Hi Folks, Ever since I got my 2000, I've been struggling with the brakes. - Pulling the lever doesn't seem to generate as much stopping force as I'd expect. - The Pedal was really bad when I got the bike - hard as rock, practically no travel or stopping force. I rebuilt all three calipers, bled the system and swapped to brand new EBC HH pads all around. The pedal is now somewhat better, but still nowhere near where I'd expect to be. It can barely bring the bike to a stop - but it WILL prevent me from turning the rear wheel by hand with the bike on the center stand. One other potentially strange thing I noted: If I press the pedal, it starts out firm with very little travel. But if I leave the pedal pressed and then pull the lever, the pedal softens and sinks down. Doesn't seem to add any additional braking forces when it sinks down, though. - The back wheel spins freely with just a little drag, as one would expect. I don't think I have binding brakes or stuck pistons. - I THINK I've bled the system properly. The lever actually feels great, nice and firm, but just doesn't generate as much stopping power as I'd expect. The rear...I followed the bleeding procedure as best as I could. I removed and tilted the front left caliper, and also relocated the rear caliper to the top of the disk (with the bleed screws at the highest point) when I bled them. Any insight on what could be going on here? Thanks in advance.
Wish I could help you but it probably has to do with linked brakes. My unlinked, non-ABS VFR doesn't have linked brakes (thank goodness) and it's very very easy to bleed the brakes. I also only use Honda OEM brake pads. Regardless of what people might say, EBC does have quality problems too often for me to use them. FWIW.
It's a 20 year old bike.... good idea.... I'd bet the seals were getting a little hard as well. I'm about to do the piston polish and seal replacement on mine.....
