Sticky front brake

[inyaknow]

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so I changed my levers to shorties and now my front brake seems to be sticky just some of the times. Most times it's normal but sometimes it sticks to the point of a noticable difference in acceleration and slowing with the throttle closed. If I get off the bike when it's sticky, I can push the bike but can very definetley tell that the brake is partially engaged.

2009 Kawasaki Er-6n (naked 650r), 15,000 Km's, never bleed the brake fluid, pads or anything to do with the brakes as of yet.

What gives?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[kruzuki]

There should always be a little drag as the pads are always just touching the rotor.
I would suggest bleeding your brakes. Some recommend bleeding anually, others say do it whenever you work on your brake system.

 

[mikbusa]

It sounds like the aftermarket levers aren't a 100% fit, they aren't fully releasing brake fluid back into the reservoir. Or they aren't installed quite right.
This can get worse when it heats up and can be dangerous, shouldn't ride it like this.

 

[Rob MacLennan]

I agree with mikbusa. Switch the levers back and see if the situation improves. If it does, toss those levers in the lake.

 

[jeffjones]

Did you lube the pivot bolt when you installed them?

 

[casacrow]

Sometimes with cheapo aftermarket levers you have to remove a little material from the lever where it contacts the plunger on the master.

As said above they don't always allow the master to fully return, allowing brake fluid to flow back through it.

Can lead to an absolutely lethal situation.

 

[gnatwest]

I had to use a file on my levers to loosen them up. I had the same thing.

 

[JFD]

Did you lube the pivot bolt when you installed them?

Always lube before installing.


that's what I said.




Swab back to originals, as Rob noted. File those ebay knockoffs down and see if it helps.

 

[daught]

Did your lever come with an adjustment screw? The adjustment screw is different from the position screw. The adjustment screw modifies the pressure applied to your brake piston at rest. Sometimes that screw might differ from the OEM. For example this is my adjustment screw.

 

[Red_Liner740]

Yea, this was an issue with GSXR pazzo copies....the master plunger pivot hole was not large enough, not allowing the master to seat fully in causing brake drag.

Gets pretty scary because as you overheat the front brakes the fluid expands and pushes the pistons even harder out = locked brakes.

 

[onecartel]

Yea, this was an issue with GSXR pazzo copies....the master plunger pivot hole was not large enough, not allowing the master to seat fully in causing brake drag.

Gets pretty scary because as you overheat the front brakes the fluid expands and pushes the pistons even harder out = locked brakes.

And if you're going somewhat quick, manage to not crash but don't release the pressure fast enough ... good chance of warped rotors.

 

[Sabex]

*whistles nonchalantly*

 

[inyaknow]

First off, thank you all for trying to help me work out my problem...

It sounds like the aftermarket levers aren't a 100% fit, they aren't fully releasing brake fluid back into the reservoir. Or they aren't installed quite right.
This can get worse when it heats up and can be dangerous, shouldn't ride it like this.

Yes, aftermarket pazzo knock offs from RideItMoto.com but when compared side by side and one above the other, they seem to be the exact same size and dimensions. Maybe they're not just "installed quite right"

Heating up doesen't seem to pose a problem cause I took her out for 8 mins and realised that they were sticky, it went away. Went for another 300 Km ride and only got sticky when I was close to home (thankfully).

Did you lube the pivot bolt when you installed them?

No I didn't but have thought of this and will lube on next wrench.

Sometimes with cheapo aftermarket levers you have to remove a little material from the lever where it contacts the plunger on the master.

As said above they don't always allow the master to fully return, allowing brake fluid to flow back through it.

Can lead to an absolutely lethal situation.

I will remove and examine the exact dimensions of stock vs aftermarket levers next wrench and see if your suggestion is the problem. The word "lethal" doesn't make me feel too good but I know you can't f.uck around with my front brakes, hence my concerning question. Thanks for the warning.

I had to use a file on my levers to loosen them up. I had the same thing.

I hope I don't have to do this but will if I need too. They seem to be the same.

Did your lever come with an adjustment screw? The adjustment screw is different from the position screw. The adjustment screw modifies the pressure applied to your brake piston at rest. Sometimes that screw might differ from the OEM. For example this is my adjustment screw.

No, the stock nor the aftermarket levers come with this adjustment screw. Thanks anyways.

Yea, this was an issue with GSXR pazzo copies....the master plunger pivot hole was not large enough, not allowing the master to seat fully in causing brake drag.

Gets pretty scary because as you overheat the front brakes the fluid expands and pushes the pistons even harder out = locked brakes.

"Brake drag" is the exact wording I was looking for. My brakes haven't locked up yet and hopefully I can fix it this Sunday before this actually happens.

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