C50 front brake mushy--stupid dealer svc

[tallannie]

I took my bike in for a regular (stupidly prepaid 2 yrs ago) full service about 3 weeks ago...and asked them to especially look a mushy front disc brake. Came back with a 'checked' ok...and 'this is normal'....and 'we replaced fluids".
So yesterday on a short ride the front brake handle finally pulled all the way in without really slowing the bike...in little shuddery steps. Rode right back to the *&%$#@ stealership and they took it right in. Verdict? air in line and old fluid needing replacement....which they did for free immediately when i reminded them they JUST DID this...
Brake works FINE now.... luckily I didnt killl myself in some emergency situation.
Cheeeeeze.... I learned.... mushy brakes are not normal.... check and bleed brake fluid!

Annie

[DrBob]

Yup, seems like there are several lessons here:

- brake fluid needs to be changed regularly
- if you think something is wrong, it probably is, no matter what the dealer says
- check behind your POS dealer and make sure they actually did the work they charged you for
- find another dealer- this one is a liar and a thief, telling you they checked something when they didn't, and taking your pre-paid money for work they never did. If you can;t trust them with a little task like checking the brakes when your life litterally depends on them working, how can you possibly trust them for anything more complicated?
-

[tricker]

are you sure you wern't out of blinker fluid as well?

[KD57]

Originally Posted by DrBob

Yup, seems like there are several lessons here:

- brake fluid needs to be changed regularly
- if you think something is wrong, it probably is, no matter what the dealer says
- check behind your POS dealer and make sure they actually did the work they charged you for
- find another dealer- this one is a liar and a thief, telling you they checked something when they didn't, and taking your pre-paid money for work they never did. If you can;t trust them with a little task like checking the brakes when your life litterally depends on them working, how can you possibly trust them for anything more complicated?
-

[diamond_jim]

Speaking of service, that buddy of mine that I wrote about in another thread, the one who bought the new V-Star 650 in Florida, told me last night that he had taken his bike in to get serviced. I said, "Great!". He then tells me what a great deal he got. A motorcycle mechanic who used to work at a local dealer started a repair business at his home. My buddy said that he gave the guy the bike on Tuesday and picked it up on Wednesday (the mechanic had the bike 24 hours). He said the guy- adjusted the valves, changed out all fluids (oil, rear diff, brake), replaced oil and air filter, checked all the nuts and bolts and lubricated all of the cables. For $100.

To me that sounds a little too good to be true.

[DrBob]

$100 bucks? It probably only took the guy 2-2.5 hours, so it was a pretty good deal for both.

[punkrock114]

i need to find someone like that around me....too bad i havent...but im mechaically inclined and you guys provide me with enough knowledge to find the problem...im an AUTO mechanic, not a motorcycle mechanic

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by DrBob

Yup, seems like there are several lessons here:

My only remaining question (or bit of skepticism) is:

Does old fluid and/or a little air in the loop usually cause complete loss of braking and a lever (or pedal) collapse?? I'm thinking that something like that would be pretty rare.

[tallannie]

I never leave anything as important as blinker fluid to a dealer. I always check this myself...!

Originally Posted by tricker

are you sure you wern't out of blinker fluid as well?

[2005GZ250]

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

My only remaining question (or bit of skepticism) is:

Does old fluid and/or a little air in the loop usually cause complete loss of braking and a lever (or pedal) collapse?? I'm thinking that something like that would be pretty rare.

Brake fluid absorbs moisture that will cause corrosion to metal parts, air in the system will make it feel mushy. The question is how did the air get in the system?

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by 2005GZ250

The question is how did the air get in the system?

Well, yea, I guess that would be a second (related) question!

Air doesn't just sneak into a properly working system
AND
A little air or slightly old fluid will NOT cause complete loss of pressure.

So, Annie........be extra alert for a while. Aside from the obviously fishy story from the dealer, something else might be brewing too.

[tallannie]

yep.... defintiely going to do this....thanks...

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

So, Annie........be extra alert for a while. Aside from the obviously fishy story from the dealer, something else might be brewing too.