Front brake concern

[oldguyoldbike]

I have a new to me 82 XS400J with 14,000km.

When backing up the bike there is resistance, so I put it on the center stand and found the front brake drags when turning the wheel backwards but not forward. I flushed the brake fluid but no change. I checked the caliper and nothing is sticking. After a ride the front rotor isn't hot.

Looking for input.

Also, where can I buy a front brake hose as Yamaha no longer stocks?

Many thanks.

 

[NewHavenMike]

i bought a Goodridge Shadow hose along with their special fittings.

I think i bought a 22” length but that would apply to my bike only. You need to measure your own.

Heres the exact hose i bought, you can see that its very clean with the fittings
https://www.dimecitycycles.com/goodridge-shadow-stainless-steel-universal-brake-line.html

Im 99% sure that the banjo bolts on our bikes are 10mm also. So the black fittings are a plug-n-play deal.

 

[spectra]

I have the exact line that Mike posted. Great stuff and will be ordering more for my next build.

 

[billday]

As to your original question: Try spinning each wheel with the bike's weight off it. The resistance could be dried out or shot wheel bearings; or a front tire rubbing on the fender; or some issue with the drive train (chain, sprocket, clutch . . .).

 

[Jeff0133]

...could be any number of things...
Did you check the caliper piston/seals?
The little vent port in the master cylinder is notorious for clogging...
Also...wheel bearings might be shot, is the speedo pick-up thing greased?
Could the disk be warped at all?...what do the break pads look like?
I would take the wheel off, replace consummables(bearings/pads), clean thoroughly, grease(bearings/axle/speedo thingy...)

 

[oldguyoldbike]

The little vent port in the master cylinder is notorious for clogging...

Thanks Jeff - I posted to see if there are common/known issues - based on the condition of the brake fluid when I flushed it (nasty - likely never done) this makes sense - a tear down and new seals for the master are planned over the winter (as well as the other things suggested)- Jim

 

[Old Mose]

I don't know everything about motorcycles But I do know about cars and trucks. In 4 wheel vehicles disc brakes are designed to have enough flex in the wheel to cause the pads to put back when you start going forward after a stop. They will drag slightly if you back up but on a car or truck it's not usually noticable. My bike will drag slightly if I stop and then roll the bike back and has do so since I started riding it. I tried shifting my weight and it stops so I decided it must be working as designed. But as I said, I'm no bike expert!

 

[oldguyoldbike]

The drag is enough that I'm unable to back the bike up. My winter do to list includes cleaning, new seals and diaphragm in the master as there was a lot of jelled(?) brake fluid in it when I got the bike. I flushed the fluid but no change. I will also check the caliper and replace the brake hose.

The attached image is after most of the crap was cleaned from the master.

 

[Old Mose]

Yes, I think you would call that severe. I guess I"m lucky I haven't had that problem. Good Luck

 

[spectra]

I would definitely clean out that master and also the caliper. Line may also just be cleaned unless you want to replace. That looks like it could definitely be an issue.

Keep us posted on what happens.

 

[NewHavenMike]

Its also worth mentioning that the brake lines are only designed to last a couple years. After decades of having brake fluid in them, they will deteriorate from the inside out. So your brake line may look ok but its a disaster inside. Rubber particles will cause clogs and other issues that can mean your life..

 

[oldguyoldbike]

new seals, new hose and cleaning on the winter to do list

 

[fixer59]

Don't forget to replace the caliper mounting bolt rubber O-rings/bushings and grease the pins/bolts that pass through them.

 

[oldguyoldbike]

Thanks for pointing that out fixer.

On the weekend I was taking the front brake master off the bike so I can rebuild it but was scratching my head on how to remove the brake light switch.

My solution was found with a quick search of the forum from a post reply from GearheadRed from 2013.

"The brake and clutch lever brackets have a little hole on the bottom side of them just under the switch. If you stick a smaller size screwdriver in there and push up it will release the tab on the switch that holds it in place."

Thanks to the forum I found the solution and had a good laugh at myself.

Cheers