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I replaced front and rear tires on my 81 FXS.
With tires off I noticed a heavy coating if "grease" on both front and rear calipers.
I tore down the PM calipers......mid 90s vintage.
removed pistons, thoroughly cleaned all six, cleaned brake pads and slapped it all back together.
After only a few short rides I've got said "grease" back on rotors and can barely stop bike.
It must be brake fluid from the calipers but I didn't see and leaks when I cleaned and tested calipers beforehand ll.
Are there internal seals inside calipers that's are failing?
Or should I just get new calipers?
And what would you recommend l?
Tx!
Last edited by 81shovelhd!; Dec 20, 2024 at 12:42 PM.
I'd suggest once you address any source of lubricant getting on the rotors you replace the pads and get a few cans of Brake cleaner so you can go nuts cleaning the rotors ( the holes in them as well). I had the same issue on my previous bike and it took a lot to finally eliminate the "creation" of black scuffs.
"grease" or "oil"?
If it is truly grease it is from the wheel bearings, if it is oil it is from leaky pistons in the calipers.
If the seals have gone on the calipers you should notice depleting oil level in the reservoir.
Also only seals may or may not solve the problem. Trouble is with some calipers that the material is not the best choice for cylinders and pistons, ergo they wear out as well.
If that is the case then a total overhaul of the calipers is the only option.
Above are facts, below is my opinion!
I would not buy such aftermarket brakes for my daily ride tbh. Even though they could be from good quality billet aluminum, making good brakes is a specialist job that I would want with a guarantee that they are up to the job and stay up to the job.
Personally, wrong or not, I consider these aftermarket brakes only to be for show bikes.
And Yes, I did have some nice shiney six pots billet brakes myself once. Close to a year or so I had to give it back to the dealer because it had warped so badly it was not fit for purpose anymore.
But, like I said, just my opinion.
I'd suggest once you address any source of lubricant getting on the rotors you replace the pads and get a few cans of Brake cleaner so you can go nuts cleaning the rotors ( the holes in them as well). I had the same issue on my previous bike and it took a lot to finally eliminate the "creation" of black scuffs.
exactly me too i didnt have a grease problem, a stopping problem.a mate said clean the rotors and install new pads. i thought he was BS as every thing looked good. how wrong was i. i used thinners and new pads even tho the old ones looked good. made a huge difference stops perfect now and its the stock calipers
Last edited by john lee; Dec 21, 2024 at 02:30 PM.
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"Grease" on all rotors??
