How To - Service your brake calipers

[Lee]

Quite an easy job, easier still if you know someone who has a bike lift

Firstly get the bike supported, center stand or paddock stands etc.

remove the caliper mounting bolts


then shuffle it off the brake disc



As you can see the advertised "just had all the brakes done" that was also listed on ebay when buying this bike...might also have been an exhaggeration of the truth, its filthy in there and the pads are shagged too



more to follow

[Lee]

The brake pad retaining pins are removed along with the anti rattle springs (take note of the way they are fitter for re-assembly), these are all honking as well. They will be spending some time with the wire wheel and some copper slip before going back to work
(apologies for the poor focus)



the brake lever is then pumped to force the pistons out, be carefull not to go crazy here as they can drop out. beso to put a thin bit of wood in the middle of the caliper to prevent this and any damage to the pistons.

now is the time to start scrubbing the caliper with a toothbrush and brake cleaner, it takes a while but they do clean up.

with the caliper pistons exposed, thin strips of very fine emery cloth can be pulled back and forth around the pistons removing any crap/corrosion, another blast with some brake cleaner and an application of copperslip will have them looking brand new again


its now just a case of pushing the pistons back in with the piece of wood and then pumping them back out again with the brake lever, re-applying copper slip each time the pistons are exposed until you are happy with the level of cleanliness and the even operation of the pistons

[Lee]

pins are cleaned up with the wire wheel and treated to some copper slip

some goes on the back of the new pads too


the new pads are dropped into place (keeping one hand behind the caliper to preent them falling onto the floor)

[Lee]

the cleaned up pins go back in along with the rattle plate



the caliper is then shuffled back into place



and tightened back up to the manufacturers spec (aledgedly)

[Lee]

the fork lowers looked a bit ratty, so they were rubbed down and given a bit of paint




many thanks to Robin, who kept us both in tea all day and allwed me to use his ramp and facilities.

[robin]

Very good that Lee.


If anyone wants the same. Just ask Lee for my phone number!

[dougie650]

Nice little post looking at you all showing off with your bike ramps ;D

[cookingfat]

Just a comment, the XRV forum often hold workshop weekends; www.xrv.org.uk/forums/meet-ups-rideouts/39548-winter-basic-maintanence-skills-part-2-a.html

Would there be any interest in a similar event organized by TB? I'm sure we could find a place with plenty of room and tea and bacon bun provision.

We would obviously need some volunteers who knew there way around a bike (that's me out).

[beamer]

Very good post, i'm contemplating replacing my front brake pads myself, ive been told i should be able to do it! So this looks like a step by step guide to me, hmmm now how do i get my bike in the lounge so i can look at the computer while i'm replacing the pads?

[nightingales01]

im sure some one will come and advise u.

mind you I did our staircase following manufacturers youtube instructions with the laptop on the landing

[David]

Where's Robin when you need him.

[Lee]

Good question ! Mine are binding at the moment on the cbr. New pads are going in this afternoon, which I'm hoping are going to remedy the fault

[nikkie]

I have a funny noise on mine too. It's like as if metal against metal scratching noise n it's not always there just most of the time. Terry n Ste hav looked n told me it's nothing but my hearing is shit hot n it drives me insane!! Lol I would love a new bike with no noises r quirks but that will have to wait till I can stop dropping them!! Lol

[johndc]

[quote author="nikkie" I would love a new bike with no noises r quirks but that will have to wait till I can stop dropping them!! Lol [/quote]

A long wait then Nikkie

You can't worry about dropping a new bike, it happens. I've dropped all 4 new bikes I have had Sh*t happens.

and once you've done it, no need to worry anymore

[Lee]

Oct 31, 2013 11:39:31 GMT nikkie said:

I have a funny noise on mine too. It's like as if metal against metal scratching noise n it's not always there just most of the time. Terry n Ste hav looked n told me it's nothing but my hearing is shit hot n it drives me insane!! Lol I would love a new bike with no noises r quirks but that will have to wait till I can stop dropping them!! Lol

It might be the rattle plates on the back of the pads. A little dob of copper slip between the plate and the back if the pad silences them.

[nikkie]

Oct 31, 2013 12:26:22 GMT johndc said:

[quote author="nikkie" I would love a new bike with no noises r quirks but that will have to wait till I can stop dropping them!! Lol

A long wait then Nikkie

You can't worry about dropping a new bike, it happens. I've dropped all 4 new bikes I have had Sh*t happens.

and once you've done it, no need to worry anymore [/quote]
I know. I do try n think of it like that John but whenever I drop them I always do damage n that does my head in. I hate dents, marks n scratches on my bike. Lol.

Thank Lee I'll ask Terry to try that. Ste did remove some part from my back brake calliper as it was binding. He told me it was perfectly safe as I didn't like the idea of anything being removed. If Honda put it in they did it for a reason but I'm sure Ste won't be trying to see me off....... Unless Terry's paying him hmmmmmmm lol

[Lee]

The rattle plates have 4 little lugs on them to hold them in place.
The lugs can become loose but a little nip with some long nosed pliers makes sure they snap snugly back onto the pads.
Sometimes there is a little movement but the little dob of copper slip sandwiched between plate and pad ensures silence