I have a problem with my front brakes. When I pull on the brake lever is goes almost all the way to the grip before the bike starts stopping, and it generally feels very mushy. This is with the adjuster all the eay out. I have tried bleeding with no luck and the brakes don't "pump up". I know the pads are pretty worn. Any guesses on if I need to replace the master cylinder or calipers, or both? Are rebuild kits available?
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james
Its not how fast you go...Its how you go fast.
MC21 Rothmans
RS250
RC31
CRF250X
748R
Porsche (many)
http://members.rennlist.com/j911brick/rennlist3_002.htm

You shouldn't need to replace the calipers or master cylinder. A simple rebuild on both, replaceing the brake lines, and doing a proper job of bleeding the system out will make them work just fine.

If you are 100% sure you bleed the system and there is no air in the system then I would look at rebuilding the calipers, and then the master cylinder.

of course if either of those were to be at fault, you would see them leaking. If they are not leaking then it's your bleeding the system that didn't work. Get a Mighty Vac (power bleeder) and you should be good. If your hoses are crap, replacing them will also help.
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Charles Gallant

Thanks Charles. I'll bet the lines are crap since since they are original and the bike sat for several years. I guess I'll try that first.

Do you still have your RS?
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james
Its not how fast you go...Its how you go fast.
MC21 Rothmans
RS250
RC31
CRF250X
748R
Porsche (many)
http://members.rennlist.com/j911brick/rennlist3_002.htm

Still have the RS. Had it out at Jennings GP two weekends ago, and will be practicing at Barber this coming weekend on it.

As for the line, talk to Andy about the brake lines I have of his (new sets). He may be able to make you a good deal and I can get them shipped to you pretty quickly.
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Charles Gallant

Before you try that, just open up the system. Open up both bleed nipples on the calipers, and the reservoir lid. Fill it right to the top with fluid, and just leave it for a few hours for everything to settle up. Make sure you keep checking the MC reservoir, just to make sure it doesn't run dry. Tighten up the nipples and it should, if nothing is faulty, pump up as normal with a little normal bleeding...
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NSR300R - Why did i ever have a 250...

Actually I may go with stock brake lines since I'm trying to keep the bike totally stock.
_________________
james
Its not how fast you go...Its how you go fast.
MC21 Rothmans
RS250
RC31
CRF250X
748R
Porsche (many)
http://members.rennlist.com/j911brick/rennlist3_002.htm

I found the brakes on the MC 16 that I had piced up were full of 'varnish(?)' or gummed up brake fluid. Rebuilt them with new seals and psitons and have had no issues since.

Thanks Maxim and Canuck13. I'll give that a look.
_________________
james
Its not how fast you go...Its how you go fast.
MC21 Rothmans
RS250
RC31
CRF250X
748R
Porsche (many)
http://members.rennlist.com/j911brick/rennlist3_002.htm

So I pretty much tried everything and nothing really worked. I could hardly even get fluid to come out of the bleeder at all. My last hope was a Mity-Vac which worked well enough to get it to the point where I could bleed it normally. I haven't been home in a couple weeks so I don't know if it is keeping pressure or not.
_________________
james
Its not how fast you go...Its how you go fast.
MC21 Rothmans
RS250
RC31
CRF250X
748R
Porsche (many)
http://members.rennlist.com/j911brick/rennlist3_002.htm

Read an article the other day saying that dot 5s' give a mushy feeling, put it in the benz road car and it seriously aint the same as the fluid just taken out, after i red the article I realised im better off with the dot 4 product, Due to lack of training on product usage and application.
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HRC Is Getting Expensive

Its' like the AIR is crappy at Ground level.

best way to bleed the brakes is with a big syringe attatch it to the bleed nipple with some pipe open the nipple and suck the air out keep repeating this till they work works better than any other method i tried including the pump thing that costs money.
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Honda nc23 CBR400 AERO 1986, 1990 honda NC23 Tri-Arm, 1987VFR400 NC24 Rothmans Rep, NSR250 MC16 1987, CL250s 1983. Moto guzzi zigolo 110cc 1958. Fantic 50cc 1972. Suzuki Cobra Race bike 500cc 2t 1975 , GP125 1975. Triumph T110 1954. BSA Thunderbird 1955. Ariel VB 600 1952, 1990 MuZ 125 etz.

Just checked, its not holding pressure. Time for a new MC I guess.
_________________
james
Its not how fast you go...Its how you go fast.
MC21 Rothmans
RS250
RC31
CRF250X
748R
Porsche (many)
http://members.rennlist.com/j911brick/rennlist3_002.htm