Rear brake concerns

[timberz]

My son just bought a '96 1200 custom and I've noticed that the rear brake is very hard to get any braking from it. Pads & rotor are in good shape. The brake will stop the bike but you have to put a lot of leg into it to get the job done. Before we start tearing into the master I was wondering if someone had run into this problem and had a solution or something to start looking for. Thanks.

[Fangar]

Originally Posted by timberz

My son just bought a '96 1200 custom and I've noticed that the rear brake is very hard to get any braking from it. Pads & rotor are in good shape. The brake will stop the bike but you have to put a lot of leg into it to get the job done. Before we start tearing into the master I was wondering if someone had run into this problem and had a solution or something to start looking for. Thanks.

Check the rotor for lube (oile /grease). One time I got some leather protectant from my saddle bags on my rear rotor like a bafoon and experienced the same issue. You already checked the pads, you might have some air in the line, so a bleed might be in order.

Have you noticed that there is a lot of travel in the pedal if that is the case, that would lead me to believe there is a pressure, air, bleed issue. If it is hard, but does not stop the bike, then I would lean toward a grease / oily bad pad composition issue.

Good luck!

Fangar

[Boriqua]

I know what you mean ... I cant lock up my back break. I guess I can if I use my heel but I havnet tried that yet. A bleed sounds like a good Idea. Think I will give that a try.
Alex

[timberz]

Originally Posted by Fangar

Check the rotor for lube (oile /grease). One time I got some leather protectant from my saddle bags on my rear rotor like a bafoon and experienced the same issue. You already checked the pads, you might have some air in the line, so a bleed might be in order.

Have you noticed that there is a lot of travel in the pedal if that is the case, that would lead me to believe there is a pressure, air, bleed issue. If it is hard, but does not stop the bike, then I would lean toward a grease / oily bad pad composition issue.

Good luck!

Fangar

Thanks for the info. We'll give both a try.