Hydraulic brake issues...

Sean · 12-19-2009, 12:07 PM

The brakes on my KTM don't grab until the lever is basically on the bar. Is that necessarily air in the lines or is it something else? It grabs fine, not spongy at all, just way late.

I'm supposed to go ride today and I don't have any brake fluid so I'm hoping it's something else but I can't find anything :/

BobTheBiker · 12-19-2009, 02:06 PM

sounds like air in the lines, or a MAJOR problem. I'd go buy some brake fluid, and begin looking for the cause. not safe to ride until problem is fixed IMO.

Kerry_129 · 12-19-2009, 02:13 PM

Sounds like a mechanical issue w/ the lever/pivot/plunger, if it's not spongy at all.

Agreed on not riding until identifying & correcting.

Sean · 12-19-2009, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobTheBiker

or a MAJOR problem.

Such as?

I'm an pretty pathetic with tools...I'll go bleed 'em and see if it fixes anything, but beyond that it's likely going to a shop. The plunger looks ok /shrug

Sean · 12-19-2009, 07:32 PM

Well bleeding made it grab in the normal spot, but when I bled it it was mostly air that came out. I think there's a leak around the bleeder. It grabs earlier now but it's super grabby and doesn't have much modulation.

Kerry_129 · 12-19-2009, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean

It grabs earlier now but it's super grabby and doesn't have much modulation.

Maybe there's been an air pocket slowly forming there for a while & you've gotten used to it, making it feel 'grabby' now in comparison?

BobTheBiker · 12-19-2009, 10:09 PM

I'd still do a good check to make sure nothing is amiss. a brake system shouldnt let air in, at all.

Gas Man · 12-19-2009, 11:18 PM

Does it ever firm up?

The brakes you F'in homos!

BobTheBiker · 12-19-2009, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gas Man

Does it ever firm up?

thats what SHE said!

Sean · 12-19-2009, 11:40 PM

Did I have a post deleted? Yes, it gets firm, but it becomes totally grabby. It never bleeds clean though, it constantly coughs up a ton of air.

12-19-2009, 12:07 PM	#1
Sean giggity Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: socal Moto: street, sumo & dirty Posts: 1,071	Hydraulic brake issues... The brakes on my KTM don't grab until the lever is basically on the bar. Is that necessarily air in the lines or is it something else? It grabs fine, not spongy at all, just way late. I'm supposed to go ride today and I don't have any brake fluid so I'm hoping it's something else but I can't find anything :/

12-19-2009, 11:18 PM	#8
Gas Man Trip's Assistant Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Imported from Detroit Moto: 2009 HD Street Classic Posts: 12,149	Does it ever firm up? The brakes you F'in homos! __________________ -Chris "Why pay somebody else to fuck up your bike?" Run Amsoil Product

12-19-2009, 02:06 PM	#2
BobTheBiker too much time on my hands Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: the northern district of god damn Moto: 01 ZX6R, looking for more now. Posts: 1,802	sounds like air in the lines, or a MAJOR problem. I'd go buy some brake fluid, and begin looking for the cause. not safe to ride until problem is fixed IMO.

12-19-2009, 02:13 PM	#3
Kerry_129 Semi-reformed Squid Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 531	Sounds like a mechanical issue w/ the lever/pivot/plunger, if it's not spongy at all. Agreed on not riding until identifying & correcting.

12-19-2009, 07:32 PM	#5
Sean giggity Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: socal Moto: street, sumo & dirty Posts: 1,071	Well bleeding made it grab in the normal spot, but when I bled it it was mostly air that came out. I think there's a leak around the bleeder. It grabs earlier now but it's super grabby and doesn't have much modulation.

12-19-2009, 10:09 PM	#7
BobTheBiker too much time on my hands Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: the northern district of god damn Moto: 01 ZX6R, looking for more now. Posts: 1,802	I'd still do a good check to make sure nothing is amiss. a brake system shouldnt let air in, at all.

12-19-2009, 11:40 PM	#10
Sean giggity Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: socal Moto: street, sumo & dirty Posts: 1,071	Did I have a post deleted? Yes, it gets firm, but it becomes totally grabby. It never bleeds clean though, it constantly coughs up a ton of air.