We know that the motorbike's braking system plays a major role. As said in the movie Ford vs Ferrari, "We can't use the engine's power if we can't stop". Though the design of the braking system varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, mechanism used here is common. Till now, we can see accidents happening due to problems occurring in the braking system. Generally what we think is, good brake pads or brake linings will give us a good braking action. But its not like that. The efficiency of this braking system depends also on other factors like brake fluid quality, piston, calipers etc.. Here in this post, let's see some common problems occurring in braking system and about how to rectify it.
Presence of air in fluid line
This problem arises only in disc brake fitted motorbikes. Generally we know that the air is compressible and the liquid medium is non compressible. In disc brake system, the brake pads are activated with the help of piston present in the caliper. Inside the brake lines, brake fluid will be present. When we activate the brake lever, the piston inside the master cylinder will pressurize and pushes the brake oil towards the piston present in the caliper and this initiates the braking action. The problem arises when air enters into this brake fluid hose. When we activate the brake lever or pedal in this condition, air inside the line will be compressed and the brake fluid won't. This results in the spongy braking action.
This is very dangerous than we think about it. If air is present along with the brake fluid, the braking efficiency will be affected which may end up in accidents. To rectify this problem, brake bleeding is the right solution. Brake bleeding refers to the process of removing air from the brake fluid line. In the caliper, air bleed screw will be present. After pumping the brake for four to five times, we have to loose that air bleed screw and have to tight it within no interval of time which spits out some fluid with the air present inside the fluid line. By this method we can remove the air present inside the brake line and we have to do this process carefully. Because, during this process also, there are chances for air getting into this fluid lines. Reverse bleeding is mostly preferred which totally avoids the chances for air getting into it.
Binding
In this condition, the brake pads or brake linings will be in contact with the brake drum or disc even without pressing the brake pedal or lever. This happens in both drum and in disc brake systems. This binding of brakes will create many problems like mileage drop, engine overheating, more wear in disc etc.. Incase of drum brake system, faulty pedal return spring and brake shoe retracting springs will be one of the reasons. In this case, we have to inspect both the springs and have to replace it if necessary. Incase of disc brake system, excessive brake fluid level will be the reason for this brake binding. The problem can be rectified if the excessive brake fluid is removed. Seizure of piston in caliper may also become also one of the reason. Lubricating the piston and maintaining it periodically will be the solution.
Jamming
Mostly, this'll happen in the disc brake systems. The piston inside the caliper fails to release even after releasing the brake lever or pedal. This leads to grabbing of disc always which again leads to mileage loss. This jamming of piston is different from binding. Brake binding happens also if the piston is not jammed. Piston in the caliper jams due to several reasons including brake oil quality. If we don't replace the brake fluid for long time, it transforms into sludgy substance and deposits in various spots like master cylinder, inside calipers, brake fluid lines. As said, if the brake fluid is in poor quality, the problem can be rectified by replacing it with the new brake fluid. Its good to dismantle the caliper fully and inspect it and clean the deposits completely. The dust and oil seals in the caliper which prevents the brake fluid from escaping may also become one of the reason. All disc brake fitted motorbikes uses floating caliper mechanism which means that the caliper will move slightly, making the pads to come in contact with the disc. So, it should be able to move freely and comeback freely. For this, we have to apply grease periodically. If the piston fails to release in the master cylinder, it also leads to jamming. In this condition, remove and inspect the master cylinder assembly fully. Replace it with the new one if necessary.
Brake fluid leakage
Regularly you have to check the brake fluid level. If you fail to check and if there's less or no brake fluid, something horrible might happen. Without brake fluid, braking action doesn't take place. There are several spots that you have to check regularly which includes near banjo bolts, near master cylinder's dust cover and mainly you have to check for the fluid level in the reservoir. The leak can occur due to the formation of holes anywhere in the brake linings, loose banjo bolts etc.. Make sure that there's no leakage in every joints. In bikes like 200NS, a cover will be provided above the brake fluid lines. We may fail to notice these parts. But its necessary to inspect every possible parameters. Experienced mechanics will tight the banjo bolt with perfect torque. Sometimes, if we over tight the banjo bolt, threads will be damaged and fluid will leak through that which leads us to replace the caliper or over thread or rethread it which becomes a head weight.
Fading
Reduction in stopping power after using the brake system for long time under high power and load ends up in brake fading. The behavior of the friction materials varies according to the temperature. That's why in motorsports, brake linings and pads are changed after several laps. In case of drum brake system, if we activate the brake pedal or lever, there'll be poor contact between the brake lining and the drum. We have to make sure whether the linings with suggested radius were installed. In disc brake systems, if the system is too hot, any moisture in it also boils and transforms into vapor. Vapor is compressible where the brake fluid doesn't. If we activate the pedal or lever at this situation, the braking action will be downgraded and results in brake fade. Many of us have the habit of slightly pressing the brake pedal and clutch levers which is really a bad thing. By doing this, unwantedly, the system will heat which results in brake fade. So we should not keep our foot in the pedal or pressing it unwantedly.
