been known to clog up that piston at the reservoir, real bad.
Chrisj, tried that Mean Green you suggested and it's simply amazing.
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2000 Valkyrie Tourer
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pancho
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« Reply #10 on: November 15, 2014, 06:41:39 PM » |
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Just replied to another post about cold weather and bikes not moving.
My front brakes do the exact same thing. My fluid gets changed about every two years.
I just ride slow around the block and let them build a little heat and they are good to go the rest of the day.
Probably the calipers. That's one of those "when I get around to it" jobs.
Yeah,,, that is how I have been handling it,,,, but now I can't even move the bike until they are heated up so I am getting around to it!! pretty hard on the rotors and pads.. I am going change out the dot 4 and see what that does. Supposed to snow tomorrow so I guess it can wait for a day or two. |
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The most expensive things you will purchase, are those things you would not have needed if you had listened and obeyed.
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #11 on: November 15, 2014, 07:30:49 PM » |
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Moisture will cause fluid to turn into sludge especially on an 'original' fluid, and sludge has been known to clog up that piston at the reservoir, real bad.
Chrisj, tried that Mean Green you suggested and it's simply amazing.
Glad you like the mean green....cant beat it for a dollar! |
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pancho
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« Reply #12 on: November 16, 2014, 07:59:43 AM » |
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Got to ask,,, what is the "mean green" ???? can't stand not knowing about something that costs a buck and works.....
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The most expensive things you will purchase, are those things you would not have needed if you had listened and obeyed.
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #13 on: November 16, 2014, 08:34:52 AM » |
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Got to ask,,, what is the "mean green" ???? can't stand not knowing about something that costs a buck and works.....
Its a degreaser you can get at the dollar store. Apply if to a warm engine, lightly scrub with a toothbrush, rinse off. Your engine will look better than new   |
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« Last Edit: November 16, 2014, 09:00:44 AM by Chrisj CMA »
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pancho
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« Reply #14 on: November 16, 2014, 11:16:12 AM » |
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I thought my bike is pretty clean,,, until I saw that picture under your motor...... I will take a look in the dollar store and pick up a bottle ,, if the stuff works, it is a much better choice than the volatile chemicals I generally use.   |
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The most expensive things you will purchase, are those things you would not have needed if you had listened and obeyed.
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #15 on: November 16, 2014, 11:29:39 AM » |
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Very nice bumblebee! Best one I think I have seen yet
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pancho
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« Reply #16 on: November 16, 2014, 04:17:27 PM » |
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Thanks Chris,,, I had more in mind that I wanted to do, but by the time I got to this point, I was ready to stop working on it and start on some serious riding and moving on to other things.
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The most expensive things you will purchase, are those things you would not have needed if you had listened and obeyed.
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pancho
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« Reply #17 on: November 19, 2014, 07:09:03 PM » |
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Had some time to change the dot 4 out today,,   Didn't really look that bad and didn't help the problem at all, so I redid the axle to make sure it was correct,, still dragging and gripping when cold..... SO,, I figure the problem is either the pins on the calipers or the pistons binding,, Any ideas on a method for cleaning the pistons up?? I'm wondering if maybe because I used general purpose lithium grease on the caliper pins and not the silicone grease the manual calls for?? maybe lithium grease has problems in the cold?? I'll get them off and apart in a couple of days,, the new shop building has priority right now. |
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The most expensive things you will purchase, are those things you would not have needed if you had listened and obeyed.
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Gryphon Rider
Member
Posts: 5227
2000 Tourer
Calgary, Alberta
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« Reply #18 on: November 20, 2014, 07:20:13 AM » |
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I'm wondering if maybe because I used general purpose lithium grease on the caliper pins and not the silicone grease the manual calls for?? maybe lithium grease has problems in the cold??
I also have been using lithium grease on the caliper pins, but have not had problems with the brakes not releasing. And I ride in below freezing temperatures sometimes. |
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Firefighter
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« Reply #19 on: November 20, 2014, 04:01:02 PM » |
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I have had caliper dragging on cars that turned out to be the brake hose. The hose would separate inside and become a one way valve, holding fluid pressure on one of the calipers. Actually fairly common on old vehicles, like the ones I drive. Just a possibility. Firefighter
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2000 Valkyrie Interstate, Black/Red
2006 Honda Sabre 1100
2013 Honda Spirit 750
2002 Honda Rebel 250
1978 Honda 750
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pancho
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« Reply #21 on: November 20, 2014, 05:20:46 PM » |
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Hey Mike,,, do you replace the seals every time you push the pistons out or do you reuse them?? At $40 for the eight required for the front brakes, I'll reuse them if they don't need to be replaced,, but surely don't want to disassemble without having them if they are necessary....
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The most expensive things you will purchase, are those things you would not have needed if you had listened and obeyed.
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16781
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #22 on: November 20, 2014, 06:23:38 PM » |
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Hey Mike,,, do you replace the seals every time you push the pistons out or do you reuse them?? At $40 for the eight required for the front brakes, I'll reuse them if they don't need to be replaced,, but surely don't want to disassemble without having them if they are necessary....
The seals don't look bad, but each time I have removed the pistons from the calipers, I have replaced the seals... -Mike |
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Joevalk
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« Reply #23 on: March 06, 2016, 06:11:55 PM » |
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Bump
What was the outcome?
I'm having the same problem with my IS. Rebuilt calipers, master cylinder, and SS hoses. All two years old. I can pull the front brakes and calipers grab and won't release. I can pry the calipers open with ease and the wheel will spin. Opened the bleeders and no release of pressure to the rotors.
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pancho
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« Reply #24 on: March 06, 2016, 07:57:17 PM » |
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Brake dust and road crud had worked it's way into the front seal on the caliper pistons. They needed pushed out and cleaned up. That ended the problem and then I could push the bike around without the brakes dragging, which I could not do when it was cold,, could barely move it when it was very cold. I'm sure that contributed to wearing out the rotors.
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The most expensive things you will purchase, are those things you would not have needed if you had listened and obeyed.
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Joevalk
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« Reply #25 on: March 09, 2016, 11:02:15 PM » |
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I'll tear them apart one of these days and take a looksee, thanks
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Joevalk
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« Reply #26 on: March 18, 2016, 07:12:22 PM » |
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Ok, I tore them back apart and both were locked and hard to get the pistons out. Cleaned them up and sanded them with 2000 grit sand paper. Reinstalled them and Wawlla, just like new |
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pancho
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« Reply #27 on: March 19, 2016, 05:14:46 AM » |
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Good deal Joe.
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The most expensive things you will purchase, are those things you would not have needed if you had listened and obeyed.
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gordonv
Member
Posts: 5762
VRCC # 31419
Richmond BC
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« Reply #28 on: March 19, 2016, 09:30:46 AM » |
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Ok, I tore them back apart and both were locked and hard to get the pistons out. Cleaned them up and sanded them with 2000 grit sand paper. Reinstalled them and Wawlla, just like new I love how well this is written. Seems like it took nothing to do the job. I've never done it myself, only seen it done on TV and know how it goes together. Lines, removal, taking it apart, fixing, cleaning, then the reverse order getting back together, and then lastly, bleeding the brakes. Good job!  |
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1999 Black with custom paint IS   |
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pancho
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« Reply #29 on: March 19, 2016, 05:07:37 PM » |
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Details.... details.....  |
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The most expensive things you will purchase, are those things you would not have needed if you had listened and obeyed.
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Joevalk
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« Reply #30 on: March 19, 2016, 10:18:59 PM » |
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This how i
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