[Mastermind]

I noticed that when i use the front brake lever, I can feel a little "click" or notch halfway through the movement, instead of a nice, smooth feeling.

Have you ever experienced it ? Do you thing it's caliper-related or is there something wrong with my master-cylinder ?Or maybe it's normal and usual on this bike.

It does not affect the braking efficiency but it does affect the braking experience, even though it is hard to describe....

 

[arfingdog]

It's hard to picture a caliper issue manifesting that way, so I would suspect the master cylinder. Removing the calipers without disconnecting the hydraulics and then removing the pads and giving the caliper a good cleaning isn't a bad idea--and not very hard-- and it would give you a chance to inspect just in case some crud is interfering with the piston movement. Just don't squeeze the brake lever with the caliper off the disk! (unless you have a place holder between the pads to keep the pistons from shooting out)

 

[43220]

You need to provide more information for proper context. You seem to own a 1200, so it could be quite a few years old, with maybe tens of thousands of miles of use. The first thought that comes to mind is MAINTENANCE. Brake fluid needs to be changed every 2 years maximum, regardless of mileage. And that's especially important in humid climates, since brake fluid is hygroscopic, meaning it readily absorbs moisture from the environment. If neglected since new, brake system parts could be rusted on the inside. The next thought is you didn't specify ownership history. Did this just start happening, or you just bought the bike, and noticed this behavior? Hopefully somebody with your same bike can shed some light after you provide more details. Good luck.

 

[Mastermind]

It's hard to picture a caliper issue manifesting that way, so I would suspect the master cylinder. Removing the calipers without disconnecting the hydraulics and then removing the pads and giving the caliper a good cleaning isn't a bad idea--and not very hard-- and it would give you a chance to inspect just in case some crud is interfering with the piston movement. Just don't squeeze the brake lever with the caliper off the disk! (unless you have a place holder between the pads to keep the pistons from shooting out)

I do this on a regular basis (every 5/10k km) and haven't noticed any problem. I will try tough to press the lever with the calipers off to see if I still sense the click.

You need to provide more information for proper context. You seem to own a 1200, so it could be quite a few years old, with maybe tens of thousands of miles of use. The first thought that comes to mind is MAINTENANCE. Brake fluid needs to be changed every 2 years maximum, regardless of mileage. And that's especially important in humid climates, since brake fluid is hygroscopic, meaning it readily absorbs moisture from the environment. If neglected since new, brake system parts could be rusted on the inside. The next thought is you didn't specify ownership history. Did this just start happening, or you just bought the bike, and noticed this behavior? Hopefully somebody with your same bike can shed some light after you provide more details. Good luck.

My bike is a 2015 R1200R LC and I've had itfor 3 years. Ibought it at 9000 km and it is now almost 50 000. It has always been fully serviced every 10K km, including brake fluid replacement and caliper's piston cleaning. This clicking sensation in the brake lever has been present for a few hundred kilometers now...

 

[43220]

Good to hear you can eliminate maintenance as an issue. Now my question is how hard are you braking to feel that sensation. The issue could be mechanical (something physically wrong with the master cylinder, for example), or electronic, like the ABS system intervening, for some reason. My next step would be to check for codes with a GS-911, to make sure you don't have any 'soft' brake system codes lodged in there. Checking codes doesn't use any VINs, so any local forum member with a GS-911 should be willing to help you there. But yes, anything not right with the brake system would make me nervous too. Have you tried a hard brake test? Just to make sure you don't have an internal MC leak, and that bike is capable of 'panic' braking. Good luck.

 

[Mastermind]

The bike brakes totally fine.

I've tested the lever while the bike was off, by pressing the lever very slowly and gently and I still can feel it. Like the lever was catching and got free again almost immediately

 

[chrisf]

Is it not the clutch micro switch for (cruise control) that’s clicking?
I’m fairly sure my 2017 did that too (it’s not in my ownership anymore) My MT10 did it too and that was the clutch micro switch.

