hard brakes

[oldyam80sg]

So my 1980 SG has been sitting in a storage unit as I have had neuropathy issues in my legs and feet. I took the bike out a month ago and rode it to my Moms house. I went for a ride today and the brake lever is very hard to squeeze. I have stainless lines on it and use speed bleeders on the calipers, brakes work fine but the lever is hard to squeeze-why? what would cause this?

[FJ111200]

Lever not catching on the right hand switch is it?

[jetmechmarty]

Do you have modern motorcycle experience? My XS11 and my XS650SK both have to same wooden feel. It isn’t linear motion. Just add pressure to stop. It works. If you don’t like it, you can fix it with a smaller bore master cylinder. Too small and you run out of travel without stopping.
I’m just guessing that is what is happening, not knowing your experience with a vintage Yamaha.

[oldyam80sg]

jetmechmarty-I have owned my Yamaha XS 1100 SG since 1985/ early 1996. I have ridden lots of bikes GPZ 900,Ninjas,GSXR 1100,GS 1150 E and also have a 99 Kawasaki ZRX 1100 which can stop using 3 fingers if I wanted to. Thinking maybe the pads are glazed.

[jetmechmarty]

Yes, you certainly should be able to ID faulty brakes on the XS. Have you ever tried scrubbing the rotors with garnet paper? I’ve had results doing that on occasion. New pads and clean rotors may do it. That is likely the direction I would go. FWIW, I’m no good at keeping records, but I try to replace my brake fluid every two years. I believe it keeps me from having to take anything apart.

[dbbrian]

... Have you ever tried scrubbing the rotors with garnet paper? I’ve had results doing that on occasion. ...

I am interested to hear about that Jeff

Brian

[jetmechmarty]

I am interested to hear about that Jeff

Brian

You want to remove the old friction material from the rotors. 100 grit garnet paper should get it done. Aluminum oxide paper should be avoided. I understand aluminum oxide will embed in the rotor. Obviously, the job is pretty easy if the rotor is off and you’re using a sanding block.
This process can fix pulsing brakes, particularly those pulsing in high speed hard applications.