Triumphrat

Enginerd81

My speed four rear brake doesn't feel like it's doing anything unless I stand on it. I know it's not supposed to do a whole lot but compared to my 919 and previous bikes I feel like way too much effort has to go into it to get any decrease in speed.

Is this normal or should I star investigating?

Bryan

GNTurbo6

Probably needs to be investigated. Mine worked great until my bike was stolen. After it was recovered barely does anything but I don't bother figuring out what's wrong. I bled the fluid and the pads look fine so I don't really know where to begin.

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'00 TT600
'87 GN

southerly

My rear brake will lock up the back wheel quite easily, so it does sound like you need to investigate to see what is wrong. Could be bad pads or the piston or calliper sticking. Old damp fluid or air bubbles can also affect it.

Is there a lot of movement in the lever before it starts doing anything, or just a small amount with resistance by little braking?

D41

How long since the fluid was changed and the system bled??

That said, they were never much good even in top working order, I'm quite surprised that Southerly can get his to lock up so easily.

southerly

Big feet and EBC HH pads?

I rebuilt the brake shortly after I bought the bike. And it has worked fine ever since. When I say I can lock it up easily, I mean that with reasonably heavy foot pressure it will lock the wheel when used alone. Under really heavy braking (F&R), it will lock at the slightest touch, as the wheel is essentially waving in the air.

Enginerd81

There is very little pedal movement.

I suspect the fluid is quite old - the front brake looked like folgers before I changed it.

I've felt old and improperly bled brakes before and this isn't it.

I'll take the caliper off and make sure that motion in = motion out and that the piston slides nicely as as start.

SpeedFourDave

My rear brake also locks quite easily. Your pads could also be glazed over. New fluid and pads will work wonders. New lines help too. Especially the pretty blue ones

Sent from my ST15i using Motorcycle.com Free App

Enginerd81

I could see the glazing thing - I was going to clean up my front rotors with some alchohol since I have a bit of pulsation that I'm hoping isn't rotor warpage. I'll scuff up the pads and clean the rear rotor after making sure the piston moves.

Hippy

Mine barely works at all which is perfect for me, my old bike I kept locking it up by mistake, I barely use it at all now, only for hill starts.