Getting callipers over rotors

[winz]

Hi All,

Bike failed MOT on rear brake pad depth, fronts were an advisory, so I thought I would give the callipers a good clean and install some new pads all round.

So I have got the rear sorted, but I can't for the life of me get the front callipers over the rotors, Pistons have been pushed as far back as they can with a little tool.

Any local BCFers to Bristol in the know or and able to give me a little hand?

Beers or cash available.
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Current Bikes: BMW K1200S
Previous: Honda CBR929RR, Honda CBR1100XX, Honda CB600F

[DRZ4Hunned]

Is the end of the piston flush with the caliper when it's pushed in? Normally I just shove a big screwdriver in to open them up.
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DRZ400-SM
FZS600

[winz]

It is indeed.

However, I think I have just cracked it, pads out, attach callipers, then add pads.

Nice to work something out.
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Current Bikes: BMW K1200S
Previous: Honda CBR929RR, Honda CBR1100XX, Honda CB600F

[Polarbear]

[winz]

[Nobby the Bastard]

It's quite normal to remove/fit the pads with the callipers on the bike.
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Sprint ST 1050

[arry]

[c_dug]

How do you push the pistons back with the caliper still on the bike?
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[ThoughtContro...]

[winz]

[supZ]

[MCN]

[sickpup]

[c_dug]

In 11 years riding, and owning/maintaining maybe a dozen bikes (plus working on friends and colleagues bikes), I can honestly say it's never even once occurred to me to attempt changing the pads without removing the calipers.

I also can also count on one hand the amount of times I've been able to push the pistons back without a clamp or bodged leverage of some sort.

I need to change the back pads on my Fazer in a week or two, maybe I'll have a go
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[natefz6]

Same here all the instructions I watched or read said to remove caliper, but a quick google now shows that you can do it without.

Learn a new thing everyday.
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"no I didn't steal it that's just the way I ride"

[Islander]

It depends on the bike really. My default for the majority of our bikes is calipers off, pads out, clean caliper and pistons, pads in and refit. However, on the M900 it's easier to remove the pads before the calipers, and to refit the calipers before the pads. Horses for courses I suppose. There's nothing really wrong with either method.

[Kickstart]

Hi

I wouldn't try to change the pads normally without removing the calipers, and on quite a lot of the bikes I have had it isn't even possible. Plenty have sliding calipers so no chance

All the best

Katy
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Qyburn]

Back to the original problem, have the discs got corrosion on the rim, making the rim thicker than the working surface? That's just about the only reason I can think of that would mean you couldn't fit the calliper over the disc, but it's OK once it's fitted.
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Lord Qyburn

[Nobby the Bastard]