soft front brake

[Rirons]

I have been trying  to get decent lever for my front brake forever.
When i bought the bike it had a non standard single hose (no pressure switch for brake light)
Whilst restoring i changed to the 3 hose system, manifold with a brake switch, never got a decent lever.
I have rebuilt the frame etc this winter so tried again no better, new piston and seal fitted to the caliper, new plunger etc in the master cylinder.
Reverted back to the single hose and no problem which tells me the caliper and master cylinder is ok.
Anyone had similar issue any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[tom400f]

Hi and welcome

I assume you mean two hoses - master cyl to union, union to caliper (via fixed pipe on the caliper if you have the standard setup).

What condition are your hoses in? I have new braided ones from Earls with no problems. I also bleed the system using a syringe on to the bleed nipple and forcing any air up and out via the reservoir.

[mike the bike]

it sounds as if one or more of the hoses need replacing.  If you grip your fingers around the hose and operate the brake, you can feel the hose expand with the pressure.  braided hoses solve the problem.  I sleeved mine with black shrink wrap to make them look a bit more authentic.

[Rirons]

Thanks for the replies, the hoses are new and yes two hoses and one fixed pipe.

I will try the pinching the hose etc, ordered a syringe of fleebay to try the reverse bleeding technique.

Ill let you know.

cheers

[Bitsa (Ralph Wright - RIP)]

Sorry guys just can not get my head around your brake problems.On all rebuilds new pipes new master cylinder kit new pads new fluid and all done in 5 mins.
WTH are you doing wrong?
Cheers
Bitsa
Even with a DS repro master cylinder done in 5 mins

[Johnwebley]

how are the brake pads ??

 if they are not bedded in,they may cause a spongy lever as the pad hits the disc,

[Bitsa (Ralph Wright - RIP)]

I thought a syringe was for injecting drugs etc
You old boys tell me I am right or do you use them?
Cheers
Bitsa

[Johnwebley]

when I need to replace a brake pipe ,before I take it all appart,I pump the caliper as full as I can,without the pads in !!,
then swop the parts,re assemble,and then push the caliper piston in,this fills the pipes and up to the mastercylinder,

 check the fluid level,top up,then bleed normally,to make sure there are no air bubbles,

works well for me

[Trigger]

Sorry guys just can not get my head around your brake problems.On all rebuilds new pipes new master cylinder kit new pads new fluid and all done in 5 mins.
WTH are you doing wrong?
Cheers
Bitsa
Even with a DS repro master cylinder done in 5 mins

You told me it took you 7 minutes 

[Lobo]

Hi Rirons,

Been there... done this... two old Hondas, one with a brake lever that pulled 1/2" to full on; and the other that pulled all the way to the grip. New pads, hoses, gallons of bloody fluid... in my case a new master seal kit (DSS) was the answer. Don't particularly understand the physics..  just eventually got there through elimination.

Frustrating & expensive... but now all good. Happy hunting...
Simon

[Trigger]

It is a brake system so, treat it as a system 

[Bitsa (Ralph Wright - RIP)]

Trig
No the other 2 mins was finishing my drink mate?
Cheers
Bitsa

[Trigger]

Trig
No the other 2 mins was finishing my drink mate?
Cheers
Bitsa

See i did tell you that the master would be OK 

[Bitsa (Ralph Wright - RIP)]

Trig
Yep you did and encore droit
Cheers
Bitsa

[Rirons]

The reverse bleeding technique worked cheers tom400f

To answer the other questions, i have not idea what if anything i was doing wrong, but it didn't work and it does now.