Front Brake lock up!!!
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 931
Likes: 112
From: Oregon
It's not shortcut time with the brakes. Pull the caliper and inspect and clean. It doesn't take much for the piston to bind in there. Lubricate the pin bolts upon reassembly so things slide and don't bind or hang up. Clean out and rebuild the master as well.
I sure you don't want to hear it but your rotor may be warped....check it.
One more thing, why so much on the front brake? I've always used both front and rear evenly. If someone pulls out in front of you and you have to stop quickly, too much front will have you on the ground in short order. Just my .02
I sure you don't want to hear it but your rotor may be warped....check it.
One more thing, why so much on the front brake? I've always used both front and rear evenly. If someone pulls out in front of you and you have to stop quickly, too much front will have you on the ground in short order. Just my .02
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 15,435
Likes: 7,127
From: Beyond Fucital
I had this happen on my rear. I won't get into details, but the plunger in the master cylinder wasn't returning back far enough to allow the fluid to return. Then with the slight pad to rotor pressure the heat transfer to the fluid made it expand, pushing the pads against the rotor. Once it cooled down it returned by itself, overnight. Being this is your front, it might be a bad spring in the master cylinder. try a rebuild kit. It's about $20., flush fluid and put in DOT4.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 731
Likes: 7
From: Windsor Ontario
I know the rubbermounts had a service bulletin for a front brake issue (I believe just the R model,) but yours looks like a rigid... different brakes and fluid. If it was a rubbermount I would say rebuild the master, it's quite easy and cheap for the kit, and a weak point in the system. On yours, I might suggest a caliper rebuild, or better yet replace. and maybe a master rebuild. Could be something as 'simple' as frozen sliders on the caliper ('simple' being a relative term of course)
Thread Starter
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 8
From: Wheeling, WV
I believe I found the culprit.....Yep, master cylinder plunger not returning. Found purple jello thoughout the bottom of it. Used the brake bleeder to suck out majority of the crap, then shop-vac'd out the pieces I found sitting in the master cylinder valve/plunger hole, and then bleed the brake. I used the remainder of the DOT 5 bottle that I used last spring. However, the fluid that bled out was mainly amber with no bubbles at all. Going for a maden voyage right now!!!!!
Thread Starter
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 8
From: Wheeling, WV
Lubricate the pin bolts upon reassembly so things slide and don't bind or hang up. Clean out and rebuild the master as well.
I sure you don't want to hear it but your rotor may be warped....check it.
One more thing, why so much on the front brake? If someone pulls out in front of you and you have to stop quickly, too much front will have you on the ground in short order.
I sure you don't want to hear it but your rotor may be warped....check it.
One more thing, why so much on the front brake? If someone pulls out in front of you and you have to stop quickly, too much front will have you on the ground in short order.
Thread Starter
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 8
From: Wheeling, WV
No **** man!!! My GF/kids/mother said to just catch rides lately.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 14
From: Near Frankenmuth, MI
I had this happen on my rear. I won't get into details, but the plunger in the master cylinder wasn't returning back far enough to allow the fluid to return. Then with the slight pad to rotor pressure the heat transfer to the fluid made it expand, pushing the pads against the rotor. Once it cooled down it returned by itself, overnight. Being this is your front, it might be a bad spring in the master cylinder. try a rebuild kit. It's about $20., flush fluid and put in DOT4.
For it to come on hard and lock up with no lever action the pads are not releasing completely from the rotor and the heat build up of that contact will clamp the brakes down hard, just like grabbing the lever.
You are very fortunate after the first incident that the second time could have been your last ride. We all know what happens when the front brakes lock ... you skid and then the bike just drops out of your hands.
I would not have taken it back out until a total overhaul of the calipers.
I'm glad your still with us!
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 8
From: Wheeling, WV
Ranger is right in my book.
For it to come on hard and lock up with no lever action the pads are not releasing completely from the rotor and the heat build up of that contact will clamp the brakes down hard, just like grabbing the lever.
You are very fortunate after the first incident that the second time could have been your last ride. We all know what happens when the front brakes lock ... you skid and then the bike just drops out of your hands.
I would not have taken it back out until a total overhaul of the calipers.
I'm glad your still with us!
For it to come on hard and lock up with no lever action the pads are not releasing completely from the rotor and the heat build up of that contact will clamp the brakes down hard, just like grabbing the lever.
You are very fortunate after the first incident that the second time could have been your last ride. We all know what happens when the front brakes lock ... you skid and then the bike just drops out of your hands.
I would not have taken it back out until a total overhaul of the calipers.
I'm glad your still with us!
Well, back from the ride, and I'm going to have to do the complete removal/rebuild of the master/caliper/line....Which is fine since I'm thinking of throwing down the money for my apes that are already prewired and controls attached. I was really heavy on the front brake & speed even leaving my subdivision, (0-30 & front brake, 0-60 & front brake, 0-90 & front brake), to heat it up.....That left me giving it gas to get it to the side of the road to bleed once again. Still taking the bike tomorrow, but just not going to be able to use any front brake.
No other choice!