Went to tidy up the SS. It needs service, new clutch and new paintjob. As moving will need to ride it to new storage so I guess MOT is in order. Anyhu. Battery in, with valves out as much on that bike as they are it still started after 4 revolutions. Sweet. Then I looked at brake discs WTF, I could not move the bike. Should I just force the pads free? I have sprayed disc cleaner on them but for now no luck. View attachment 2967
This is a bit 'don't do this at home' but as long as you don't overdo it - Have you got a hide mallet or a weighty but small block of wood Lucazs? - you tap the disc sideways as close to the caliper as you can and then back the other way (which I know is difficult so you could use a skinny piece of wood as a punch- broom handle size to go through the wheel from the other side.) (your spray will help and I think will work on it's own eventually) Have you tried carefully moving forward using engine yet? - if you load it up a few times repeatedly I think it will pop free eventually and as long as it's only surface area binding of pad and not sticking calipers it will remain free once you've 'broken the bond'. Don't forget to check front brakes immediately after you free off as if you used a lot of fluid they could be half efficient..
Got no clutch in bike so can not try to ride it, not to mention it is parked right side to fence so a can ot even put the clutch in. Will do the mallet approach next weekend before MOT.
Take the calipers off altogether if you need to move the bike (pushing, not riding it...) - hang them with coathanger-style wire over the front mudguard with a buch of rags to stop any scratches/damage etc... I would try to get the worst of that rust off with some 240wet&dry if you could? It will chew through your pads if you dont? My old CBR4 would regularly seize the calipers up in Winter - a few well aimed, gentle but forceful kicks would have them off the discs again. Loosen the top of the master cylinder lid to allow the fluid to come back through the system.
Saw the title and thought your new job was as a guard at Buckingham Palace, as it isn't I would just whip the calipers of as 470 says. Steve
- and stick something behind the brake lever to stop yourself pulling the lever in & pumping the pistons out... You will. Everyone does!
