Big-D
Well-known member
On the way home from Taos, I lost my rear brake. I mean the foot pedal went all the way down as far as it could with no brake taking effect. I remember Daniel (Sin Loki) mentioning to me that he thought my rear shock has blown a seal because there seemed to be fluid under my bike. BeemerDon and I looked at it and felt the stuff on the ground was old that may have dripped from a car. So I didn't think more about it. Anyway, I worked on my bike yesterday, checking the pads and such and everything looks fine. So I bled the rear brake, which did not improve anything. Now I do not own a OEM shop manual, so when I look at all of the spegetti under the side cover, I decided to leave it alone until I either picked up a manual or received some wisdom from this Forum. Before I get jumped on, I did look through the FJR-Tech and the only rear brake application I saw was on a Gen l (the slower FJR).
I did receive a message from Pinhead about having to bleed the right front caliper along with the rear because they are tied together, which I will do tomorrow. I would have done it today, but I was under direction to get our BBQ propane tanks refilled or face hell from the wife. And of course after having the tanks filled and picking up a couple bottles of DOT-4 brake fluid my neighbor pulled in with his brand new Dodge Diesel pickup and wanted me to come on over and partake in the consumption of his beer while he demonstrated all of the facets of his new truck. Needless to say, I'll work on the brakes tomorrow instead.
My experience with brakes and all around maintenance on cars & trucks is fairly extensive. I have repaired and/or replaced brakes on numerous vehicles makes, models and types, but I have never seen a brake system like that of an FJR with ABS. Even my '95 Goldwing with brakes that operated the front & rear in conjunction with one another were simple to work on, although it did not have ABS. Without having the service manual, I felt it better to first hear from our Forum experts before I fork out for a manual. So that explains why I'm posting this. I'm not doubting what my friend Dave have already told me and I will do that tomorrow morning, but any other advice pertaining to my situation will be appreciated.
What caused this brake failure? I was unable to locate any leak in the system, meaning there was no trace of brake fluid either on the ground or any parts that would have surely attracted dirt while running down the road. Air must have invaded my rear brake system. The fluid level was full prior to me trying to bleed the rear caliper. The rear pedal is spongy. With the bike on the center stand, the rear brake will stop the wheel in a free spin, but once weight is applied, it is basically worthless. I showed BeemerDon while coming home from Taos, we were stopped for gas and I showed him how my pedal was easily going as far down as it could with no resistance. I truly hope by bleeding the right front and rear caliper this problem will be fixed, as it seems to be an expensive situation is that does not fix it.
So now I put my problem in your hands. Is my problem easily fixed by bleeding the air from my right front and rear brake caliper? Of has anyone experienced other problems that remind you of what I have described.
If Michigan wasn't so damn far away, I could have gone over to Bust's house, partaken in the consumption of his beer while I was properly instructed in the care and maintenance of the Gen ll brake system.
I did receive a message from Pinhead about having to bleed the right front caliper along with the rear because they are tied together, which I will do tomorrow. I would have done it today, but I was under direction to get our BBQ propane tanks refilled or face hell from the wife. And of course after having the tanks filled and picking up a couple bottles of DOT-4 brake fluid my neighbor pulled in with his brand new Dodge Diesel pickup and wanted me to come on over and partake in the consumption of his beer while he demonstrated all of the facets of his new truck. Needless to say, I'll work on the brakes tomorrow instead.
My experience with brakes and all around maintenance on cars & trucks is fairly extensive. I have repaired and/or replaced brakes on numerous vehicles makes, models and types, but I have never seen a brake system like that of an FJR with ABS. Even my '95 Goldwing with brakes that operated the front & rear in conjunction with one another were simple to work on, although it did not have ABS. Without having the service manual, I felt it better to first hear from our Forum experts before I fork out for a manual. So that explains why I'm posting this. I'm not doubting what my friend Dave have already told me and I will do that tomorrow morning, but any other advice pertaining to my situation will be appreciated.
What caused this brake failure? I was unable to locate any leak in the system, meaning there was no trace of brake fluid either on the ground or any parts that would have surely attracted dirt while running down the road. Air must have invaded my rear brake system. The fluid level was full prior to me trying to bleed the rear caliper. The rear pedal is spongy. With the bike on the center stand, the rear brake will stop the wheel in a free spin, but once weight is applied, it is basically worthless. I showed BeemerDon while coming home from Taos, we were stopped for gas and I showed him how my pedal was easily going as far down as it could with no resistance. I truly hope by bleeding the right front and rear caliper this problem will be fixed, as it seems to be an expensive situation is that does not fix it.
So now I put my problem in your hands. Is my problem easily fixed by bleeding the air from my right front and rear brake caliper? Of has anyone experienced other problems that remind you of what I have described.
If Michigan wasn't so damn far away, I could have gone over to Bust's house, partaken in the consumption of his beer while I was properly instructed in the care and maintenance of the Gen ll brake system.