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front brake problem

T

taliesinjami

Joined Jul 2012
24 Posts | 0+
Hia again guys - Having a 'mare with my front brake.

Riding home from work Friday, bike slowed down despite me applying throttle.... Only lasted around 10 seconds, then bike was off again... Happy days I thought.

Wrong. On the way to work today, bike did the same thing. Stopped and got off and couldn't push my bike anywhere, my front brake was on... After 30 seconds, it seemed to release itself so got to work ok. Noticed at low speed, can hear the front squeaking somewhat. Popped the caliper off ealier and pistons seem to be going out ok, and returning a little when brake lever is released.. Pads look like crap since the snow and ice and salty roads.

Master cylinder seems to be ok, as it only seems to be locking on the RHS of the front, and not the LHS, plus no squeak from the LHS...

Any thoughts?
 
It couldnt be from lack of freeplay in the lever/piston could it? Thereby causing the fluid to heat up and expand?
 
Sticking piston in the caliper ?, heat build up from friction is expanding the fluid enough for it to stick on momentarily.
 
Paul Ali said:
It couldnt be from lack of freeplay in the lever/piston could it? Thereby causing the fluid to heat up and expand?
Click to expand...

When you say lever, do you mean the brake lever itself. There's virtually no movement in it to get to the brake on position - is there a way to increase freeplay?
 
Kiwi_rsvr said:
Sticking piston in the caliper ?, heat build up from friction is expanding the fluid enough for it to stick on momentarily.
Click to expand...

Possibly I suppose, I had to change pads about 3 months ago for M.O.T, but seemed fine then. Maybe its those bloody goldfren pads I stuck in there. They are looking a bit rusty since the snow, maybe some crub lurking around?
 
gregorious77 said:
standard or aftermarket lever?
I have only heard bad things about Goldfren pads!
Click to expand...

I would imagine it's an aftermarket lever, it's been on the bike since I brought it though, and not had any trouble until this recent issue.
Aye, don't ever buy them, I'm ordering some replacements once I've done my research...
 
If its leaving a little pressure on the master cylinder the return port could be covered meaning as the fluid gets hot it expands and locks the brakes on!
Dont ride until you sort it out as a front lock up at speed is not going to be a good day.
 
What after market lever are you using? Perhaps you could dremel part of it off to help?
 
gregorious77 said:
If its leaving a little pressure on the master cylinder the return port could be covered meaning as the fluid gets hot it expands and locks the brakes on!
Dont ride until you sort it out as a front lock up at speed is not going to be a good day.
Click to expand...

PLUS +1

You need to increase the play at the lever.
As gregorius has said, don't ride it until you've sorted it.
It's not uncommon to get a high speed front end lock up.

Aim for a few mm free play.
 
Last edited:
Tifa said:
PLUS +1

You need to increase the play at the lever.
As gregorius has said, don't ride it until you've sorted it.
It's not uncommon to get a high speed front end lock up.

Aim for a few mm free play.
Click to expand...

Okie dokie. What am I dremmeling tho. Do I take a bit off the rob that pushes into the master cylinder or deepen the hole on the lever that this rod sits in?
 
Sounds like you have **** aftermarket levers if its locking up your brakes, there have been lots of threads on the subject but this make of levers are top notch & stupid cheap http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Clutch-Br...85?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item45f793e625
I've been running a set on my RSVR for 3 years with no problema at all & they still look as good as the day they were fitted BTW my front brake has 3mm of play on the pin when cold before it starts to depress the plunger so no chance of locking up.
I would not grind anything off the pin or barrel nut as these do not come with replacement levers & are not available as individual items from Aprilia.

PS if you want to remove the pin from the lever there is a very small allen pin you have to undo, easily missed :thumbup
 
Last edited:
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personally I would not be grinding anything off of anywhere on my braking system!
Just buy a new lever either OE or a make that is known to be good like Pazzo etc.
 
+1 On that.....never grind off anything to make something work that is just going to mask the problem and risk your life.

You need to understand what has caused the problem in the first place.

gregorious77 said:
personally I would not be grinding anything off of anywhere on my braking system!
Just buy a new lever either OE or a make that is known to be good like Pazzo etc.
Click to expand...
 
nikfubar said:
Sounds like you have **** aftermarket levers if its locking up your brakes, there have been lots of threads on the subject but this make of levers are top notch & stupid cheap http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Clutch-Br...85?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item45f793e625
I've been running a set on my RSVR for 3 years with no problema at all & they still look as good as the day they were fitted BTW my front brake has 3mm of play on the pin when cold before it starts to depress the plunger so no chance of locking up.
I would not grind anything off the pin or barrel nut as these do not come with replacement levers & are not available as individual items from Aprilia.

PS if you want to remove the pin from the lever there is a very small allen pin you have to undo, easily missed :thumbup
Click to expand...

those levers are a great price i just got some of the extendable ones and they are mint

I have the old ones spare if you want them but they aint in the greatest of condition
 
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Paul Ali said:
those levers are a great price i just got some of the extendable ones and they are mint

I have the old ones spare if you want them but they aint in the greatest of condition
Click to expand...

Ok, I had a look at my lever and there is nothing holding the pin into it... As I took my brake lever off, the pin that pushes into the master cylinder just fell away from the barrel nut... Is this normal?

How much you want for the spares....
 
Yup my bad probably best not to start modifying the lever..

I personally would try it if it looked like it would fix it and not pose a h&s risk though.
 
nikfubar said:
Sounds like you have **** aftermarket levers if its locking up your brakes, there have been lots of threads on the subject but this make of levers are top notch & stupid cheap http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Clutch-Br...85?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item45f793e625
I've been running a set on my RSVR for 3 years with no problema at all & they still look as good as the day they were fitted BTW my front brake has 3mm of play on the pin when cold before it starts to depress the plunger so no chance of locking up.
I would not grind anything off the pin or barrel nut as these do not come with replacement levers & are not available as individual items from Aprilia.

PS if you want to remove the pin from the lever there is a very small allen pin you have to undo, easily missed :thumbup
Click to expand...

Silly question. Is this to order 1 lever or for the pair ?
 
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