For any biker, taking care of his motorcycle is something that he/she takes very seriously. Checking that brakes work well is a key to active motorcycle safety. It’s not just a question of checking the correct brake pad or brake disc status. It is much more complex than at first glance we might think.
The braking system is formed by several components that you have to attend so that the whole works without problems and you can circulate with security. Next, we will comment on what possible breakdowns you should avoid in each of them.
Not only should we check the condition of the brake pads on our motorcycle, there are many more system elements that require our attention.
► Brake system overhaul elements
↳ Brake Pump: Its mission is to convert the mechanical force we apply to the lever in hydraulic pressure on the brake fluid that transmits that pressure to the brake pads, which contact the disc, which is responsible for disrupting the movement. If we make excessive use of the brake, air bubbles can enter the mentioned circuit and cause the dreaded fading effect. It is very dangerous and it makes that the pressure applied on the handle, and this in turn on the pump, compresses the air bubbles and does not stop the motorcycle. It causes that the pressure that we exerted on the handle is of no use and you can’t stop your motorcycle.
To avoid having fading problems, we advise you not to let your motorcycle stop for a long time. And when you replace the brake fluid, do not mix it with different specifications.
↳ Brake lines: the standard ones are mostly made of plastic, covered by a Teflon mesh. The passage of time and use make them lose effectiveness. Symptom of this is a significant decrease in braking power. It is time for you to replace them, if possible by some that are covered by a braid of stainless steel that prevents its deformation and the problem we have mentioned.
↳ Brake calipers: they fasten the pads that put pressure on the discs. We recommend that you regularly perform a thorough cleaning with an approved degreaser of the pliers and their pistons, so that you remove any debris that have accumulated and that cause them to malfunction. Also, from time to time, you must properly grease the pliers.
↳ Brake pads: they have a few wear indicators. When these are no longer seen, it is time to replace them. Likewise, you will have to change them when the pills have crystallized, as a consequence of a very sporty driving, with important decelerations.
↳ Brake discs: these are very sturdy parts that can survive the whole motorcycle life. But when you unequivocally have to change them is when they have deformed, which produces vibrations that affect the safety of driving. Such deformation may be due to a blow or caused by overheating due to very strong braking, which is known as warped.
Finally, do not forget something basic: the change of brake fluid. With the passage of time loses powers. We recommend you change it once a year. Its replacement must be done correctly, to avoid that there are air bubbles and the consequent fading effect, mentioned above.
We hope these tips will be useful and put into practice on your bike. And if you need to replace a part, we always recommend that you go to a specialized spare parts shop like ours, which ensures you’ll find quality components, so that you enjoy your motorcycle with all tranquility.