SOHC.co.uk Forums > CB350/400
Front brake lever
Ken4004:
Thanks for the info everyone looks like I need to do some rework but will start with another brake bleed .
Mikep328:
After the brake bleed, and assuming you have new brake lines that won't be expanding when you apply the brakes, bed in a set of NEW, brake pads properly and you will likely be happy with the front brake. Bedding in the brakes takes some effort, it's not a matter of just going out/applying them a few times. It is not really necessary on modern brakes but it will make a DRAMATIC difference/improvement on these brakes. I suggest the Vesrah Organic pads which were best of 5 different compound pads I tried when I restored my 400's front brake.
Here is the bedding-in procedure I followed, it was posted on the site by OddJ in Aug, 2023:
"Clean the brake disc off with brake cleaner to remove any existing pad transfer material, a gentle rub with some fine wet and dry won't hurt either. Then take the bike out and do 15 gentle brakes from 30mph and then a 2 mile cool down followed by another 15 or so from around 45mph using moderate brake pressure followed by another 2 mile cool down run, then stop to see how the discs look. You should clearly see some pad transfer, it's a sort of blue/grey mist on the surface of the disc, then do 15-20 full on braking sessions from around 65-75mph, dropping the speed down really quickly but rolling off when around 10mph and then back up to speed later, followed by a 5 mile cool down run."
Ken4004:
Thanks Mike great advice , I like the sound of the bedding in the brakes process.
Looking at all the advice I have had there must be air still in my brake lines so will end a couple of hours at the weekend to try and get it out.
I have bleed my brakes many times on my Triumph 1050 triple with no issues at all but I have always started with a filled system and used my myti vac to draw through new brake fluid and just top up the reservoir only normally takes me 15 to 20 minutes with no drama but with new pipe work and master cylinder there’s lots of air trapped everywhere.
Anyway I’ll get there again just a little patience needed.
quote author=Mikep328 link=topic=32445.msg315691#msg315691 date=1768827108]
After the brake bleed, and assuming you have new brake lines that won't be expanding when you apply the brakes, bed in a set of NEW, brake pads properly and you will likely be happy with the front brake. Bedding in the brakes takes some effort, it's not a matter of just going out/applying them a few times. It is not really necessary on modern brakes but it will make a DRAMATIC difference/improvement on these brakes. I suggest the Vesrah Organic pads which were best of 5 different compound pads I tried when I restored my 400's front brake.
Here is the bedding-in procedure I followed, it was posted on the site by OddJ in Aug, 2023:
"Clean the brake disc off with brake cleaner to remove any existing pad transfer material, a gentle rub with some fine wet and dry won't hurt either. Then take the bike out and do 15 gentle brakes from 30mph and then a 2 mile cool down followed by another 15 or so from around 45mph using moderate brake pressure followed by another 2 mile cool down run, then stop to see how the discs look. You should clearly see some pad transfer, it's a sort of blue/grey mist on the surface of the disc, then do 15-20 full on braking sessions from around 65-75mph, dropping the speed down really quickly but rolling off when around 10mph and then back up to speed later, followed by a 5 mile cool down run."
[/quote]
Ken4004:
Spent a wet afternoon in the garage looking at the front brake and after trying to bleed them again I noticed some brake fluid drips at the lever where it touches the plunger/ master cylinder.
I have therefore decided to take the master cylinder apart to inspect the seals and all looks ok so seals are not damaged they are the correct way around and there are no scores that I can see in the bore .
I took the parts to my local bike shop and he inspected all the parts and couldn’t see anything wrong but did comment about the quality of the master cylinder seal kit I used.
I must admit it wasn’t an original Honda kit which are £65 but one From Wemoto in Brighton at £18.00, anyway to cut a long story short I have asked the bike shop to order me another kit which is going to be £35.00 instead of the £18 I spent on the last kit so hopefully it will be a little more successful .
A friend of mine at work had a favourite saying “pay cheap pay twice “ so this could be a good example lesson learned.
I will also take the brake assembly with me to the bike shop so they can check to bore because I don’t want to take it apart again, I don’t mind most of the rework but getting that circling out is a Pain.
Mikep328:
FWIW, when I did the work on my front brake I replaced all parts with genuine Honda parts. I figured that since the brakes are a critically important component I did not want anything but Honda parts, regardless of price. This included removing a new aftermarket caliper piston a shop had installed for the previous owner just a few months prior. But since the brake was TERRIBLE and essentially useless when I bought the bike, I figured the shop didn't actually test the brakes, just installed some new parts/new fluid, made sure the lever felt firm and that was that.
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