SOHC.co.uk Forums > CB350/400

Front brake locked on

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meerkat:
After 6 weeks of not using the 400/4 I went to move the bike and couldn't because the front brake is locked onto the disc.
The bike ran well the last time I used it and initially it could be moved around in the garage without a problem.
Before I start spannering today what do I need to look out for ?
All advice gratefully received.
Thanks in advance.

hairygit:
The old favourite, corrosion between the alloy caliper body and the steel backing of the brake pad! Split the caliper, then apply a TINY amount of easing oil around the steel backing of the pad, leave for an hour or so, then gently squeeze the brake lever ONCE, you should see the pad start to move outwards.. apply a little more easing oil, leave for a few minutes, the attempt to push the pad back into the housing. if it moves fairly easily, squeeze the brake lever again, just once, then try to jiggle the pad out of the caliper housing. When you get the pad out, clean around the steel backing with emery paper or similar, then look at the alloy of the caliper, it will probably look white and furry. If it is, have a look at the exposed part of the piston and check for rust pits or other damage, if it looks okay, push it back into the caliper body as far as it will go. (DON'T do this if the piston shows serious rust or pitting, bite the bullet and get a replacement piston, your life depends on it!)Assuming the piston is servicable, next clean the inside rim of the caliper where the pad sits, for heavy corrosion I use a scotchbrite pad (green scratchy pad women use for washing up), followed by a polish with solvol autosol. When both the pad and caliper are clean, check the pivot of the caliper swinging arm is moving freely (If it isn't, take it apart and grease the pivot pin, A little bit of thought from Honda would have seen a grease nipple on the pivot!) Before re assmbling the caliper, apply a smear of copaslip around the edge of the pad where it contacts the inside edge of the caliper body, should help stop it happening again!(worth doing 3-4 times a year to prevent future siezures, only takes a few minutes ;D) Then re assemble the caliper, and adjust the brake to the manual spec (6 thou between the fixed pad and the disc I seem to recall) using the swinging arm adjuster bolt, then a feww pulls on the brake lever and hey presto, should be a working brake again!

SteveD CB500K0:
That just about sums it up!

Not sure about the women and washing up bit though. If I start to get hatemail from the libbers on the internet, I'll let you know...

hairygit:
Steve, stand up for what's true, women like to wear white on the wedding day, after all, most kitchen appliances come in white!!! ;D

meerkat:
They should be flattered that we give our bikes girls names.  ;D
Well I do anyway.

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