Sponge Brakes?

So I'm trying to understand exactly whats happening or not with my front brakes. Not sure if you could call them spongey. Basically when I pull the brake lever it will move in a couple of centimeters before brakes grip, then I'll pull harder and it will move maybe another centimeter before gripping harder. It's not a smooth pull of the brake lever then smooth on with the brakes, more like a stop start feeling. Whatever it is it doesn't feel good. Checked the front reservoir, all good for level. Read a ton on brake bleeding but want to make sure I need to do this first.

Thanks.

And it's not pads as I had them changed only a few months ago.

How old is the fluid? If tis a couple of years old, try getting new fluid in there first.

Also, try the fabled Zip-Tie Holding The Lever Against The Handle Bar Overnight method; sometimes, when you have little air bubbles in the system, that technique can remedy things.

Aparently, airbubbles tend to get trapped up around the lever (i think?), so perhaps loosening this off and squeezing the brake to get anit air out will help

Matt

How old the bike... you know you meant to change the brake lines every fours years if you go by the service manual. You don't have to, but do take a look at them.

[the_lone_wolf]

Sponge-brake Brown-pants?

Apart from giving them a quick bleed to try and improve on the spongey feel you could also whip the brake callipers off the forks (no need to disconnect brake lines) and take the pads out and inspect around the pistons for signs that they are starting to sieze up. The callipers may benefit from a strip and clean and fresh fluid.

Even after this was done on mine (7yr old curvy, 30K miles) the brakes still felt wooden and grabby and only improved in feel after servicing the master cylinder.

Originally Posted by charlie13

Apart from giving them a quick bleed to try and improve on the spongey feel you could also whip the brake callipers off the forks (no need to disconnect brake lines) and take the pads out and inspect around the pistons for signs that they are starting to sieze up. The callipers may benefit from a strip and clean and fresh fluid.

Even after this was done on mine (7yr old curvy, 30K miles) the brakes still felt wooden and grabby and only improved in feel after servicing the master cylinder.

+1 with this. crud round the piston stops smooth movement.

Sponge-brake Brown-pants?

PSML!

Yep those pistons do get some crud around them.

I like it too...

I overhauled my callipers earlier this year and chucked braided hoses on.

I'm not sure that I noticed the difference from the hoses, but more from the general overhaul in cleaning the pistons and new fluid. Also, I put in EBC HH pads- they seem to bite harder when they're warmer and at higher speeds (cos they get warmer quicker I guess)

There was still a little 'sponginess' in the brakes- having ridden a couple of h**das recently (CBR400 and VFR800), which have brakes that are sharper than a very sharp thing, I'm thinking it's just symptomatic of the standard SV callipers.

Of course, a front end upgrade, or at least new fork oil if needed might also help!

Cheers for prompt replies fellas.

The bike is a K6, been ridden virtually every day of it's life. Brakes used to be fine, but not recently.

Charlie, how did you clean your callipers/pistons? And was it fairly obvious they needed it?

Yeah Lone Wolf I've had a few of them moments, usually in the wet, but nothing to do with brakes. I take it you have then?

Originally Posted by Hardened Rider

Cheers for prompt replies fellas.

The bike is a K6, been ridden virtually every day of it's life. Brakes used to be fine, but not recently.

Charlie, how did you clean your callipers/pistons? And was it fairly obvious they needed it?

Yeah Lone Wolf I've had a few of them moments, usually in the wet, but nothing to do with brakes. I take it you have then?

Cleaning pistons isnt too hard; take the caliper off, take the pads out, then pump the lever a little bit to reveal the piston - dont pump it too much though, otherwise the dust seal will also come out. If it looks like it warrents it, then get the pistons out fully and replace the dust seals too. It dosnt look like a hard job TBH

Clean with some brake cleaner (i think wurth sell stuff)

I think you might benefit from new brake fluid aswell