oil contaminated pads

[Rema1000]

I gave my bike a thorough wash recently.  I forgot to wipe down the rotors with acetone afterwards.  I think I must have gotten oil or grime onto the front rotor, because the front brake seemed very squishy afterwards.

The pads are pretty new, so I hate to toss them them out.  Is there any way to clean them? I think I read of a procedure for recovering soiled bicycle disc brake pads.  That involved heating them on a hot-plate, friction material up, until they quit smoking.

[Kasumi]

Just get the front wheel off the floor so it is free to spin - i dunno if you can put it on centre stand and counterweight the back. Then just wipe the brake disc as you spin the wheel, then apply the brakes lightly and keep rubbing off the crap. They shouldn't feel squishy they should just feel like inefficient.

[scottpA_GS]

I gave my bike a thorough wash recently.  I forgot to wipe down the rotors with acetone afterwards.

I have never done anything to the rotors after washing and they always work fine... At work they wash dozens of bikes everyday and NEVER put anything on the rotors...

You may have another underlying problem or... You just "think" they are soft 

[sledge]

I am with Scott. Washing the bike wont harm the pads, they get wet everytime it rains and the disc is continualy picking up grime and dirt from the road. The pads might have soaked up a small amount of water but this will soon evaporate in use.

[GeeP]

Did you ride immediately after washing?

When the brakes are wet they will be less efficient.  It takes a few stops to burn off the water and warm up the pads.  It will require more effort to stop when the brakes are wet, which is why you should warm the pads occasionally while riding in the rain.

The "squishy" feeling might be due to air in the brake lines, stock! brake line, or old brake fluid.  It could just be you too.   

[Rema1000]

No, I enjoyed a 6-pack while washing, so didn't ride that evening.  I was scrubbing the wheels with Simple Green, and probably swiped one of the rags across a brake disc while working around the hub at some point.  I remember thinking "oops, I should clean that up disc afterwards" while washing, but forgot later.

Maybe it is my imagination; I have been riding another bike too, which has a crisper front brake.

[GeeP]

oh, and a HOLY shaZam!!  Haven't seen you around here in a while.   

What's this new hotness you speak of?   

[scottpA_GS]

No, I enjoyed a 6-pack while washing, so didn't ride that evening.  I was scrubbing the wheels with Simple Green, and probably swiped one of the rags across a brake disc while working around the hub at some point.  I remember thinking "oops, I should clean that up disc afterwards" while washing, but forgot later.

Maybe it is my imagination; I have been riding another bike too, which has a crisper front brake.

Yea...


Simple green isnt gonna make your brakes weak 

[ohgood]

If you gave it a thorough cleaning there is a possibility you have water in your brake fluid. The gasket on the resevoir could have deteriorated just enough to allow water in, and contaninating the brake fluid. I don't know that you would feel it immediately, but its possible.

I have felt a 'hello my brakes are wet and not performing very well' feeling before, but only in heavy rain.

I haven't felt a 'squishy' feeling from the master cylinder that I can remember, other than the time my rear caliper was bouncing off the wheel thanks to an incompetent shop. (Search for Ron's Cycle Supply if you want to read more about that)

I'd go with bleeding the system until nothing but clear runs through, and I was certain there were no bubbles.

I don't know what the possibility is of Simple Green breaking down the pad material, or the adhesive holding the pad material to the metal backing. ANything is possible though. If you suspect they have absorbed _anything_, tack them to the wall of your garage and write "I think these could have killed me" underneath.

2 cents, plus change.

[sledge]

Water when added to brake fluid lowers its boiling point, upshot is that when it becomes hot in use the water content boils off and leaves tiny bubbles of vapour. Over time these bubbles collect together and lead to loss of feel and the "squishiness" described. Brake fluid by its very nature is hygroscopic, particularly the lower DOT rated ones and will readily absorb moisture. Its good practise to keep it in a sealed container, store it in a warm and dry enviroment and avoid shaking the bottle.

[Rema1000]

oh, and a HOLY shaZam!!  Haven't seen you around here in a while.

Thanks, I notice that I still average almost 1 post per day, in 4.5 years here.  I haven't had as much on-line time the last couple years, but am still riding the same GS.

What's this new hotness you speak of?   

Ahm, well, actually the other ride is a little single-cylinder 150cc Piaggio LT150.  Top speed, 57mph.  It's better behaved on ice than the GS, so I favor it from November through February.  I don't ride the freeways then anyways.  Kinda funny that it has the better brakes.  That probably means that I should take a closer look at the GS brakes.

I don't know what the possibility is of Simple Green breaking down the pad material, or the adhesive holding the pad material to the metal backing.

I wasn't so much worried about the Simple Green, as the filthy oily rag I was wiping with.  I lube with chain oil, so I get a good bit of chain fling-off on the wheels.  I call it my "rustproofing" against spring road salt .

[bobthebiker]

Ahm, well, actually the other ride is a little single-cylinder 150cc Piaggio LT150.  Top speed, 57mph.  It's better behaved on ice than the GS, so I favor it from November through February.  I don't ride the freeways then anyways.  Kinda funny that it has the better brakes.  That probably means that I should take a closer look at the GS brakes.

I think the feeling that your scooter has better brakes may have a lot to do with the fact that its probably a good hundred pounds lighter.   but looking at your brakes and seeing if theres anything broken, contaminated or loose is always a good idea.  lot less pain than gambling with your life on a brake that may or may not work when you really need it.