Presence of air in fluid line
This problem arises only in disc brake fitted motorbikes. Generally we know that the air is compressible and the liquid medium is non compressible. In disc brake system, the brake pads are activated with the help of piston present in the caliper. Inside the brake lines, brake fluid will be present. When we activate the brake lever, the piston inside the master cylinder will pressurize and pushes the brake oil towards the piston present in the caliper and this initiates the braking action. The problem arises when air enters into this brake fluid hose. When we activate the brake lever or pedal in this condition, air inside the line will be compressed and the brake fluid won't. This results in the spongy braking action.
This is very dangerous than we think about it. If air is present along with the brake fluid, the braking efficiency will be affected which may end up in accidents. To rectify this problem, brake bleeding is the right solution. Brake bleeding refers to the process of removing air from the brake fluid line. In the caliper, air bleed screw will be present. After pumping the brake for four to five times, we have to loose that air bleed screw and have to tight it within no interval of time which spits out some fluid with the air present inside the fluid line. By this method we can remove the air present inside the brake line and we have to do this process carefully. Because, during this process also, there are chances for air getting into this fluid lines. Reverse bleeding is mostly preferred which totally avoids the chances for air getting into it.
Binding
In this condition, the brake pads or brake linings will be in contact with the brake drum or disc even without pressing the brake pedal or lever. This happens in both drum and in disc brake systems. This binding of brakes will create many problems like mileage drop, engine overheating, more wear in disc etc.. Incase of drum brake system, faulty pedal return spring and brake shoe retracting springs will be one of the reasons. In this case, we have to inspect both the springs and have to replace it if necessary. Incase of disc brake system, excessive brake fluid level will be the reason for this brake binding. The problem can be rectified if the excessive brake fluid is removed. Seizure of piston in caliper may also become also one of the reason. Lubricating the piston and maintaining it periodically will be the solution.
Jamming
Mostly, this'll happen in the disc brake systems. The piston inside the caliper fails to release even after releasing the brake lever or pedal. This leads to grabbing of disc always which again leads to mileage loss. This jamming of piston is different from binding. Brake binding happens also if the piston is not jammed. Piston in the caliper jams due to several reasons including brake oil quality. If we don't replace the brake fluid for long time, it transforms into sludgy substance and deposits in various spots like master cylinder, inside calipers, brake fluid lines. As said, if the brake fluid is in poor quality, the problem can be rectified by replacing it with the new brake fluid. Its good to dismantle the caliper fully and inspect it and clean the deposits completely. The dust and oil seals in the caliper which prevents the brake fluid from escaping may also become one of the reason. All disc brake fitted motorbikes uses floating caliper mechanism which means that the caliper will move slightly, making the pads to come in contact with the disc. So, it should be able to move freely and comeback freely. For this, we have to apply grease periodically. If the piston fails to release in the master cylinder, it also leads to jamming. In this condition, remove and inspect the master cylinder assembly fully. Replace it with the new one if necessary.
Brake fluid leakage
Regularly you have to check the brake fluid level. If you fail to check and if there's less or no brake fluid, something horrible might happen. Without brake fluid, braking action doesn't take place. There are several spots that you have to check regularly which includes near banjo bolts, near master cylinder's dust cover and mainly you have to check for the fluid level in the reservoir. The leak can occur due to the formation of holes anywhere in the brake linings, loose banjo bolts etc.. Make sure that there's no leakage in every joints. In bikes like 200NS, a cover will be provided above the brake fluid lines. We may fail to notice these parts. But its necessary to inspect every possible parameters. Experienced mechanics will tight the banjo bolt with perfect torque. Sometimes, if we over tight the banjo bolt, threads will be damaged and fluid will leak through that which leads us to replace the caliper or over thread or rethread it which becomes a head weight.
Fading
Reduction in stopping power after using the brake system for long time under high power and load ends up in brake fading. The behavior of the friction materials varies according to the temperature. That's why in motorsports, brake linings and pads are changed after several laps. In case of drum brake system, if we activate the brake pedal or lever, there'll be poor contact between the brake lining and the drum. We have to make sure whether the linings with suggested radius were installed. In disc brake systems, if the system is too hot, any moisture in it also boils and transforms into vapor. Vapor is compressible where the brake fluid doesn't. If we activate the pedal or lever at this situation, the braking action will be downgraded and results in brake fade. Many of us have the habit of slightly pressing the brake pedal and clutch levers which is really a bad thing. By doing this, unwantedly, the system will heat which results in brake fade. So we should not keep our foot in the pedal or pressing it unwantedly.