Newbie needs a little help.

[jakeolsen]

First of all I would like to say hello to everyone. My name is Jake, and I just recently picked up a 1980 GS550e. I've got her running after rebuilding the carbs.(What a trip!) The problem that I currently have is the foot brake lever is really stiff. I cannot press it all the way down, and it doesn't come back up. I thought about maybe trying to bleed the brakes, but I'm not sure if this would help. I have dealt with quite a few bike problems before, but I don't know where to start when it comes the brakes(besides changing pads). Any help would be appreciated!

[Agemax]

sounds like a pedal problem not a caliper problem. strip out the rear pedal, clean it up and grease up the pivot points. should cure your problem

[jakeolsen]

Ok, are you talking about the rod that it pushes up into the cylinder(not really sure what it's called)?

[Agemax]

the whole lever itself, where it bolts and pivots on its mounting. disconnect the rod from the lever then strip the whole lot off, clean and grease

[chuck hahn]

No he means to remove the brake pedal from the spline...pull the connecting pin that connects to the rod that pushes up on the master cylinder. Remove the brake lever shaft from the frame.. clean all the junk out of the frame hole and off the shaft that goes thru.. grease the shaft and reassemble it all

[jakeolsen]

Alright thanks guys. I'll give it a try and report back later.

[jakeolsen]

Thanks guys! I still need to bleed the brakes and get out all of that beautiful brown stuff, but the lever is working much better now!