Front brake lever

Hello,
My front brake doesn't have much play. I barely squeeze it and I'm braking. I bleed the line and it squeezes a little better but, not by much. I took apart the front brake caliper and greased the pins because, it was kinda stuck when I got it. What can I do to get a little more play so that I'm actually squeezing the break and not just tapping it.
Thanks for the help.

 

Clean out the return hole in the master cylinder. If it's blocked it will build up pressure in the line risking front brake lockup from heat buildup. Can be done without removing or disconnecting from the bike.

Basically remove all the fluid from the master cylinder and remove the reservoir Underneath you will find a small hole and another depression that looks like it's been drilled a few mm deep. Get a fine, stiff wire and poke it into the depression to see if it's blocked. If the wire doesn't pass through easily then apply a bit of force to unblock it. You'lkl know when it clear as fluid will come out the return indicating success.

The best wire I found for the job is a single bristle cut from a wire brush.

Be careful not to squeeze the brake lever while the reservior is off or you will have to bleed the brakes once your finished.

Cheers
HG

 

Thanks HG. I was thinking all I had to do was adjust the bolt on the lever since it's screwed all the way in. It looks like the lock nut on the bolt has disappeared over the past 25 years. I'll clean out the return hole and hopefully that'll do the trick. Or maybe adjusting the bolt would help?
Many thanks.

 

I have found the adjustment rarely makes much difference. The brakes on these old girls are usually fairly spongey so the symptoms you describe sound like a pressure buildup in the lines.

A simple test is after a ride feel the temp of the front brake rotors. Warm is ok, but if it is almost too hot to touch then it is sticking. Eliminating sticky slide pins leave only the master cylinder or sticky piston.

I would check the master cylinder first before pulling the caliper fully apart.

 

Hey H.G.
It looks like I need a new master cylinder. I did what you said and nothing happened. I just heard a little clicking but, it never came unstuck. I previously took apart the front caliper and greased the pins so I don't think that's the problem. I was thinking maybe the line could be kinked, I put on some drag bars so it's got a bend in it, see below. Do you think this could be causing problems? Anyways, I think I'll just pick up a new master cylinder. I don't have a bench, or vice so I can't really rebuild it. Where can I pick up a cylinder for an 81 xj550? I've seen alot of 650 stuff and I want to make sure I get the right one.
Thanks for the help.

 

PBR, you don't need a bench to rebuild a master cylinder, a kitchen table (properly covered of course, musn't forget tidyness, the missus would kill me) is all you need. I'll have to see if I can get out there this weekend. I'm still rasseling with a running problem on my FZR (God willing I find some time this weekend) or I'd zip out there. I have the tools if you need to pop out here to get them but with gas at $3.00 a gallon, you would be better served spending that money on a cheap set of snap ring pliers from Harbor Freight. Good luck!

 

Yhea, I think I can rebuild it. It doesn't sound as bad as I thought it was after reading the previous thread on brakes. Thanks.