Topic: Why She is Noisy and Hard to Push

[Freebirdbeachbum]

The noise: The bottom of the chain is dragging across the centerstand. I'm assuming the original exhaust setup (currently a 4 into 1 culminating on the rights side of the bike) held the centerstand down to keep it from making contact with the chain? The chain has actually carved groves on the inner side of the left foot of the centerstand.

Hard to push: Brake caliper sticky. There are numerous re-build kits available but I'd like to go for quality parts but I find David Silver's prices to be a bit outrageous. Any suggestions of a compromise between David Silver and the cheapest Chinese-made ones?

Thanks in advance. Ken

[BenelliSEI]

You are correct on the centre stand. You need a bracket to hold it down.

If your caliper is not leaking, just take it apart and reuse the existing seal. Clean and polish everything, paying very close attention the the seal groove. Make a small, bent pick and scrape out all the crap in the seal groove. I also use a small brass brush wheel on my Dremel, and polish that groove spotless. If the piston is badly corroded, replace it. Have you tried your local Honda dealer for parts?

[goodtryer]

This came with my latest acquisition. It ain't pretty but it works...

[mrbreeze]

The noise: The bottom of the chain is dragging across the centerstand. I'm assuming the original exhaust setup (currently a 4 into 1 culminating on the rights side of the bike) held the centerstand down to keep it from making contact with the chain? The chain has actually carved groves on the inner side of the left foot of the centerstand.

Hard to push: Brake caliper sticky. There are numerous re-build kits available but I'd like to go for quality parts but I find David Silver's prices to be a bit outrageous. Any suggestions of a compromise between David Silver and the cheapest Chinese-made ones?

Thanks in advance. Ken

Get a fine guitar string and poke it around in the small hole in the bottom of the master cylinder reservoir. The hole is real small and it gets plugged up over time. That's what fixed mine years ago.

[ekpent]

 As Benelli John mentioned taking it apart and getting the piston out of the caliper and cleaning everything up well including removing the seal and cleaning the groove should fix it up and its easy to do. Getting all the corrosion off the edge of the brake pads will help greatly also. Pump the piston out with your master cylinder and don't run out of fluid part way through. If you want to make it easier to push around for now whack the caliper nice and hard a couple of times with a rubber mallet. 

[newday777]

If your chain is adjusted properly(), then you must be either missing the added metal bracket that is needed for an aftermarket 4 into 1 header system to keep the swingarm low enough from the chain, or the bracket is bent up too far. I've been working on a 74 that the bracket was bent up too far. Fine tuning the bracket with a hammer helps(might have to remove the bracket and put in a vice).


This is what Kerker sent with their 4 into 1 header system.

[Alan F.]

Newday777 I have honestly never seen that before. Thank you very much I'll be using a bracket like that every time!

[Freebirdbeachbum]

Have you tried your local Honda dealer for parts?

I find my local Honda dealers carry very little parts inventories these days for modern bikes and nothing for older bikes. It seems the internet has nearly killed their parts business.     

[Don R]

https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/honda/motorcycle/models-with-no-year

[Freebirdbeachbum]

What's with this reddish glue substance used to hold the pads to the caliper?

[newday777]

What's with this reddish glue substance used to hold the pads to the caliper?

Most likely the PO put silicone or brake quiet compound.

[Kevnz]

Might be something like this; either used as a heat path break or to replace the missing anti-squeal ring.

[bryanj]

For the cost ofthe seal and safety i never reuse one and if the piston is pitted get a stainless one

[Bodi]

Or a phenolic piston... someone on the board used to supply them, made by modifying an automotive piston. If you can find one they work great. Stainless is also excellent. Or an original chromed steel one, probably won't rust and cause trouble for a few decades.

[754]

The master cylinder if sitting for a long time , may started leaking after a few hours use.. keep th art in mind if you have nice paint..
 I had one on a bike we woke up was good around town. 1 5 hours into a trip  it started leaking.. i taped a couple bits of rag around  it,  and it seemed to heal itself.. weird..

[Freebirdbeachbum]

I have two pairs of snap ring pliers, neither of which are long and skinny enough to get to the cir clip in the master cylinder. Before I order a long-nose pair that may or may not work, anyone know for certain what I need?

[Don R]

 Get some premium penetrating oil in there asap, you haven't lived until you break both of the ends off of a K0's snap ring. (literally making it a snapped ring) I drilled into the snap ring groove from the side with a tiny bit and popped it right out.  (do not recommend) 
 I'd also tap it with a drift punch to help loosen it. 
 I can't say for sure what brand snap ring pliers will reach, I used a borrowed one. 

[seanbarney41]

I share shop space with ex-pro motorcycle mechanic.  So I always try those plyers first...they have not worked yet.  Clamp the mc in your vice and use two punches.

[Kevnz]

I found a pair of snap ring pliers that have a selection of removeable tips, straight , 45 degree, right angle, etc. Ground down the sides of a straight pair until they fitted. Still a PITA, esp if they are seized in. Never thought about drilling in from the side though. One to remember.

[Freebirdbeachbum]

I manhandled it out with a pick. Not too elegant but a new one is included in the rebuild kit.

[Don R]

 Hot tip, when bleeding don't bring the lever all the way back to the handlebar, brake fluid can get past the piston and sit behind the dust cover. It will wait until it's over paint to drip.

[Freebirdbeachbum]

Hot tip, when bleeding don't bring the lever all the way back to the handlebar, brake fluid can get past the piston and sit behind the dust cover. It will wait until it's over paint to drip.

I hope I’ll remember that when the time comes.

[754]

Snall HAZET snap ring pliers do a good job.. ..l if you can find a set..

[kerryb]

I'm with Kevnz, I get the three-tip set from HF, grind the tips to fit into the space available.  I also replace the pivot pin with a nut and bolt.  I do like the hole in the side idea, I can use that, thanks.

[MauiK3]

I had a sticky caliper that loved to drag. I found it was not the actual hydraulic piston, it was the brake puck. It jammed a little in the bore. I carefully cleaned it and made sure there were no sharp edges, so far so good.