Terrible brakes

[Rigormortis]

My first post and would you believe it it starts with a question but hey that's what makes Forums so brilliant.

My son has just bought an XL600V (F Reg) and the front brake is appaling (i.e. useless). Is it because its got a solid cast iron disc? I'm wondering whether there is an upgrade available for this model. Thanks for your help.

[Bill Badger]

Check that the pads haven't glazed, possibly due to the piston or the caliper itself being stuck and thus causing drag and therefore a lot of heat. Have a good look at the caliper as well. If the lubrication on the slider has dried out it may be siezed and so you could possibly have only operation on one side of the disc. The disc will then flex slightly because it is not being squeezed by the two pads. It could also be a stuck piston or the fact that the parts of the caliper are siezed together. I stripped mine down and freed it up and now it is excellent (XLR200). I'm sure that if I was brave enough I could get the rear wheel off the ground.

I wouldn't think the cast iron disc would be a problem.

[stuart]

Go even more basic, give the disc ( and pads ) a scrub with meths, I bought a beta 250 with an unusable front brake, new pads made no difference but after wipping the disc with meths I could stand the bike on i'ts nose with one finger on the brake.

[StumpyFingers]

If it has been standing for a while the brakes may need servicing / Cleaning to get them working properly.

[Rigormortis]

Thank you for your replies - sound like taking the calipers to bits is a must. One other question, Can you get nicer looking discs i.e with holes, rather than the solid one thats in at the moment.

[AIRWOLF]

the front brake is'nt brilliant when it's working properly !

as said a brake service and new pads is first job, . . . . and a braided hose makes a noticeable difference.

there are pattern discs available.