Rear Brake Issue XS1100H

[MPittma100]

Recent purchase of an 81 H and has a seemingly ecsessive amount of travel in the rear brake lever. I changed the rear pads. The old ones were about 50%. I adjusted some of it out, but needs more.

I am a little concerned that I may run out of adjusting rod. Is there something else that I need to look at? The brake works fine otherwise. I am comparing it to a 79 Special that has new pads, but has not been adjusted and the pedal travel is less (good).

MP

[bikerphil]

Maybe try removing the brake lever and moving it one spline on the shaft, JAT

[CatatonicBug]

Have you cleaned and bled the brakes? I have had issues like that, where the lever actually rubs on the exhaust because it travels so far down. After problerly bleeding the brakes, the problem goes away. You should be able to see the adjustment rod touch the underside of the MC, and it should have a little free-play before it actually makes contact. Not a lot, but enough that the brake lever is not pressing on the MC plunger at all unless you really want it to.

[natemoen]

Maybe try removing the brake lever and moving it one spline on the shaft, JAT

+1! I fought mine for awhile till it hit me that it really was that simple! I went from nearly all the way out on the adjuster rod (1 or 2 threads left) to nearly all the way in.

[CatatonicBug]

The brake lever has a mark on it, as does the spline shaft. The two should match, and there should be no reason to move them, as long as the system is working properly.

[natemoen]

The brake lever has a mark on it, as does the spline shaft. The two should match, and there should be no reason to move them, as long as the system is working properly.

Things get moved over the years, and I don't have any marks on my brakes.

[MPittma100]

Rear Brake

I will be at the bike tomorrow and look at the items that you all mention. I have not bled that brake and did not know about the alignment marks. Will look to see if it has been moved and let you know what I find.

Thanks, MP

[MPittma100]

Rear Brake

Checked the bike out yesterday. The marks were visible and aligned. I reversed the adjustment to approximately where it was to start with. Book says 1/2 inch free travel before rod contacts m/c. I put it a little less than that.

Bleeding the brake did fix the problem.

Checked the front brakes which were already working properly, but the fluid was the color of red wine? Had that 30 year old appearance. I bled all of that out of the system through both calipers. Ready to ride!

Thanks for your help.

MP

[natemoen]

1/2'' of free play! That seems way excessive in my mind! I have mine set to about 3/16" at the most. If I want my brakes I want them now!

[CaptonZap]

1/2'' of free play! That seems way excessive in my mind! I have mine set to about 3/16" at the most. If I want my brakes I want them now!

Nate, the 1/2 inch free play is at the end of the brake lever, where your foot is.
And it doesn't take many degrees of rotation of the adjusting screw to change that a lot. Plus, as the brakes heat up, the clearance changes, so that the clearance decreases.
I'd set it at the factory spec and call it good. CZ

[bikerphil]

Pedal adjustment diagrams....

[WMarshy]

Pedal adjustment diagrams....

Its interesting these came up. Just the other day I adjusted my lever because it was up to high and in contact with the underside of my foot peg. I had to lift my foot from my peg to apply the brake.

Now after adjusting it I believe I have the pedal a half inch below my peg and the rear adjuster rod is as short as it goes. I dont think its possible to get the pedal 5/8" or more lower than the peg surface. A half inch of free play seems excessive to me, mine is probable 0.1" or less, its tight. Although now I have to be careful that I dont depress the lever too far and let my boot hit the exhaust heat shield.

[WMarshy]

Its interesting these came up. Just the other day I adjusted my lever because it was up to high and in contact with the underside of my foot peg. I had to lift my foot from my peg to apply the brake.

Now after adjusting it I believe I have the pedal a half inch below my peg and the rear adjuster rod is as short as it goes. I dont think its possible to get the pedal 5/8" or more lower than the peg surface. A half inch of free play seems excessive to me, mine is probable 0.1" or less, its tight. Although now I have to be careful that I dont depress the lever too far and let my boot hit the exhaust heat shield.