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Front Brakes Sticking After Winter Storage
Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 7:06 pm
by saabowl
Hi. In celebration of the sunshine I took the bike out today for a run. The front brakes were sticking initially, but freed with use. When riding home I noticed they had stuck again. Is this a common problem? If so any easy fixes as an overhaul doesn't fill my heart with joy. It's an 07 plate R1200S
Mark
Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 8:14 pm
by Droptarotter
Check to see if the pads are sticking on the keeper pin??
I'd try bleeding and fresh fluid..........if that does not work, it just might be time for a caliper rebuild kit.
By some of the photo's I have seen of the bikes in the UK, it sure looks like you guys have to deal with some very corrosive de-icing treatments over there??
Could the road treatments be a factor in your sticky brakes??
Cheers
Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 9:22 pm
by StreetFlatTwin
No biggie.
Take the calipers off and remove the pads. Pump the brakes gently so the pistons move a few mm then using brake cleaner and an old toothbrush clean all of the pistons.
Then clean any corrosion off the slider pin (using emery paper)
Deglaze the pads (rub them with some emery paper or a file) and clean out the grooves using a hack saw blade.
Then reassemble.
Do the other caliper.
Clean any corrosion off the discs.
It will be much MUCH better after than!!
Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 9:28 pm
by saabowl
Thanks for the advice. I'll get busy this weekend .
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2013 8:36 pm
by Vince
Fairly common on the 1200 front calipers.
Usually it's the pads sticking where they contact the caliper.
I have to pop my front pads out once a month / every 6 weeks and brush them clean with a wire brush, then brush out the calipers with an old toothbrush, a dab of copper grease on contact points of pads and pin, and it's good to go.
If the pistons cannot be pushed back in after cleaning them, then you'll have to clean them as mentioned above. Top tip, get red rubber grease and paint a little on the pistons before pushing back in,.pump out gently, keeping an eye on the others while doing so (I clamped the ones I didn't want to move with some old pads and g clamp or large molegrips. Do this a couple of times per stuck piston.
ONLY USE RED RUBBER GREASE ON THE PISTONS.
other grease can swell the seals and really cause you problems.
Hth
\v/