+- The CB1100 Community Forum (https://cb1100forum.net/forum)
+-- Forum: Honda CB1100 Discussions (https://cb1100forum.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=5)
+--- Forum: Mechanical & Technical (https://cb1100forum.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=7)
+--- Thread: Front Brakes ain't what they used to be (/showthread.php?tid=14348)
Pages:
1
2
Front Brakes ain't what they used to be - misterprofessionality - 05-08-2025
It was only after riding with another CB this past weekend that I realized my front brake responsiveness on the old CB just isn't what it used to be. Its as of the engagement position on the lever is about 15-20% farther down than on a fresher bike. The brakes work. They stop me just fine. There's no squeak. The pads are relatively new with less than 4000 miles on them. The fluid is fresh, and the performance didn't change for better or worse after it was bled.
Any ideas what could be causing this? What can I do to get those snappy CB1100 brakes back?
RE: Front Brakes ain't what they used to be - Cormanus - 05-08-2025
Worn rotor?
RE: Front Brakes ain't what they used to be - misterprofessionality - 05-08-2025
Those are also relatively new actually. 4000 miles.
RE: Front Brakes ain't what they used to be - Cormanus - 05-08-2025
Not that, then.
RE: Front Brakes ain't what they used to be - 1973cb750 - 05-08-2025
i find greasing the pivot point on the lever makes a huge diff and the slide pins on the calipers i grease my clutch and brake pivot twice a year at least it really ninds up if you dont also the small rub point on the master
RE: Front Brakes ain't what they used to be - misterprofessionality - 05-08-2025
Yes, I do grease up the slide pins each time I change the pads, which with my mileage is pretty close to what you're describing. As far as the pivot point goes, it isn't really the smoothness that's in jeopardy. It's more like an engagement issue. It almost feels like the back pressure on the piston in in the master cylinder is reduced.
RE: Front Brakes ain't what they used to be - peterbaron - 05-08-2025
(05-08-2025, 10:28 AM)misterprofessionality Wrote: It was only after riding with another CB this past weekend that I realized my front brake responsiveness on the old CB just isn't what it used to be. Its as of the engagement position on the lever is about 15-20% farther down than on a fresher bike. The brakes work. They stop me just fine. There's no squeak. The pads are relatively new with less than 4000 miles on them. The fluid is fresh, and the performance didn't change for better or worse after it was bled.
Any ideas what could be causing this? What can I do to get those snappy CB1100 brakes back?
Good pics of the rotor's surface/4 and the pads surface/4 are needed.
I assume that front brake lever is firm and hard when pressed?
RE: Front Brakes ain't what they used to be - Whoops - 05-08-2025
(05-08-2025, 10:28 AM)misterprofessionality Wrote: It was only after riding with another CB this past weekend that I realized my front brake responsiveness on the old CB just isn't what it used to be. Its as of the engagement position on the lever is about 15-20% farther down than on a fresher bike. The brakes work. They stop me just fine. There's no squeak. The pads are relatively new with less than 4000 miles on them. The fluid is fresh, and the performance didn't change for better or worse after it was bled.
Any ideas what could be causing this? What can I do to get those snappy CB1100 brakes back?
You said fresh, but when did you last change the brake fluid? I know the manual says 2 years, but I feel like that's something that I prefer doing annually, especially with an ABS system with no test function to help cycle old fluid out of the pump.
RE: Front Brakes ain't what they used to be - misterprofessionality - 05-08-2025
I mentioned that. It was recently bled fully and the performance of the brakes did not change in any way before or after the bleed. Recently means 3 weeks ago at this stage.
RE: Front Brakes ain't what they used to be - Whoops - 05-09-2025
(05-08-2025, 05:54 PM)misterprofessionality Wrote: I mentioned that. It was recently bled fully and the performance of the brakes did not change in any way before or after the bleed. Recently means 3 weeks ago at this stage.
Righto. Could it be aging or degradation in a master cylinder seal is possibly reducing pressure at the calipers when you squeeze the lever? Maybe the master cylinder rebuild kit could yield results?