Rear brake seized?

[spyug]

I'm losing track of how many sets of calipers and masters I've cleaned in the last 8 or 9 seasons but I remember that at least 70% of them are seriously grunged up. Maybe not as bad as Ed's pic shows but often close. For some reason folks don't change the brake fluid frequently enough over the years. There must be a fear of doing it or more likely if its working , why bother. You need to bother as your life may depend on it!

Take the advice and clean and rebuild your entire brake system including the rear brake pivot as Eric mentions.

Cleaning brakes is not difficult and there is lots of information on the subject so there is no reason not to do it.

Remember, "Your life may depend on them".

Now get to it.
Spyug

[Nessism]

Have you gotten your spare clutch and brake levers?
As you tend to drop your bike often. Once per how many/few miles ridden?

I never said it was the ONLY thing just extremely common on something that is thirty years old and has no provision to be greased in the first place.

Any pic's of your bike to show him how it is done?
We want him to take advice from an expert such as yourself with all of your years of EXPERIENCE.
How long have you owned a GS Suzuki again?


Eric

Eric, how come you can't make your point without the personal insults or sarcasm?

Scott's concern is real. Even though you are correct in suggesting that the brake pedal pivot may be rusted in place, a more comprehensive approach toward safe brakes involves making sure the system is clean. Suzuki calls for changing out the brake lines every two years, which obviously is excessive, but the point is that many people never even change their brake fluid so some higher level maintenance is highly recommended.

[7981GS]

Eric, how come you can't make your point without the personal insults or sarcasm?

Scott's concern is real. Even though you are correct in suggesting that the brake pedal pivot may be rusted in place, a more comprehensive approach toward safe brakes involves making sure the system is clean. Suzuki calls for changing out the brake lines every two years, which obviously is excessive, but the point is that many people never even change their brake fluid so some higher level maintenance is highly recommended.

Because Scott is just upset that I wouldn't clean, polish and paint the complete air intake system that I wasted a good bit of time taking (10) pictures,
cropping for clear image's and practically was GIVING AWAY to him for his 550.($40 plus shipping)
Then, he wanted every screw, nut, washer and clip for it as if he had none of the parts on his bike.
So, I wasted another hour for him only to have him cheap out because cheap wasn't FREE!
Apparently everyone else gives him parts for FREE to support his bike?
One of TEN close-up pictures that he received...




So now, HE has been following me around trying to discredit me. Understand now?
Check the 7th Annual Western States Rally thread for another recent example.

Of course, you should make certain that your complete brake system is up to snuff when you buy a bike of questionable maintenance history.
Isn't it part of the top ten mistakes list?

Just sayin'

Eric

[cowboyup3371]

Fortunately, I'm taking my lunch break and figured I'd look in on this and noticed we resorted to acting like a child. Based on what little I know of you Eric I assumed you were much much older than me especially since you seem as though you are retired now. Good for you.

I chose not to take the air box from you solely due to your condescending attitude in your emails. I also chose not to express my real reasons here out of RESPECT for YOU and others who might want to do business with you. I asked for the pictures because there were two parts missing from my air box setup that are now either jerry-rigged or replaced with the piece that is not working correctly as we assumed it was. Therefore I am looking for a COMPLETE setup. Your holier-than-thou attitude is for the birds and little kids - not other adults. It also does not cost $30 to ship any of that as I KNOW you could have gotten a flat rate Priority box that would have held all of that. Yet you're the one who jumped up and down for getting a piece for only $20.

There's a reason why people don't care for you and it's your attitude. I've never seen one comment from you towards others without it and I sure am glad I don't live out that way.

To the OP: Please take care of your system properly so you can keep your bike running correctly. Yes, I've taken a couple of spills for dumb reasons. I'm also a new rider and will freely admit to it. But none of them have been because of poor brakes as I did them correctly by thoroughly cleaning them out and wiping everything down as recommended by the real experts here.

