linked braking

Hi Guys: The new guy here again, with the new 07 VFR. I have a question on the linked braking: Apparently, according to the owners' manual, mine has the linked braking. However,if I pull on the front brake with the bike on the center stand, the back brake does not come on. This would lead me to believe that my bike doesn't have linked braking. Am I missing something, or am I correct?
Cheers
John.

 

Your bike does indeed have linked brakes and there is nothing wrong with the brakes. The other wheel has to be moving in order for the linked braking to engage. When you are ridng the bike next time you should be able to notice the front end dip down if you hit the rear brake hard. You'll also notice that it is also considerably more difficult to lock the wheels with the linked braking system. Congrats on your purchase BTW! Where are you located? What color bike? Any mods yet or is she still stock?

One more thing.....Welcome to the forums...I hope we don't scare you away took quickly.

Regards,
Rollin

 

Yes you're missing something and no, you're not correct. :smile: The front wheel activates the rear wheel piston when the small master cylinder attached to the left front wheel caliper is activated, which happens when you apply your brakes while the wheel is turning. You can also spin the front wheel and see if it stops when you step on the rear brake. It will as they are physically linked by brake lines.

 

Yes, all VFR's from 1998 to present have linked braking. Hard to diagnose without being there, but maybe it is a faulty/sticking PVC (Proportional Control Valve), worn rear pads, and/or one of your rear pistons is sticking. Only the center piston in the rear caliper should be activated when the front brake lever is depressed. You may want to take it off, and check to make sure that it is not sticking/stuck. Piston(s) sticking seem to be more common than the other reasons that I mentioned. Also make sure that the two outside pistons are not sticking when the rear brake pedal is depressed.

 

the bike has to be moving to have enough resistance for the front left caliper mount to engage the rear brake. Don't tear the whole damn bike apart, nothing is broken, just go out and ride.

 

Don't take anything apart. It's not broke. To help clarify take a look at the left front caliper as previously stated. This caliper has to move to activate the piston built into the caliper that activates the rear break. As the front brake activates, the movement of the caliper causes the whole caliper to shift which causes a piston in the caliper (not the pistons that activates the pads) to force fluid to the rear brakes. You may be able to see the caliper shift by slowly rolling the bike forward and slowly apply the front brake.

I hope I said this right and I hope it helps. Welcome!!!

 

???? Unless your bike is a mess, the likelihood is that (as a couple of others, including NorCalBoy have pointed out) nothing is wrong. The secondary master cylinder that actuates the rear brake in the LBS only works if the front wheel is turing. Why? The left front caliper floats a little bit, so when you engage the front brake it rotates forward just a little, and the forward movement actuates the secondary master.

You can test it if you get the bike up on front and rear stands, but other than that I can't think of a good way to verify that it's working as it should. (Anybody got any ideas here?) Bottom line... assuming that the bike is reasonably well maintained, I think you can assume the system is working as designed.

 

Jetdoc,Manually applying the front brake with your bike on the centerstand does not actuate the brake piston in the rear brake caliper. The secondary master cylinder,which is built right into the left front brake caliper mount,mechanically actuates the rear brake piston by using the front wheel's rotational inertia. The bike must be moving to accomplish this. In this VFR General Discussions Forum,currently on page two,is a post by forum member MiddleAgeCrazy. His post is titled "08 VFR800-Linked Brakes?" In it I provided a picture and a functional working explanation of exactly how the Linked Braking System operates on your 6th generation VFR. Have a peek,you'll understand what the other forum members are explaining to you here is correct.

 

I could say it all over again, but I won't
Welcome aboard, though.

 

liked

I did not think linked brakes were a good idea and was quite certain I would hate them. Wow was I wrong.Not quite sliced bread but damn close.:thumbsup:

 

Hey thank you for the info and the welcome. My bike is 2 weeks old. A new 07, just out of the crate. An excellent deal, I thought. I've got about 200 miles on her so far and really like the bike. It's still a bit balky, but that's just the need to be broken in. I noticed the chain was too tight, so fixed that on the weekend. I'm located north of Houston TX in a place called The Woodlands. Nope, you haven't scared me away. I look forward to learning a lot. No mods yet, but I've always modded my other bikes, so I'm sure the VFR won't be any different!
Cheers
John.

 

Thanks for the help. You are all right! The brakes work just like you have said. I didn't like them at first, but now I really do like how they work.
Cheers
John.

 

Your bike is really messed up. I've seen this before. It's too dangerous for you to ride like that and it's way beyond repair. You should just give it to me :thumbsup: