86' VFR750F Brakes

I recently took off my front brake calipers to change the pads, which I thought was far from rocket science. But once I put everything back together, the pads on the calipers, the calipers to the bike etc...the brakes will not engage. I do not know where to start. Any help?

 

Did you disconnect the brake lines from the calipers? If so, you'll need to bleed the system of air.

If not.. What's the feel on the brake lever? Really stiff but no pad movement? Really soft and no pad movement?

Can you take a pic of the front brakes/rotors, showing how the pads are fitted in?

 

Woody this might sound like a stupid question but how do you bleed the air put of the system?

 

It's in the service manual, and lots of instructions around here if you search.

If you don't have a manual, the real one from Honda is only $30 or so. And worth it.

http://vfrworld.com/forums/brake-tire-articles/13236-front-brake-bleeding.html

That thread is a good start. Be VERY careful that you don't strip the bleeder. Use a proper flare nut wrench or a box-end wrench, not an open-end wrench, or you WILL strip it (trust me).

oh, and I should have clarified earlier:

If it's super-spongy, it's air.

If it's rock hard resistance, something is screwed up in the assembly of the pads, and the pistons can't move them against the rotors.

It's also possible that when you pushed the pistons back into the calipers, you pushed enough fluid back into the master cylinder that you're going to need to pump the lever a few times to move the pistons back against the pads. But it's only ever taken me one or two sqeezes to get there...

 

unless you've done them before and know exactly what you're doing and unless you have the Honda Service manual, brake repairs should be left to experienced professionals because of safety considerations.