| Author | Message | ||
     Motorbike |
Well, I think I finally solved the excess front brake lever travel issue on my 08 XT. I guess there must have been a very small air bubble in the line and I just could not get it out after trying all the suggested methods. Thank you all for your ideas nonetheless. I gave Al Lighton at American Sport Bike a call and he gave me some ideas to try, and it worked. This guy is a wealth of Buell knowledge and here is what he suggested: 1. Remove the front wheel. 2. Remove brake pads. 3. Place a thin block of wood between brake pistons and pump the lever to extend all 6 pistons slightly beyond their normal travel. (Do not extend the pistons too far or you will be doing a caliper rebuild. If the piston comes out or fluid starts leaking, you went too far.) 4. Spray caliper and pistons with brake cleaner. Carefully clean outside surface of all pistons, all the way around. If you do not do this, fine brake dust will possibly be pushed in past the seals when pistons are pushed back into the bores. (This dust will contaminate your fluid and may also cause the seals to leak.) 5. Carefully tap lightly on caliper to help any air bubbles rise to the top. 6. Tap repeatedly and lightly on the brake lever with your fingers. Just tap, tap, tap several times, allowing lever to snap back to released position. 7. Remove master cylinder cover. 8. Slowly push pistons back into the caliper and watch for air bubbles to come up through the fluid in master cylinder. Use caution doing this because fluid will shoot up like a geyser and then run down the side of the frame. DAMHIK. (I did not actually see a bubble but I was pushing the pistons back in before I started watching the master cylinder.) 9. Re-install the front wheel and pads. 10. Pump the lever to move pads out to the disk. 11. Enjoy having good solid brake lever feel, the way it should be. Thanks to all of you and to Al Lighton at American Sport Bike. I will be placing an order to him for some new front and rear pads soon. Thanks! |
