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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Front brake dragging just a bit.
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Message started by LS-Rich on 02/18/14 at 17:45:06

Title: Front brake dragging just a bit.
Post by LS-Rich on 02/18/14 at 17:45:06

Hey guys... It's been a while. Just haven't had any problems with the bike in a long time. Tried to search this just a bit... so if anyone has a link to this I'll be ok. 87 savage front brake is dragging just slightly. Is there a possibility that it's the master cylinder needing rebuilt? The caliper is all cleaned up now and piston moves really freely in and out. Sliders move really freely also. I ordered a master cylinder rebuild kit. My question is.... Has this been a common problem or pretty rare. Is there a "how to" done on this somewhere or is it pretty basic stuff?
Rich

Title: Re: Front brake dragging just a bit.
Post by bobert_FSO on 02/18/14 at 18:31:31

How much drag? It could just be the nature of the beast. ALL disk brakes (not just motorcycles) drag a little, as there is no spring system to force the pads away from the rotor. Shoe brakes have return springs, disk brakes don't.

Title: Re: Front brake dragging just a bit.
Post by Serowbot on 02/18/14 at 21:13:08

+1... bobert...
Some drag is normal... (enough for the disk to be too hot to touch after a ride)...

It's not a problem unless it's actually dragging the bike to a stop...
If you can coast some distance... you're okay...

....(when you do brake pads,... don't forget to lube the guide pins as well as the piston)...

Title: Re: Front brake dragging just a bit.
Post by LS-Rich on 02/18/14 at 21:36:40

Thanks for the reply guys. Feels like when rolling around the garage that something is definitely dragging. When I hold the front wheel up I can only spin it about one revolution. All my other savages spin freely.

Curious as if there is anything to especially look out for when putting the rebuild kit in. Thought maybe someone has been down this road before. I'll let you all know if it takes care of the problem.

So far I've cleaned and lubed the caliper piston and guide pins. Thought maybe there was a sticky spot on the piston so replaced pads thinking it would get the piston in a different spot. Still dragging.

Title: Re: Front brake dragging just a bit.
Post by Serowbot on 02/18/14 at 22:38:35

If you just put in new pads,... you may have installed pads for a Dp bike... they will fit, but are thicker, and will drag...
I only mention it because it has happened before...

If so,... just sand a little away...

It sounds like you did a thorough job...

Title: Re: Front brake dragging just a bit.
Post by thumperclone on 02/18/14 at 23:06:34

been a long time since I did my fronts so wrenchers correct my grey matter shortcomings

pull the pads and gently squeeze the pistons/calipers??

Title: Re: Front brake dragging just a bit.
Post by LS-Rich on 02/19/14 at 05:41:46

Worked the piston out then back in lots of times. It works freely it just doesn't back off quite enough after everything is all back together. Put those pads in after it was dragging thinking there might have been a sticky spot on the piston.

With the caliper off and still hooked up with no pads. If you watch the piston as you pull the lever it moves out. When you release the lever the piston moves back a little each time. I'm thinking that its not moving back in enough after the lever is pulled. Thinking that the piston in the master actually sucks the caliper piston back a little after you apply the brakes..... Just not enough. So I ordered the kit.

Is there anything special to look for when putting the kit in? Was hoping there was a "how to" on it somewhere that I couldn't find.

Title: Re: Front brake dragging just a bit.
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 02/19/14 at 12:45:06

That sounds like normal action for disk brakes. Brembo brakes for serious hot rods positively pull the pads away from the disk. Regular brakes rely on vibration to completely disengage them.,IF you have to press the caliper back on, the pads are too thick, Check what pads you bought & come back & tell exactly which ones you have. There are guys here who know which ones must be clearanced to fit. If you ride the bike & its wrong, youll likely overheat the disk & warp it., But slight contact is normal,I can hear mine when I spin the front tire with it off the ground, but it doesnt rub hard enough to matter,, If you can spin the front tire & it doesnt come to a stop in 2 turns, youre probably okay,, Id wait on more opinionsd on that tho.,.