Rear brake calipers came loose - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

banditguy81 · 01-04-2007, 02:53 PM

I was riding the ol' Bandito home this afternoon, and when I applied my rear brakes to begin slowing down at my driveway, I felt/heard a very unusual CLUNK at the rear wheel. I instantly thought it had something to do with my rear brakes and rather gingerly tested them again. Everything seemed okay, but I knew something was definitely wrong. Luckily, by this time I was in the driveway. I parked and looked at my rear wheel and brakes. Lo and behold, the calipers had come loose from a brace that mounts to the underside of the swingarm and apparently prevents the main caliper bracket from rotating around the axel. The bolt was missing. Of course, when the brake was applied, the caliper rotated along with the rotor up to the point that it jammed against the inside of the swingarm. So now the caliper and caliper bracket assembly are about 150 degrees out of position, and the brake line is real tight. No fluid leaked out and the rear wheel still turns freely, so the jam is between the caliper mounting bracket and the swingarm.

I think I just came very close to having an accident. If this had happened at highway speed or, ahem... above highway speed, I think something very bad might have happened.

My local shop has already picked up the bike and they think that there was no real damage done, hopefully.

All you Bandit riders (mine's an '03) please go check this connection before you ride again. The brace is on the right side of the bike (opposite the chain side), and mounts on the underside of the swingarm and on the bottom of the rear brake caliper bracket, which is a cast part. The brace itself is a black, square tubular piece close to two feet in length.

SCC Ryder · 01-04-2007, 03:09 PM

Its a good thing that you did not panic and force the issue and end up crashing. I have seen that problem happen ( w/ the caliper mounts ) from time to time ... it could have been ugly if you really needed to use that rear brake. Just a few minutes of inspection ( checking over all bolts, tire pressures, brake pad condition, ect ) every month could make a huge difference in overall saftey of your motorcycle.

**Clint** · 01-04-2007, 09:15 PM

Whew. I thought you were going to say the caliper dug a groove all the way around your wheel. Lucky!

banditguy81 · 01-05-2007, 11:49 AM

Yep, it was just stuck. I consider myself quite lucky. Should've bought a lottery ticket yesterday!

01-04-2007, 02:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
banditguy81 Seat Tester Joined: Dec 2005 Bike: Suzuki Bandit 1200S (2003) Location: Watkinsville, GA Posts: 50	Rear brake calipers came loose I was riding the ol' Bandito home this afternoon, and when I applied my rear brakes to begin slowing down at my driveway, I felt/heard a very unusual CLUNK at the rear wheel. I instantly thought it had something to do with my rear brakes and rather gingerly tested them again. Everything seemed okay, but I knew something was definitely wrong. Luckily, by this time I was in the driveway. I parked and looked at my rear wheel and brakes. Lo and behold, the calipers had come loose from a brace that mounts to the underside of the swingarm and apparently prevents the main caliper bracket from rotating around the axel. The bolt was missing. Of course, when the brake was applied, the caliper rotated along with the rotor up to the point that it jammed against the inside of the swingarm. So now the caliper and caliper bracket assembly are about 150 degrees out of position, and the brake line is real tight. No fluid leaked out and the rear wheel still turns freely, so the jam is between the caliper mounting bracket and the swingarm. I think I just came very close to having an accident. If this had happened at highway speed or, ahem... above highway speed, I think something very bad might have happened. My local shop has already picked up the bike and they think that there was no real damage done, hopefully. All you Bandit riders (mine's an '03) please go check this connection before you ride again. The brace is on the right side of the bike (opposite the chain side), and mounts on the underside of the swingarm and on the bottom of the rear brake caliper bracket, which is a cast part. The brace itself is a black, square tubular piece close to two feet in length. __________________ Keep the rubber side down! www.4bphoto.com Last edited by banditguy81; 01-04-2007 at 02:56 PM.

01-04-2007, 03:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
SCC Ryder Seat Tester Joined: Nov 2006 Bike: 2002 SV650s, 2005 CRF450R Location: Sunnyvale, CA Posts: 72	Its a good thing that you did not panic and force the issue and end up crashing. I have seen that problem happen ( w/ the caliper mounts ) from time to time ... it could have been ugly if you really needed to use that rear brake. Just a few minutes of inspection ( checking over all bolts, tire pressures, brake pad condition, ect ) every month could make a huge difference in overall saftey of your motorcycle. __________________ www.santaclaracycle.com

01-05-2007, 11:49 AM	#4 (permalink)
banditguy81 Seat Tester Joined: Dec 2005 Bike: Suzuki Bandit 1200S (2003) Location: Watkinsville, GA Posts: 50	Yep, it was just stuck. I consider myself quite lucky. Should've bought a lottery ticket yesterday! __________________ Keep the rubber side down! www.4bphoto.com

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