Front caliper boots - melted?

I finally tore into the Seca's front brake caliper to take a look at why they aren't working, and among other things, I discovered what appears to be half a rubber boot thouroughly stuck to the upper caliper body. The book indicates that there should be two, one on either side where the pin goes through. Long story short, I only have half of one, and maybe the melted remains of another, I can't really tell. I think I should just yank it off and get new boots, but I thought I'd toss it out to the knowledgable folk here to get some feedback. Is this a common thing? or should I be worried?

Lohnair

 

Clearly an indicator that the caliper needs to be throughly cleaned and overhauled.

Usually, when the caliper begins to bind-up enough to cause a severe over-heating condition ... there are some tell-tale signs and indicators that the overheat is happening.

Smell.
Noise.
Heat and severe brake fade.

 

I figured something like that. It was like that when I picked the bike up. I took the whole thing off and started cleaning it. The piston is completely stuck, and the paint I guess is mostly bubbled off. If I can get the piston out, is the caliper still good? should I replace the piston? The book suggests that the whole unit should be replaced if the piston sticks. I don't really want to waste time cleaning it all up if that's the case.

Lohnair

 

Well ... get the piston out. If the Piston is clean and free from rust or pitting -- (Except for the 1/8" or so that's never behind any seal) -- just rebuild it.

The Piston's hard-chromed.
Everything else is aluminum.

Don't be afraid to strip-off the ugly paint covering-up some lovely, nice, bright, alloy. The caliper really looks nice, naked!

 

does any one know a good web site to order rebuild parts for calipers

 

I saw in one of the other brake threads that you had polished yours, Rick. Looked real nice I thought.

Lohnair

 

OldBikeBarn.com

I've been dealing with OldBikeBarn for so long, now ... they gave me their private number.

1-800-460-5229

 

oldbikebarn is the one thanks rick.

 

Well, I popped the master cylinder and resevoir off to take a good look, and the resevoir was pretty gunked up. Looks like the master cylinder isn't moving any fluid. There are two hole-like spots in the resevoir, one clearly goes through to the master cylinder, but the other appears to bo closed. Is that the way it is supposed to be? I would've expected them both to be open.

Lohnair

 

The smaller one (blocked) has a very small hole in it and it needs to be cleared... Get a piece of fine wire like on a wire brush and clear the hole