I just replaced the front brake pads on my 2000 Kawasaki W650, and now the brakes are not near as good as they were with the old pads that needed replacing. I have to pull the brake lever all the way to the grip of the throttle to get it to stop completely. They are the correct pads and fluid if fine, I even checked and both pistons on the brake apply pressure. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
bleeding the brakes cant do any harm.. so do that first..(brake fluid should be replaced now & then anyway) (it absorbs moisture)... & this may not fix the problem.. are the pads seated properly? are they the same make? are they the same material?
After the new brake install, did you pump the lever to get the pressure back up to normal, or did you just install the pads, then install the caliper back over the rotor?
verify the point on a flat floor. i'd recommend that you also verify it on the similar flat floor. do not verify it on your storage, then verify the point on a highway. do not verify it on the part stand, then verify it on a center stand. you'll continuously see 2 distinct degrees. do no longer fill previous the suitable fill line and do not fill it with brake fluid from a field that is been used and sitting on the shelf for a lengthy time period. continuously attempt to apply brake fluid that is purely been opened. at the same time as checking the point of the front brake reservoir, turn the wheel to the left with the bike on the part stand, on a element floor.
New brake pads always require a good 50 miles of regular use before they start acting as they should. Bleeding the brakes could stop the problem of pulling the lever all the way back, it is not the fluid but the air that is contained in the fluid, that is a problem because air (as a gas) can easily be compressed whereas liquids like brake fluid can only slightly compress (so slight you would not notice). If bleeding doesn't sort the problem your hoses could be expanding, if they are old and slightly perished replace them, stainless hoses are a good option that will improve braking all round.
I experienced the same thing with my 97 harley I thing the problem was fine air bubbles in the fluid I noticed that when I bled the calipers that fluid looked a little foamy I think its because the hand lever doesn't have that far to pump the fluid thru a short distance to the caliper that all the air doesn't settle out when you bleed them. I rode mine for awhile and pumped the front brakes a few times to slow me down stopping with the rear and finally worked out all the air now I have good solid front brakes. Good luck hope this works for you
