1994 Virago 1100 weak front brakes

[zozie]

Hi all,

Just picked up a 94 virago 1100 2 days ago in what appears to be very nice condition. It's quite the change from my virago 250.

Anyway I'm loving the torque and the noise of the bike, but I hate the front brakes. They appear to be spongy and really require a lot of effort. I thought one of the calipers was seized was but they're not. I took it all apart today and nothing is seized. There appears to be a lot of meat left on the pads as well and the rotors look good too. When I brake hard, they do squeal. I will replace the brake fluid tomorrow and bleed it properly. Should I just change the pads as well? I have to go to the dealer for some minor stuff so maybe I'll grab pads and change them.

Two questions:
Can someone recommend a good method for bleeding the front with 2 calipers?
There is a screw on the brake lever that presses against the master cylinder. Am I OK to adjust that? Right now it's backed out pretty much all the way which results in brake action very close to the lever which I don't like very much.

I know this is a heavy(er) bike but the brakes feel really crap compared to my 250 which only had one caliper on the front yet still stopped on a dime with minimal hand effort.

Thanx

 

[gav.man]

Sounds like you have 2 problems. You could use a pad upgrade. My Virago was good at braking, never a problem but not to a supersport level and the pads were new when I bought it. You should look at a good quality brake pad like EBC. They offer and HH (Double H) pads that offer amazing stopping power with little effort. Adjust that screw on the lever, that's what it's there for, someone likely had small hands before you. Also your brake hoses could be old. They weaken with age and give you that spongy feeling. If the pad's don't offer enough stopping power, try new hose or upgrade to stainless steel braided hose. They come in all colors too. The pads are about $80 - $100 for the front and hose is about $160. To bleed the calipers find a few youtube video that will show you how. They are usually pretty good.