Front brake locked up

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jkmartin90
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Front brake locked up

#1 Unread post by jkmartin90 »

I have a 1984 honda gl650. Rode my bike all day and everything was fine. The bike sat all the next day in 85 degree temperature and on the third day the front brake was locked up and the bike would not move. I opened up the bleeder and every loosened up, so I flushed out the mastercylinder and the brakes were fine. I did not even ride the bike and the next day the brakes are locked up again. Is it the heat of the sun on the master causing this problem? It has me scratching my head.

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dean owens
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#2 Unread post by dean owens »

84? thought they only made those in 83?

as far as your problems my top two guesses are your master cylinder or your calipers. the master cylinder has a small return hold that can get gunked up. use a straight pin to clean it out. if that doesn't work you might have to rebuild the calipers. they get dirt and dust and crud in them and need to be cleaned. there are kits that have all the rubber bits that need to be replaced. doesn't cost that much.

if you want some more detail there is a site i used to hang out a lot that is devoted to these bikes. it's http://choppercharles.com/cs/forums/

have fun. it's a great bike.
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jkmartin90
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#3 Unread post by jkmartin90 »

I'm sorry your right it is a 1983. Don't know what i was thinking. I did tear apart the master and you were right about the gunk. So I cleaned it up and rebuilt it. So now I will let it sit and I will let you know how it did.

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honda750
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possible

#4 Unread post by honda750 »

something to keep in mind:

Honda used "caliper pins" for a couple years in the early 80s and these pins had a habit of wearing unevenly, and the calipers will get stuck in the grooves on the pin instead of sliding on them. Check these pins and and grease replace them if they're not smooth.
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#5 Unread post by Wrider »

Let go of the lever... :laughing: Just kidding bud.
But yeah check the caliper pins, that's a good starting point. If not I'm betting the master cylinder needs to be rebuilt. When it's locked up, is the hose still under pressure? If it is, master cylinder, if not, slave cylinder.
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fingers crossed

#6 Unread post by jkmartin90 »

:frusty: Well I think I got It. I think it was in the Master Cylinder because when I cracked open the line out of the master everything freed up. So I went through the master again and it was clean. Then I looked a little closer and noticed the very small oriface under the res was pluged. Ran a stiff wire through it put it together and it seems to be good. It only locked up after a short ride so here I go. Will see if what happens, Thanks for the help. :P

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#7 Unread post by Pap »

Hope your brake is working okay, now. I had the same trouble, and when I finally found what it was, it was just what you said. That small return hole was stopped up. I took a sewing needle and opened it up and haven't had any trouble since.

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