Trying to get ready to go on a ST (2002, ABS) vacation with wifey and work has not been real cooperative. So I dropped the ST off at one of our local bike shops for a front/rear brake fluid change and MC rebuilds earlier this week. They have been good in the past on minor stuff when I get too busy, and they give me great tire/changing prices.
Went to pick the bike up a couple days ago, and the brakes were... weird. The rear pedal was about an inch too high, the front lever had very little play, and front brakes were sticky. Solved the rear pedal problem at the shop by putting the circlip in the correct groove: they had it set at the internal casting mark... and it also seemed to help the brake lever. Got it home and parked it until today. The bike was sitting out in the sun, and when I went to move it into the garage... the front brakes were activated; with zero free play in the lever
Dang it. The ONLY reason I had them do the work is because I was pressed for time. We are now 2 days late departing, and now I'm dicking with this the night before the 3rd delayed departure.
I was able to motor the bike into the garage, and parked it in front of the fan. Tried to loosen both front calipers, and both were locked onto the disks. The rear wheel turned freely. Went inside for 30 minutes or so, went back outside and ... the brakes were fine. ***? So after a bit of thinking, maybe they used old brake fluid that sucked up some water? And when it warms up it expands and activates the brakes? So I called the shop just before they closed, and the mechanic swore he used two containers of new fluid. He also said he only used the lever and foot pedal to pump fluid through the system; he did not use a pressure pump or a sucker.
At this point, changing the fluid and re-bleeding is about all I have time for. I pulled the front master apart, and compared the new parts (from Honda, that I provided in sealed bags) with what they pulled out; they were identical, right down to the direction the rubber cups face. So it's not hardware in the MC.
Any other quick thoughts? I got tonight to fix this; otherwise I'll have to change some luggage around and take the Wing, but I'd much rather take the ST .
Went to pick the bike up a couple days ago, and the brakes were... weird. The rear pedal was about an inch too high, the front lever had very little play, and front brakes were sticky. Solved the rear pedal problem at the shop by putting the circlip in the correct groove: they had it set at the internal casting mark... and it also seemed to help the brake lever. Got it home and parked it until today. The bike was sitting out in the sun, and when I went to move it into the garage... the front brakes were activated; with zero free play in the lever
Dang it. The ONLY reason I had them do the work is because I was pressed for time. We are now 2 days late departing, and now I'm dicking with this the night before the 3rd delayed departure.
I was able to motor the bike into the garage, and parked it in front of the fan. Tried to loosen both front calipers, and both were locked onto the disks. The rear wheel turned freely. Went inside for 30 minutes or so, went back outside and ... the brakes were fine. ***? So after a bit of thinking, maybe they used old brake fluid that sucked up some water? And when it warms up it expands and activates the brakes? So I called the shop just before they closed, and the mechanic swore he used two containers of new fluid. He also said he only used the lever and foot pedal to pump fluid through the system; he did not use a pressure pump or a sucker.
At this point, changing the fluid and re-bleeding is about all I have time for. I pulled the front master apart, and compared the new parts (from Honda, that I provided in sealed bags) with what they pulled out; they were identical, right down to the direction the rubber cups face. So it's not hardware in the MC.
Any other quick thoughts?
I got tonight to fix this; otherwise I'll have to change some luggage around and take the Wing, but I'd much rather take the ST .
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Well at least you have cliffs where you are.