Cheap Rear Brake Mod that appears to work!!

Having got to the stage where I was getting a bit pi$$ed off with bleeding the back brake and considering spending quite a lot on some rearsets I thought I'd give an idea a go first. The good news is that it appears to be working. I bled the rear brake a while ago and within 4 rides, 400 - 600 miles, the bloody thing was full of air again. I've now had 3 rides, 300 - 450 miles, and it's still as good as when I bled it!! Didn't want to post this too early in case it was a complete failure.

The Mod
Get hold of some of that sheet that plumbers put behind a pipe they are soldering to prevent burn marks on the wall/paper. I think the piece I used was about 4" wide by 12" long. Basically, cocoon the rear master cylinder and brake line that's close by, in it. Make it a fairly large circle around the cylinder/line so that air can still flow over the assembly. Here's the pics

look forward to seeing some pics Dave sounds interesting

Good, cheap way of shielding the master cylinder from heat....Be good to see how long it lasts until it needs bleeding!

NewBoots said:

Good, cheap way of shielding the master cylinder from heat....Be good to see how long it lasts until it needs bleeding!

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Hopefully you can see the pics now, 3 of them anyway, but that's another story.

As I say, it SEEMS to be holding up longer than it has before, I'll keep you posted! :cheers

Hmmm simple yet effective...nice one...:thumbup


:confusednow where did i put my van keys:biggrin

Methinks you need to sell your bike and get an older, faster & more reliable one!!

Aba :devil

Abakab said:

Methinks you need to sell your bike and get an older, faster & more reliable one!!

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You forget, I read this site as well. I'm secure in the knowledge that I have a lot less problems than you 'old school' :devious

Abakab said:

Methinks you need to sell your bike and get an older, faster & more reliable one!!

Aba :devil

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Naah mate, who really needs a back brake??? Apart from a very strict MOT tester!!:devious

Will that be covered with the fairing Dave...:eatcornit might be effective but looks a bit of a Blue Peter jobby :biggrin

YOU could always buy the proper heat shield like i did and that works fine...:eatcorn

5 pounds it cost i think......looks alot better to......:thumbup

So I take that the biggest problem with the back brake working like Sh*t is due to the heat from the motor?:dunno

I think a good proper bleeding with the caliper as the high point, will solve all your brake woes. The heat shield is nice, but brake fluid boiling doesn't seem to be the issue. I have 1000 miles on mine after a proper bleeding per kzmille instructions. I used a brake fluid that boils at 448 degrees F. Also I made up the tool specified by Aprilia and used the method specified in the tech bulletin and I have had a solid brake pedal no extra work required. I think if you tip the bike over or remove the m/c you can re-introduce the air. If you have a proper bleed and it is adjusted correctly, heat is not the issue. A heat shield will make your margin to boiling greater, but IMHO, it won't resolve the spongy pedal issues alone. A proper and thorough bleeding will correct it.

BB1000 said:

YOU could always buy the proper heat shield like i did and that works fine...:eatcorn

5 pounds it cost i think......looks alot better to......:thumbup

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My bike came with one of those on it, didn't work.

Sprocker, yep, once the fairing's on you can't see any of it.

Doug, I've done all that caliper right up in the air bleeding 2 or more times now and the pedal just keeps getting spongy.

NewBoots, I find the stopping power noticeably better when both brakes are used.

Phew, think that's everybody :biggrin

Rear brake still fine and must be getting on for around 800 miles now.

Saw some of that stuff on the shelf in my local DIY store....almost bought it BUT after the day I've had I thought lets just go home and quietly breathe in the corner until tomorrow.....
Other day I thought I'd sort out the rear brake..drilled out the mounting holes to give it a bit of an angle, bled it as per destructions on this very forum (Mucho swearing), nice hard back brake...This morning out for quick blast to borrow a tool from a mate to fix my hot water cylinder...1 mile from home bike appears to be losing power...oh **** the back brake is smoking and rear wheel is locking up....screech to a halt in the middle of the road & can't move the bugger as the back brake is locked on solid! Passed by loads of bikes but a couple of cars stop to offer help, brakes cool and release (eventually), rang home & wife brings out 10mill spanner that is missing from tool kit on bike, still can't sort, okay luv can you go & get the allen keys so i can take the fairing off...Nice man emerges from housing estate and supplies same, 2 minutes later back on road without back brake (No change there then!) Later in day up in loft, trying to change heating element in water cylinder...in attempting to take old one out disconnect and snap out the central core element (so hole in top of cylinder) eventually work out that element is part of cylinder so can't remove, couple of attempts to solder penny coin into hole later I'm back where I started.....Now are you sure there is a God!

(sorry for hijacking the thread Dave...But will try your mod when I've calmed down a bit)

chuff me dude,not a good day.
glad it wasnt worse what with the back break locking the wheel.
as for the boiler,im happy/justifed in fukin off diy and getting someone in for these jobs.lol
p.s,im not sure about the god part.

My rear brake was always ok..............when i fitted EBC HH brake pads its now Superb..........:thumbup

Talking to mechanic on the Aprilia stand at Donnington bike fest, he reckons (Since he's done loads) some are ok, and some for whatever reason are always crap..Mine sure is, but when I can be bothered to have another go, will try the heat shielding you've tried..

tbh ive never had a problem with mine,admittedly its not as sharp as on any other bike ive had,but it works just fine,everytime.

mark58 said:

Talking to mechanic on the Aprilia stand at Donnington bike fest, he reckons (Since he's done loads) some are ok, and some for whatever reason are always crap..Mine sure is, but when I can be bothered to have another go, will try the heat shielding you've tried..

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This is so cheap to try what have you got to loose :dunno That was my thinking because I was very near buying expensive rearsets and I'm quite happy with the position/looks of the standard pegs :happy

Newboots, what a day! I don't think I would have touched anything else after a day like that either!