Mark_h
11-12-06, 01:33 PM
Not sure if I am the only one with this problem or if this is old news. However over recent weeks my front brake has been a bit "notchy" felt like I had major caliper/master cylinder problems.
In a bit of a last ditch effort to fix the easy stuff I took the pivot out of the front brake lever and found it to be gunged up beyond belief. Some sort of black tar on the pivot surfaces and also on the bearing surface of the master cylinder. Being a naked bike could just be an accumulation of dead bugs and road detritus.
Quick wipe with a WD40 coated rag and all the gunge came off. Then re-lubricated the pivot with some new oil (chainsaw oil). Stuck it all back together and it's as smooth as you like now.
Not suggesting this replaces the need for periodic caliper servicing etc, but if you suddenly get an urgent dose of the notchies, may be worth a look.
To get the pivot out, first undo the nut on the bottom of the brake lever then unscrew the pivot from the top. It is not a simple nut and bolt configuration. And as a bit of a disclaimer, brakes are kinda important so don't mess unless you know when to give up and call in the professionals.
Oh and as for chainsaw oil I find it great for any job where you do not want thin oil running away (vertical stuff chains etc) Costs next to nothing and has always done a good job for me.
cheers,
Mark
In a bit of a last ditch effort to fix the easy stuff I took the pivot out of the front brake lever and found it to be gunged up beyond belief. Some sort of black tar on the pivot surfaces and also on the bearing surface of the master cylinder. Being a naked bike could just be an accumulation of dead bugs and road detritus.
Quick wipe with a WD40 coated rag and all the gunge came off. Then re-lubricated the pivot with some new oil (chainsaw oil). Stuck it all back together and it's as smooth as you like now.
Not suggesting this replaces the need for periodic caliper servicing etc, but if you suddenly get an urgent dose of the notchies, may be worth a look.
To get the pivot out, first undo the nut on the bottom of the brake lever then unscrew the pivot from the top. It is not a simple nut and bolt configuration. And as a bit of a disclaimer, brakes are kinda important so don't mess unless you know when to give up and call in the professionals.
Oh and as for chainsaw oil I find it great for any job where you do not want thin oil running away (vertical stuff chains etc) Costs next to nothing and has always done a good job for me.
cheers,
Mark