Get this. I had the goldwing in the garage to work on it, I wanted
to get the goldwing out and the 2000 Sabre in to work on it. I have a
ride to Skyline Drive this weekend with some friends and want to ride
the Sabre. I mentioned the little brake clip went sproing. I've fashioned
5 iterations of clips from girls hair barrettes to re-forminng binder
clips. The second binder clip held great promise. I used a digital
micrometer to take measurements instead of eye balling like I did with
the other models I made. I took the final product outside to try and
heat it and get the spring back in the metal (I can't find anything on
line that actually tells about this process). I quenched it (wrong
process) and tested it by hand; it broke clean away, laying open the top
of my thumb in the process. I decided that I'd just put the rear wheel
and brake back together and work on the brakes later. This would let me
get the Sabre in. I put everything back together, surprisingly, I had no
extra parts. As I cleaned up, I looked down, right in front of the
polishing wheel, and there it was! The little clip I'd lost was just
sitting there. I swear we have poltergeist, I used to blame the cats,
but they don't come in the garage.
An online friend emailed me to suggest I crack the drain plugs on the brake calipers to relieve the pressure on the system.
Yup, I did that. But I think the front
brakes are suffering from the same as the rear brake, RUST. I found that
the rear wheel moved freely after the brake was removed. When I finally
got the caliper off, I found that one of the "plates" was frozen from
rust inside the caliper. Since I haven't put the brake back together I
don't know if the problem is solved. I intend to replace all the pads,
but, right now the bike isn't going on the road and I want to put money
elsewhere if there is a greater need.
The front brakes seemed to respond when I did the flush
and fill. However, the bike was sitting where it is. I used the brake
lever to assist in moving the old sludgy fluid through. I also used it
for the new (was that a stupid move? I'm not sure I'm new to this.).
When doing the rear brake I did read a forum post that said the return
hose/port could be clogged, thus holding the brake closed? Could be.
Maybe. I tried to work alot of fluid through the system. Rust I think is
the problem. Afterall, the hydraulic pressure being exerted on the
brake plates/pads must be very strong. From what I see the "return" or
release is a passive force? if the plate or interior of the caliper was
rusted around, or in front of the location of the plates/pads, the
pistons would push them into a restricted, rusty location?
If I consider the source and circumstances of the bike, I
think it may be a good bet. From what I understand the bike was sitting
for 8 years before the PO passed away. I was told he often came to the
garage (off site) and started all three of his bikes. The bike is in
exceptional shape paint and cosmetically. I think he may have also
washed and waxed it. However, due to age or infirmity I don't think he
could do maintenance. I told my wife there are parts on the bike, the
rear brake, that look like someone sat there and watered them weekly
causing the rust but other parts are perfect.
I very much did the "gator" looking for that damn clip. I
pulled furniture out, looked in boxes, searched two trash bags. I did
leave stones unturned, as my garage is full, packed to the gills with
stuff. I just don't know how it could have shown up where it was. I have
three computers set up on my desk in the garage. The cables are
ridiculous, they are everywhere, along with TV cables and network
cables. I had moved and searched in and around the cables, but that's
where I found it, amongst the cables in front of the grinder.
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