Front Brake Leak

[fred]

Last night when I went to ride out of the parking lot from work, I noticed that my front brake was gone. The lever went all the way to the bars and didn't even lock up the wheel. I pulled back into the parking lot and was able to hear a leak from the caliper area. Annoying since the lines are stainless HEL lines I put on a couple of months ago along with a junkyard caliper that looked good when I put it on there. I borrowed my coworker's KLR 250 to get home (he keeps it at work and barely ever drives it, so he was happy to lend it to me). I'm going to head over there tomorrow and take a look at it. Looks like I'm either going to have to rebuild my caliper or complain to HEL about failed stainless lines. Are caliper rebuild kits available for a 1994 GS or do I have to just go to bikebandit or the dealer and order all the seals individually?

[ineedanap]

No idea fred...but

I got a mint 2005 caliper for $25 on ebay and it came with nearly new pads.  It's a better design than the 94 and a complete bolt on but you probably already knew that.  I hate rebuilding calipers and won't do it anymore if I can avoid it.  Just saying it might be cheaper and easier.  If you do go this way make sure you get the banjo bolt with it.  They are different lengths.  Just my $.02. 

[lilbill]

I got all the seals from a local shop they had them in stock.  Not very expensive and the rebuild was painless in my opinion.  However if you need new pistons you may be better off getting another caliper for the price.

[fred]

Thanks! I'm about to head to work and figure out what is leaking. I don't mind rebuilding the caliper, but getting a newer caliper is a good idea. I'll go figure out the condition of the caliper I've got and post again when I figure out what's leaking and what I'm going to do about it. Thanks again for your input.

[simoniz]

Start with the cheap stuff first Fred - could be a bad crush washer at the caliper causing the fluid leak. Find out why it's leaking, and where, so you don't get caught again.......like on a high speed ride.......

[bill14224]

^ Yeah, I agree.  Could be the line just came loose.  Makes sense since you just changed them.  Good luck, Fred!  If a caliper seal is leaking, I doubt you would need pistons.. I mean, you ride like me, right?

[fred]

Start with the cheap stuff first Fred - could be a bad crush washer at the caliper causing the fluid leak. Find out why it's leaking, and where, so you don't get caught again.......like on a high speed ride.......

I took a look at it today and it is definitely a caliper seal leaking, not a crush washer. The banjo bolt area is totally dry and clean. I can hear the leak coming from the caliper itself, so I ordered a full set of seals so I can rebuild it. The dealer should have them in some time this week... Also, I took a good look at the rotor, and it is starting to get a groove in it    ! The rotor and pads were changed at the same time and really aren't that old. I do ride in traffic pretty much all the time, so I'm always on and off the brakes, but I swear I don't ride them and I don't ride them super hard like I'm at the track. Stupid EBC rotor, it was only half the price of a stock rotor, but if it only lasts half as long or less, what's the point?

I also worked on my project bike today and made basically no headway, but that's another post...

[fred]

I finally got the seals and installed them. It took the dealer a week to get the seals in stock, grr! The grooves that hold the dust seals were super crazy corroded and it took forever with a scotch bright and the better part of a can of brake parts cleaner to get them clean again. So far so good, the front brake was nice and firm on the ride home.