K11 Owners Group

Mystic Red · Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 11:23 pm Post subject: Brake Lever Travel

O.K., I've bled my brakes and I hoped the front brake lever would not move as far as it has in the past. So here is the question, how far does your brake lever move?
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Scott Hespelt, '94 K11LT
K11 OG #466

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 11:30 pm Post subject:

Measuring at the end of the brake lever the '97 travels about 1-1/2" to a firm stop.
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Ride safe.

1997 K1100LT 0302488
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"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1995 K1100LT 0302044(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

Mystic Red · Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 11:56 pm Post subject:

Yea, mine travels farther than that without measuring. If I set the adjustment at 1, it will pinch my fingers on a 2 finger pull, on 4 I'm O.K.
_________________
Scott Hespelt, '94 K11LT
K11 OG #466

Jim · Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 12:00 am Post subject:

Without measuring, I'd say that's too much travel. I can measure the travel on my bike tomorrow.
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Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 12:00 am Post subject:

Sounds like you might still have some air in there somewhere.
Can you see any appreciable daylight or space between the pads and the rotor?
I suppose that if there is too much gap that could also account for excess lever travel.
_________________
Ride safe.

1997 K1100LT 0302488
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1995 K1100LT 0302044(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

Flying Duck · Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 12:10 am Post subject:

I agree that you might have some air in the system. It can be tough to get all of the air out.

To to position the bike/handlebars so that the top hole in the master cylinder is the highest point. Then let it sit or pump the brakes slwoly to see if you can get any bubbles.

Don't pump it hard with the cover off. DAMHIK

(I got rid of the adjustable lever on my 94 RS. I prefer the older fixed one but that's for another thread.)
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93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
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91 & 92 K75Ss
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Mystic Red · Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 1:17 am Post subject:

God, new rotors, new pads , new lines and I spent a couple of hours bleeding. Rolling Eyes

It is rideable but I hate to take it to Beaudry's to have the$100 bleed. Twisted Evil

_________________
Scott Hespelt, '94 K11LT
K11 OG #466

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 8:10 am Post subject:

You can get it done, just keep working it slooooooow and easssssy. Very Happy

Kind of like your first date. Laughing

_________________
Ride safe.

1997 K1100LT 0302488
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1995 K1100LT 0302044(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

Mystic Red · Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 8:44 am Post subject:

tmoons · Flying Brick Rider Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Posts: 161

My lever has that round 4 settings thing on it, on 1 it hits the throttle, on 4 (i do have BIG hands) it leave a gape the size of 3/4 inch. I have it on 4 ever since i got the bike.

No spongy feeling... new fluid, new pad, good moving cilinders (at the calipers), new brake lines from the calipers to the junction.

I think it is the master cilinder that is the cause in this...

My bike is a 1994 K1100RS (USA model) With ABS - 1
I've also never pulled the handel more than an inch of the throttle (harder and ABS kicks in....)

endoman100 · Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 5:48 pm Post subject:

I got real lucky mine were dry when I got my 93 rs
and all I did was add #4 brake fluid to the master cyl.
and bleed. but!!! only the left side worked.
turned out the rt side line was clogged.
had to push a very stable but small wire through
the line to break through the clog.
bleed them until they were clear.
and no spungy brakes for me
and a full lever plenty of room for braking.
I know this is a stupid question but are both calipers working

jsut something that happend to me.
not saying you have'nt already ck. just curious Wink

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1993 K1100RS

Mystic Red · Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 7:44 pm Post subject:

Yea, they both work. I worked on it a little more today and got some air out of the modulator. None came out down on the calipers. My lever moves 1 1/2" to 1 3/4" now depending on how hard I pull on it. Might be a minimal amount of air left in there but I'll bleed again after riding it a while.
_________________
Scott Hespelt, '94 K11LT
K11 OG #466

chrisk1100rs · Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 9:02 am Post subject:

Scott

I have just renewed pistons and seals on my front brakes and had a lot of fun bleeding them just like you. The following might help

1 try bleeding with calipers off the disk this lets the pipe strighten out
2 Try bleeding on side stand full lock one way then the other

Both of these were suggested to me by my BMW dealer it worked for me

Chris K1100rs
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Stelth

Mystic Red · Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 7:02 pm Post subject:

Thanks Chris.
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Scott Hespelt, '94 K11LT
K11 OG #466