| Author | Message | ||
     Roostre |
'07 XB12X with a bit over 10K on it now. A week or so ago I noticed that the front brake lever "feel" was changing. Sometimes when I grab the brake they were there right away...the next time they didn't start working until they were quite close to the grip. I bought some DOT4 and topped off the reservoir (barely down maybe 1/4"). They seemed better. This morning, I hopped on and headed down the street and grab the brake to stop and there was damn near nothing! Pumped it up and everything seemed fine. In fact the ride home 8 hours later everything was fine. The pads still look to have some meat on them. Is it possible that I need a new master cylinder? Or could the pad wear be the issue? I am farqued either way, as I have a big ride planned this weekend (1100 miles much off pavement and into Montana) and I don't think I could get the parts in time to fix it. Any advice/help is much appreciated. I searched the archives and found nothing really related to my problem.(Yes I suck at searches!) | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
It might be a good idea to purge out your fluid. I think you're supposed to do that anyways at 10,000. You would probably feel an improvement. | ||
| Rwven |
That has to be a warrantee issue. Call the dealer and let them know the situation. | ||
| Roostre |
I'm going to purge the fluid and throw on a set of Lyndall Golds...I just paid 2nd day air on a #@&*# set of brake pads! Hopefully Al will come through! My dealer has been a mixed bag. The hairy knuckle dragger types always tell me NO! No we don't have it, No we don't stock, No we can't look at your bike for two-three weeks! Then you talk to the other guys and its "sure - no problem, we have those in stock, bring it down and we'll squeeze the TPS reset in". All in the same day on one occasion. I will give them a call, but I am not expecting much in the three days I have left. Thanks for the input!  | ||
| Jlnance |
air in the lines? | ||
| Khelton |
Wouldn't risk it until it's right.....per JLNance, bleed the lines | ||
| Pso |
sounds like you have a plan per your Wed. post. good luck and I hope you get your ride in. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Price a m/c rebuild kit. They're cheap (usually $15 or so) and easy to install. Could be you got some dirt in there and it put a nick in the plunger. | ||
| Rotorhead |
I just had the same thing happen on my 06. I have over 40,00 miles on it. Had the front rotor replace once and new pads at 17,000 when it surged bad. I Just did a 7500 mile trip and toward the end of the trip on the blue ridge parkway the brake did exactly what you talk about. I questioned my route down the Dragon but I did it anyway. spooky ride to say the least. So I took the front caliper off and found that only 2 of the 6 pistons were moving. I extended all the pistons fully one side at a time, cleaned the brake dust off with brake cleaner and pipe cleaners. Did a quick function check before I put the caliper back on. 6 free moving pistons and I'm good to go. No more light brake light brake, Blam!!to full nose dive brake. If your under warranty let the dealer do it. If your in a hurry do it your self and save the Dealer bashing on the BadWeb for another job. | ||
| Roostre |
Not really bashing my dealer...just the guys there with an attitude. A little venting...thats all. Rotorhead - I think you may be onto something there- I will pull the caliper tonight and check it. I have had the poor bike buried in greasy salt flat mud in the recent past. That's definitely not the dealers or Buells fault. I also ride in the rain quite often lately. I take full responsibilty for the abuse , and I am very impressed with how much it takes! Thanks for your help Badwebbers! | ||
| Darthane |
I'm going to purge the fluid and throw on a set of Lyndall Golds...I just paid 2nd day air on a #@&*# set of brake pads! Hopefully Al will come through! >.< I think I got the last set before they went on backorder - but I hope not! | ||
| Roostre |
You did. I got the news today.  | ||
| Darthane |
Doh, sorry! >.< | ||
| Roostre |
Well, Rotorhead was on the money! I checked the calipers and sure enough, the top pistons were both struggling. There was alot of dirt and muck built up around the exposed areas on all the pistons. I used brake cleaner and cleaned them up as well as possible without tearing them down. My trip was fabulous and the brakes were perfect the entire ride! Thanks again. | ||
| Rotorhead |
Glad that worked out. I think that gunk bind up leads to the pulsing and brake pad build up on the rotor. So how about some pic's and ride report.  I saw your bike on it's side on ADV. (Message edited by Rotorhead on June 25, 2008) | ||
| Roostre |
So how about some pic's and ride report. Will do! http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/681 7/371655.html?1214454392 |
