Front calipers are dragging
- 650ed
-
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 15343
- Thanks: 2829
Re: Front calipers are dragging
17 Mar 2016 13:18
If the brake fluid has not been properly maintained (as in changed on a regular basis) you may be in for a nasty surprise. Gloppy stuff can form in the MC, calipers, and brake lines, and that will affect brake performance. Regular maintenance will prevent this. I would start by flushing the brake system very thoroughly with the proper brake fluid; that may solve the problem. Ed
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- RonKZ650
-
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 3709
- Thanks: 245
Re: Front calipers are dragging
17 Mar 2016 18:16
Yes, first change the fluid, then be sure what you are feeling is really drag, and not just normal. Of course all disc brakes have a little drag, some worse than others and some slight drag should be considered normal. If you jack the wheel up and spin it by hand it should not be hard to turn, but isn't going to spin 100% free either. I never had any problems with KZ calipers, but new motorcycles recommend silicon grease for slide pins ect. Napa has a good silicon grease. Much better choice than lithium.
www.napaonline.com/napa/en/p/BK_7651351
www.napaonline.com/napa/en/p/BK_7651351
321,000 miles on KZ's that I can remember. Not going to see any more.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- toolmaker
-
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 217
- Thanks: 19
Re: Front calipers are dragging
18 Mar 2016 05:54
What's the best way to clean out the lines and return holes?
I live near Portland, Oregon and my rider is a '76 KZ900 I bought new. I'm also in the process of restoring another one and a '73 Z1.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- SWest
-
- Offline
- Sustaining Member
- 10 22 2014
- Posts: 23229
- Thanks: 2831
Re: Front calipers are dragging
18 Mar 2016 07:15
Unless they look like they have butter in them, fresh fluid is the thing to use. You don't want brake cleaner on rubber patrs.
Steve
Steve
Z1b1000 1975 Z1b
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- 650ed
-
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 15343
- Thanks: 2829
Re: Front calipers are dragging
18 Mar 2016 07:16
Use clean brake fluid to flush out the old stuff. Ed
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Nessism
-
- Offline
- Sustaining Member
- Posts: 7547
- Thanks: 2911
Re: Front calipers are dragging
18 Mar 2016 07:22 - 18 Mar 2016 07:31
I wouldn't even bother trying to flush out the system. You got chunks of coagulated brake fluid in the caliper and master which is why the system is binding up, and the inside of the brake lines are coated with scale too. You can NOT flush this sort of crap though the system. It won't work.
This photo below is of the inside of my old 750E brake, and the caliper photo shows a typical caliper after 30 years on the road without proper maintenance.
This photo below is of the inside of my old 750E brake, and the caliper photo shows a typical caliper after 30 years on the road without proper maintenance.

Ed
Carb O-ring Kits : www.kzrider.com/forum/3-carburetor/61807...-o-ring-kits?start=0
www.kzrider.com/forum/faq-wiki/618026-new-owner-things-to-know
1981 KZ750E2
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/604901...z750e-project-thread
Carb O-ring Kits : www.kzrider.com/forum/3-carburetor/61807...-o-ring-kits?start=0
www.kzrider.com/forum/faq-wiki/618026-new-owner-things-to-know
1981 KZ750E2
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/604901...z750e-project-thread
Last edit: 18 Mar 2016 07:31 by Nessism.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.