Brakes

[Graeme]

Hi All.

First post for a while; the Missus & I have been a bit crook. That's not to say that we've been burglarising or similar, just that we have been unwell. I have just recovered from heart surgery that is difficult to express gratitude for and now rapidly approaching "Tarzan" mode.

So, the R65LS has been neglected now for some years and only been ridden for it's compulsory inspection for registration, by others.

I took it for a sorting out run today and the engine is going well but need a carbies tune. The front brakes though, aren't anywhere like putting me over the handle bars on hard braking, like they used to although the lever feels hard. Could this be because it's been ridden with rusty rotors, (now clean, of course.)? Other suggestions? I haven't changed the fluid in years so perhaps I need to do that anyway. The pads were half worn the last time they were checked. They wouldn't have changed much in the miles that they have done since then.

The back brake is effective but squeals like it's in great pain.

Any advises gratefully received.

[Graeme]

Tried bleeding the brakes with a pressure bleeder. The left hand side, no problem. Kept reservoir full and closed the valve when clean fluid was seen.

However, the right hand side produced no fluid. I thought that there may be a blockage but the pressure rose to 15 and then slowly came back to zero. (I guess that there could still be a blockage. The flexibility of the pressure system could account for the slow return).

Before I assume a blockage and start to strip down the system, any suggestions?

[Barry]

That sounds odd. Other than a collapsed flexible inner liner on a brake hose, a blocked nipple seems the most likely cause. With no pressure applied I would completely remove the bleed nipple to see if fluid flows. Normally it will flow under gravity in fact you can bleed the brakes very successfully using only gravity.

[Bob_Roller]

Sounds like you have a blockage in the caliper area, old degraded fluid, etc .
After 33-34 years, probably time to disassemble the system, clean out the calipers and replace brake lines if they look like they are the original lines .

[Graeme]

Thanks Barry, Thanks Bob. I disconnected both inlet & bleed nipple. Squeezed brake handle & nothing came through. It looks like a pull down.
I've had done or done the electrics, top end recondition*, back brakes so I shouldn't be surprised now to make further contributions to Motobins. Good on 'em. (Glad they are there, actually.)

* Should this read "extremities recondition? 

[Kelvin]

I recently rebuilt the brakes on my 1983 R65LS. I got the kit from Munich Motorcycles (West Australia).  There was nothing particularly obnoxious inside the caliper but it was good to clean out 35 years of gunk.

[Graeme]

I'll check them out, Kevin. Thanks. In the meantime, it seems that Barry was right. Fluid at the Y section but not coming through the end of the flexible hose.

Is the LS a 15mm master cylinder?

[Bob_Roller]

The diameter is cast into the bottom side of the master cylinder, usually they are 15 mm, but with previous owners, anything is possible . . ...   

[Graeme]

Thanks Bob.

[Tony Smith]

I recently rebuilt the brakes on my 1983 R65LS. I got the kit from Munich Motorcycles (West Australia). 

It is beyond me how those burglars remain in business! There price before post is usually more than Moto Bin's price including post to Australia.

[Graeme]

Just to post some feedback; changed the brake lines and all OK. It appears both were blocked. Now, as much as I admire German Engineering, I find it hard to believe that both brake lines both became blocked at virtually the same time after 35 years. Anyway, it passed registration check (and the brakes survived an emergency stop after a driver pulled out in front of me on the way to the checking mechanic) so now I've got time to sort it out.
Thanks for the help.

[Kelvin]

Thanks for the update. Did you use genuine or stainless steel replacements? And, if the latter, where did you source them? (My brake lines are original, I'm thinking that replacement is overdue.)

[Tony Smith]

I got the kit from Munich Motorcycles (West Australia).  

it was my experience on a number of occasions that the price wanted by the thieves in Perth was more than Motobins charged, including postage.

Talking about the outrageous postage imposts of the Perth thieves is a whole different story. The last thing I  bought from them (and which will also be the last thing I ever do buy from them) was a fuel tank. Firstly they removed the wire bail (and wanted to charge me another $30 for it when I rang to complain). Then after charging absolute top dollar for the tank they charged $120 for postage to Queensland. I waited and waited and waited, finally the tank arrived by "Fastway" couriers having been dispatched on their "super economy" rate - the waybill stated a cost of $25. The Perth thieves laughed when I rang them wanting a partial refund of postage costs.

I hope they are still laughing because I am confident that over the years since I have turned enough business away from them so that the small profit they gained from ripping me off has revisited them many times.

I recommend Motobins and Boxerworks for all parts.


BTW, I bought a brand new wire bail from a dealer in Germany - with post it cost about what the Perth thieves wanted for the one they removed from my tank - I shudder to think what they might have required to post it to me.

[skippyc]

it was my experience on a number of occasions that the price wanted by the thieves in Perth was more than Motobins charged, including postage

It's sad but that has been my experience as well, $10 for an envelope.

[Graeme]

Thanks for the update. Did you use genuine or stainless steel replacements? And, if the latter, where did you source them? (My brake lines are original, I'm thinking that replacement is overdue.)

Stainless Steel & Motobins, Kevin. Got here in pretty quick time. Tricky job, though. Need small diameter & double jointed fingers if you want to do it quick.

I do suspect that the Master Cylinder probably needs replacing. Haynes tells you to find your own way.