Linked brakes that aren't?

So I've had my 2000 VFR800 for about 2 1/2 years and decided it was time to change some stuff. Chain, sprockets, and the fluids, which is where all my trouble started.
After changing the oil (not the first time), the coolant and the clutch fluid without a hitch I started looking into changing the brake fluid. Before getting to it I had to make sure the clutch was working right. With the bike on the center stand in first gear with the clutch and front brake pulled in, I start to let out the clutch to see where it starts to engage. The lever completely releases and the wheel starts to spin, front brakes still engaged. The rear brake pedal stops the rear, not sure if it affects the fronts and the front works the front but not the rear.
Here're the questions:
How do I check to see if the rear pedal makes the front brakes work?
How do I check to see if a previous owner disabled the linked system?
What do I need to check to make the brakes work properly again?
Is it worth going ahead and changing the brake fluid as it is? Would that be a possible solution to my problem?
Ladies and gentleman, any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

 

On the 6th Gen, the front left brake caliper is "hinged" on the bottom so that the entire assembly rotates forward under braking only when the bike is moving, which operates a secondary master cylinder. The manual doesn't say what part of the system works when, but I think that might be what partially controls the rear wheel braking when the front brake is applied. I do know that the brake bleeding procedure occupies many pages and apparently has to be done in a systematic fashion.

So it could be that your system is working fine. I'm hopeful that someone who knows the LBS well will comment. FWIW, I did a quick Google search and did not find any immediate answers as to which part of the system controls what.

 

Yes indeed. The front brakes has to be under load or rotational force for the rear to work. That said lever pushes in on a piston that operates some of the rear break. Btw, have yopu ever locked up your LBS. I can't.

 

correct, the bike has to be in motion for the front brakes to activate the rear.
side note if you stand on the rear pedal you can lock up the rear.

 

I've tried alot, I just can't do it. Do you like the LBS? I really don't mind it.

 

This is a partial reprint of an old post of mine LGN001. It's a functional explanation of how the LBS system on the 6th gen. bike works. You're correct that the front wheel MUST be rotating forward in order to actuate the secondary master cylinder in the left front brake caliper mount. The principle is pretty much the same for the 5th gen. bikes,however they are plumbed very differently.


"When the front brake is applied,all three pistons in the right front brake caliper and two pistons in the left front brake caliper are actuated. As the left front brake pads squeeze against the rotor the left front brake caliper mount rotates toward the fork leg applying the secondary master cylinder. (The secondary master cylinder is built right into the left front brake caliper mount.) The secondary master cylinder then sends fluid to the servo proportional valve,which in turn actuates one piston in the rear brake caliper.

When the rear brake is applied,two pistons in the rear brake caliper and one piston in the left front brake caliper are actuated. Once again when the left front brake pads squeeze against the rotor the left front brake caliper mount rotates toward the fork leg,applying the secondary master cylinder which sends fluid to the servo proportional valve,which actuates the remaining piston in the rear brake caliper."

 

Holy complex braking system. To all those who replied, I thank you for your knowledge and willingness to help out. To any that may have viewed this, I hope my ignorance shed some light.

 

Pretty much my thought, too. I like "new and improved" things as long as they work. When I don't like them is when I'm trying to maintain them or figure out why they no longer work...