Front Brake - Normal??

[nibs]

Hi
I'd appreciate an opinion on the following-
I own a 2001 650 TA.
Ever since I've owned it, the front brake has been far from brilliant.
It isn't spongy, the lever is firm & there is not much travel but I have to apply a fair bit of pressure to make it stop.
It returns when I release so I don't think it's siezed. The pads are at about 50% wear.
Any ideas or is this normal ?.
Also I see from the spec the tank is supposed to have 2L reserve - there is no fuel tap so how do I access the reserve?.

thanks in advance

nibs

[T ALP]

Are the callipers free to slide on thier pins? are the pads standard or some other hard type?
Iv'e had far better front stoppers on far far older road bikes
but you have to remember these brakes are on a trail bike
mine are bog standard from new and I rate them well OK for the bike ------------ Chris

[Lutin]

For a bike that is now close on to 9 years old, the brake lines are most probably way past their best. (I am of course assuming that the bike still has the original black rubber brake hoses).

Has the bike ever had the brake fluid changed? Brake fluid is hydroscopic, i.e. it readily attracts moisture, and this leads to a drastic reduction in performance.

Depending on what life they have lead, the brake pads could well have been contaminated and therefore not be as grippy as they might be.

If the brakes are as they bike was built, ie standard, then a full strip down, caliper clean, new brake pads, new stainless braided hoses and, probably most importantly, new brake fluid will improve them a lot from what you have now.

So, some work in the near future for you. None of these jobs is particularly difficult, by the way.

As for the 2 litre reserve - I beleive that Honda would have you believe that there is two litres left in the tank when the fuel guage has dropped off the bottom end of the red mark on the fuel gauge. Doesn't work like that on my '04 Transalp though. I tend to look for a filling station around the 160 - 180 mile mark. Not had a problem yet. Crosses fingers.

[Austin]

Everything that Lutin said, but...... Try just changing the pads to genuine Honda one's. I put some EBC pads in mine once and the braking was dire and much as you describe. New pads = sorted. Mind TA brakes are never going to be good for stoppies and stuff.

[btbloke]

Just sounds like too hard with the pads, change to softer rated and it will be fine. If the pressure is there and the stopping is there and there's no leaks the systems fine just the pads too hard,the softer the better if you like them crisper and easier to use,they don't last as long though so it depends on your riding style.

[StumpyFingers]

Everything that Lutin said, but...... Try just changing the pads to genuine Honda one's. I put some EBC pads in mine once and the braking was dire and much as you describe. New pads = sorted. Mind TA brakes are never going to be good for stoppies and stuff.

I had the same problem as Austin brakes not up to par.
I thought it was because it was a different brake setup to the 900 so the brakes were weaker.I had fitted braided lines when I changed to EBC pads.
I have recently replaced the disks and so went back to original Honda pads as well the brake fluid always gets changed when I bleed the brakes and they now STOP the bike very well, or as well as they should.

[nibs]

Thanks for the response guys
The calipers seem to work as they should so I'll try the easy bits first- change the fluid & the pads & take it from there.
The bike has only done 10k so I'll only look at component failure as a last resort.

Thanks again & I'll keep you postedon the results

nibs

[pdsquire]

Don't hold your breath Nibs; mine have always seemed utterly rubbish. They are actually quite effective but REALLY don't feel like it. I've had different pads, completely renewed the fluid twice and they don't feel any better.

I suspect it's what you're used to. I'm usually unpleasantly surprised when I get to the first junction on my Alp after riding my Pan or ZZ-R. Alp braking is like everything about the bike. It's just always better than it seems!

[dysan]

I've always found the brakes on the TA very good (2000 V-Y). In most cases I'm more worried about front end grip than the brakes having the power to slow it down, even two up.

I've so far not had to change the fluid or lines and am running kyoto pads with the stock Honda disks. Certainly has plenty of bite and little in the way of fade when you're giving them stick.

If they're feeling hard but unresponsive contamination is a good bet, also if the front wheel has been off recently that may also be the cause. I find whenever I remove either wheel it takes a good 100miles before the pads wear to the slightly different position of the disc(s) again.

[piguglyshandydrinker]

I reckon the 650's brakes are fine for the bikes' capabilities - need anymore & I think you need to look at your riding style


Check that the brake pistons move freely when you squeeze the lever & push them back in.
Change the fluid (with pistons pushed fully in).
Check that they are stock pads (give them & rub over with sandpaper if they are - including the crap from the central groove) or change them.
Do the calipers slide freely on the anchor brackets - lube the pins with red rubber grease.
Change brake hoses if you want (with fluid change) - although they should be fine (how many car owners change flexi brake hoses after **years?)

Phil