Poor rear brake.

GPZ600 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 28 Jan 2010 Karma :

Maybe it is because I have not ridden a bike for so long but my rear brake seems to be a bit poor.

It is a single disk so not a good as some proper road bikes with 2 disks.
The pads are fine by the inspection hole, about 5 mm left. Apparently they don't need changing until about 1mm.

No oil or grease on the disk, I cleaned it with an organinc solvent.

Maybe it's meant to be as it is and I am just used to good brakes on my car?
The front brake is brilliant (single disk) in fact almost too sharp, the forks really dive down when applied.

Quickly · Crazy Courier Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Karma :

Have you checked the brake fluid? Have you checked the cable going to the brake? Have you checked the brake lever?
____________________
...

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Some bikes have shit rear brakes. Its as simple as that. There might be things you can do to sort it though...
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

Rear brakes are usually shit, because if they where too good you would be forever locking them as you don't have the control in your feet that you do in your hand. I have never seen a bike with a dual disc rear.

If you want to improve it get sintered pads and bleed the brakes, you should be using the front more for slowing down anyway.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

GPZ600 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 28 Jan 2010 Karma :

Thanks for the replies.

Yes I have checked the brake fluid and the levle is fine.
I have lubricated all the cables but not checked them as they are hidden behind the sheaths.
The brake lever is functioning properly.

You are right about locking up, although I don't think I could lock up on this bike if I tried.
I do mainly use the front brake and slow down through the gears, just occasions like today when a cat ran out in front of me I had to really step on the brake pedal to get much response.

I'll look into bleeding the brakes in the workshop manual.
You mean air could have become trapped in the system?

lonner · Spanner Monkey Joined: 09 Jan 2009 Karma :

if its something your happy to do give the calliper a service and new fluid and all should be well again.

plus check the pads are not contaminated with chain grease Thumbs Up

lonner · Spanner Monkey Joined: 09 Jan 2009 Karma :

lonner · Spanner Monkey Joined: 09 Jan 2009 Karma :

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

Yeah, it happens to all brakes over time. There won't be any cables to lube if it has rear brake fluid. Silly question don;t take offence but I ask as you seem inexperianced. You are looking at the right brake fluid reservoir right? Obviously there is one on the handle bars for the front brake but there should also be one by the rear brake lever for the rear brake.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/chris-red/P1000836.jpg

In this picture you see the R&G Exhaust protector then above it the thick black tube. That tube is going up to the rear brake fluid under the seat. Yours maybe under the seat or it couple be in the rear brake master cyclinder what the thick black tube connects to at the lower end.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

GPZ600 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 28 Jan 2010 Karma :

Thanks for the info ZZR, I'll check for grease on the pads tomorrow and look at the caliper.

Sugartits, no offence taken.
Yes I am fairly inexperienced with bikes, been many years since I had my XL600.

I do have a rear brake resevoir, the fluid level is between the low/high lines.
I lubricated the rear brake pedal, throttle cable and speedo cable after fitting a motrax convertor which I am pleased with.

As you say, no rear brake cable.

There is a bit of a ridge (1 or 2mm) on the outside of the rear disk.
Is this something I should be concerned about?

lonner · Spanner Monkey Joined: 09 Jan 2009 Karma :

GPZ600 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 28 Jan 2010 Karma :

Thanks for the help.

Like I said above, through the inspection hole the rear brake pads have about 5mm left each side.
I understand they don't need changing until they are at 1mm.

I'll take a look tomorrow and see if the pads are grease free and see how the pistons and calliper are.