No Stopping Power

[n780]

Hello,

Working on my first bike, learning a lot but sometimes wishing I got one that works to start with...

Something I'm working on here: super low stopping power from the front brake on my 83GS400E. No way that I could ever get the front tire to come close to skidding under any circumstances. Maximum braking power from it takes wayyyy too long to stop.

Took apart the caliper to take a look. While there seems to be a good amount of life life, the pads a full of black gunky grease and the rotor has a good film on it. Is this normal? And, if not, can this be cleaned or should I go with new pads?

Thanks.

[tkent02]

The rotors should be dry, there should be no grease. Maybe the fork leaked oil onto it?
New pads, clean everything. You really should redo the whole brake system while you are at it. New lines, clean the caliper and master cylinder. It should have the power to lock the front wheel with about two fingers if all is working correctly.

[Guest]

Get new pads, clean the rotor(s) with a degreasing agent then use alcohol to clean them again (90%), new brake fluid, probably need new brake hoses as well. Calipers need to be looked at was well if not rebuilt.

[n780]

What I though.
Thanks for the fast replies.

[n780]

De-greased the rotor, fresh run of brake fluid and new pads. Stops like a champ.

[Nessism]

Great job but best to do as suggested and change the brake lines at minimum. Suzuki calls for replacing them every two years, which obviously is excessive, regardless though, if your bike has the originals lines they are LONG over due for replacement.

[Guest]

The other thing is you should check and make sure your fork seals are ok and not leaking, as if they are you will have done the brake cleaning and degreasing for nothing.

[n780]

Right. I'm getting ss lines here pretty quick. And I'm pretty sure it was the fork seals that greased up the rotor. The guy I bought the bike off had just replaced them and must have done a messy job. No signs of leaks now.