Hi all - I am considering to give my two front brake calipers a makeover, but I have difficulties finding the relevant parts kit for that (seals etc.) online. Any hints? If I remove the calipers and thus drain the brake fluid from the front reservoir and brake lines, must I then make a full bleed of the entire system including the ABS motors/valves ? (it looks like a h... of a procedure to do that..) The bike is a 2012 CBR 1000RRA. Thanks in advance, Anders
Shouldn't need to refurbish calipers on a 2012 unless the bikes been at the bottom of the sea the past few years A good clean and new pads should do the trick. If you go removing them you will need a full bleed of the ABS system.
Mines a late 2010 with low mileage and I'm considering doing the same ... as even after a couple of good cleans the pistons aren't as free as I like (although push in with fingers fine) ... I don't think the piston material helps that mind. I did think about changing the pistons for another material type ...
I've just rebuilt the calipers on my 2007 blade, as like you, I just couldn't get the pistons clean enough with them in-situ. Ordered the seals (including new bleed valves and caps) from here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/powerhouse-uk?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2754 Fairly sure they do a seal kit for your bike. EDIT: in fact this seems to be the kit: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CBR...653?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2a30a41b25 Also ordered some red rubber grease: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130679593752?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT Wasn't a terrible job... removing the pistons was a little tricky, but as mine weren't corroded I was able to do it with a pair of pliers, and some rag/cardboard in the jaws to avoid marking the pistons. They are like new now... no dragging whatsoever!
My pistons require a LOT of fingerpressure to go in - and I have a reasonably strong fingers.....did you just clean the pistons, or did you polish them? /A.
Normal way... bled one caliper, then other caliper, then master cylinder. Then, following advise from this forum, wrapped a load of rag round the banjos on the master cylinder, pulled the leaver, and loosed the banjo bolt slightly to remove any air trapped there, then retightened banjo. Then tied the lever back overnight.... hey presto, no sponginess!
I just cleaned the pistons VERY thoroughly. The seals were soaked in fresh brake fluid for 24 hours before I put them in the caliper. The dust seals were liberally coated in red rubber grease, and the pistons were coated in fresh brake fluid before I re-inserted them. Went in fairly easy.
Thanks again. Your bike is not a C-ABS version, is it? A Honda mechanic told me that according to Honda themselves, the C-ABS system includes a valve unit in the front and one at the rear. These units come into play when the ABS system senses a wheel blocking and starts modulating the braking. The front unit is keeping up a certain pressure in the brake lines at all times, and this can lead to the front brakes hanging a little bit even if the brake lever is not touched - they say. If this is BS or not, I cannot tell.
I looked into getting steel pistons but once I added it up with new seals it was going to cost the thick end of £150, this was not going to be financially viable when I would rather spend it on a new set of Brembo M4s
