Tamarack
XS400 Member
This is a pretty basic question, but brake work is new to me.
I just installed a new MC on my 84 xs400, using the rest of my old brake assembly. It works, but when I apply the brakes they stay (mostly) engaged. I think that the piston is backing off, but the brake pads stay tight against the rotor. I can turn the wheel with force, but it's tight. My first thought is that I forgot some sort of spring, which is what separates the pads on the hydraulic brakes on my mountain bike. However, the parts diagram show no such thing, so it must work differently.
http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Yamaha/Motorcycle/1983/XS400RK/FRONT+BRAKE+CALIPER/parts.html
My question is how are the pads supposed to move apart after the piston recedes back into the housing? Is it just the banging of the rotor that pushes them back? Or is there supposed to be some other physical mechanism to push the movable pad back? Do the brake pads just need to be greased along the bolt that holds them in, which they slide up and down? Are they supposed to 100% clear the rotor after letting go of the brake lever, or stay loosely against the rotor?
If anyone can explain how this system is supposed to work I would be grateful.
I just installed a new MC on my 84 xs400, using the rest of my old brake assembly. It works, but when I apply the brakes they stay (mostly) engaged. I think that the piston is backing off, but the brake pads stay tight against the rotor. I can turn the wheel with force, but it's tight. My first thought is that I forgot some sort of spring, which is what separates the pads on the hydraulic brakes on my mountain bike. However, the parts diagram show no such thing, so it must work differently.
http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Yamaha/Motorcycle/1983/XS400RK/FRONT+BRAKE+CALIPER/parts.html
My question is how are the pads supposed to move apart after the piston recedes back into the housing? Is it just the banging of the rotor that pushes them back? Or is there supposed to be some other physical mechanism to push the movable pad back? Do the brake pads just need to be greased along the bolt that holds them in, which they slide up and down? Are they supposed to 100% clear the rotor after letting go of the brake lever, or stay loosely against the rotor?
If anyone can explain how this system is supposed to work I would be grateful.