\n<\/p><\/div>"}. Pull the brake lever once or twice to get the pistons seated against the pads. X Inspiration Friday: Ducatis Electric Historic Moment. Next, depress the lever with one hand as you pull hard on the cable. Rebolt the caliper to the bike using the correct torque settings and locktite recommended for your bike. Although not commonly found on modern motorcycles, many bikes riding around the street and trails today are utilizing a drum brake setup. There are of course large modes of transportation, but in this lesson I'll focus on the ways to move yourself that just move you, and maybe one other person. To check the front brake hand lever, sit on your motorcycle and grasp the handlebars; then, place your fingers over the brake lever. Loosen the Barrel Adjuster: wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. View our Privacy Policy here. Step 7: Once all the tiny air bubbles are gone hold pressure on the brake level and re-tighten the brake fluid nipple to close it off. Replace brake fluid every one to two years and your brakes will preform the best they can. suggestions. The hydraulic brake lever is positioned on the handlebar similar to conventional or non- hydraulic levers. Put the clip back in place to lock the pads in. Website operating How do you adjust disc brakes on a motorcycle? Copyright 1999 - 2023 | Total Motorcycle 12 Billion Hits 24 Years 400 million Readers 1 Great Motorcycling Community! Every time you apply the brakes, the pistons press the brake pad against the rotor creating friction which slows the bike down and also results in loss of material on the brake pad itself. Great looking bike! Remove the clamp from one of the other pistons and clamp the piston you just freed. How to Adjust Bike Brakes | Bike Maintenance Watch on To check the front brake hand lever, sit on your motorcycle and grasp the handlebars; then, place your fingers over the brake lever. Make sure to buy enough brake fluid in the DOT type you require. on Inspiration Friday: Privateer Contingency Racing! Crikey, a lot of words to describe this problem. Make note of these if present. I use blue locktite for this but check your repair manual for specific recommendations. Nice photos and tutorial. "Mr. Totalmotorcycle". wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Warning: Avoid using your brakes in the middle of your turn or else you could skid. Owner and Founder of Total Motorcycle. This is the so-called ratcheting action of the hydraulic brake system. Pump the front brake lever; initially it should feel soft. . If there is less than 1/8 inches of pad thickness left then they should be replaced. At the same time, gently press the rear brake pedal. Apply downward pressure on the bike to ensure the frame and axle are in contact. This article has been viewed 48,924 times. Cycle the parking brake several times. Using more brake power at the back would lead to wheel block ups due to the dynamics of braking. ONCE OR TWICE IS ALL YOU NEED TO SEE IF IT IS STUCK OR NOT. It is a good idea when you are working on your brakes to replace these clips. Both should be checked regularly. Last Updated: December 3, 2019 As this occurs, the level of hydraulic fluid in the brake reservoir will be dropping so maintenance top-ups are required. If you have any doubts, then stick with genuine factory parts. If the lever is . Start by easing off the throttle, which will stop you accelerating and engage your engine braking. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. I assume the above pictures are for illustration only. Ensure that the rotor is torqued to the manufacturers specifications. The web site for the bike build is here: http://midnightcustoms.blogspot.com. Step 1: Make sure you have the tools to bleed your brake fluid. Drum brakes are easy to recognize with the drum mounted on the wheel. To turn the knob, push the brake lever forward slightly to lift the master cylinder of the front brakes from its place. on Introduction. Step 3: Loosen the nipple so the fluid is free to flow down the brake bleeding kit tube and into the small container. However keep an eye on disk damage due to incorrect placement of brake pads or anything else. It is worth the cost as it is in the best intrests of your safety. When a rim gets out of round, the ride quality degrades. Take it to a licensed mechanic. Tighten the lock nut when finished. Step 1 - Check the Front Brake Hand Lever Before anything else, you need to make sure that you are comfortable with the size, shape, and position of your front brakes hand levers. This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Can we apply brakes directly on a higher gear? Use the Allen wrench and turn it clockwise 2-3 times until it won't turn anymore. Replace the calipers between the forks of your motorcycle, and lock them in place by tightening the bolts that hold them. 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Apply both the brakes and clutch and promptly bring the gear to the lower position. Tips to Fine Tune Your Motorcycle Fit and Comfort There are a wide variety of easy and simple adjustments you can make to most any motorcycle to achieve better motorcycle fit it to your body shape and size. I hope you find it useful. on All New 2023 Kawasaki Supersport Motorcycles! Over time the disk pads need replacing which is just standard maintenance. . Hang something heavy like a cement block off the rear brake. Make sure to buy enough brake fluid in the DOT type you require. An Octane Media, LLC Publication. Copyright Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. If either brake isnt working properly, its likely to be a result of slack in the cable unless your bike has hydraulic brakes, in which case they probably need bleeding to remove air bubbles. No, you need not bring your motorcycle to the mechanic just to have the brakes adjusted. Brake bleeding kit (rubber fitting, clear hose, small container)C. Brake fluid overflow container (to put the brake bleeding kit small container in)D. RagsE. Remove the e-clip (1) with a flat-blade screwdriver and loosen the axle nut (2) with a 36mm socket. Backlight the caliper to make it easier to see. Now get to work on the remaining pistons, one at a time until they are all free. If you grab the lever and it sinks all the way back to the hand grip, repeat the cleaning process 3 or 4 times until the lever is firm and brakes are applied when the lever is far from the hand grip - the "as new" condition. To adjust either pedal's height, loosen the locknut (s). That means that when you rest your index finger and middle finger on the brake lever, you make a straight line from your fingers across the back of your hand to your wrist and up your arm. - However, if you find it too tight, you can use a 14mm spanner to loosen/tighten it. Finally push the piston back into the caliper. If this doesn't work, you are going to need to go to the next level of correction which requires removal of the caliper from the bike to un-stick the pistons from the seals. Then release the brakes. Roll the bike forward and backward checking on the brake action. To prevent injury, you should adjust your brakes regularly to keep them in top condition. 9 years ago This will increase or decrease tension in the cable. The springs shouldn't fly out at this point and can be removed easily with your fingers. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com).