 

[Panzermann]

Is it not the clutch micro switch for (cruise control) that’s clicking?

If so, it would be the brake light switch rather than clutch switch, but certainly worth looking at before you start investigating hydraulics. Have you disassembled the lever assembly to see that nothing is catching there?
The brake light switch disengages cruise control, as does one of the micro-switches on the clutch lever (the second activating the starter interlock).

 

[Jack the Lad]

I think I know the issue that the OP mentions but I don't have a solution, yet.

On my RT, about halfway through the lever travel, there's a sound, almost more of a feeling, of something dragging and then releasing - almost as if a cylinder was slightly hung up, and then frees.

It isn't a hard click, more the feeling, which may mean it is a different issue that what Mastermind talks about.

It hasn't affected braking and it is almost brake service time anyway, so will pull things apart then.

 

[Panzermann]

Is the lever mechanism properly cleaned and lubed?

 

[Mastermind]

I think I know the issue that the OP mentions but I don't have a solution, yet.

On my RT, about halfway through the lever travel, there's a sound, almost more of a feeling, of something dragging and then releasing - almost as if a cylinder was slightly hung up, and then frees.

It isn't a hard click, more the feeling, which may mean it is a different issue that what Mastermind talks about.

It hasn't affected braking and it is almost brake service time anyway, so will pull things apart then.

It totally sounds like what I am experiencing!
Let me know if you find anything.

If so, it would be the brake light switch rather than clutch switch, but certainly worth looking at before you start investigating hydraulics. Have you disassembled the lever assembly to see that nothing is catching there?
The brake light switch disengages cruise control, as does one of the micro-switches on the clutch lever (the second activating the starter interlock).

The click feeling happens after the brake light turns on so I don't think so.

Is the lever mechanism properly cleaned and lubed?

Cleaned yes. Lubed no, it doesn't look like it needs to be.

 

[Jack the Lad]

Mastermind, do you have the original levers or something non-standard?

 

[Mastermind]

Mastermind, do you have the original levers or something non-standard?

They are the original levers the bike came with.

 

[sturgeon]

Floating disc brake rotor?

 

[Jack the Lad]

Floating disc brake rotor?

Certainly a possibility.

I'm expecting to find, and probably in this order, at least one of, ...

• Issue with the lever, needing lube or adjustment
• Issues with piston(s) being restrained by something, dirt probably
• The new idea above - floating rotor
• Something else

 

[Mastermind]

I don't think it has something to do with anything beyond the brake line. The feeling is to subtle and precise to be carried from the caliper to the lever via the brake fluid.

 

[Jack the Lad]

I agree with you & if I was a betting man, I'd choose the first two of my options, but I'm not, and I always try to find at least three solutions to a problem to avoid target fixation

They don't call me anal-retentive for nothing. Never sure whether that should be hyphenated or not.

 

[Mastermind]

Some feedback on the matter :

I disassembled and lubricated the lever assembly, and polished the braking pad axle.
I thought it resolved the issue but turns out it didn't.

Last Sunday I removed the brake pads and disassembled the calipers from the bike.
As I pressed the lever I could totally feel the catching point and ear the clicking sound.

Turns out several pistons of the right caliper stuck midway when pressing the lever.
As I gently pressed the lever I could feel the pressure building up then see the piston release with the aforementioned "click".


I extended the pistons out as far as possible and thoroughly cleaned them all. Now the issue seems to be gone.

It must have been dirt or residue from my winter riding, as last service was in autumn.

I will keep you updated if there is anything new.

 

[Ontrip]

Dish Soap and and a toothbrush every time the wheels come off the the bike.

Have been tempted to use the high temp grease on the pistons but only used it on the calliper axle and behind brake pads for the first time

Will see if there is any benefit or will it be a magnet for brake dust.

General PDP Template

www.canadiantire.ca

 

[prslegg]

Careful what grease you use on brake pistons. Could affect the seals and give lots more problems. I only used to clean with with soapy water and lube with actual brake fluid just to damp the surface up when pushing piston back in