Long brake lever travel and wobbly callipers

I've been trying to reduce the lever travel on the front brake. I've bled them and pushed the pistons back into the callipers as per usual but the travel is still excessive.

When I was working I noticed the caliper is loose on its sliding pins. It shouldn't be this loose should it?

https://youtu.be/LQHhMj3av-w

[littleoldman2]

No. Check EVERYTHING, including what you've already checked.

[650]

Play is normal in calipers, especially sliding calipers like the SV650. Does the other caliper have the same amount of play?

Most likely culprit is either air in the lines or a bunk master cylinder, they wear over time like anything else. As I don't know many people in person here. don't take this wrong...are you comfortable bleeding brakes or rebuilding a master cylinder? Kits are cheap for the latter, a one way air valve for ten quid from Halfords makes the former nice and easy. If you're in/around London, you're free to come round mine to look it over

[Blapper]

Are the pads still pushed back when you are wobbling the caliper? If so, that looks worse than it is but if not, it prolly is too much and needs careful examination of the parts.

[650]

The caliper will have play in the following parts (if at fault):

Mounting bolts - I forget the torque but it should only be about 28lb if memory serves me right
Sliding pins - These are fixed in the caliper body but can be replaced I believe, so there's potential for them to have marginal play, it's also possible for the slide they go into to have excess play

BUT...watching the video, it's normal, so I wouldn't worry about that element.

It's air in the lines or a knackered master cylinder.

Just to clarify the lever is solid and doesn't pump up so I'm confident there's no air in the system. When I took the video I'd just been out for a test run so pads sitting normally.

I think there's just a bit too much wear in the sliding pins or calipers. I'll investigate if they can be replaced.

Unlike a lot of SV'ers I've no problem with the braking power of the standard system, I'd just like a bit less lever travel. It's definitely worse than it used to be. I've had the bike since 2002.

[650]

Gotta be the master cylinder. Can you record a video of how much travel there is? An alternative is to buy aftermarket adjustable levers that stretch out further than the standards.

[Bibio]

all sliding callipers have a little play but not that much. from the sound of it the sliding pins are bone dry which would have possibly caused the calliper blind holes to enlarge due to metal on metal contact. i would also suspect that the lower bolt/pin rubber gator/bush has deteriorated and causing even more play. the lower gator can deteriorate quickly if copper grease has been used to lube the bolt/pin.

[650]

I wouldn't say the play in the video is excessive at all, perfectly normal in fact. It helps centre the caliper on braking if memory serves right

[Blapper]

@Bibio - so what do you use to lube your pins if not copper grease?