GS450L Front brake stuck! Help!

[Ishamael]

So here's the story...

yesterday on my way to work, I noticed that I was really having to open the throttle WAY up to get to normal speed. When I stopped at a light, the front brake was smoking. I turned into a parking lot and did some hard stops, and then I felt something "give" and it went back to normal.

I figured it was stuck because it had gotten rained on the night before.

Well this morning it did it again, but this time stuck much harder. I tried to do some more "hard stops" to loosen it up, but it was locked so tight I could barely get up to speed.

I turned into the parking lot at work, and as soon as the wheels hit the gravel, it pitched me right off. I should have thought of that, but I didn't. So now, besides the brake, I've got a cracked turn signal.

But anyhow, I am here at work with my bike in the lot, and the brake is stuck tight. Any ideas what the problem might be? I have access to a decent set of tools here and might be able to fix some minor things.

Any help you could give would be awesome, thanks!

 

[8trackmind]

Pull the the two caliper slide pins. (not the ones that attach to the fork) The ones you want to remove are the two that the attaches the caliper, to the bracket.
The tips will be rusty. Clean 'em off. Clean the holes they go in. Use some anti-seize, or axle grease sparingly on the pins. That's it. :-D

 

[Nessism]

Also check to see if the piston in the caliper is releasing. You may have to rebuild the caliper if the piston is stuck.

 

[Ishamael]

Thanks guys. I pulled those pins, and they are clean as a whistle. The caliper, however, is stuck.

Could someone walk me through rebuilding the caliper, so I can see if it's something I can do at work, or if I need to have it towed home?

I appreciate all the help. Thanks!

 

[8trackmind]

Thanks guys. I pulled those pins, and they are clean as a whistle. The caliper, however, is stuck.

Could someone walk me through rebuilding the caliper, so I can see if it's something I can do at work, or if I need to have it towed home?

I appreciate all the help. Thanks!

How mucked up is the fluid? Is it clear, or brown?
If you can, rotate the piston. That may be enough to keep it unstuck for you to get it home.
I wouldn't ride it any farther than home though.

 

[Ishamael]

Well, as best as I can see through the reservoir window, it looks brownish.

I'm not sure if I have a tool that I could grip the piston with well enough to rotate it, but I'll give it a try.

 

[Ishamael]

Well, no luck rotating it. All I've got is a pair of needle nose pliers, and thats not moving anything.

I guess I'll get it towed home, and then tear apart that caliper this weekend.

Thanks!

 

[8trackmind]

Well, no luck rotating it. All I've got is a pair of needle nose pliers, and thats not moving anything.

Thanks!

Sorry, Dude.

 

[argonsagas]

I could not tell from the preceding if the wheel was off/disc freed or not.

If the whole thing is jammed then, before you pay the big bucks for a tow, why not try a simple solution...literally.

Take a spray can of brake cleaner and spray it liberally on and around the pads.

Sometimes it is just built-up junk that causes the problem. My G was that way when I got it, and it came clean in a few seconds.

Doing this regularly may be a good idea, as the pads tend to hold onto dirt and debris. This causes premature wear and ultimately causes what you have.
(although you may still have too much wear on the pads, the bike will roll)

 

[Ishamael]

I hear ya. I took the caliper off, so the bike rolls. But the piston is stuck where it is, so putting it back on is a big P.I.T.A. I think I really need to get the piston unstuck before I drive it. Also, I don't have any brake cleaner here at work.

And I have AAA gold, so the tow is free.

Thanks!

 

[Nessism]

Use compressed air to force out the piston, then clean out all the goo. Most of the time when you get to the point where the piston sticks like yours did, you will notice the piston is pitted thus requiring replacement. Kits are available that include a new piston and seals so no worry.

Good luck.

 

[frosty5011]

If the brakes aren't "physically" binding at the caliper, due to dirt, some other obstruction, etc, then it's your master cylinder.

Underneath your brake fluid reservoir, on your front master cylinder (I'm assuming you have the round white plastic reservoir style), you have the circular round metal plate that the reservoir sits in. In that plate, there should be two holes....one easily visible, and the other "very" tiny.

That tiny hole is the return hole, and is most likely clogged. You'll have to poke/clean it out with a small piece of wire, like a strand from a wire brush.

The hole is often overlooked because it is so small.......read this thread:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=96350&highlight=hole+reservoir

 

[waterman]

I had the same problem on my bike. I would notice that the front brake would get grabby and not release fully. At first I would just crack open the bleeder screw on the caliper to release the pressure and the bike would be okay for a short time. After tearing into the brakes and changing brake fluid, pads, etc, problem persisted.
Finally looked at master cylinder and found that small return hole was blocked with brake fluid gunk. Shot it with brake cleaner and small wire from brass brush -problem solved. Don't be surprised if brake feel and power changes, with the pads closer to disk brakes applied quicker. After fix, I was left with a "weaker" brake but much safer.