Focus Research
XS650 New Member
I've been helping a friend resurrect an '81 Special. We bled the single front disk and put in new pads. The disk does not have any deep grooves. The lever feels very firm, and I certainly cannot pull it back to the grip. I'm not new at bleeding brakes, from cars to motorcycles. No bubbles, fresh fluid coming through, etc. I don't feel any squish.
Taking the bike for a test, I found I could not lock the tire, even on gravel. Feels about the same as my '71 drum-braked Triumph.
A caliper and MC rebuild are on the docket, along with a replacement brake line. But how good were the original brakes? I don't have another reference point except for my '93 twin-Brembo BMW, which will lock up the front tires too easily. The rotor appears to be stainless steel, which is a poor choice of material, and I remember the magazine reviews of that era complaining about wet performance. Is it worth having it reground? Is there a cast-iron replacement?
I'm presuming I should be able to lock the tire, yes?
Thanks,
Carl D.
Taking the bike for a test, I found I could not lock the tire, even on gravel. Feels about the same as my '71 drum-braked Triumph.
A caliper and MC rebuild are on the docket, along with a replacement brake line. But how good were the original brakes? I don't have another reference point except for my '93 twin-Brembo BMW, which will lock up the front tires too easily. The rotor appears to be stainless steel, which is a poor choice of material, and I remember the magazine reviews of that era complaining about wet performance. Is it worth having it reground? Is there a cast-iron replacement?
I'm presuming I should be able to lock the tire, yes?
Thanks,
Carl D.