Topic: 1972 750 front brake lever takes effort

[kmschwarz]

Updated with pictures
Shown is aftermarket master cylinder, drilled disc, and new brake line, rubber, usually snaked and hidden behind Bates headlight.  And a view of the bike itself.  I can lock the front in the garage and move the forks up and down.   Why is there a small brake line to the caliper, seems not rubber.
Having problems with my front brake.  It requires quite a bit of effort to brake, and (sorry, kinda vague) just doesn’t feel right.   I replaced the handle bar assembly with an after market replacement.  Replaced the piston with a new OEM part.  New disc pads, and the rotor was drilled Swiss cheese style.   My other bike is a HD ultra classic, and the brakes are robust and smooth (dual disc).  Is early disc brake performance that much different?
I have pretty much rebuilt the entire system, except the caliper body itself.   For bleeding, I use the little bottle with magnet, and bleeds clean and solid.   Had the bike since 1983.  Kinda at my wits end.   1972 750

[bryanj]

A 70'brake will in no way compare to a 2000 brake but in itself is way better than any 60's brake

[newday777]

If your master cylinder was emptied, you have to 1st bleed at the master cylinder banjo bolt, then the caliper. Old School term is bench bleeding the master cylinder.

[scottly]

I replaced the handle bar assembly with an after market replacement.

What is the size of the piston in the aftermarket master cylinder? The stock MC had a 14mm piston, and was on the large side. The larger the piston, the more effort it takes when squeezing the brake lever.

[jonda500]

What pads did you get?
My cb450 dohc twin leading shoe drum brake was noticeably more powerful that the early honda disc brakes!
John