After the bike sat for most of the winter, my front brake now doesn't do much. The lever doesn't feel that squishy, but I need to really pull it hard, nearly all the way in, to get any real braking action. Even pulling it really hard doesn't lock up the wheel. The pads are fine, and the fluid level is at the top. I cracked the bleed nipple while squeezing the lever and fluid (no air) came out. Any ideas?
Front Brakes Gone Soft - FE390
- Thread starter JohnnyQuest
- Start date
There's either a small air bubble somewhere in the system or the fluid is toast. If you can't completely bleed the system, a good trick is to put something on the lever and hold it towards the bar overnight. Will restore the feel for awhile..... When heading to a race, I always put a zip tie over the lever while transporting the bike. Keeps that fresh feeling.
Thanks. What is the propper way to bleed the system? Do I need to use the clutch syringe and inject fluid from the bottom? I've never had to do that on any other bike. I only have 50 hours on the bike and I don't use the front brake much so I don't see how the fluid could be toast.
DOT 4 brake fluid draws a lot of moisture,even in a sealed system. I try and change out my brake fluid once a year.If you remove the cover on the master clyinder and the fluid is dark brown it is contaminated. I use a vacuum bleader,but you can do manualy by pumping the brake leaver,holding it in and opening the bleeder fitting on the calliper then close it after fluid stops coming out,repeat. Make sure to add new brake fluid before the master cyld. is empty. use a peice of clear tubing on the bleader screw to catch the old fluid in a container and when it comes out clear you should be good. Having a helper makes it easier. Some have good luck gravity bleading their brakes, I'm not one of them. Hope this helps!! 
Rather than bleeding from the top going down by opening the bleed screw, it is much better and more efficient to back bleed from the bottom to the top since air bubbles rise to the top. Back bleeding is very easy to do with a syringe filled with brake fluid attached to the bleed screw with a tube.
looks like this is on my to do list as well.I have no brakes on either end after the long winter nap,wasnt able to get anywhere with the old pump,hold and loosen bleeder method.
Try this quick fix....remove the wheel...pry the brake pads apart as far as you can...replace the wheel and pump the brake pedal
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