Shakin' Brakin'

[Guest Guy]

My twin front disks warped on one of my old motorbikes because the brakes were binding (Honda VF 750).

 

£500 for the pair! no patent parts available .

 

After riding around with no front brakes for some time I got some off an old CB900 second hand for £50.

[Big Jim]

My last ride on a motorbike (Yam FJ1100) I used a Mini to stop me, worked more effective than the brakes I was tugging on at the time. Trouble is, things did get bent in the process, including me!

[Guest timswait]

What is the easiest way to check for a seized caliper for when I get there?

[Guest Battery Bill]

Jim

What exactly were you "tugging on".

You could get yourself arrested for this type of behaviour.

Keep your hands on the handlebars in future.

[Guest Guy]

You can spot a seized caliper by jacking up the wheel and turning it by hand, it will have a bit of resistance but you need to know what a good one feels like to know a bad one (just like a women ).

 

I spoted a seized caliper in my old Cavalia by the smell (no I'm not going to say it ) the wheel was realy hot compaired to the others so I checked it, it was binding like a goodun!

 

About 1000 miles later after I'd fixed it, the wheel bearing went. I suspect that the greese had been dried out by the heat.

 

Also, if the brakes 'squeek' when you are driving and not braking then you may have a sticky one. (no comment ).

[Guest Ant]

When you come to fit new pads and disks you have to push the piston back into the caliper to accomodate the extra material. It should push in with a G clamp and be very smooth. If it's rough or hard to push in then it's siezed.

 

Ant