Finally have proper brakes...

[andym]

.... and I don't like them.

Yesterday I decided to fit the new(ish) brake discs I got, also gave the calipers a quick spray with brake cleaner and took the bike for a test ride along the motorway.... I came off a couple of junctions later (about 4 miles), and noticed smoke coming from 1 of the calipers, so I got back on the motorway and headed home (slowly).

When I got to the lockup rather than risk touching the disc I decided to throw a little water on it.... which boiled off instantly

So after a short break I decided I needed to do something about them.... Turns out the pistons on 1 side of the left caliper weren't budging, but the other side was moving fine.... so a quick bodge with cable ties and an old brake pad I held the good side in and managed to get the sticky pistons out.... scraped all the shit off the pistons and caliper, slapped a little red rubber grease on the pistons and rebuilt everything.... bled the system..... and.....

Now I'm scared to touch the brakes for fear of doing a Rogerborg at a set of lights.

[Rogerborg]

[andym]

[NJD]

Probably thank yourself for doing all the work now since it seems to become Suicide Sunday every day on the roads once the darkness spreads.
____________________
The do it all, T̶h̶e̶ ̶b̶r̶o̶k̶e̶n̶ ̶o̶n̶e̶,̶ ̶T̶h̶e̶ ̶b̶i̶g̶ ̶l̶u̶m̶p̶,̶ ̶C̶h̶o̶n̶g̶ ̶N̶o̶o̶d̶l̶e̶

[stinkwheel]

So let us know when you're scared enough to go back and scrape the corrosion out from under the seals.
____________________
“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.

[andym]

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Don't ask me how it works but for a quick 'firm up the lever' fix I recommend tying the lever back to the bar and leaving overnight. Also did this to the rear brake (tricky finding an anchor point) but by jove it works wonderfully.

Used to impressed the blokes on the Scottish tour I did in May...they were from Barnsley....easy meat.
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[ocatoro]

are you sure you haven't just doused them in cleaner and it's burning off?

also you threw water on them when you thought they were really hot... should you be working on a bike?
____________________
CBT - 17/09/12 * Theory - 23/10/12 * Mod1 - 05/03/13 * Mod2 - 25/03/13 * BOSH!
Current - None but shed project H100 (first bike )
Past - ER5, '93 ZZR600, '92 CB400 SF, ZZR600 (again), yellow Monster 620, Blackbird - black Monster 620ie - '96 ZZR600

[Robby]

Stinkwheel is referring to the fluid seals. It's corrosion under those that makes your brakes feel wooden. They might be powerful, but you can't feel anything - hence the fear of overdoing your braking.

Buy some brake fluid first. A set of piston removal pliers makes the job much easier.

Calipers unbolted, pads, pins and shims out.
Pump out the pistons one at a time, or use piston removal pliers. Fluid will go everywhere.
Remove the fluid seal from the caliper. Note which way round it goes.
Clean the fluid seal with some kitchen towel, do not use brake cleaner on it. Set it aside for now.
With a jeweller's screwdriver or a dentist's pick, scrape out the alloy corrosion powder from where the seal sits. Once it's scraped out, spray the area with brake cleaner to remove the last bit of crap.
Reinstall the seal carefully. Reinsert the piston.

Do this for all pistons, then refill with fluid and bleed the system using your favourite method. Enjoy brakes that work.

[Qyburn]

Before reinstalling the seals, I like to either coat them with silicone grease, or put silicone grease into the grooves. Silicone rather than red rubber grease because it's a bit slimier and easier to make sure there's a film over all surfaces. This helps prevent corrosion forming in the seal recesses.
____________________
Lord Qyburn