SoraXS400
1982 XS400
I've read up on here some, but I can't exactly find the solution.
I have a 1982 DOHC XS400. It has 14k miles and everything is running swell now, I cleaned the carbs and synced them. The only thing wrong with it is the brakes. (Also the bike hits a power boost at ~4500rpm, is this normal for everyone else? Only noticed in 1st and 2nd gear)
I noticed yesterday that there was crap all over the rotor, so I took some brake cleaner and sprayed it all over the rotor and caliper. The brakes are clean and dried off but the front brake is still very weak, as in I can push the bike while completely engaging the front brake. I believe it is because the brake line is from 2/82, but my father on the other hand says it's fine and doesn't expand. When we opened the reservoir at the top, it was very dirty. We bled the brakes, they had decent pressure and came out somewhat clean, but even after that I can still push the bike with a fully engaged brake.
Next thing I did was take off the caliper and checked if the pistons were extending, and they are. Not sure as of what to do right now and this bike is going to be very budget friendly, so I don't know how I feel about completely redoing the brake system. I've ordered some new brake pads for the time being, they'll be in Monday. (4/10/17)
I read up on http://xjbikes.com/forums/threads/why-you-need-to-replace-original-brake-lines-w-pics.41400/ this (Also, how do I embed links into text here?) but I don't want to cut into the brakes if I am not going to replace them right away.
Can someone confirm that I am correct in saying that these need to be replaced? I'm only 16 working on this bike with my father and it's quite frustrating to hear that he thinks the brakes are fine, even though I've done all this research and found that these essentially need to be replaced.
I have a 1982 DOHC XS400. It has 14k miles and everything is running swell now, I cleaned the carbs and synced them. The only thing wrong with it is the brakes. (Also the bike hits a power boost at ~4500rpm, is this normal for everyone else? Only noticed in 1st and 2nd gear)
I noticed yesterday that there was crap all over the rotor, so I took some brake cleaner and sprayed it all over the rotor and caliper. The brakes are clean and dried off but the front brake is still very weak, as in I can push the bike while completely engaging the front brake. I believe it is because the brake line is from 2/82, but my father on the other hand says it's fine and doesn't expand. When we opened the reservoir at the top, it was very dirty. We bled the brakes, they had decent pressure and came out somewhat clean, but even after that I can still push the bike with a fully engaged brake.
Next thing I did was take off the caliper and checked if the pistons were extending, and they are. Not sure as of what to do right now and this bike is going to be very budget friendly, so I don't know how I feel about completely redoing the brake system. I've ordered some new brake pads for the time being, they'll be in Monday. (4/10/17)
I read up on http://xjbikes.com/forums/threads/why-you-need-to-replace-original-brake-lines-w-pics.41400/ this (Also, how do I embed links into text here?) but I don't want to cut into the brakes if I am not going to replace them right away.
Can someone confirm that I am correct in saying that these need to be replaced? I'm only 16 working on this bike with my father and it's quite frustrating to hear that he thinks the brakes are fine, even though I've done all this research and found that these essentially need to be replaced.