Lubricating the calliper pistons - SV650.org

Balky001 · 28-02-06, 11:57 AM

I regularly clean the calliper pistons but a mechanic I was speaking with mentioned that the pistons should be greased. Another said if I grease them then sometimes you get more brake lever travel (I'm assuming this is because when pressure is taken off the lever the pistons receed slightly and if greased they slide in more than normal?)

Well, my question is does anyone lube their pistons and if so, if red racing grease the same as red rubber grease (as I have been told, but only by the guy selling red racing grease!)

28-02-06, 12:13 PM

As far as I'm aware pistons shouldn't be greased as they'll soon trap dirt and dust which will form a paste that will foul everything up, though I stand to be corrected.

.

28-02-06, 12:48 PM

An article in TWO (or Ride, can't remember) this month suggests greasing the pistons with red rubber grease, or copaslip, aswell as on the back of the pads. Never done it myself, but I probably wouldn't use copaslip as it can be abrasive. Really wouldn't like the seals to fail.

Even though greasing them up will trap dirt and gunk, cleaning them should be easier, as the grease will be easier to remove and reapply than baked on brake dust that takes half a can of cleaner to remove.

28-02-06, 01:12 PM

Seem to be two schools of thought. I use grease around the seals. IMO it forms a barrier to help keep the salty crud from getting at the outer dust seals and into the groove. The problem I've seen is that the cruddy deposits in the seal groove tend to push out the dust seal and can cause it to pinch in the gap between piston and bore. Others say keep em clean and just use brake fluid as the grease will trap dirt.

Choice is yours I guess.

Oh - and I agree - I wouldn't put coppaslip on the pistons themselves.

rictus01 · 28-02-06, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fuzz

suggests greasing the pistons with red rubber grease, or copaslip, aswell as on the back of the pads. Never done it myself, but I probably wouldn't use copaslip as it can be abrasive. Really wouldn't like the seals to fail.

Don't copaslip, has (yes you guessed it) copper in it, it will destory you seals( you'll be forcing the bits of copper passed the seals back & forth, on the back of the pads is fine, but keep it away from the seals. generally just keep them clean, but if you feel the need you can indeed use the red rubber grease.

Cheers Mark

Balky001 · 28-02-06, 01:43 PM

Thanks for the comments - I wouldn't use copaslip except on the back of the pads. I'm guessing not greasing the pistons isn't going to damage them so may keep them dry for now and see how it goes.

28-02-06, 01:44 PM

I've never lube'd mine with anything...

jambo · 28-02-06, 02:50 PM

Copaslip on the back of the pads, red rubber grease on the pistons and seals... It's the way to go.

northwind · 28-02-06, 03:05 PM

I've never greased mine... But I keep them pretty clean. I'm not even going to hazard a guess which way's better.

28-02-06, 04:54 PM

I used to use BNS grease on the pistons, but since I have stopped doing it I have not really noticed any difference apart from a little more corrosion on the ungreased ones.

28-02-06, 11:57 AM	#1
Balky001 Member Mega Poster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Leigh - on - Sea, Essex. Posts: 1,491	Lubricating the calliper pistons I regularly clean the calliper pistons but a mechanic I was speaking with mentioned that the pistons should be greased. Another said if I grease them then sometimes you get more brake lever travel (I'm assuming this is because when pressure is taken off the lever the pistons receed slightly and if greased they slide in more than normal?) Well, my question is does anyone lube their pistons and if so, if red racing grease the same as red rubber grease (as I have been told, but only by the guy selling red racing grease!) __________________ SV650SK3 - GSXR600K2 - GSXR750K6 - ZX636RC1H - HD Sportster 1200 - CBR600F 2012 - GSXR1000K7 - Triumph Bonneville T100 2019 - Aprilia Tuono 660

28-02-06, 01:43 PM	#6
Balky001 Member Mega Poster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Leigh - on - Sea, Essex. Posts: 1,491	Thanks for the comments - I wouldn't use copaslip except on the back of the pads. I'm guessing not greasing the pistons isn't going to damage them so may keep them dry for now and see how it goes. __________________ SV650SK3 - GSXR600K2 - GSXR750K6 - ZX636RC1H - HD Sportster 1200 - CBR600F 2012 - GSXR1000K7 - Triumph Bonneville T100 2019 - Aprilia Tuono 660

28-02-06, 02:50 PM	#8
jambo Member Mega Poster Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Croydonia Posts: 5,376	Copaslip on the back of the pads, red rubber grease on the pistons and seals... It's the way to go. __________________ Modern motorcycles are bloody brilliant, enjoy it while we can

28-02-06, 03:05 PM	#9
northwind Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In the garage where I belong Posts: 17,083	I've never greased mine... But I keep them pretty clean. I'm not even going to hazard a guess which way's better. __________________ "We are the angry mob, we read the papers every day We like what we like, we hate what we hate But we're oh so easily swayed"

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28-02-06, 12:13 PM	#2
jonboy Guest Posts: n/a	As far as I'm aware pistons shouldn't be greased as they'll soon trap dirt and dust which will form a paste that will foul everything up, though I stand to be corrected. .

28-02-06, 12:48 PM	#3
Fuzz Guest Posts: n/a	An article in TWO (or Ride, can't remember) this month suggests greasing the pistons with red rubber grease, or copaslip, aswell as on the back of the pads. Never done it myself, but I probably wouldn't use copaslip as it can be abrasive. Really wouldn't like the seals to fail. Even though greasing them up will trap dirt and gunk, cleaning them should be easier, as the grease will be easier to remove and reapply than baked on brake dust that takes half a can of cleaner to remove.

28-02-06, 01:12 PM	#4
Well Oiled Guest Posts: n/a	Seem to be two schools of thought. I use grease around the seals. IMO it forms a barrier to help keep the salty crud from getting at the outer dust seals and into the groove. The problem I've seen is that the cruddy deposits in the seal groove tend to push out the dust seal and can cause it to pinch in the gap between piston and bore. Others say keep em clean and just use brake fluid as the grease will trap dirt. Choice is yours I guess. Oh - and I agree - I wouldn't put coppaslip on the pistons themselves.

28-02-06, 01:44 PM	#7
Cloggsy Guest Posts: n/a	I've never lube'd mine with anything...

28-02-06, 04:54 PM	#10
andy Guest Posts: n/a	I used to use BNS grease on the pistons, but since I have stopped doing it I have not really noticed any difference apart from a little more corrosion on the ungreased ones.