Sponge Brakes?

[jambo]

If the lever feels less than smooth, remove the brake lever, and clean it up, as it will probably have dirt on the mount. Then use a little oil and re-install it.

That's what I'd do first anyway. Everything else can make a difference to how the brakes operate, but this is the most common cause of a lever feeling jerky even at a standstill.


Haynes Manual - 1 spanner job, tools needed: 10mm spanner / socket.

Jambo

[rowdy]

Originally Posted by thedonal

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!

Must say I agree with this having a vfr in the shed also, much better brakes than the sv but it does sound like you have air in the system or your calipers are seizing up. HH pads are a worthwhile investment they do provide more bite imo, due to coarser material creating more friction.

Legends the lot of ya! I'll get my hands dirty over the weekend.

Good call about the lever being properly lubed, I'll try that first.

Nice one.

[Biker Biggles]

Can you feel something like a bit of roughness as you pull the lever,instead of a smooth action?A bit like an unlubed clutch cable?That was dirty sticking caliper cylinders on mine,cured by a good clean up,but was also a warning that the calipers seals were past their best.About a year later I bought a used pair of calipers,as swopping them was easier than refurbishing.(And I didnt know how to rebuild calipers)

Lube up ya lever!

Yeah just like that Biggles, lever should be nice and smooth and it's rough as hell. Obvioulsy I'll get some wurth brake cleaner or equivalent, what's best to actually get the crud off cause no doubt it's gonna be ground on, and I don't wanna go in heavy handed and mash up seals. So wire brush, old rag, kango drill??

[yorkie_chris]

Doesn't sound like it needs bleeding to me. I reckon the calipers need stripping down and cleaning up.

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

I reckon the calipers need stripping down and cleaning up.

Good diagnosis there from Chris.

When i serviced my brakes, (K3 used during better months) I found that the sliding pins on the calipers were seized through salt. Take these out, clean up the pins and the housings, and replace with some copper grease. If you're doing the caliper pistons, then its up to you whether you want to do a full bleed and push the pistons out but i just pushed mine beyond the point where they usually go (tide mark) and cleaned the muck off around them.

HH Pads will make a big difference to the brakes. They were more effective than replacing the lines with braid

[yorkie_chris]

It's the muck behind the seals which causes the problem, not the muck on the pistons.