Front brakes - advice please

LE SIGH

So it seems my judgement of how much wear on the pads is pretty crap. Bought a new set of EBH HH becuase 1) Lever travel felt like it had increased and 2) pads looks a bit thin.

Just went out, armed with my trusty vernier, and my current pads are barely half worn. If that.

So definately not that.

Felt lever again, definately feels like it goes closer to the bar than when I had first serviced the calipers. Not placebo I dont think.

Interestingly, and frustratingly, front discs are on the service limit by the book.

Standard - 4.5mm, Service Limit 4.0mm. Mine are both on 4.0mm bang on. In retrospect, back is 5.0mm and 4.5mm - mines still on 5.0mm lol.

So questions, questions...

How quickly do discs wear? This is the first time I have ever checked them so for all I know I could have been on the service limit from the time I've had the bike a year ago.

I know they need to be replaced, but is it going to be drastically dangerous if I dont do them right now? I wont be able to get them done before Cadwell for sure.

My is my lever closer to the bar now?

Calipers were serviced not that long ago, all with fresh seals, couple new pistons and new fluid. When I took the calipers off they still had grease showing in all the right places.Not really even that dirty.

Fluid looks a little low so I'll drain the lot and replace that tomorrow as long as it stays dry, as its the cheapest and easiest to test/fix.

Can't see any leaks.

If I pump the lever, it feels as though it firms up a tad (not a lot, only notice it becuase I'm paying attention). Is this normal or does this suggest something is wrong.

What else to check for??

Excuse me whilst I recover from the heart attack that was induced by seeing how much discs cost!!

Blow me.

Probably tiny air bubbles in the system, try zip tying the brake lever back to the bar overnight and see if that helps.

I'm assuming as tight as it'll go?

Dont forget as pads and disc's wear fluid level will drop then go back up once pistons are pushed back in.

I got a similar problem on my bike, calipers and m/c all rebuilt with new seals fresh fluid, bled more times than ive had hot dinners yet still lever is going soft, last time i rode the bike was Monday and it was fine for the whole hour, went down to get something from where my bike is kept today and lever was soft, pumped it a bit and feel came back, ****ing me right off now

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by hongman

I'm assuming as tight as it'll go?

Yep, if no better then bleed them

Yep discs are bloomin expensive, but these are good and not too expensive.

I'm going to buy some, Bibilo has them on his Sv

http://blackshadow-uk.com/SuzukiProducts.aspx

the thing about your lever firming up when you pump it is to do with your seals. the seals are square so they deform when you push the piston out under braking. when the pressure is released the seals return to shape. pulling the pistons back ever so slightly. when you pump the brake you are adding more pressure before the seals have had chance to return to shape. making your lever feel slightly stiffer. if you cable tie it up over night like stated before you give the seals chance to return to shape while the pressure is still being applied. making your brake feel a lot stiffer.

Well, mine seems pretty consistent, but I have noticed a gradual increase in lever travel and what I perceive to be the firmness of the lever.

Maybe everything is fine and its all in my head. Maybe all that I need to do is top the fluid up.

[Biker Biggles]

One more trick to try on the curvy S model-----
Look closely at the master cylinder/brake lever assembly and you can work out that there is a high point in the system where the brake line bolts to the M/C.Air bubbles can collect there and not be able to escape into the fluid reservoir along that bit of flexi pipe.I got those bubbles out by unbolting the whole assembly from the handlebar and fettling it so the bubbles could escape.It was only the tiniest amount of air,but enough to make the brake a bit spongy.

Originally Posted by maviczap

Yep, if no better then bleed them

Yep discs are bloomin expensive, but these are good and not too expensive.

I'm going to buy some, Bibilo has them on his Sv

http://blackshadow-uk.com/SuzukiProducts.aspx

Cheers Mavi, seen lance's ones, look good, and he stops, which is always a bonus.

But still.

Flippin heck.

Anyways - is being on the service limit going to be really dangerous for the immediate future, becuase (maybe I'm in denial) I dont think it is, but I'd like to confirm.