Linked brake question

Discussion in '5th Generation 1998-2001' started by Deez, Mar 14, 2021.

  1. Deez

    Deez New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2020
    Messages:
    19
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    3
    I just learned today that when I apply the front brake it also actuations one of the rear brake cylinder, not only the other way around. But a stationary test shows that the rear wheel is free of rotation when I apply the front brake. So the question is does the bike need to be in motion for the linked brake to work? I assume when the front wheel is rotating the left caliper will be also rotated slightly by the friction force when I squeezing the brake level, it doesn't move when I do it in stationary.
     
  2. pi-on

    pi-on New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2020
    Messages:
    51
    Likes Received:
    12
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    Paso Robles, CA
    Map
    AFAIK the linked brake system is purely mechanical, i.e. no other inputs other than the brake levers.
     
  3. Neill

    Neill New Member

    Country:
    United Kingdom
    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2019
    Messages:
    43
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Someone smarter than me will likely know better but I have a feeling the front brake needs to be applied for a specific length of time before the pressure has built up enough to activate the rear brake. I could be wrong on this though.

    I would also say it's not uncommon for these bikes to have the brakes de-linked by some owners so that's a possibility too, though that should be fairly obvious if you check the brake lines Vs what stock ones look like.

    Sent from my Pixel 4a (5G) using Tapatalk
     
    mello dude likes this.
  4. Deez

    Deez New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2020
    Messages:
    19
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Thanks for your input, holding the brake lever longer doesn't apply any braking force on the rear wheel. The braking system is all stock, actually I just bled it a couple of weeks ago. I remember I pumped the rear brake pedal to bleed the PCV until the fluid was clear and no bubble.

    By looking at the brake system scheme, the PCV system is not directly connected to the rear or front brake fluid reservoir, so I guess when pumping the rear pedal, fluid was drawn into the PCV lines from the rear caliper.
     

    Attached Files:

  5. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

    Country:
    Romania
    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2006
    Messages:
    4,127
    Likes Received:
    318
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Southwest Ohio
    Map
    There's a secondary master cylinder mounted on the left lower fork of the bike and the front wheel needs to be in rotation with the front lever applied for it to actuate the the rear brake.
     
    cblues and pi-on like this.
  6. Deez

    Deez New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2020
    Messages:
    19
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Great! That's what I thought, but I can't put it into test. I can't imagine the caliper tilt itself while parked, only the torque from the friction can rotate it in the right direction
     
  7. RllwJoe

    RllwJoe Insider

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2017
    Messages:
    1,116
    Likes Received:
    315
    Trophy Points:
    128
    Location:
    Western Lower Peninsula, Michigan
    Map
    Compress the "linked master" that is attached to the front left caliper with your hand while the bike is on the center stand and you will be able to tell if it is putting pressure on the rear brake caliper or not.
     
    Deez likes this.
  8. Deez

    Deez New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2020
    Messages:
    19
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Tried and worked! Don't really need the linked system but at least it works as designed.
     
  9. DaHose

    DaHose New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2011
    Messages:
    1,003
    Likes Received:
    85
    Trophy Points:
    48
    Location:
    Napa, CA.
    Map
    If you replace the simple rubber front brake lines with braided stainless, it transforms the feel of the linked system.

    Jose
     
Related Topics

Share This Page