Binding brakes, or normal for '81 CBX?

BayArchitect · Post by **BayArchitect** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 2:49 pm

Just purchased '81 CBX with 3K original miles on it. Bike looks new, however, going thru and upgrading a few things. When the bike is stopped, and the front wheel is straight, the bike can be easily moved front or rear, however, when the wheel is turned slightly, pads rub against rotors and make it very difficult to move the bike. When wheel is locked left or right, bike cannot be moved forward or backward. Can someone explain this to me? Thanks.

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:22 pm

That does sound unusual.

A bike with that little mileage shouldn't have issues but............

you should check your front wheel mount. Make sure the wheel is properly mounted/centered and not loose.

Axle bearings could also potentially cause binding issues like you describe but usually on bikes with a lot of miles.

alimey4u2 · Post by **alimey4u2** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 6:15 pm

Hmmm, Interesting one this, as Chris had previously said I would look at wheel bearings. Firstly isolate the cause, front or back but there may be something else going on....

cbxtacy · Post by **cbxtacy** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 9:39 pm

Make sure the brake lines are free and clear of anything twisting them out of shape when the wheel is turned.

BayArchitect · Post by **BayArchitect** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 12:35 am

Thanks for the replies. No lines or other objects running interference with the wheel turned. Bearings or axle really sounds like the culprit. Will check it tomorrow and report back.

EMS · Post by **EMS** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 9:42 am

Have you paid close attention if it happens only when you turn the wheel fully to the left?

Your front brake lever may hit the fairing and lock the brake

FalldownPhil · Post by **FalldownPhil** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 3:51 pm

Hello,

I don't think I would go to far until I figured it out.

Phil

Dave Ditner · Post by **Dave Ditner** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 11:22 pm

Odds are you need a brake rebuild. Could be both calipers and master cylinder. Open the bleeder screws on the calipers one at a time, put a piece of tygon on the open screw so that the tygon points to the floor, take a hammer and wood block and drive the caliper inward some. Do the same to the other side. I bet it rolls then. IF so get back to me and we'll go to the next steps.

Larry Zimmer · Post by **Larry Zimmer** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 6:14 pm

I agree, Dave. Been sitting that much without exercising the brake pistons, probably frozen. If they need to be pulled apart for cleaning (and they probably do) I remember reading somewhere that a good means of loosening the 'crud' that forms in the piston bores, etc. is to put the caliper and pistons into boiling water AFTER REMOVING THE RUBBER STUFF. The crud will easily come off after soaking a little while this way. Naturally, be certain everything is dry before reassembly.

mowogme · Post by **mowogme** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 12:54 pm

had the exact same problem on a 1979 I bought. Turns out, some moron had screwed the nut that goes on the axle to hold the bearings and spacers on backwards. The wheel will still bolt into the fork legs. Check to make sure the hexagon is to the inside of the fork leg. What was happening was the wheel was floating backwards and forward, the only thing centering it being the brake calipers. Brakes would also heat up big time even on a short run.
Got that problem solved, but still had a bad brake binding problem. turns out that the master cylinder was at fault. There is a tiny hole (.015' dia) in the bottom of the resevoir which was blocked. this hole lets the pressure equalise. if it is blocked, every time you apply the brake and the fluid warms up it expands, and will not let the brake release. Hope this sorts your problems.
bob.

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 2:56 pm

BayArchitect wrote:Thanks for the replies. No lines or other objects running interference with the wheel turned. Bearings or axle really sounds like the culprit. Will check it tomorrow and report back.

Hey, you know you live just a few minutes from me. Are you ever going to get that CBX on the road?

EMS · Post by **EMS** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 5:14 pm

The original post is over a year old.

Leon may be riding his CBX by now

mowogme · Post by **mowogme** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 12:11 pm

yeah, I relised the post was old, but figured out my problems may help someone out in the future.

Bob.

EMS · Post by **EMS** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 7:58 pm

Thanks, Bob, and welcome to the ICOA site

The International CBX Owners Association

Binding brakes, or normal for '81 CBX?

Binding brakes, or normal for '81 CBX?

Binding?

Binding Brakes for '81