rear break

[mealexme]

My rear break is sh*t! It definitely wont stop the bike on its own, and i usually use the front one on its own anyway so i hardly notice that it doesn't work well. Also, I know that its not meant to be as good as the front but should it be this bad?

I will describe how it feels. imagine the pressure needed to crush an egg, well imagine applying that much pressure to the front break. That's what the back break feels like when fully on... Ok maybe not such a good example, because i bet like me you have never crushed an egg with your hands, therefore it is probably a highly inaccurate way of describing it.

Its slightly worrying though, but i can tell the difference it makes when doing an emergency stop and it didn't show up on the mot.

Are rear breaks meant to be this bad? And is there an easy way of checking if its ok without taking the whole thing apart to look at the pads? like maybe if the stoping distance using just the rear break is over a certain distance then it needs replacing?

[bullet5]

one thing i can suggest is next time you ride out try just using the rear brake, and apply it hard! could be that its glazed over, or that your brake fluid level is low, and therfore even when the lever is pushed right down with your foot your only really applying 1/4 of the normaly pressure on the disk/drum.

[techno]

by the title I had wondered what you had been upto to break your rear

As for the back brake, what bike is it, I only ever use mine like the handbrake in a car anyway, its probably better that its not too keen I knew someone who had a really overpowerful back brake ended up just skidding everywhere!

[Nogin]

Sounds like you need a new piston and seal kit to me.

I would start by taking out out the pads and sanding them down, to take the shine off them, if that does not help its most likely the rear caliper needs a rebuild.

[sparkeh9]

I generally only use my back brake if I need to slow in a corner, and as a hand brake when stopped. Stopping when upright I just cover the brake in case I need it.

[mealexme]

Sounds like you need a new piston and seal kit to me.

I would start by taking out out the pads and sanding them down, to take the shine off them, if that does not help its most likely the rear caliper needs a rebuild.

i think i will give that a go once the weather warms up a bit. Dont fancy freezing my fingers off. Thanks

[Grumpy Old Git]

Back Brakes are not that efficient.

Find a straight, clear and dry bit of road - travel at a steady 30mph and put brake on hard (clutch in), bike should slow and stop fairly quickly (if back wheel locks, release brake!).

Alternatively, sit on the bike and put full pressure on footbrake - Get matey boy to try and push you forward - if the bike moves (turning the back wheel), you have a problem!

I only use the footbrake when sationary; gently when using the front brake and as a 'balance' when cornering (again very gently). However, my twin disk anti-lock front brake works perfectly OK!

[Guest]

Hold on lads, lets not get too drastic straight away with new pistons and seal kits...

Crikey, first off, check the simple things. Check the BRAKE fluid level (for both ), and check the pads on the back for wear. Check the disk for grooves and wear (by just running your finger and thumb on each side).

[Danny-B-]

Hold on lads, lets not get too drastic straight away with new pistons and seal kits...

Crikey, first off, check the simple things. Check the BRAKE fluid level (for both ), and check the pads on the back for wear. Check the disk for grooves and wear (by just running your finger and thumb on each side).

 

Or discover if your bike has rear disks and hydrolic brake ... if its a drum brake its just a case of tightening the rod up. (unless your brake drum shoes need replaced...)