another brake question...

[wmsoller]

recently, as i drive the bike, the front brakes slowly tighten up; that is, the hand lever tightens up and gets harder to pull and the pads seems to drag on the rotor. Any suggestions?

[montmil]

If the brake pads are seriously dragging on the rotor, rotor heat generated is a contributing factor to the issue. Finding the reason the pads are not properly disengaging is the nut to crack.

Have you done any work recently with the caliper, brake pads or brake line and reservoir? Could be a sticky or corroded bore and piston issue. Could be some mighty dirty brake fluid or a collapsed brake line interior.

Simple enough to remove the caliper and disassemble for an IRAN.

[EGRG]

I recommend servicing your brake system. As Monte suggests check brake fluid, flush if dark and ugly looking. This problem will not go away by itself or may get worse.

[wmsoller]

Thanks, guys. I recently rebuilt the master due to it leaking. Thought I'd solved my brake issues...

[montmil]

There's a tiny little hole in the bottom of the reservoir that can become clogged and adversely effect braking performance. Did you notice it during your work?

Only way to inspect it as being open or clogged is to drain the master cylinder reservoir. Tiny little hole will require a tiny little pin or wire strand...

[Mike V]

There's a tiny little hole in the bottom of the reservoir that can become clogged and adversely effect braking performance. Did you notice it during your work?

Wm,

My suspicion is the same as Monte's. In the bottom center of your master cylinder reservoir is a very small port not much larger than a single copper strand of electrical wire.  This is the fluid return port and if blocked can cause chaos. Take a single copper strand of wire and try to clear the port by pushing the wire in the port to clear any blockage that may be there.

If not the master cylinder I would look into rebuilding your caliper(s). You may have a damaged or rolled square o-ring at the caliper piston not allowing it to return.

In any event a good secondary flush with a close eye on the master cylinder reservoir may point you in the right direction.