front brake lever acts like leak in seals

[c2insa]

I'm a lurker that finally registered and this may not be a complaint but simply a question of the fjr's personality.

When braking very gently with one finger on the front lever the lever slowly continues moving back toward the grip as if the fluid is bleeding out. If I do this long enough the lever actually continues to come back until it makes contact with the grip and there is no braking and no room left to pull the lever. It stops dead at the grip.

If I pull a tiny bit harder than I need to slow down, the brake works fine. but then I have to pull and release rather than keep the steady gentle pressure.

I've asked two Yamaha dealerships mechanics and both say it is not a defect but a normal action of the ABS system.

Is this true? With all of the complaints I've seen on this site I've not been able to find anyone else talking about this one......................

 

[odot]

Sounds like a bleeder. What year is the scoot?

 

[ionbeam]

tstaff has reported the exact same symptoms on his '06A here. FWIW, my '04 ABS does not do that. The '06 linked + ABS system is a whole different animal though.

 

[odot]

Tell you what....it ain't right. My 05 don't do it. And aren't the brakes supposed to work like normal if the abs breaks? My old suzuki does that because I never replaced the seals on the handlebar resevoir. Used to have to double pump to stop the thing....dangerous, dude. Get it fixed.....sounds like the 06's have yet another problem.

 

[Geezer]

I don't have ABS, but my experience with braking systems in general would say that there is something wrong. No matter what kind of braking system you have it should not behave as you describe.

Keep an eye on your brake fluid reservoir. If you are losing fluid then you need to figure out where it is going and fix the leak.

If you are not leaking fluid then you most likely have a problem in the master cylinder, (in case you don't know, that's the pump that is mounted on the handle bars that the brake lever is attached to).

 

[tstaff]

I have inspected all of the brake lines, fittings, & calipers on my bike which show no sign of leaks, the level is not going down in the master cylinder so it seems to be internal (Hope it's just air in the system). I will have it in the shop this friday for this issue & i will keep you posted.

 

[odot]

Um, airplane terminology is, "bypassing internally". Geezer nailed it.

 

[cota95]

tstaff has reported the exact same symptoms on his '06A here. FWIW, my '04 ABS does not do that. The '06 linked + ABS system is a whole different animal though.

I've got a 06a and I can't tell the difference between my 04 non abs and the new one. You have got a problem there.

 

[radman]

If it pumps up, then it's air in the system. I am amazed what dealer mechanics can come up with for cause and effect. Try this-a tried and true solution for difficult to bleed systems-apply the front brake fully, then wrap a bungie cord around the lever and bar to firmly keep the brake applied. Let it sit this way overnight. In the am you should have a nice firm lever again. If not, you need the master rebuilt.

 

[odot]

I'd agree with ya rad but, if you have to double pump and it still fades....them be bad seals....break out the club. (no pun intended...but, I am from alaska).

 

[FJRottie]

What they said above.

I've asked two Yamaha dealerships mechanics and both say it is not a defect but a normal action of the ABS system.

These two mechanics are so full of shit their eyes are brown.

My 04 has ABS...and you need yours fixed. ABS does not bleed off and the lever comes close to the bar.

ABS works like normal brakes until you get max pressure, and then the brakes pulse, to put it simply.

Do you have ABS on your car ? Same thing. The lever should not bottom out.

Never go back to those two clowns. Get it fixed, your front brake is your primary and main braking system on a bike.

 

[mindtrip]

Agreed--I call shenaningans.

You have a problem, don't let them bullshiat you, make them fix it.

 

[radman]

I'd agree with ya rad but, if you have to double pump and it still fades....them be bad seals....break out the club. (no pun intended...but, I am from alaska).

If I pull a tiny bit harder than I need to slow down, the brake works fine. but then I have to pull and release rather than keep the steady gentle pressure.

This appeared to me to be a pump up. I may be wrong, but thats pretty damn rare. I mean, really, really rare. I mean, like, almost never happens. Rarely...

 

[odot]

release and the scoot magically comes to a stop? Ok. I can see that. Ok...it's air.

 

[tstaff]

I'd agree with ya rad but, if you have to double pump and it still fades....them be bad seals....break out the club. (no pun intended...but, I am from alaska).

If I pull a tiny bit harder than I need to slow down, the brake works fine. but then I have to pull and release rather than keep the steady gentle pressure.

This appeared to me to be a pump up. I may be wrong, but thats pretty damn rare. I mean, really, really rare. I mean, like, almost never happens. Rarely...

Mine is not a "pump up" issue, if i apply the brakes firmly there is no problem, no fade, stops like it should.

If i lightly apply the lever or drag the front brake, it will start off firm & slowly bleed off the pressure until the lever pulls into the bar. The 06 linked system has a feature off the pedal only that when "light pressure" is applied it only applies the rear brake, I'm worried that the brake lines could be installed incorrectly at assembly & the front lever is now tied into that? Because mine feels like a mechanical bypass (like a valve opens) & releases the pressure.

 

[c2insa]

The bike is an 06 with 1000 miles. The issue is not a leak nor is it a pump up. If the lever is pulled with more force than I described above then the brake holds firm. It works perfectly at all levels of pressure except the amount of gentle pressure one would use if you are gently rolling to a stop or barely applying brake during heavy slow traffic like stop and go driving.

 

[radman]

Well, if thats normal, 'ol Frank be lookin' better every day.

 

[Fencer]

The bike is an 06 with 1000 miles. The issue is not a leak nor is it a pump up. If the lever is pulled with more force than I described above then the brake holds firm. It works perfectly at all levels of pressure except the amount of gentle pressure one would use if you are gently rolling to a stop or barely applying brake during heavy slow traffic like stop and go driving.

My 06A w/2500 miles does nothing of the sort. Hard or soft pull, The lever stops about 1 inch away from the bar in a parallel fashion.

front lever pull only with the bike "on" in Neutral on stand

 

[shuswaper]

c2...does it only happen when the lever alone is pressed. If u apply the rear brake at the same time u squeeze the lever (lightly, as you say), all is well? Nuthin to do with ABS! The phenom you describe may be an idiosyncrasy of this particular linked design. However, I hope I`m wrong about this cus I would think it would feel freakY. :assassin: