Hi all, Sorry this is a little long!
I changed my brake pads, fluid and front wheel (second hand) lately. Some questions about the outcome.. my mechanical skills are fledgling to say the least..
Q1.
First, I am almost positive there is no air lock in the (front) brake system - however I notice that if I brake really hard that the level drops in the resevoir a little - is this normal or am I lining myself up for an accident?
Q2.
I changed the front wheel because my old rim was buckled, I transferred the brake disc from my old wheel with kid gloves, and then did the brake fluid and shoes. All went smoother than I had imagined.
Anyhow, I was taking my lady friend for a spin last week, I increased the rear PSI a little (she's tiny) and set off. A few miles (K's) down the road I took my hand off to do something and the bike began to wobble badly, this didn't stop so I headed home slowly.
On my own with both hands off the handlebars, it nearly threw me from the bike it wobbled so bad. I noticed a rubbing sound from the front wheel area. On inspection I found that the brake shoes were hitting the brake disc on each revolution, I adjusted them a little but they still make contact with the disc every cycle. I can hear or feel it as I drive. I also need a new chain & sprockets if that makes any difference.
Is my brake disc buckled, I don't see how it could be - the bike was almost new when I got it and had all the original parts, I don't remember this happening with the old dodgy wheel. Should I have put new bearings in the old wheel when I changed it over, have I the brakes on a***ways .......
Any help greatly appreciated, I would have probably sold my bike without this forum..
thanks,
Al
Q1: The fluid in the resevoir isn't dropping as much as you think it is actually. When you brake hard your front end dives and your momentum continues forward. The fluid in the resevoir is forced up against the back wall of the resevoir, thus making it appear that the fluid is dropping. No big deal.
Q2:
This one is a toughy. Check the front wheel alignment though, just to be safe. Also, reseat the brake pads (not shoes. Shoes are for drum brakes, not disc brakes) in order to make sure they aren't seated at an angle.
You said the old rim was buckled, did you have a crash? Maybe the forks are damaged also so out of alignment. Maybe also the disc were damaged as well.
Hi,
I'll try the wheel alignment and the brake 'pads' - maybe I have them wrong.
As for the rim damage - I hit a large rock in the middle of the road doing about 70/80K - it burst the wheel and put a large dent in the rim - but it still didn't wobble like it is now... could that collision have damaged the disc?
Thanks all.
A disc can warp if the bolts are tighteded in the "wrong" order ot to the wrong torque while mounting it - bad bearings could give the impression of the disk being warped.