So, here's the story -
Got a 1978 CB550K that hadn't been ridden or started in about 14 years. Spent the last two months getting it all figured out and put back to the way it was. Got plates for it and even rode it to work last week - Only thing left to do is get it inspected next week.
Two things on my list for this weekend were first, fix the speedometer and second, put a rebuild kit and new brake pads on the front caliper. Thing is, the front brake wasn't releasing all the way = It didn't keep me from riding it last week, as it just squeaked a little and rubbed ever-so-slightly.
Speedometer = Fixed.
Now the brakes and my issue - I took the two halves of the caliper apart and pulled the brake pads. On the non-piston side, the pad had a lot left to it, but it was scored pretty significantly, and that half of the caliper was pretty funky. Cleaned it up, repainted it, put the new pad in and also a new cotter pin that came with the rebuild kit.
I used the brake lever to push the piston out of the other half of the caliper. That side got a new rubber washer inside, I cleaned up the piston, put a new bleeder cap on it, stuck the plastic washer and the new piston pad in, and gave it a coat of paint.
So, when I put the two halves back together on the bike, tightening the two caliper bolts carefully made the piston side brake pad retract, no problem. As I tightened the bolts to spec, of course, the pads clamped on the disc, but I figured when I bled the line, it would retract.
Line got bled and everything buttoned up, but now I can't move the front wheel, because the caliper won't pull the brake pads apart when I let go of the lever. As a test, I loosened the caliper bolts a little and then squeezed the brake lever again, which clamped down on the disc like it should, but then they wouldn't retract again.
I checked both holes inside the master cylinder, and they're both clear. I even stuck a guitar string down in the little one, and with the MC cap off, plenty of brake fluid comes shooting out of that little hole when I release the lever.
My uneducated guess is that one of the plungers and/or pistons inside the master cylinder isn't doing its job, and that this needs a rebuild now. However, it's also entirely possible that y'all know several things that I don't, and can point me in another direction. This is my first-ever brake job...and I don't know exactly what's wrong but I know this ain't right.
What do I do next...?
