Brake it too me slowly!

Spins · 02-17-2020, 09:20 PM

Guys, the front brakes on my Brozz are pathetic. Today I cleaned the front rotor again with degreaser and finished with alcohol. The brakes barely slow down the bike.
I tested the front brake going as low as 9 mph indicated. I’m unable to lock the front wheel squeezing the lever as hard as possible. What to do? I had considered to remove the pads and use some sand paper to possibly deglaze the pads. Has anyone purchased any upgraded pads with more bite? It’d be nice to actually be able to stop instead of just moderately slowing down!

**JerryHawk250** · 02-17-2020, 09:31 PM

Did you bleed the brakes yet? May have some air in the lines.

Hancadam · 02-17-2020, 09:32 PM

I'd agree with Jerry. Front brakes on my brozz are strong.

BuffaloChinaRider · 02-17-2020, 09:42 PM

You all beat me to it haha as they both said, try bleeding your brakes, a few years back this happened to one of my china bikes and bleeding the brakes was an instant fix.

Spins · 02-17-2020, 10:11 PM

No , I haven’t attempting to bleed the brakes yet. I guess it’s off to auto parts store again. I did change the oil over the weekend. I hit the 100+ mile mark.

**JerryHawk250** · 02-17-2020, 10:19 PM

I bought a hand pump vacuum brake bleeder from Harbor Freight that work perfect for these bikes.

Spins · 02-17-2020, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

I bought a hand pump vacuum brake bleeder from Harbor Freight that work perfect for these bikes.

I love that store!

Jerry, Is this the one ?

**JerryHawk250** · 02-17-2020, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spins

I love that store!

Jerry, Is this the one ?

That's the one.

Spins · 02-17-2020, 11:04 PM

Thanks!!

Already in my cart.

Megadan · 02-18-2020, 01:57 AM

One, yes, bleed the brakes, and once you feel you have it fully bled and back together, zip tie the brake lever back so it is partially engaged and leave it with the master reservoir as high as it can get for sever hours, tapping on the line and fittings one or two times as it sits like this. The compression of the fluid will reduce the bubble size of any remaining air and help it travel up the system, and the engaged lever will leave the port open to allow air to burp into the reservoir.

As far as the pads go, yes, different pads may help. I upgraded my Hawk from the original pads to a set of sintered pads I found on Taobao and the difference was huge.

Spins · 02-18-2020, 06:26 AM

Thanks for the advise Megadan and everyone else!
I’ll attempt to bleed the brakes after work tonight and report back.

**JerryHawk250** · 02-18-2020, 07:33 AM

I forgot all about mentioning that Megadan.

The zip tie on the lever trick works great. I just left it on over night. Next day the breaks are good and firm.

Weldangrind · 02-18-2020, 12:37 PM

Two more tips for bleeding brakes. While at it, change the fluid to a decent DOT 3 and ensure that you don't overfill the reservoir.

Spins · 02-18-2020, 01:18 PM

Yes . I was planning on flushing it all out once I open it.

roundhouse · 02-18-2020, 07:25 PM

I flushed all the fluid in my hawk and it helped some but it was not until I hit my rotors with a sanding block and 800 grit sand paper then I pulled the pads and scuffed them up too on a flat surface. It made a big difference. I rode pretty easy on the brakes for 100 miles then when I clamped down they grabbed real good.

I do not know why but the rotors were glazed up. I bought my bike used though.

Note: I am not a mechanic and this may not be the right thing to do. It worked for me though.

Oh +1 for the pun

02-17-2020, 09:20 PM	#1
Spins Join Date: Jan 2020 Posts: 287	Brake it too me slowly! Guys, the front brakes on my Brozz are pathetic. Today I cleaned the front rotor again with degreaser and finished with alcohol. The brakes barely slow down the bike. I tested the front brake going as low as 9 mph indicated. I’m unable to lock the front wheel squeezing the lever as hard as possible. What to do? I had considered to remove the pads and use some sand paper to possibly deglaze the pads. Has anyone purchased any upgraded pads with more bite? It’d be nice to actually be able to stop instead of just moderately slowing down!
	1

02-17-2020, 09:31 PM	#2
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,556	Did you bleed the brakes yet? May have some air in the lines. __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
	4

02-17-2020, 10:19 PM	#6
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,556	I bought a hand pump vacuum brake bleeder from Harbor Freight that work perfect for these bikes. __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
	2

02-18-2020, 01:57 AM	#10
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 8,008	One, yes, bleed the brakes, and once you feel you have it fully bled and back together, zip tie the brake lever back so it is partially engaged and leave it with the master reservoir as high as it can get for sever hours, tapping on the line and fittings one or two times as it sits like this. The compression of the fluid will reduce the bubble size of any remaining air and help it travel up the system, and the engaged lever will leave the port open to allow air to burp into the reservoir. As far as the pads go, yes, different pads may help. I upgraded my Hawk from the original pads to a set of sintered pads I found on Taobao and the difference was huge. __________________ Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124
	4

02-18-2020, 07:33 AM	#12
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,556	I forgot all about mentioning that Megadan. The zip tie on the lever trick works great. I just left it on over night. Next day the breaks are good and firm. __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
	1

02-17-2020, 09:32 PM	#3
Hancadam Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tennessee Posts: 201	I'd agree with Jerry. Front brakes on my brozz are strong.
	2

02-17-2020, 09:42 PM	#4
BuffaloChinaRider Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Buffalo NY Posts: 224	You all beat me to it haha as they both said, try bleeding your brakes, a few years back this happened to one of my china bikes and bleeding the brakes was an instant fix.
	2

02-17-2020, 10:11 PM	#5
Spins Join Date: Jan 2020 Posts: 287	No , I haven’t attempting to bleed the brakes yet. I guess it’s off to auto parts store again. I did change the oil over the weekend. I hit the 100+ mile mark.
	0

02-17-2020, 11:04 PM	#9
Spins Join Date: Jan 2020 Posts: 287	Thanks!! Already in my cart.
	0

02-18-2020, 06:26 AM	#11
Spins Join Date: Jan 2020 Posts: 287	Thanks for the advise Megadan and everyone else! I’ll attempt to bleed the brakes after work tonight and report back.
	1

02-18-2020, 12:37 PM	#13
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Two more tips for bleeding brakes. While at it, change the fluid to a decent DOT 3 and ensure that you don't overfill the reservoir. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

02-18-2020, 01:18 PM	#14
Spins Join Date: Jan 2020 Posts: 287	Yes . I was planning on flushing it all out once I open it.
	1

02-18-2020, 07:25 PM	#15
roundhouse Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: N Texas Posts: 706	I flushed all the fluid in my hawk and it helped some but it was not until I hit my rotors with a sanding block and 800 grit sand paper then I pulled the pads and scuffed them up too on a flat surface. It made a big difference. I rode pretty easy on the brakes for 100 miles then when I clamped down they grabbed real good. I do not know why but the rotors were glazed up. I bought my bike used though. Note: I am not a mechanic and this may not be the right thing to do. It worked for me though. Oh +1 for the pun
	2