Weak front brake

The bike is an 82 maxim 400 with about 6700 miles. The front brake sees fairly weak, using only the front brake at about 25 mph it takes a fairly long distance to stop. The PO had some grease on the pads so I took them off and cleaned the rotor and pads three times. It almost feels like there is some brake fade going on since they start grabbing then after a few feet it seems like they "slip" but the caliper is not hanging up and the wheel spins free. I'm new to bikes but I have always worked on my own vehicles so I'm mechanically inclined.

Also, I know with cars and trucks front brakes do the majority of the stopping but with my bike I would say my front is only doing 20 to 30 while the rear does the rest. Is that normal?

 

i think you may need to rebuild the whole brake system. maybe a new stainless line?

i have way more than 30% in the front. and i have the rubber style brake lines.

 

Could be, I took a look inside the MC and it looks nice and clean with clean oil. I mean when I use both brakes the bike stops on a dime. Maybe the front pads are shot due to the grease?

 

you know. maybe its just the rubber lines making it feel soft and you are underestimating the actual power. as long as you are safe and don't imagine yourself easily going into a skid because of too much rear brake pressure.

 

No fear in skidding the rear. With the bike at a standstill I can't push the bike with the front brake on, however, with some throttle it will push forward without skidding the front wheel.

 

You said the brake pads had been soaked with oil? Even if you repeatedly clean them you are not going to get it all out and will always have issues with those pads. My opinion is the simplest, easiest way to get started is new brake pads. While it is apart to put them in it is back to cleaning the caliper and making sure you have a good healthy squirt of brake fluid with the brake lever squeeze. Yes, rebuilding the master cylinder is not a bad idea and new brake lines are an excellent idea but keep it simple, 1 step at a time. Good luck and good stopping.

 

Not oil but automotive grease... I will have to pick up some new pads and try that. Thanks for the help!

 

Rebuild the entire system. Lines, MC and caliper. Remember that you're dealing with a 30 year old system that has lines that were meant to be replaced in four, yes four, years. It's not that difficult or expensive and your life may depend on it.

If you list what part of Wisconsin you're in there may be another member nearby who would be willing to assist you.

 

Check the date codes on your brake lines. If original REPLACE: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=41400.html

Rebuild the caliper; thoroughly clean and replace the seals, before you install new pads.

Rebuild the master cylinder regardless of how it appears; the original caliper and master cylinder seals were only recommended to last TWO years.

PULL THE REAR WHEEL AND VISUALLY INSPECT the brake shoes for signs of delamination; just because the rear works does not mean it's not about to fall apart: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=15874.html

Brakes are not something to take halfway measures on.

 

braking usage ratio is 90% front and 10% rear, when stopping all the weight is on the front tire so the rear tire does almost nothing except lock up and slide.

rebuild those brakes, and just cause the brake fluid looks good in the "reservoir" doesn't mean your seals in your M/C or caliper aren't toast.

 

I already took the rear off and impacted the shoes, no delaminates to see and the drum looks smooth. Everything looks brand new but I will have to check the date codes on the lines. Thanks for the help!

 

Update

Bought new pads and that cured the issue! The old pads must have been soaked enough with grease that nothing would have helped. Now the front brake is nice and strong, to the point that I'm worried that if I brake too hard I may skid the front tire in a corner haha.

 

Don't know if you heard this before, but...

Don't trail brake in the corner until you are comfortable with the bike and ready for the challenge. Is is strongly recommended to brake as you approach the corner, by the time you turn in - you need to be off the brakes completely. This is the cause of majority of single vehicle motorcycle crashes. Use the throttle to stabilize the bike all the way thru the corner.

 

Busch, I recommend that you take a motorcycle safety course... braking in a corner is a great way to go flying (off the bike that is)..... dont know how they are offerred in your area, Fitz or one of your local members can weigh in here....

 

Controlled braking in a corner is a skill that should be practiced if you want to have total control of your ride, but it's definately not a technique for a beginning rider. It is my opinion that every motorcyclist can benefit from taking a rider's course every so often.

 

I totally agree, I don't brake while in a turn, I brake before a turn. Looking at the last post that came over as misleading. I am going to take a safety course in the spring also. I was just saying that the bike stops 1000 times better than before and gives me the confidence if someone pulls in front of me.

 

Good. But did you replace the thirty year old lines that had a four-year lifespan to begin with?

You don't want to "pop" a line under hard braking.

You can't trust a 30 year old hydraulic system. Rebuild BOTH caliper and master cylinder (new seals) and replace the lines. THEN it'll be safe; not before.

 

This is crucial; stopping is far more important than going. Many people find the lines are original and just waiting for a chance to fail. When they do it will be in a panic stop and not just tooling around the neighborhood. That can ruin your day. Permanently.

I switched to Stainless Steel lines and got far better security and performance from them. Plus they look cool.

 

Even if they aren't original lines. The lines on my 650R were only 6 years old (IIRC). Weather checking was very bad, so it now has SS lines.

 

Yea the lines will need to be replaced sooner than later, according to the date code they are about 7 years old. Added to the list...

 

As an added concern, regarding corner braking, I would suggest it better to be prepared for corner braking, instead of being surprised when you need it.

Case: often on twisty roads, cars will drop off the road on the inside of corners, picking up gravel onto the road. This is a super bummer when you're railing around a corner in an aggressive lean.

Practice for the eventuality, so you can navigate / slow yourself through the corner without skidding / standing up / bailing, etc.

Years of dirt biking gave me lots of corner braking, but this was on dirt. I Still get 'puckered up' when I see gravel on the road half way round a tight corner.

 

Wise advice! I guess the best is to practice rear wheel braking in the corner with light to very light pressure first, specially with gravel on the pavement.

 

In my opinion, you'll still want a balance with front brake. I know it seems scarier, but having the back end squirt out is scary too.

I'd say this just goes to enforce the idea to ride below your capabilities. Especially in blind-ish corners.

 

I know what you mean... I take corners a bit slower than I can.... but i really like coming out of corners alive