Hi,
On Sunday (in 30 degree heat - if relevant) my rear brakes felt as if they were binding a little after a 1 hour break in a 100 mile round trip. I managed to get around 1 mile away and the rears just completely locked up. Managed (with help!) to drag the bike to the side of the road and free them by loosening a bleed nipple and forcing the pads off the disc.
I rode home (only another mile or so) using only the front brake (I'm guessing the rears must have been engaged due to the combined braking system) without issue.
I've read a few threads which point towards the SMC being faulty, but have a couple of questions:
- Is it possible this was a one off due to the heat - I also had clutch issues for the last mile?
- Should I check anything else first?
- Is it a job that can be carried out by a novice using a Haines Manual / this forum as a guide?
- Any idea of cost (UK based)?
It's a 2003 1300 ABS with 73k on the clock. I've only had it since January so know little about it's history, although it does have a decent service history record.
Thanks in advance
Hi
I have recently had this exact same issue and the bike has been off the road for some 6 weeks mainly waiting for parts which are all special order in the uk. Its related without doubt to the secondary master cylinder (smc) on the left front fork on the st1300. The piston compresses when the front forks move through breaking so its not actually linked to the front brake fluid system at all.
My back brakes cooked metal on metal on metal as I was on a group ride and could not get off and it did not feel that bad. When I did stop to look at the issue the thing was smoking and nothing was left of 3 weeks old rear brake pads. I now know putting water on something so hot is not a good idea but I thought it was going to set on fire, the rear ~rubber hose went bang and I had normal front brakes to get home. The smc part number was superseded, I have been told, in 2008 and all earlier models have a potential issue with the smc and rear brake binding or locking up. The ports inside have now been made bigger and a new part number issued for all post 2008 models which should have the later and modified smc. Obviously Honda are not going to advertise this issue and take any ownership but a winter swap of the smc will prevent this ever happening to you. If the pipe had not gone bang and it freed up the rear end I would of been stranded an hour from home on my daughters 21st birthday afternoon tea party and been forever in the dog house!
The rear brake lines have been changed along with drive shaft bearings and head stock bearings, which all needed doing along with a brand new smc, a reasonable £800 bill followed and the bike runs like a dream. There is no rear brake binding at all and iv tested it several times, this was a constant issue before whenever the thing got hot or on a long run. A few times I have had rear end binding noises on motorway services and the like and I have had the wheel bearings checked by other mechanics who like me had no clue what this issue was. Im told it can also be linked to air in the system and there is a good write up on the forum about taking off the smc to tilt and get the air out when bleeding rear lines .. any air or moisture will obviously affect the brake fluid expansion nature and potentially cause an issue with rear brake bind. It could also of been the start of the issue with the smc so if you have a binding issue best to change a pre 2008 smc to the new one and replace the fluid ensuring no air is trapped by using a vacuum pump as mentioned in this thread.
I am not that mechanically minded, more a rider than a fixer, but I am very pleased to say that my bike now runs better than ever and I am very grateful to Simon at Chase Superbikes Centre near Cannock UK - a rare breed of professional bike mechanic who really knows his stuff.
With rear brake lock up linked to this issue just slacken off the rear brake nipple and you can ride with normal front brakes .. dont apply water and stop as soon as possible - advice I could of done with when it happened to me! A new smc, flush and new fluid correctly bled would be a worthwhile investment to any rider of pre 2008 st1300, especially if you are experiencing any rear brake binding.
re Honda ST1300 2004 70k non-abs
Mark Burrows
Pan Clan Member