Help - My front brake has gone?

Help, I went to pull the front brake on the CBR earlier and the lever came all the way back to the bar with no braking.........I was very lucky.

I drove the bike home slowly, but there is nothing there except for a juddering feeling when I pull. Once I stop I can pull the lever a few times and the normal strength is restored and I can happily rock the bike backwards and forwards without it moving.

Pull away and nothing again, except for the juddering, which I reckon if I pulled up would stop me, but it makes it way too shaky to be safe.

Any ideas?

Oh I've checked the fluid, but that is fine.....

If you can pump it a few times and it restores normal function, I'd be betting air in the system.

Bleed & re-fill. See if that solves your problem.

You beckoned....

Same advice as Baph from me.

Baph/DD - any idea how to?

You need a spanner, a nipple, and a piece of tube.....








You have a bleed nipple of both callipers, you need to slip on a spanner (usually 8mm) and then connect a piece of hose to it. Undo the nipple slightly, squeeze the brake lever in an then righten the nipple before releasing the brake lever. Do this repetitively with both callipers and the jobs done, I would advise you check that all banjos are tightened up properly first and that you have no leak.

Make sense?

[Biker Biggles]

If it was working ok,and you havnt done anything to it,and it suddenly went like you describe Id get it looked at by an expert.It does sound like air in the system,but why and how?

The nipple is the bit on the top right on this calliper with the rubber cover on....

Since we're talking about a CBR as well... bare in mind air may get stuck somewhere in the system & not want to come out too quickly. It's easy enough to do on an SV.

Chaps - thanks for once again answering the call.

I will have to go and have a butchers at this, I was lucky there was nothing in front of me earlier. I did think it may be a master cylinder issue.

So assuming it does just need bleeding how would it get air in like that?

You reckon it will be worse on the CBR then? Should never hve got rid of my beautiful SV.

Originally Posted by krhall

So assuming it does just need bleeding how would it get air in like that?

You reckon it will be worse on the CBR then? Should never hve got rid of my beautiful SV.

When was the last time that the brakes were serviced properly? Could be the dust seals. If the lines are old they could be seeping. I believe that's why Mr. Biggles refered you to an expert/qualified mechanic. Quite rightly too if you don't know what you're looking at.

As for your question, I have no idea, just thought it worthy of a mention, because it's common to think you've got all the air out, when you have some trapped in an obscure place.