Brakes

[BoomChuck]

So a much more experienced rider friend of mine rode my 1991 GS500 and said my brakes were weak and squishy.  I know the stock brakes are not the best but is that what they normally feal like.. "weak and squishy"?  I have to pull the front brake lever all the way to the handle pretty hard to really get it to grab.  He bled the system and it didn't seem to do anything.
Should I just replace the pads? or should I completely replace the brake lines?  If I should, do steal braided lines make a huge difference?

[galahs]

Mate if he bled your brakes correctly and they are still that bad there must be a mechanical problem.

How old are your pads? Have they worn out so thin that the piston can't push them far enough?

The master cylinder may be worn  may need replacing?

Any leaks? You calliper pistons arn't leaking are they?



My stock brakes were fine and never required that much effort to really grab, and only stiffened a little when fitting stainless brake lines.


I would encourage you to get some decent HH rated pads and a stainless steel braided line for the front if you want better braking than stock, but your braking is deffinately not even at stock levels atm.

[guitarking135]

also check your fluid levels.  and fill with dot 4 or dot 5

[lnb001]

Yea I have an '04 and was thinking about replacing the fluid to Dot5.  The only problem is when i went to autozone the Dot5 bottle said to only put Dot5 into brake lines that were factory filled with Dot5.  Is this true?  What do i do?  Thanks.

-Lucas

[gsJack]

Yea I have an '04 and was thinking about replacing the fluid to Dot5.  The only problem is when i went to autozone the Dot5 bottle said to only put Dot5 into brake lines that were factory filled with Dot5.  Is this true?  What do i do?  Thanks.

-Lucas

True, don't mix Dot 5 with Dot 3 or Dot 4.  Dot 3 and 4 are compatable, GS calls for Dot 4.  I use the Synthetic Dot3/4 fluid.  Read:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=34730.msg387117#msg387117

http://www.valvoline.com/pages/products/product_detail.asp?product=138

[galahs]

To make it even more confusing you can use DOT 3, DOT 4 and DOT 5.1 but not DOT 5 unless you completely flush and correctly clean your brake system first.

Why...

DOT 3, 4 and 5.1 = Glycol Based

Dot 5 = Silicon Based



Why the hell did they name the latest glycol standard DOT 5.1!!!!!
That's going to confuse a lot of people!!! 

[lnb001]

So I can use DOT 5.1.  And don't use Dot 5 unless I correctly clean my system or change the lines altogether?  I know I probably don't need to change the lines, but I was thinking I might just do stainless steel braided in the front.  Is 5.1 just as good as 5?  Thanks.

-Lucas

[dgyver]

Just use DOT 4. Screw all the DOT 5 crap. It is not going to be of any benefit and too much hassle, unless the bike came that way or using all new components.

[BoomChuck]

nope there are no leaks.  so i suppose i should just change the pads first and see if that does the trick.  which pads do you recommend and if needed, which steel braided lines (got links)?

[ben2go]

nope there are no leaks.  so i suppose i should just change the pads first and see if that does the trick.  which pads do you recommend and if needed, which steel braided lines (got links)?

I used EBC HH pads.I never upgraded to SS lines because I upgraded to a katana750 front end.Hel,Russel,or Speglier make good lines.

[galahs]

So I can use DOT 5.1. 

Yes

And don't use Dot 5 unless I correctly clean my system or change the lines altogether?

Correct

I know I probably don't need to change the lines, but I was thinking I might just do stainless steel braided in the front.

Can only benefit braking.

Is 5.1 just as good as 5? 

Same specs like working temps, boiling points etc.
Really not too many bikes would require more than DOT 4 for street use. Some brake fluid companies don't label their DOT 5.1 compliable fluid DOT 5.1 to save confusion. Instead they write in large writing "DOT 4 Extreme" or "DOT 4 Advanced" etc etc and in small writing , exceeds DOT 4 and 5.1 standards.

Thanks.-Lucas

No worries mate