front breaks tight?

Ok, here's another one for you folks. 85 XJ700 my front disc breaks seem to always have a bit of a squeeze on the discs. I removed the calipers, the pads are good, the clips are correct. When I spin the wheel without the calipers it spins nice and free and smooth. whit the calipers in place there is a constant drag that seems excessive to me. Is this normal. I see no way of adjusting this. Let me know what you think. Thanks as always for your wisdom.
Karl

 

It may be time to rebuild your brake calipers, master cylinder, and replace the lines. When was the last time you overhauled the brake system?

 

There you go.

The original caliper and master cylinder seals were only supposed to last TWO years and the original lines had a four-year life expectancy per Yamaha.

Dragging brakes are not good; it can lead to overheating and warped rotors which makes the job 4X more expensive. Not to mention the possibility of an unexpected lockup.

Brake lines have date codes like tires do; go look at yours. Here's what they'll look like: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=41400.html

You need to rebuild your brakes immediately; this is a symptom of a bad thing beginning to happen.

 

Well, that's why I ask you folks. Hmm, ok. The ONLY work I have done on the front breaks was a complete and thorough cleaning of the master cylinder and the lines. I cleaned out gobs of boogery stuff. Then flushed through a lot of break fluid till it was nice and clean. I didn't replace anything just cleaned it real good. The lines are probably pretty old, the springs around the outside are rusty, but there are no leaks of any kind. I've wanted to replace them, I guess I'll have to move them higher up the list. Ugg. What's this gonna coast to do it right, Ballpark ideas?