"Play" in master cylinder

bikeguy57 · March 30th, 2010, 01:59 PM

Any ideas on how to overcome the "slop" or play in the master cylinder. I have braided brake lines and have properly bled the system. I would even consider Pazzo levers to improve the feel, or a reasonably priced aftermarket master cylinder. Thanks.

g21-30 · March 30th, 2010, 02:10 PM

How far does the lever move when brakes are engaged?

bikeguy57 · March 30th, 2010, 02:14 PM

about 1/3 of the travel?

kkim · March 30th, 2010, 02:22 PM

does it travel 1/3 of the way before the brakes start to engage or travel 1/3 of the way from initial brake grab to brakes full on.

bikeguy57 · March 30th, 2010, 02:33 PM

Full on. They really work ok, but the lever almost touches my hand on a hard stop. I'd rather have them engage sooner.

bikeguy57 · March 30th, 2010, 02:36 PM

Actually, it's 1/3 to the beginning of brake engagement.

Alex · March 30th, 2010, 02:47 PM

If you can pull the lever all the way to the bar, something is likely up with the bleeding job somewhere. I'd try it again, and repeat until you can't bring the lever all the way to the bar without a vise grip.

kkim · March 30th, 2010, 02:54 PM

I agree... either you need to bleed the lines again or something may be wrong with your master cylinder.

Have you tried back flushing the line to get any air out?

how was the front brake before the braided lines were installed?

bikeguy57 · March 30th, 2010, 03:02 PM

It's the same amount of play as before the installation of the lines. I'm confident it's not a bleeding issue. As I said, they work fine. I'll just deal with it, or find a good deal on a radial master cylinder.

g21-30 · March 30th, 2010, 03:09 PM

Prior to replacing my MC with one from a ZX-10R, I installed Galfer SS lines and used the OEM MC. The only time the lever came close to the clipon was before bleeding. I'm curious on how you bled the lines. Don't get me wrong, I'm NOT questioning whether you did it correctly or not...just how?

kkim · March 30th, 2010, 03:15 PM

And I'm saying what you are experiencing is not what the majority of owners have at their front brake lever. I still say it's a bleeding issue or a bum MC.

Did you purchase the bike new? If used, could the previous owner have futzed with the brakes and let air into the system?

bikeguy57 · March 30th, 2010, 03:18 PM

The lever doesn't come close to the bar. It comes close to my hand under hard braking. I bled it with a vacuum pump and by pressure both before and after riding it.

kevlar250 · March 30th, 2010, 09:03 PM

You need to bleed the banjo bolts, a tiny air bubble can sit in there and will not come out. Get some help and have them squeeze the lever while you loosen the banjo bolt slightly, hold a rag under to catch fluid, and tighten before the lever bottoms out. You should do both upper & lower. Hopefully you're not using DOT 5 fluid, that will make them spongy.

bikeguy57 · March 31st, 2010, 09:36 AM

Thanks, I'll give that a try.

March 30th, 2010, 01:59 PM	#1
bikeguy57 ninjette.org member Name: Mike Location: Asheville NC Join Date: Jan 2010 Motorcycle(s): 1974 CB360 2008 Black 250 Ninja Posts: 65	"Play" in master cylinder Any ideas on how to overcome the "slop" or play in the master cylinder. I have braided brake lines and have properly bled the system. I would even consider Pazzo levers to improve the feel, or a reasonably priced aftermarket master cylinder. Thanks.

March 30th, 2010, 02:47 PM	#7
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	If you can pull the lever all the way to the bar, something is likely up with the bleeding job somewhere. I'd try it again, and repeat until you can't bring the lever all the way to the bar without a vise grip. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

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March 30th, 2010, 02:10 PM	#2
g21-30 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Sam Location: Northern Virginia Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R 2009 Posts: A lot.	How far does the lever move when brakes are engaged?

March 30th, 2010, 02:14 PM	#3
bikeguy57 ninjette.org member Name: Mike Location: Asheville NC Join Date: Jan 2010 Motorcycle(s): 1974 CB360 2008 Black 250 Ninja Posts: 65	about 1/3 of the travel?

March 30th, 2010, 02:22 PM	#4
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	does it travel 1/3 of the way before the brakes start to engage or travel 1/3 of the way from initial brake grab to brakes full on.

March 30th, 2010, 02:33 PM	#5
bikeguy57 ninjette.org member Name: Mike Location: Asheville NC Join Date: Jan 2010 Motorcycle(s): 1974 CB360 2008 Black 250 Ninja Posts: 65	Full on. They really work ok, but the lever almost touches my hand on a hard stop. I'd rather have them engage sooner.

March 30th, 2010, 02:36 PM	#6
bikeguy57 ninjette.org member Name: Mike Location: Asheville NC Join Date: Jan 2010 Motorcycle(s): 1974 CB360 2008 Black 250 Ninja Posts: 65	Actually, it's 1/3 to the beginning of brake engagement.

March 30th, 2010, 02:54 PM	#8
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	I agree... either you need to bleed the lines again or something may be wrong with your master cylinder. Have you tried back flushing the line to get any air out? how was the front brake before the braided lines were installed?

March 30th, 2010, 03:02 PM	#9
bikeguy57 ninjette.org member Name: Mike Location: Asheville NC Join Date: Jan 2010 Motorcycle(s): 1974 CB360 2008 Black 250 Ninja Posts: 65	It's the same amount of play as before the installation of the lines. I'm confident it's not a bleeding issue. As I said, they work fine. I'll just deal with it, or find a good deal on a radial master cylinder.

March 30th, 2010, 03:09 PM	#10
g21-30 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Sam Location: Northern Virginia Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R 2009 Posts: A lot.	Prior to replacing my MC with one from a ZX-10R, I installed Galfer SS lines and used the OEM MC. The only time the lever came close to the clipon was before bleeding. I'm curious on how you bled the lines. Don't get me wrong, I'm NOT questioning whether you did it correctly or not...just how?

March 30th, 2010, 03:15 PM	#11
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	And I'm saying what you are experiencing is not what the majority of owners have at their front brake lever. I still say it's a bleeding issue or a bum MC. Did you purchase the bike new? If used, could the previous owner have futzed with the brakes and let air into the system?

March 30th, 2010, 03:18 PM	#12
bikeguy57 ninjette.org member Name: Mike Location: Asheville NC Join Date: Jan 2010 Motorcycle(s): 1974 CB360 2008 Black 250 Ninja Posts: 65	The lever doesn't come close to the bar. It comes close to my hand under hard braking. I bled it with a vacuum pump and by pressure both before and after riding it.

March 30th, 2010, 09:03 PM	#13
kevlar250 ninjette.org member Name: Kevin Location: MN Metro Join Date: Feb 2010 Motorcycle(s): '94 Vulcan 1500, '06 Katana 600, '08 FZ1 Posts: 133	You need to bleed the banjo bolts, a tiny air bubble can sit in there and will not come out. Get some help and have them squeeze the lever while you loosen the banjo bolt slightly, hold a rag under to catch fluid, and tighten before the lever bottoms out. You should do both upper & lower. Hopefully you're not using DOT 5 fluid, that will make them spongy.

March 31st, 2010, 09:36 AM	#14
bikeguy57 ninjette.org member Name: Mike Location: Asheville NC Join Date: Jan 2010 Motorcycle(s): 1974 CB360 2008 Black 250 Ninja Posts: 65	Thanks, I'll give that a try.