Losing feel in front brake

[MNKeith]

Originally Posted by Moto7man

Check and replace the bleed nipple on the caliper, someone else had the same problem and the bleed nipple was deformed. He had the same inconsistent braking problem that you are having and it actually caused him to crash and get hurt. Then he traced the problem to the deformed nipple, he replaced it and braking problem solved.

Interesting. I'm not doubting you but I'm confused why that would cause an issue? Mine looks to be in good shape but it's an easy swap if I still have issues in the next few weeks.

Edit. Just saw his post. I think his was more of a spongy feel problem but nevertheless, good to know.

[(F5)]

Originally Posted by RBrider

I had this same problem with my '01 200 with Nissin brakes.
Check the tiny bleed hole in the bottom of the master cyl reservoir. Run a tiny strand of copper wire thru it to make sure it is clean and 100% open.

RB

This one.

Also check the free play of the lever. It is well conceivable that the beedhole is obscured by lever adjustment. Almost. When it gets hot it does obscure.

[hadfield4wd]

Originally Posted by RBrider

I had this same problem with my '01 200 with Nissin brakes.
Check the tiny bleed hole in the bottom of the master cyl reservoir. Run a tiny strand of copper wire thru it to make sure it is clean and 100% open.

RB

I had this problem with a RM125 I had. But the brakes locked up. The bleed hole blockage will not allow the piston to "return".

[MNKeith]

Much delayed follow up... Did some poking and cleaning of the master cylinder, several rides since and I seem to have improved feel on the lever now. It doesn't get hard like it did before (that's what she said.)

[(F5)]

Cool, yeah the getting harder was a dead giveaway that the return wasn't occurring properly.

As an aside, I've just been through my both calliper slide bolts and replaced them on my 07. Didn't cost much the sliding one was corroded and mid shapen and the pad one was grooved on both. Pads can hang up and pivot there.

[MNKeith]

A year and a half later and I was at the same point.

Brake always worked, just lacked feel and I'm not a AA rider so priority level lost out to drinks on the patio most of the time.

I bled different ways. I replaced lines. I rebuilt the MC. I cleaned the MC. I swapped the MC.

Sometimes I'd get slight improvement, but then back to rock hard.

Never had irregular wear on the pads and didn't see how the caliper could cause this.

Welp. Swapped calipers yesterday. BIG difference. Normal lever travel and progressive front braking. I have yet to get in to the old caliper and see if the seals or pistons are wonky, but whatever is going on, that was the culprit.