Something strange just happened.

[MementoMori]

Basically, my bike fixed itself.

I was just out on an evening thrash round some local twisties. Now my front brakes have been dodgy for a long time now but I've not been able to sort them out because the money has gone on other things. They're spongy as hell, next to no stopping power, the lever comes in to within about a centimetre of the throttle, and one of my discs is warped. Yes, they're dangerous.

I tend not to rely too heavily on brakes, using the engine as one in the main, so I've lived without it for a while and the simple 5 mile commute to work down the A5 does not require substantial use. Recently I've been feeling the itch for a good fast ride so I've been out a few times today for a hoon. Obviously giving it the beans requires setting up the bike before corners and getting your braking done etc, so I set up for this last corner, braked, and powered through. Then I entered a 40 then 30 so just cruised for a bit. So when it came to using my front brakes, I found a profound difference.

The lever requires a bit more of a stretch to get to and the braking power begins instantly upon application, unlike before where it would start about half way in. When applied, the lever only comes to within about an inch of the throttle now. I think the braking power is about the same but to be honest I was being cautious of it as I headed back to the house. I am going to pop back out now just for a quick run to test for sure if the brakes are working OK as they are now.

But in the meantime, does anybody know WTF might have happened?


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The tiger who came for a pint

[Flip]

Air in your brake lines??

Why are you riding with dodgy brakes? Easy to bleed and replace the fluid and pads.

A bottle of fluid is only around £4.

[That_Hornet]

a bike that fixes itself!!!

No more garage fees! no more hours in the garage slaving away!

I want one

[MementoMori]

[Flip]

I'd spend the £4 on fluid for now. Maybe that'll keep the lever acting as it should. Unless of course it's a problem with the master cylinder? But £4 is neither here nor there is it.

[yuri2085]

I was thinking the same as flip, why arent you dead.


But on the other hand congratulations on self bleeding brakes!

[Epic 'taters]

A miracle! Praise Jesus!

Or it could have been homeopathy.

Or something.
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Suzuki Burgman 400. BMW R1100R
"I must warn you that I do not positively assert that anything I say is wholly as I say it is. I merely report... how each thing appears to me at the moment." - Sextus Empiricus

[billyboy]

my old hack as a doggy front brake some days lever comes back to the bars and other days its shit hot suspect m/c

[2Hondas]

I wouldn't want to be there when it un-fixes itself, inevitably when you really need it to work.
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Current - 2010 Kawasaki ER-6n - Green
Previous - 2000 Honda CB600F Hornet - Yellow
Previous - 2007 Yamaha YBR125 -Blue

[MementoMori]

It's off the road now anyway. It broke down last night in the ASDA car park. I need a new battery. Thankfully this is my weekend off so I can get that sorted hopefully in time for Monday. If not I'll have to take my partner's ZX7R. It's a tough life sometimes but I'm sure I'll cope!
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The tiger who came for a pint

[The Shaggy D.A.]

Possibly the heat generated by the more enthusiastic riding caused the caliper to free up a bit, it's now moved closer to the disc, meaning the piston doesn't have to move as far.

Or boiling the brake fluid has invigorated the magic brake line pixies, who were fat and lazy having only a 5 mile commute to contend with.
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Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[stinkwheel]

I got some discs off this place: https://www.sandybikespares.co.uk/

Seem decent enough quality and WAY cheaper than anything else I've seen.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[G]

I asked about the brand they did on here before and it seems they've had a lot of bad press for a lot of reasons, so I avoided them.

[stinkwheel]

[G]

Think it was floating ones people were commenting on; be interesting to see how they are in a year's time.
Though, as ever, even ten good reviews to one bad is a pretty bad ratio, so I'm going to remain sceptical for the moment... though, may end up getting some anyway for the 9 to pass the MOT cheaply .