Front brake Woes

[georgesgiralt]

I've been told that DOT 5 brake fluid is very good for bikes with NLA brake parts and not running often (as it does not attract moisture, the metal parts won't corrode during storage)
But you need to put it in a brand new braking system to be efficient (this implies changing everything including the brake lines...)
So I stick with DOT 4 I change every year (as the bike runs every day, I can see if braking deteriorate)

[Adrian]

Thanks again - I hve used DOT 5 for over 20 years with no problems and I have rebuild the bike from scratch so the pipes are all new and the caliper and master cylinder are  spotless throughout.
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I've bought another seal kit for the caliper and will pull it apart and clean it thru again and reassemble it this time using the supplied grease. Having fitted the main seals incorrectly the first time I may have damaged it.
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Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more .......  and all that stuff ....... 

[Bob_Roller]

I'll just throw this out there, when you are assembling parts that have rubber seals, lubricate them with the fluid that they will be working with .

Except fuel components, use a light grease, petroleum jelly,etc.. or oil .

[Tony Smith]

I'll just throw this out there, when you are assembling parts that have rubber seals, lubricate them with the fluid that they will be working with .

Except fuel components, use a light grease, petroleum jelly,etc.. or oil .

plus 1

[Burt]

Adrain, 

I hope this helps if I read your question correctly. 

My impression is that the piston was out too far resulting in the pads having no gap between the new pads and piston when released.  If this is the case and you don't want to pull the brakes apart you may be able to push the piston back in slightly with a G clamp. 

Use a piece of wood over both ends of clamp. However this forces/displaces fluid back up towards the master cylinder and if done too quickly could cause a mess.  Place a rag or plastic bag over the master cylinder to protect painted surfaces just in case. 

[Adrian]

So - the truth behind my mistake - my only excuse is that out of the over 400 digital photos I took during the strip down - this had to be the one I didn't take lol lol
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The photo shows the external seal that goes against the handle bar housing and around the piston - I managed to put it behind the circlip that holds the piston assembly in place - no wonder the piston couldn't fully return to where it belonged - maybe I'm getting old hahahaha

[Tony Smith]

The photo shows the external seal that goes against the handle bar housing and around the piston - I managed to put it behind the circlip that holds the piston assembly in place - no wonder the piston couldn't fully return to where it belonged 

If it is any comfort, you are not the only person in this group who has done that, or something similar.....

[clonmore1]

Adrian, if you are looking to start a competition on mistakes made during a rebuild - don't bother, I will have already won that by a mile...[ch128580]

Glad you have it sorted now and nice to see you using those nice folks at Motorworks, they have been so helpful to me with my stupid questions & concerns. I think the boss at Motorworks is using me as a motivational tool. Do your job better or you'll have to spend time with Chris answering questions about his bike[ch129299][ch128562][ch128580]

[Adrian]

Glad you have it sorted now and nice to see you using those nice folks at Motorworks, they have been so helpful to me with my stupid questions & concerns. I think the boss at Motorworks is using me as a motivational tool. Do your job better or you'll have to spend time with Chris answering questions about his bike[ch129299][ch128562][ch128580]

Yep Motorworks has been the beneficiary of most of my savings over the last year or so lol lol lol Its costing a few thousand to do the work but it's worth it. It'll keep me on the road for another 15 years or so - after that period of time I might be too old to ride any more.
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here in South Australia we are blessed with really great weather for most of the year so I will get my monies worth out of the bike for sure  [smiley=laugh.gif]

[clonmore1]

My attitude exactly Adrian, onwards and upwards [ch128077]