front brakes

[Parr8hed]

Hi everyone, It has been a while since I have posted, although I still continue to monitor things pretty frequently. I have had my 78 xs 1100 out several times this year, but now I have a recurring problem that developed at the end of last year. (I guess that I thought it would fix itself over the winter.)

When I grab the front brake lever there is signifcant play. The adjustment bolt is all the way out, it just takes it a while to get to the piston. It is as if the piston does not come all the way back out of the master cylinder. Sometimes the brakes work fine and sometimes I have this problem. When the lever does meet the piston, there is enough force to stop the bike, but not like before.

I have bled the brakes, and last year cleaned out the "spooge hole" very well. A couple of thoughts enter my mind.

1. When I put new brake fluid in, did I not bleed enough? (i did not see any air coming out, only fluid.)

2. Does the spooge hole need to be re-cleaned?

3. Is the piston sticking on the inside? Why would that start at the end of last riding season when it worked great for 2 years?

4. Should I just sell this bike and get a VTX 1800? (I like not having a payment)

Thanks for any help that you all can give me,

Travis

P.S. I do have stainless brake lines.

[dfrooney]

sounds to me like you might not have enough fluid...did you fill up the resovoir after you finished bleeding the system?

[Parr8hed]

yes, full to the top.

[ratbyk]

Brake Lever

Travis, try bleeding one more time. This time put a short piece of vacuum hose over the bleeder nipple and run it down into a small jar/can partially filled with brake fluid. Keep the end of the hose immersed in the fluid in the jar. Work the brake lever smoothly and slowly in and out. You do not have to shut the bleeder screw after each compression stroke. Air bubbles should appear as it is expelled from the master/calipers/hoses. When the air bubbles stop do a couple of more strokes to be sure. Keep the master cyl. reservoir topped up.
If after this the brake lever is not right there with little/no play than the piston is sticking in the master cyl. bore. Obtain a rebuild kit in your hand before you dissemble.
Ken/Sooke
78E Ratbyk
82 FT500"lilRat"

[Parr8hed]

Thanks, I will try that. Does anybody have a screw that fits into the top of the master cylinder cover? I hosed one up while I was taking it off. I was able to get it out with a craftsman screw -out, but I have damadged it for life. Would everyone check their parts bikes for me? I will pay good cash money for it!

Travis

[Jerry]

I hosed up both of mine last year, screws were available at local Yamaha dealer along with a replacement cover. (Had to use a Dremel cutter to cut slots in the screws to remove them, messy...) New cover fits fine but looks a bit different than the original XJ lid.

[Parr8hed]

No, no, no. Must get a craftsman screw-out! best tool ever. I have not tried the bolt-out though, anyone tried it?

Thanks for the tip on the screws, I will head down to my dealer this week.

Travis

[MartyA]

Travis, I replaced my screws with some brass flat screws from the hardware store, just a few cents each. The bottom of the screw head is angled, matches the recess in the M/C cap. They will corrode eventually, so buy new ones every couple of years.

[wildbill]

I would go through the front brake capliers too.The pistons might need checking to,might be wanting to stick a little also where the pads are,what they slide on.Worth checking while into it.Good luck PS am going to have to check a go through my brakes also.

[Parr8hed]

The only reason that I really feel as if it is not the pads, or the MC piston is that last year one day they were working perfectly, then the next they were not. I would think that if it were a sticking piston somewhere, it would have been because it sat over the winter, not overnight. I rode my bike just about every day last summer.

Can your level of fluid in your MC fall and then give you this problem? I added more, but thinking that I just have not bled enough as one of the posts in this list suggests.

Thanks everyone for all of the input.

Travis

[wildbill]

That could be what your problem is.Dual front disc can be fun.The more I read about your problem the more I think that is what it is.Did you bleed both front brakes?I would be about willing to bet that is where your problem is.You still have air in your brake lines.Try that and see if that doesn`t cure your problem.I use a vacum pump{hand held}for bleeding brakes,makes it a whole lot simpler.Keep your master cylinder full at all times when you do this,also get a big can of brake fluid.Hope this gives you some ideas and helps you out.

[CMA1]

Have a look at this seems to work real well and not alot of mess either.....
http://www.moccsplace.com/images/bra...er/bleeder.htm

Travel safe......