Brake Issue

I changed my tires and brake pads yesterday. I choose to go with the Honda pads. When I got everything back together the pads sounded like they were dragging. I took it around the block and the noise got even louder. Got back home, and raised front of bike and rotated the tire. It would only spin 1-1 1/2 revolutions. Put the old brak pads back on this morning. Spun the tire and did not hear anything rubbing and the tire went 4-5 revolutiions. I apply front and rear brake, spun tire and again somethig is dragging and the tire barely spins 1 time around. Everything is put back correct. Even at the request from the dealer used a feeler gauge in between the rotor and caliper to make sure it was adjusted correctly. I am stumpped at this time. I am thinking 1 or more pistons are not releasing. When I had the bike in the dealer for brake recall he said I might want to think about changing the fluid. He said he would wait until the end of the season and I would be fine. I pulled the cap of the reservoir and it was a light brown color. I got a buddy coming over with his mity-vac and we are going to try and bleed the brakes. Can you guys think of anything else I can check?

Flush the brake system and the fliud looked like maple syrup. Brakes do not drag anymore. Still got some air in there as pedal is a little soft.
Talk about a pain in the butt to bleed the brakes.

I have heard the best way to bleed these things is with a vacuum pump. I have not done mine yet. I probably shuld as the bike is almost 6 years old (although it mostly was a garage queen the first4 years) and has 54k on it. I do have the raspy sound from the front like they are dragging.

Glad it was a cheap if not easy fix for you.

See you out there
Smokey

I used the Migty-Vac hand pump. My 04 only had 22,xxx miles on it and the fluid was toasted.

The brake fluid needs changing yearly- 2 at outmost or you will end up with gummed components and failures. When bleeding old fluid out, first suck out the old that is in the master cylinder, wipe out the m/c with a clean rag moistened with clean Dot 4, rinse w/Dot 4, suck that out then refill and start brake bleed sequence for your bike.
When changing the pads be sure and clean all the slide pins and lube with a silicone brake grease so the work properly and don't hang up.
Calipers that are over 2 years since take apart/clean, you should pop out the pistons and clean the pistons as the dust gets in the seal and groove area allowing leakage of Dot 4 on the piston and the brake dust there, causing an acid to eat into the piston coating causing pits and rust and there by piston lock-no return and pad wear, rotor heat and warp. They need cleaning to prevent this from happening. Will you get away not doing it? For a short time yes, than it's a total rebuild time or replacement. PIA but the PM will save you lots.