Cast-iron brake-disks. HELP!

[pdsquire]

Remember kids: when leaving your bike with cast-iron disks under a cover outside for a few months, do something to avoid the brake pads fusing to the disks.

I now have a bike with two front disks and one rear absolutely welded. The bike has 100bhp so I put it on the centre stand put it in the gear and eased the clutch in at about 6k revs. Nothing...

WHAT CAN I DO?

I know I should be careful about putting fluids onto the disks but desperate times need desperate measures. Is there some sort of easing compound I can squirt and leave?

Ta in advance for advice.

Philip.

[Sohoeasy]

Phillip,Iv'e alway done the wrong thing when it comes to brakes but this is my tale.

Whenever I have left a bike standing and open to the elements. I have sprayed the discs with WD40. Problem with this though is that you can trash the pads, so for safety I have always put new pads on.You could do the same maybe, just to release things , but I would advise new pads after as a precaution. If you needed a hand with stripping and cleaning up I could help you out over a weekend.(I think your only round the corner aren't you ?).Having said this my Bonnie has been outside for a while ! I must have a look at it

[tramp]

bets advice i have is ,

put some tin foil for raosting the chicken between pads and disc surface, nice and thin so should go in no problem, or a plastic lid of the butter tub clean of coarse

[Yeti]

Just an idea but, you could try heating them up gently? (the discs) on the basis that they will heat up and expand differently (quicker) to the pads? Chances are though they will take a fair chunk of corroded brake disc with them and leave them pitted quite badly even if you get them off. Also I would be suprised if by now the pads aren't on their way off the backing plates if they are scaling too.

Sure someones will come along shortly with one of those 'why didn't I think of that' better ideas.

Don't mean to put even more of a dark cloud on the job, but all you need now are corroded pad pins and wheel spindles to well and truly scupper the job!!

[StumpyFingers]

Have you tried removing the callipers?
First off remove all the pins you can, that should allow the calliper to move.
Using a block of wood as a drift tap with a hammer, backwards and forwards and up.
When the calliper comes off you should be able to remove the pads, clean and reassemble.

[pdsquire]

Philip,

If you needed a hand with stripping and cleaning up I could help you out over a weekend. (I think you're only round the corner aren't you ?)

Handsome offer Nick, I might well take you up on that as the rear seal appeared to be a bit dicky before the layup.

Thanks for the tip for next Winter tramp, but I worry that putting another metal in there might just bugger the whole thing up. Those iron disks get surface rust within two days: God knows what chemical reactions might happen between them and aluminium foil!

Chances are though they will take a fair chunk of corroded brake disc with them and leave them pitted quite badly even if you get them off.

Good point Yeti, but the strange thing is, though the disks start to rust within seconds of stopping, it is only on the surface. They actually look in good shape so I'm hoping that the worse predictions you had will not come to pass. The rear is now turning but as there is moss in my yard I can't get the front to turn by letting the bike push: it just slips.

If anyone knows a more effective penetrating fluid than WD-40 I'd be pleased to know it. I can't do anything with the bike in my yard so I need it to be able to ride to get it to someone with tools!

[pdsquire]

Have you tried removing the callipers?
First off remove all the pins you can, that should allow the calliper to move.
Using a block of wood as a drift tap with a hammer, backwards and forwards and up.
When the calliper comes off you should be able to remove the pads, clean and reassemble.

I might be borrowing you some time soon, Simon...

[Frad]

What a coincidence Ive just gone out to mine and all is well except the front brakes were seized, luckily I was able to turn the wheel and free them off, but the wheel does not spin freely it turns about 3/4 of a turn when trying to spin it.

So would a gentle run up the road clean it up ?

[StumpyFingers]

What a coincidence Ive just gone out to mine and all is well except the front brakes were seized, luckily I was able to turn the wheel and free them off, but the wheel does not spin freely it turns about 3/4 of a turn when trying to spin it.

So would a gentle run up the road clean it up ?

Mine are like that try pumping the front brake the pistons seem to weep over a long period and the brakes bind on.
A short run will free them off as the heat dries out any excess moisture.

[tramp]

maybe a use for EBC pads afterall

as after winter the pads fall of the backing plate anyway

how about on a more serious note ,

a-remove the brake reservoir cap

b-push the pads away from the surface a little-gently does it

c- put a note on the tank telling said self to remeber that brakes have been tampered with

I must have a use for something the wife says