Topic: My front wheel is not spinning freely!

[bluezboy]

  Please help  this newbie!  Like duh, I was wondering why my  mileage was so lousy on my 750 bike, so I  had my bike on the stand, pushed down on the rear and had my son "try" to spin the wheel, it did not spin easily. this problem just showed itself a few days ago, with a squeal  from the front wheel when I backed it out of the garaged.  According to the manual it looks like all I have to do is adjust the stopper bolt. If this is not correct, please let  this novice know your thoughts before I get in over my head. thanks

[OldSchool_IsCool]

Loosen the bolts that hold your brake caliper together to see if it spins better.  If so, then you prolly need to clean the piston seal within the caliper.  Easy job.

[Brown Bomber]

Check out the brake FAQ
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=259.0

[ekpent]

Clean it out-fairly easy job if all the bolts and fitting come loose. Get the right tools for the job though,proper hex bit on a 3/8 inch ratchet head(Auto-Zone etc.) for splitting caliper,gentle and maybe some heat on the bleeder,be patient,don't He-Man it and strip or break it if it has not seen attention.Easy on the brake line fitting bolt.You will see that if the pads have not been changed, that they are worn at a bad angle from being set up so get some new ones before you start.If you read up and prepare it will take a couple of hours and if not days.Sorry to say but these need to be cleaned at least every couple years to really work right.

[bluezboy]

 Now that I've had a close look at the wheel in daylight, I see that the pads are touching the disc without my hand on the brake! What would cause them to be this close? I haven't tried adjusting the caliper yet, it will have to wait until I get home later, no I will not be riding my bike. More suggestions are welcome

[333]

I'd rebuild the entire brake system, if you're not sure when it was done last(if ever).  The piston seal is $3 or $4 and is the only rubber in the caliper.  Loosen the 2 bolts that hold the caliper to the bracket.  Hold it over a pan and work the brake handle to pump the piston out of the caliper.  If not replacing the pads, keep them from getting brake fluid on them.  Once the piston is out, pump the remaining brake fluid out into the pan and properly discard.  You can now remove the caliper and master cylinder from the brake lines.  Honda has a contact/brake aerosol cleaner that will work well.  The master cylinder kit is around $12.  You will need small needle nose snap ring pliers to replace the innards.  Use the aerosol to clean the caliper and master cylinder bodies well.  Dip your finger in fresh brake fluid and rub down the new rubber parts for lube when reassembling(caliper seal and master cylinder kit).  It is not difficult to get the master cylinder kit installed incorrectly, so be careful.  Use the old parts to get the order and position correct.

You know where we can be found if you need further help.

[bluezboy]

  Stan, thanks for your help, it looks like  a rebuild is what's needed since the brake adjustment I tried did not get the pads to back off of the disc.  I may have to turn this repair over to one of friends who know more, and most likely work along side him, so I know it will be done right the first time.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

If you have a buddy that can wrench, then yes, definitely get hooked up.  It will cost you a lot of beer, but the knowledge gained will be priceless!

[CycleRanger]

While you're checking out the brakes you might take a look at the wheel bearings. If they've never been replaced it's probably time.

[bluezboy]

 I did loosen the caliper bolts a touch and the wheel does spin freely now, but I still plan on rebuilding the front brake. Bearings were replaced recently by the previous owner.

[dhall57]

  Please help  this newbie!  Like duh, I was wondering why my  mileage was so lousy on my 750 bike, so I  had my bike on the stand, pushed down on the rear and had my son "try" to spin the wheel, it did not spin easily. this problem just showed itself a few days ago, with a squeal  from the front wheel when I backed it out of the garaged.  According to the manual it looks like all I have to do is adjust the stopper bolt. If this is not correct, please let  this novice know your thoughts before I get in over my head. thanks

My front brakes are dragging on my 76 CB750 also. My mileage is lousy, about 25mpg. Just bought factory pads and caliper seal from ServiceHonda. The caliper mtn. bolts are cranked down really tight and having trouble getting loose with wheel still on, so wheel is coming off and I'll be able to get to bolts better. I'll let you how it goes.

[ekpent]

Hey Dhall. Those two allen bolts can sometimes be a real pain in the arse.Make sure you have a good fitting set-up on them,like a metric allen mounted on a socket so you can use your ratchet. They will strip,been there done that,had to drill allen out to round and used a very larger extracter I had laying around.