[Allie]

Because Scott is just upset that I wouldn't clean, polish and paint the complete air intake system that I wasted a good bit of time taking (10) pictures,
cropping for clear image's and practically was GIVING AWAY to him for his 550.($40 plus shipping)
Then, he wanted every screw, nut, washer and clip for it as if he had none of the parts on his bike.
So, I wasted another hour for him only to have him cheap out because cheap wasn't FREE!
Apparently everyone else gives him parts for FREE to support his bike?
One of TEN close-up pictures that he received...




So now, HE has been following me around trying to discredit me. Understand now?
Check the 7th Annual Western States Rally thread for another recent example.

Of course, you should make certain that your complete brake system is up to snuff when you buy a bike of questionable maintenance history.
Isn't it part of the top ten mistakes list?

Just sayin'

Eric

Maybe so, but in this case he addressed a real concern relevant to the thread. Guys, try to keep your petty squabbles to yourselves if you're at ALL able...

[rustybronco]

Yes Mother dear!

[kb_air]

yea man, its not hard. just unbolt your calipers off and take the pads out and pump the brake till the cylinder pops out (or close enough to pull out), clean it up REALLY good, lube it up with some brake fluid before you put it back in and USE A C-CLAMP TO SIT IT IN TIGHT (you can get one at walmart for 3 bucks and its a invaluable tool i use every time i mess with brakes.)

that fixed my front brake seizing problem. most problems mechanicly on these bikes, it seems, is just dirt and grime. if the actual brake pedal is sticky then clean that as well. good luck to you (and by the way, most people on this site dont squabble like children all the time )

take this advice for what it is, this is my personal experience and I am in no way claiming to be some brake god, but this is simple and just might help, and cost nothing besides fluids and a c-clamp if you don't have one. I would try it before i replaced anything.

oh also, if your brake pads are way way way worn, it can push the cylender out too far to go back in properly, so if they are super old replace them, this is common sense but sometimes we need reminders.

[beardedmonkey]

Thanks all. Turns out there wasn't any problem with the brakes -- the back wheel is supposed to turn with a little bit of resistance. We took a look at everything and I called the previous owner, and he told me he rebuilt the brakes and changed the fluid last fall. Anyway, thanks again!

[Gonzo]

Wait, what? Just how much resistance is there if you confused normal drag with a seized brake? Of course the rear is going to put up some fight since you will be turning the drive (chain or shaft, what ever the case is), but, it will not feel like a brake is seized or dragging.

Did the rotors get hot even if you didn't touch the rear brake?

If you need reference, unbolt the rear caliper and spin the wheel. That will give you a base line of what it should feel like when the brakes aren't biting.

[tkent02]

The dread "PO did the maintenance" syndrome... Did he or didn't he... Do I trust him or do I not... Trust but check a little bit? Hell, I've only ever had one PO who did anything right, most couldn't change a spark plug in a lawnmower. Check your brakes unless you bought it from your dad. A brake locking up at speed hurts.

[beardedmonkey]

Gonzo -- I'll put it this way: same resistance as there is on my friend's bike, and his is brand new.

Tkent02 -- you've got a point. I'll check the brakes next weekend.

[1_v8_merc]

Either do it ALL, or take it to someone who Can.
Don't bother doing "some" of it...you're wasting your time.


I almost got ran over by an 18-wheeler one night, at low
speed, because my Right-front caliper decided to lock up, which caused a violent Jerk in the handlebars. I was barely able to fight it quick enough, to keep it from dumping. Plus I was riding around with dry forks.
The day Before that, I was flushing my front brakes "thinking" it would be okay for a while.(just got the bike)

Thats how people get killed, a bunch of "small" things stack up at JUST the right time and then game over.

Lack of maintenance on your brakes might not "seem" like a big deal, because they seem to work fine on a daily ride. But what's going to happen when you get caught in a complete ****storm situation, and you've got bad news on all Four corners...that's the day your brakes just "happen" to mal-function.