Welp boys, got brakes !

[pearljam724]

Thanks, to all of those who offered their help. Brakes are no longer locking up. I took a piece of everyone's different advice and applied all of it. To start, I removed the reservoir. Even though it was very clean underneath and investigated just how small one of the two holes were. I could imagine how easily the one hole nearest the banjo could easily get clogged. It's about 1/3 of the size of the tip of a ball point pen. So, I took the smallest diameter guitar string imaginable and thoroughly cleaned both holes. Only to find that both calipers were still locking up. So, I moved on to further bleeding all components. Even though, I had felt I thoroughly bleed the lines through the reservoir. I took advice and cracked the banjo on the master and each caliper a couple of times after pumping the lever as advised. By this time I was extremely sure every bit of air was gone. Tried applying brakes again, still locking up. Next, I tried one thing that I hadn't in dozens of previous attempts. In past attempts to free the calipers. I knocked off about 10 pds of torque applied to the pins to free the pads. Pumped lever afterwards, only to find it locked up again. This time, I decided not to touch the lever or anything else for that matter. I decided to tighten the 4 pins first, before any other attempts. Went back to the lever, having done so. Wa la ! No more seized pads ! I did everything imaginable, but force the pistons back. I never attempted this, thinking it would only lock up again. Lesson learned. I don't know which technique accomplished the pads not locking up anymore. It, very well could have been a little of each. Thanks, to everyone.

[Suzukidave]

Thats great The plus side to this is you now have the advice for the next guy who posts " my calipers are locking up after a rebuild .. whats wrong "

[GT750Battleship]

Glad you got it sorted,forum working as it should....thanks everyone
Cheers,
Roger
Suzuki GT750A.

[pearljam724]

Funny story, about having no front brakes. The last ride of the year, last year. A nut backed off the bolt that secures the swingarm pivot rod to the rear brake plate. That caused the rear brake plate to spin, breaking the 2 die cast fingers that hold the brake cable. Those fingers keep tension on the brake cable allowing it to work. So, here I am at the top of a very steep mountain summit with about 3 miles of hair pin turns to reach the bottom. I had no other choice, but to gear the bike down into 1st gear, all while dragging my feet and burning off the soles of my shoes to slow down acceleration. I made it, but damn was I scared. Scared for my life as I could not slow the bike down and I was afraid that I was going to seize the motor. Because, it was revving so fast with no throttle imput. That's a good time to decide, not to ride the bike until the front brakes are fixed. You would not believe how fast these bikes will accelerate under their own weight and how little engine braking they have. Lol ! Oh, what a fool I was that day.

[dyrberg123]

That sounds like a real Thriller to me Hope the shoes was inexpensive ones...

I once drove home with more and more locking front brakes in rain, that was not to funny either.

[pearljam724]

That sounds like a real Thriller to me Hope the shoes was inexpensive ones...

I once drove home with more and more locking front brakes in rain, that was not to funny either.

Yeah, I consider myself a person who rides and drives with minimal braking. But, you just don't realize how much you do brake. Until you have none.

[GT750Battleship]

Hi......all for the sake of no split pin
Could have involved loss of life NOT to mention damage to a perfectly good motorcycle
Regards,
Roger
Suzuki GT750A

[Coyote]

Think about all those Harley sleds. Very pretty 21" front wheel and not a brake in sight.

[pearljam724]

Hi......all for the sake of no split pin
Could have involved loss of life NOT to mention damage to a perfectly good motorcycle
Regards,
Roger
Suzuki GT750A

I agree. But, you can't say you've never done anything stupid. I have no problem admitting. That I've done something stupid. There's not a rider out there that can't admit to doing something stupid on a motorcycle.

[Suzukidave]

I have done stupid things on a motorcycle .. sometimes more than once

[GT750Battleship]

yes o.k.,agree,but you CAN do something about missing nuts & bolts,fasteners on a motorcycle!! Guess it comes down in the end to the "nut" behind the handle bars knowing their limitations !! as a rider & their mechanical abilities ? If the mounting point for the cable on the brake backing plate "had not broken off"......that rear brake would have locked solid & thrown rider & bike "hard" onto the roadway...unforeseen mechanical problems are one thing...but things that are "preventable" are another!!! but for the sake of a split pin/"R" clip !! think about it,....seriously !!
Cheers,
Roger
Suzuki GT750A.

[Suzukidave]

Guess it comes down in the end to the "nut" behind the handle bars

Hey .. i resemble that remark

[pearljam724]

yes o.k.,agree,but you CAN do something about missing nuts & bolts,fasteners on a motorcycle!! Guess it comes down in the end to the "nut" behind the handle bars knowing their limitations !! as a rider & their mechanical abilities ? If the mounting point for the cable on the brake backing plate "had not broken off"......that rear brake would have locked solid & thrown rider & bike "hard" onto the roadway...unforeseen mechanical problems are one thing...but things that are "preventable" are another!!! but for the sake of a split pin/"R" clip !! think about it,....seriously !!
Cheers,
Roger
Suzuki GT750A.

That's why a lot of people are afraid to be honest and refuse to admit being wrong. I'm not one of those types. That's why I shared the story. Ok, now you wanna crack on my mechanical abilities. I won't share any more honest stories, now knowing other people don't make mistakes. You've never in your life forgotten to properly torque a bolt ? Was never filled with anticipation, excitement, lack of time and due to that you've never forgotten anything or made a decision you shouldn't have ? Relax brother.

[GT750Battleship]

Only making the point about staying alive....& not harming anyone else !
Why do we have scrutineers at race meetings checking machines ....to make sure all important nuts bolts are wired & "CAN'T" come undone ! Some accidents are avoidable, people that are killed by run away trucks...on inspection,guess what..proved to be lack of maintenance to the braking system! Sadly accident investigation findings don't alter the out come ? As for being stupid on a motorbike yes guilty as charge,3 months in Hospital !!!20 years old at the time,(young & stupid)now older & wiser ? , as for riding a motorbike that was NOT safe or roadworthy NEVER !! & if I CAN'T fix it myself, it goes to a " Bike Mechanic" There is an old saying "it's tight, it won't come undone" it's wired, it CAN'T come undone" . Sorry if you think I was having a go at you personally PJ,I wasn't, just pointing out the dangers to flesh & bone,yours,mine & others, due to lack of maintenance,servicing or time constraints !!! Lets face it,we only have Two Wheels, & no metal to protect us,remember your bike is your life line,treat it that way.

Regards,
Roger.

Four Wheels Move The Body
Two Wheels Move The Soul