Servicing my brakes and fitting braided lines
 

Right, every-time I work on my brakes something goes wrong. So I would like some help, I could take it to a mate of mine. But the amount of time I spend on my bike I would like to be a bit more independent and brakes are rather important.
So who would like to teach me how to do it properly, I'm going to order some new pads and dust seals this week to put in with the lines. But the back is nicely seized so needs a complete rebuild.

Anyone?

Yeah, bring it over mate :)

That should be just the right distance to wear the pads down fully, though at the moment your my best offer, but what the hell I have family in Rothsay...

Weeeeelll,

Are you stripping both front and back brakes? Get a can of brake cleaner, plenty of old rags, and a big box of disposable gloves....
..... Oh and a couple of P clips, cable ties, brake fluid, wet'n'dry paper, tea, milk, biscuits, etc.

Pump out the pistons before disconnecting the system, do a search for brake bleeding, and find a nice shoulder to cry on.........


Seriously, take your time, and remember to bleed the unions on the brake lines as well as the bleed nipples. Wet'n'dry for any corrosion on the pistons - use brake fluid on it.

Hope this is of some help.

Bring it up tp me Grinch.

:shock: you 2 dont fancy moving to wales do you?

Cool... now this I could do... right, lets order the seals and fluid.

Re: Servicing my brakes and fitting braided lines
 

Get all four pistons about 8mm out before draining the fluid, use g-clamps to hold the freed one still while pumping the stubborn one out, when they're all moving, drain the system and remove calipers :wink: use compressed air or a foot pump with a inflatable bed nozzle (coned shaped) with a bit of PTFE tape around it to blow the pistons out. Be care full to A, not let the pistons fly across the room and B, get your fingers jammed between piston and caliper :oops: it hearts :oops: and i manage to do it every time :oops:

When 1 piston is out, hold it over its bore with the g-clamp to get the other out

Clean the pistons, bores and seal cavities with a tooth brush and clean brake fluid, i also used a wooden stick that the wife uses to do here nails with to remove any real stubborn bits

Re assemble all

Put copper grease between shim and pad, buy stainless caliper retaining pins off ebay
Coat the exposed pat of the piston in red rubber grease, make it easyer for next time :wink:

Put fresh brake fluid in new lines and bleed

Have a fag and coffee and think "I'll have to do this again in 12 months time :roll: "

I have been building my courage to clean my breaks but so far I am just scratching my head and feeling sorry for myself. Theoretically I think I know what I should do, practically ... not really. I suppose watching someone cleaning theirs would be the best way to learn but same as Grinch I struggle to get hold of anyone willing to do so. I may have to go to the dealer and fork out for the breaks being cleaned and watch them. Then give it a go myself next month or so. Does anyone know how much would that set me back?