Kawasaki 1400 GTR

1400 GTR - All Models => 1400GTR Discussion => Topic started by: BigAlan on June 16, 2013, 02:52:22 PM

Title: Am I daft?
Post by: BigAlan on June 16, 2013, 02:52:22 PM
Well don't answer that correctly but bear with me.

Once a month I tend to remove the brake pads from the calliper and clean everything there is to clean, even the grove in the pads get cleaned out and also the spring retainer takes five minutes to policy up.

Is this a bit much or do we all do this?

The only probable reason for doing this is that I then know what my brakes are like, oh and I also clean the rotor buttons on the disk and make sure they rotate.

Alan
Title: Re: Am I daft?
Post by: Rusty on June 16, 2013, 04:10:26 PM
BA ... when I have done the basic course of bike mechanics I shall do exactly that ! ....No way are you daft .. it's those little bits that stop your Gtr when it needs stopping so to actually check and clean them every month and thus ensuring all works well seems pretty sensible to me old fruit. Carry On.  :smiley:
Title: Re: Am I daft?
Post by: Bryn on June 16, 2013, 04:12:15 PM
Did exactly that with the back caliper last week... cleaned it with brake cleaner, pushed the pistons out.. cleaned around them, and then applied a little caliper grease, then it all went back together  ...

peace of mind  :yes:

PS Alan... how did you clean the rotor button thingy's  ?  I reckon WD 40 but it could all end in tears   :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Am I daft?
Post by: BigAlan on June 16, 2013, 04:50:10 PM
Quote from: Bryn on June 16, 2013, 04:12:15 PM
Did exactly that with the back caliper last week... cleaned it with brake cleaner, pushed the pistons out.. cleaned around them, and then applied a little caliper grease, then it all went back together  ...

peace of mind  :yes:

PS Alan... how did you clean the rotor button thingy's  ?  I reckon WD 40 but it could all end in tears   :rolleyes:

Easy, get a 10mm Allen key and some brake cleaner, squirt cleaner on rotor, insert 10mm Allen key in hole and simply press down a little and turn, it does work a treat. Repeat as necessary.

Alan
Title: Re: Am I daft?
Post by: Bryn on June 16, 2013, 05:22:29 PM
Quote from: BigAlan on June 16, 2013, 04:50:10 PM
Easy, get a 10mm Allen key and some brake cleaner, squirt cleaner on rotor, insert 10mm Allen key in hole and simply press down a little and turn, it does work a treat. Repeat as necessary.

Alan

Just done it, and every one was solid.... not any more..... Top Tip Alan   :clap:
Title: Re: Am I daft?
Post by: BigAlan on June 16, 2013, 08:06:11 PM
Quote from: Bryn on June 16, 2013, 05:22:29 PM
Just done it, and every one was solid.... not any more..... Top Tip Alan   :clap:

See how good this forum is? Someone else told me.

Alan
Title: Re: Am I daft?
Post by: Debs on June 16, 2013, 08:18:01 PM
I've never done any of that.. Would not know where to start...  :mfr_lol:
Title: Re: Am I daft?
Post by: BigAlan on June 16, 2013, 08:33:34 PM
Quote from: Debs on June 16, 2013, 08:18:01 PM
I've never done any of that.. Would not know where to start...  :mfr_lol:

Debs, it's very easy actually, it might be daunting the first time but actually it is easy peasy.

Couple of Allen keys, brake cleaner, copper slip and a rag and away you go.

I must come down to the Poole bike night and then I can show you, I will check with some mates and perhaps organise a trip down.

Alan
Title: Re: Am I daft?
Post by: Ros on June 16, 2013, 09:00:06 PM
Sorry, and maybe I'm being a bit dense, but what's a rotor??
Title: Re: Am I daft?
Post by: Bryn on June 16, 2013, 09:02:39 PM
Quote from: Ros on June 16, 2013, 09:00:06 PM
Sorry, and maybe I'm being a bit dense, but what's a rotor??

Front brake discs.. And its the silver rings that need to be set free..  :cool:
Title: Re: Am I daft?
Post by: BigAlan on June 16, 2013, 09:07:58 PM
Quote from: Bryn on June 16, 2013, 09:02:39 PM
Front brake discs.. And its the silver rings that need to be set free..  :cool:

He knows you know..

Alan
Title: Re: Am I daft?
Post by: Debs on June 16, 2013, 09:57:49 PM
Quote from: BigAlan on June 16, 2013, 08:33:34 PM
Debs, it's very easy actually, it might be daunting the first time but actually it is easy peasy.

Couple of Allen keys, brake cleaner, copper slip and a rag and away you go.

I must come down to the Poole bike night and then I can show you, I will check with some mates and perhaps organise a trip down.

Alan

That would be good..

I have Allen keys, copper slip grease and rag but which make of brake cleaner do you recommend?.. Lots on fleabay..
Title: Re: Am I daft?
Post by: zedmeister on June 16, 2013, 10:04:46 PM
Debs  - i always use WURTH for all my maintenance requirements, top quality products.
Title: Re: Am I daft?
Post by: Debs on June 16, 2013, 10:23:58 PM
Thank Zed  :clap: :popcorn:
Title: Re: Am I daft?
Post by: trousersnake01 on June 16, 2013, 10:34:11 PM
Just out of interest, if you pull on the lever and the piston pops out, will it go back in easy ?
Title: Re: Am I daft?
Post by: Lonewolf on June 16, 2013, 11:02:47 PM
Quote from: trousersnake01 on June 16, 2013, 10:34:11 PM
Just out of interest, if you pull on the lever and the piston pops out, will it go back in easy ?

Please tell me you haven't.  :oops:
Title: Re: Am I daft?
Post by: Rusty on June 16, 2013, 11:45:18 PM
Steve ... Show me how to do this next week when you have a spare moment !!!  :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol:
Title: Re: Am I daft?
Post by: Lonewolf on June 17, 2013, 12:00:37 AM
What, pop your pistons out or clean the calipers?
Title: Re: Am I daft?
Post by: Rusty on June 17, 2013, 12:02:04 AM
I think just the cleaning bit will be enough for me  :mfr_lol:
Title: Re: Am I daft?
Post by: Lonewolf on June 17, 2013, 12:10:40 AM
Will do.
Title: Re: Am I daft?
Post by: O.C. on June 17, 2013, 07:26:38 AM
Yes Big Al you are daft  :yes:

You should be doing all that on a weekly basis  :mfr_lol:

Regular maintenance is a good thing  :wink:
Title: Re: Am I daft?
Post by: Ros on June 17, 2013, 08:50:40 AM
Ah.  They're supposed to move?

Um...  Must check mine then... Thanks!
Title: Re: Am I daft?
Post by: Bryn on June 17, 2013, 01:14:02 PM
Quote from: Ros on June 17, 2013, 08:50:40 AM
Ah.  They're supposed to move?

Um...  Must check mine then... Thanks!

Mine were jammed solid... now free and moving quite easily with the aid of a 10mm allen key....

I've also put the TINIEST drop of acf50 on to the inner surface, and moved each  ring about a bit..... Brakes feel a lot better    ( by tiny amount I really mean it!  not enough for any fling off otherwise you'll end up with it on your discs  :smartass:)