To all Nighthawk owners... - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

wapam · 07-19-2007, 02:21 PM

How far does your brake lever move before you feel resistance (brakes being applied)? I installed new pads and rebuilt the master cylinder. My lever moves 1 1/2 - 2" before I feel any resistance and the lever stops about one inch from the grip. it does feel a little firmer (some might remember my "mushy brake lever" thread) but it seems to travel too far before the brakes are applied.

Before I get too carried away I want to know if this is normal.

Thank you for any help.

650Doug · 07-19-2007, 02:42 PM

Did you bleed them, and how is the fluid? Old? Has water in it? Dirty?

I changed my brake fluid last week, just replaced it with STP DOT 3 fluid like the book says, made sure they were bled real good and it made a world of difference.

650Doug · 07-19-2007, 02:43 PM

My bad. You rebuilt the MC so the fluid is probably new right?

(sorry about that)

Oh, and I can start to feel my brakes sooner than 1.5 inches of lever travel.

Aussie Steve · 07-19-2007, 10:07 PM

May need to top up the fluid level after the pads have seated.

650Doug · 07-26-2007, 01:57 AM

So did you get anywhere with this yet? Find and fix the problem?

wapam · 07-26-2007, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 650Doug

So did you get anywhere with this yet? Find and fix the problem?

I've got some stainless brake lines on order, I'll keep you posted on how/if they fix the problem.

wapam · 08-09-2007, 12:12 AM

Well, I put on the stainless lines, bled the system (again) and the lever feels firmer but still travels what I think is too far before I feel the brakes. Bottom line is the brakes definately stop the bike and I'm tired of screwing around with them. I'm just going to ride it the way it is.

Thanks for the help.

**Clint** · 08-09-2007, 10:46 AM

How much room is there between the lever and the bar when you're braking firmly? I.e., can you brake with one or two fingers without squishing the others?

07-19-2007, 02:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
wapam Where Am I ? Joined: Jun 2007 Bike: '85 Nighthawk, '80 Yamaha 1100 Special Location: MN Posts: 38	To all Nighthawk owners... How far does your brake lever move before you feel resistance (brakes being applied)? I installed new pads and rebuilt the master cylinder. My lever moves 1 1/2 - 2" before I feel any resistance and the lever stops about one inch from the grip. it does feel a little firmer (some might remember my "mushy brake lever" thread) but it seems to travel too far before the brakes are applied. Before I get too carried away I want to know if this is normal. Thank you for any help.

07-19-2007, 10:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
Aussie Steve U.B's LoveChild Joined: Jan 2007 Bike: 02 1200 Bandit Location: Western Australia Posts: 1,125	May need to top up the fluid level after the pads have seated. __________________ Just remember you ARE entitled to my opinion!!!!

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07-19-2007, 02:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
650Doug Third gear and cruising Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 459	Did you bleed them, and how is the fluid? Old? Has water in it? Dirty? I changed my brake fluid last week, just replaced it with STP DOT 3 fluid like the book says, made sure they were bled real good and it made a world of difference.

07-19-2007, 02:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
650Doug Third gear and cruising Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 459	My bad. You rebuilt the MC so the fluid is probably new right? (sorry about that) Oh, and I can start to feel my brakes sooner than 1.5 inches of lever travel.

07-26-2007, 01:57 AM	#5 (permalink)
650Doug Third gear and cruising Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 459	So did you get anywhere with this yet? Find and fix the problem?

08-09-2007, 12:12 AM	#7 (permalink)
wapam Where Am I ? Joined: Jun 2007 Bike: '85 Nighthawk, '80 Yamaha 1100 Special Location: MN Posts: 38	Well, I put on the stainless lines, bled the system (again) and the lever feels firmer but still travels what I think is too far before I feel the brakes. Bottom line is the brakes definately stop the bike and I'm tired of screwing around with them. I'm just going to ride it the way it is. Thanks for the help.

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