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Author Topic: ? Buying a bike and there is yellow oxidation beneath the front brake pad.  (Read 1688 times)

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Newbie 550k

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? Buying a bike and there is yellow oxidation beneath the front brake pad.
« on: August 10, 2006, 09:25:23 PM »
Hello -

Does anyone know what this is?

I'm buying a cb550k that was last registered in 1995 and is in amazing condition. 
There was only one thing that looked bad.  Which was this yellowish oxidation crud all clumped up beneath the brake pad.
The brake pad itself looked fine though.

Any help,
Aaron
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Offline scondon

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Re: ? Buying a bike and there is yellow oxidation beneath the front brake pad.
« Reply #1 on: August 10, 2006, 09:56:32 PM »
    If the bike has been sitting for over 10 years then it's very likely that the brake fluid has turned to a hard yellow crystally mess throughout the entire brake system. Bikes that have been sitting a loooong time can look to be in "great" shape but often require a lot of work to get them road worthy again.
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Offline bryanj

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Re: ? Buying a bike and there is yellow oxidation beneath the front brake pad.
« Reply #2 on: August 11, 2006, 01:36:33 AM »
Sounds like the original grease gone bad BUT a full fluid change and brake caliper/pivot desieze is probably in order
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Offline 750goes

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Re: ? Buying a bike and there is yellow oxidation beneath the front brake pad.
« Reply #3 on: August 11, 2006, 02:08:46 AM »
Post a photo if you can... that will help a lot..

Pads may look fine, but sitting for several years they could have deteriorated or be ok..
Does the brake still work, can you see the pad on the piston side move in/out of the caliper ??
Fluid in the handlebar resevoir??

hope this helps :)
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Offline OldSchool_IsCool

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Re: ? Buying a bike and there is yellow oxidation beneath the front brake pad.
« Reply #4 on: August 11, 2006, 08:38:01 AM »
Pics are a definite help.  oh, and consider changing your name.  You will only be a "newbie" for 46 more posts.  Depending on how much work you have to do on your bike, you'll be an "Enthusiast" before you know it!!

In fact, with this very post, I earned my Enthusiast stripe!! *does a happy dance*
« Last Edit: August 11, 2006, 08:40:23 AM by OldSchool_IsCool »
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Newbie 550k

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Re: ? Buying a bike and there is yellow oxidation beneath the front brake pad.
« Reply #5 on: August 11, 2006, 09:14:49 AM »
thanks for the info.

I'll post a pic later tonight.

(FYI - Its the front brake)

So in any of the scenarios, I should be able to fix it fairly inexpensively with out buying new brake lines ect.. ?

*glad I could be of service oldschool!

« Last Edit: August 11, 2006, 09:17:02 AM by Newbie 550k »
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Offline Bob Wessner

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Re: ? Buying a bike and there is yellow oxidation beneath the front brake pad.
« Reply #6 on: August 11, 2006, 09:37:25 AM »
Quote
with out buying new brake lines

They tend to get hard and brittle so I wouldn't rule out having to replace them. Remember, you have a lot riding on this system working properly every time you need it.
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Offline OldSchool_IsCool

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Re: ? Buying a bike and there is yellow oxidation beneath the front brake pad.
« Reply #7 on: August 11, 2006, 09:51:24 AM »
ohhhhh you want to FIX the problem!  That's much different then just identifying it!  ;)

Depends on what is bad.  I'd replace the fluid and the pads at a minimum.  Both are cheap and relatively easy.  And it will get you familiar with the tools you will need as you progress on the rest of this project.  Make sure all parts can move within their allowed ranges.  Manuals are well worth the price and/or download time.

If the brake lines are original, look for cracking.  They are far more likely to fail during a panic stop when your life is on the line rather then sitting in the garage when the only risk is a clean floor.  New stainless steel lines (I think there are 2 on this bike) will run you about $100 US. 

Ceased caliper?  Leaky master cylinder?  Rebuild kits aren't too bad but replacements are pricey. 

Is your rotor within spec?  Do you get a vibration or a pulse when applying the front brake at speed?  Rotors are VERY pricey new, but sometimes come up on FeeBay.  Consider tho that a new rotor may last you the next 30 years, so it may be worth the investment.

OK, that should take care of the front brake.  Let us know which system you plan to tackle next!
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Can I have a motorcycle when I get old enough?
If you take care of it.
What do you have to do?
Lot’s of things. You’ve been watching me.
Will you show me all of them?
Sure.
Is it hard?
Not if you have the right attitudes. It’s having the right attitudes that’s hard.

Newbie 550k

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Re: ? Buying a bike and there is yellow oxidation beneath the front brake pad.
« Reply #8 on: August 12, 2006, 04:10:15 PM »
Ok, here are the pics of the front brake with the yellow oxidation crud.

I also noticed that the (1) brake fluid resevoir is empty and (2) there is some of what appears to be the same yellow oxidation crud bearly visable in the one of the drain holes in the resevoir, it can just bearly be seen in this pic. (3) the brake lever has no tension, I assume because there is no fluid pressure in the lines.

Any input as to the cause and solution to fix it?

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Newbie 550k

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Re: ? Buying a bike and there is yellow oxidation beneath the front brake pad.
« Reply #9 on: August 12, 2006, 04:12:20 PM »
The bike just obtained and uncleaned.
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Offline 750goes

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Re: ? Buying a bike and there is yellow oxidation beneath the front brake pad.
« Reply #10 on: August 12, 2006, 04:47:33 PM »
Definitely dried out fluid of some sort.

I would think that you need to do the following things to resurrect your front brake..

- wipe out and clean the reservoir
- make sure the drain hole for the fluid is clear at the bottom of the reservoir
- you may need to take the caliper off the bike for a good component inspection and clean
- if you can take the brake pad out of the piston side of the caliper and check both pads for wear and contamination
- inpect the seal around the piston for leaking - I think this is where you will find most of your problems

the rest is just clean and replace as necessary...

then run some clean brake fluid through the brake lines, and hopefully after bleeding everything will be better than what you have at the moment - which is nada..

good pictures - looks like there is also some junk on the disc rotor which needs to be cleaned off.

apart from that the whole bike looks pretty good.. :)
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