Wits End with Front Calipers

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Wits End with Front Calipers

Wagonpeddler
Both calipers seized. Removed calipers. Removed piston from left caliper, cleaned and reassembled. I was unable to remove piston from right caliper...tried air pressure (worked on other). Thought to re-attach both and pump the stuck piston out. Filled both calipers with fluid, re-attached to brake hoses. Now, brake handle just compresses completely without pumping fluid. Reservoir is full. Pumped it many times. It was working before I removed the calipers. I've just about given up at this point. Can anybody offer some help?
Thank you.
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Re: Wits End with Front Calipers

Beekeeper
Did you bleed the brakes?  There are many threads discussing brake problems related to properly bleeding these brake systems.  Mostly because they don't move a lot of fluid to push the air out.
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Re: Wits End with Front Calipers

Wagonpeddler
I have bled the brakes before, but still had a problem with the pads locking, not retracting. Bleeding did not help, which is why I removed the calipers to re-build them. Are you suggesting trying to bleed them now? I watched every YouTube video I could find on the subject. Any other resources appreciated.
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Re: Wits End with Front Calipers

TOOLS1
Administrator
What he is saying, is yes you need to bleed them. You have air in them. The best way to bleed the brakes on motorcycles is to use a pump type oil can, and a length of rubber hose. Fill the can with brake fluid, attache the hose to the spout on the can, and the open bleeder. Then pump the fluid up to the master cylinder. However you should have diagnosed the brake problem before assuming it was the calipers sticking. The problem could be in the brake lines, or master cylinder.
TOOLS
Life is not about the number of breaths, you take, but the moments that take your breath away.
I don't have an anger problem. I have an idiot problem. Hank Hill
Never confuse education for intelligence.
Happiness is a belt fed weapon.
I just can't imagine what could go wrong.
No fire? No explosions? So whats the point of your story?
Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber. ~Plato
It couldn't be done, but the darn fool didn't know it, and did it anyway.
We all got problems. Ksharp
I like vintage bikes because they take me away from the clutter of technology that I work with everyday and back to a simpler time of mechanical elegance and simplicity.. "ninadm"
Darkwing Duck: The worst part of public transportation is the Public.
"That is awesome shit there" Re-Run
"Fear nothing, attack everything" Eric Berry
" Oh, you read that on the internet? Clearly it IS a massive problem. Of course it CAN’t be normal operation."

1976 CB 750-A X 2
1977 CB 750-A X 4
1977 CB 750-K
1976 CB 750 F
1981 CB 750
1966 Kawasaki SG 250
1981 KZ 750 LTD
1973 CB 350
1979 CM 185 Twinstar
1982 Honda XL 80
South of Eden (Kansas City MO)
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Re: Wits End with Front Calipers

Wagonpeddler
Tools,

 Understand. I am, obviously, not an experienced mechanic. The master pumped fluid before I removed the calipers...therefore, I assumed that the calipers were the issue. I removed the calipers, and suspended the brake lines vertically. Calipers have been off for several weeks. Not sure why now that the master is not pumping fluid. The reservoir is full, and I filled the calipers with fluid before attaching the brake lines.
 Can you suggest what to do next? I do appreciate all advice.
 Thank you
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Re: Wits End with Front Calipers

TOOLS1
Administrator
"yes you need to bleed them. You have air in them. The best way to bleed the brakes on motorcycles is to use a pump type oil can, and a length of rubber hose. Fill the can with brake fluid, attach the hose to the spout on the can, and the open bleeder. Then pump the fluid up to the master cylinder."

The master cylinders on these bikes DO NOT move very much fluid. It is almost impossible for them to overcome the air in a dry system, such as one that has been apart for a several weeks'. Also just because the master cylinder pumped does not mean there is not a problem there. The master cylinder also must be able to release the pressure it pumped. If it can not release the pressure the brakes will remain locked. Also brake lines have been known to go bad and create this problem. They can deteriorate on the inside, and either collapse, only allowing fluid to move one way, or little pieces come off, and plug the orifices in the master cylinder.
TOOLS
Life is not about the number of breaths, you take, but the moments that take your breath away.
I don't have an anger problem. I have an idiot problem. Hank Hill
Never confuse education for intelligence.
Happiness is a belt fed weapon.
I just can't imagine what could go wrong.
No fire? No explosions? So whats the point of your story?
Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber. ~Plato
It couldn't be done, but the darn fool didn't know it, and did it anyway.
We all got problems. Ksharp
I like vintage bikes because they take me away from the clutter of technology that I work with everyday and back to a simpler time of mechanical elegance and simplicity.. "ninadm"
Darkwing Duck: The worst part of public transportation is the Public.
"That is awesome shit there" Re-Run
"Fear nothing, attack everything" Eric Berry
" Oh, you read that on the internet? Clearly it IS a massive problem. Of course it CAN’t be normal operation."

1976 CB 750-A X 2
1977 CB 750-A X 4
1977 CB 750-K
1976 CB 750 F
1981 CB 750
1966 Kawasaki SG 250
1981 KZ 750 LTD
1973 CB 350
1979 CM 185 Twinstar
1982 Honda XL 80
South of Eden (Kansas City MO)