Front brake line

[Rookie]

I spent 4 hours cleaning the bike today, and I couldn't avoid the front brakes any longer. With my history of brake stuff on bikes, I like to use the 'if it's not broken, don't touch it' philosophy. But I figured it was getting a bit dangerous. Now, aside from the pads being down to the metal, I found there was no brake fluid in the fluid reservoir at all. It was totally empty. I also noticed that the calipers were disgustingly filthy, as were the parts of the forks hidden under the front mudguard. Related? I think I topped up the brake fluid in there about a month ago, but I've been using it solely ever since (rear caliper problems.)

Might there be a leak in the line? The front brakes are working OK, frankly I couldn't tell you how well, given the state of the pads. To put it simply, I don't think I could do a stoppie on them if I just wrenched the brake lever.

[kat250]

First off you probably didnt need to top up your fluid. If your pads are down to metal Youd best get a set asap.
When your pads are worn down the caliper pistons are pushed out further thus fluid travel in to fill space. When time to put new pads in youre going to push all that fluid back up causeing an over flow at the top. You probably want to get some brake cleaner and a toothe brush and clean up pistons whilst your at it (if you are doing it) make sure to put copper grease on the back of the brake pads too, to stop corrosoin.

Hope this helps


Edit: Also chances of having a leak and not noticing it are slim you would have seen the bubleing paint or puddles by now . If you havent got a set of braided line get a set. They made a good lot of difference to my mates t.cat
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in the famous word of jimmy pop "would you F*ck me for blow"
In the words of banditshigh "would you blow me to f*ck"

[Rookie]

I have concluded what the mess was. It was actually the fork seal which has blown dribbling fork oil everywhere, included over the piston.

There's another job to do.

[the grim reaper]

So, let me get this straight, you have fork oil on your brakes, your pads are down to the metal and you have no brake fluid in your reservoir. How in hells name do you stop the bike??

First off, get the fork seal done, if you want cheap seals, go to www.actionseals.co.uk. Prise the dust seal off your stanchions and shine a torch down underneath, read the manufacturers name (probably NTK) and the dimensions off the seal (something like 40 50 7). These are the inner diameter, the outer diameter and the depth. Action Seals should be able to sell you the exact same seal for a fraction of the price bike shops charge.

Now do the brakes. Get some braided lines, drain the brake fluid, remove the calipers and use compressed air to remove the piston. I cheat by using an old mountain bike valve cut out of an inner tube with some rubber still attached, and a bike track pump, you could use a foot pump. Screw the old valve into the banjo bolt hole, tighten the bleed nipple and wrap the caliper in some old rags. Pump the pump until the first piston pops out. Clean the piston, the seals and (most importantly) the seal grooves. Now apply silicon grease to the piston, push it back and cable tie it in. Now use the pump to pop out the second piston and so on.

Make sure you replace your pads as well as they will have been contaminated by fork oil.

You should notice the difference

Cheers

Grim
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[Rookie]

Thanks for that grim.

I've got the fork seals already, it's simply a matter of time and/or cash at the moment. The brakes are working, OK, but they could definitely be better. I'm most likely going to send them into the mechanics for a complete overhaul.