I have a1981 Yamaha 650, and i just changed my front brake pads. The fit was extremely tight and now it seems to grind on the caliper when im on the road. I find myself slowing down and not able to coast far at all. How do i release the pressure on the front brakes? Any help would be appreciated.
sounds like a bad cabiler or the wrong pads
For okorder /... Go to - 1981 XS650H - Front Brake-Caliper The 4 parts at # 10 from left to right are - piston, seal, dust seal, circlip
sounds like you did not clean around the piston & push it in before you put the pads in, piston not going back in enough. easy way = remove pads - pump brake gently so piston moves out about 2mm there will be a ring of crud around it get an old tooth brush dip it in wd40 brush aroung the piston to clean the crud away wipe with a bit of rag now push the piston back in a G clamp will do this if not got one put old pads loosly in then get a large screwdriver & force the pads apart this will push the piston in, fit new pads bolt caliper back on, NOW BEFORE YOU RIDE PUMP THE BRAKE UNTILL IT STARTS TO WORK job done,
It sounds like the caliper piston is stuck in the bore. You will need to remove the caliper from the bike, with the pads in the caliper put a rag in between, shoot compressed air into the brake line opening, the piston should pop out. clean the piston and the bore, replace the seal and reassemble.
They should release on there own. You need to determine if the master cylinder is releasing the fluid before you condemn the caliper. Remove the master cylinder cap and when you exercise the brake, there should be a little jet of fluid squirt up when you release the brake. Careful with the fluid, you don't want the fluid on you paint. Cover the top with the cap, open just enough to see the squirt. If the brake squirts, then the orifice is opening and it should be ok. If that test out OK, then it sounds like the caliper needs rebuilding. Not much to rebuilding, just cleaning out the bore to free up the piston and some new seals.
