XJ 1100 Brakes Freezing up

[deo]

Got the old girl back on the road this weekend and discovered that it ran real well but the further I went the tighter my read brakes got. Finally they were smoking, just a bit. I asked one of my friends what he thought and he said that it could be a bad brake line. Any other suggestions before I tear into it. I just had the brake system rebuilt before I put her on the road and so this is not making a whole lot of sense to me.

deo

[Geezer]

Dissemble and clean the calipers. Odds are there is some crusty stuff built up on the pistons. There’s a good chance that you can reuse the seals.

Geezer

[chevy45412001]

clean the spooge hole in the master cylynder

mine also did this,so bad the bike would not move any more.I got off loosened the bleeder to take off presure just to get it home.Look around in the tech tips (i think) for the fix and location of the presure relief holes to clean. Also brake lines should change to ss ones. Though i havent yet i've riden bikes with this change and they are worth there weight in gold.ALSO i havent heard to much talk about this but i would change fluid once a year . and bleed system to keep things in working order.Just my two paso's.

[deo]

Thanks Guys,

I thought that the bike shop where I had the system rebuilt would have paid attention to these kind of details but it appears that if something is going to be done right that I need to do it myself. Of course the old two left thumbs and two right hands feature of this old body may kick in but hey it won't cost as much. I'll try to do this and see what gives. I saw the thread on the spooge holes and on the ss tubes but was hoping that there was a simpler fix that could be done on the fly and get back on the road right away.

I looked at the resevoir under the cover and the xj isn't like the one on the xs. It didn't look the same to me but maybe it is. Anyway, Thanks again and I'll keep you posted to the progress.

deo

[D. P. Larmee]

Looking for a quick on the fly fix? Try cracking the bleeder screw on the caliper to relieve some pressure from the brakes. It is a short term fix, but it will usually get you back on the road immediately at least for a little while. Sometimes after sitting for a while the pressure builds up and relieving this pressure is all that is needed. The suggestion in the previous post relating to cleaning the "spooge" hole will more than lkely need to performed in the near future, but this ought to get you home in a pinch

[XS1100DRAGRACER]

I have had this same problem, it was actually the rear brake pedal adjusted too tight (applying the brakes nore and more as they heated), I just adjusted the rear pedal a little looser.... Not sure if it would help, but I know it was my problem...

[chevy45412001]

xs-xj not same

they are a little different,xj has a one piece design resivwire,i believe xs has a plastic tank that is removeable. xj has the spooge hole though,the presure has to be released somewere as theese are closed brake systems. And that was a good thingny about the brake pedal also,i've kinda noticed brakes on theese things are as bad as the second gear and carb woes,oh well keeps me out a the saloon ..lol good luck

[tab1324]

back / front or both

When I got my bike off the trailer from the po the brakes locked up in the front two calipers. Ended up stripping the calipers down, removing piston and seals, cleaning and reinstalling. No problem since. It's not that difficult even if you're all thumbs. Just take your time and pay attention to the way things come apart.

Good luck!

Tom B.

[nashville_bill]

When your brakes won't quit braking, open the bleed screw on the caliper and if it releases then it is the spooge hole or brake line, if it doesn't help then you have caliper problems. I thought I had a spooge hole problem but it turned out to be corrosion in the calipers that wouldn't let the pistons return and release the pressure on the pads/rotors.

[deo]

Sure do appreciate the advice. Each contribution made sense and I think with a bit of time I will get it done. Hopefully this weekend. If not then next week. I have a trip planned with a friend who rides a harley and I sure don't want him to think that the 1100s can't keep up.

I am looking for Stainless Steel brakelines and heard that someone on the site has them or makes them for XJs and XSs.

Who?

deo

[ratbyk]

Brake Lines

Hi Deo, go to members at the top of the page. Find; Randy. You can email your inquiry direct from there.
I purchased a set from him. It took about two weeks to obtain. I was pleased with the service and price. The improvement in the braking is well worth the investment.
I also had obtained rebuild kits for both front and rear master cylinders. Did the whole job at the same time.
Ken/Sooke
78E Ratbyk
82 FT500 "lilRat"