Brake woes on my 3rd Gen Magna

[snoopy]

Recently I've been riding my Magna everywhere, commuting to work (even in 33 degree Fahrenheit weather), shopping, etc.  I've even been riding two-up, with stuff in a backpack.  I'd estimate having just under 500 pounds of weight riding on those two wheels, not to mention the bike itself, and I've noticed that the brakes were *extra* anemic.

Yesterday when I was about to jump on the bike to head into work I noticed a small puddle underneath the front caliper.  The brakes have always been "shiny" so I suspect that it's a good time to fully address the braking system on my bike.  I've ordered a stainless steel brake line, and new sintered brake pads.  I'll be picking up a brake bleeder tool and replace the fluid while I'm swapping parts out.

What I would like to know is, does anybody have any suggestions on things to look for, or other "improvements" I can make to my brake system while I'm at it?

[L J VFR]

I will never forget the morning after I did your exact brake mod on my 2001 magna.  Fired up the bike and started off the hill thru the yard as normal, touched the front brake and ALMOST spilled the bike. The front wheel locked up on the grass, which this had never happened before.  The new SS brake line coupled with new sintered pads was night and day difference in the braking dept.   Make sure you get all of the old brake fluid out and replaced with new.   You will be happy with your brakes when done.

[TLRam1]

Make sure that is not fork oil leaking.

[snoopy]

Make sure that is not fork oil leaking.

Good thinking, I'll make certain of that when I get home.

[hootmon]

Your sure it's not blinker fluid? LOL

[snoopy]

Your sure it's not blinker fluid? LOL

Nope, not blinker fluid.  My bike is in bad shape and doesn't have front blinkers.

[rjb/AKA Bob Barram]

ok, for a second I thought you were going to say you brought a HD home by accident....

[lragan]

I have posted this elsewhere, but will repeat it briefly here for convenience. 

I have found it far easier to bleed the front brake from the bottom.  You can do this with a pump type oil can and a short length of the appropriate sized plastic or rubber tubing.  After draining all the old fluid, fill up the oil can, connect the tubing to the drain fitting at the bottom, and pump until the reservoir is full.  Then tighten the drain fitting to capture the bubble-less fluid before removing the tubing.

This works well because bubbles will rise in the fluid, so "going with the flow" is much easier.  You will see as the reservoir fills up that there is only fluid coming into it, with no bubbles. 

I too had to get used to a stainless steel brake line and sintered pads, as they work really well.  Didn't take long.  After a few stops, it became automatic. 

[snoopy]

I have posted this elsewhere, but will repeat it briefly here for convenience. 

I have found it far easier to bleed the front brake from the bottom.  You can do this with a pump type oil can and a short length of the appropriate sized plastic or rubber tubing.  After draining all the old fluid, fill up the oil can, connect the tubing to the drain fitting at the bottom, and pump until the reservoir is full.  Then tighten the drain fitting to capture the bubble-less fluid before removing the tubing.

This works well because bubbles will rise in the fluid, so "going with the flow" is much easier.  You will see as the reservoir fills up that there is only fluid coming into it, with no bubbles. 

I too had to get used to a stainless steel brake line and sintered pads, as they work really well.  Didn't take long.  After a few stops, it became automatic. 

Yeah, I found your previous post and that was how I was going to fill the brake system with fluid.  What your saying now sounds like you had the top of the system "open" so you could watch the fluid rise.  Or am I getting that wrong?

[lragan]

You are correct.  I take the lid off so I can see the fluid level and watch for bubbles.  I suppose one could look through the sight glass, but mine is rather cloudy...

[BudMan]

... I suppose one could look through the sight glass, but mine is rather cloudy...

You're supposed to be able to SEE through those things?

[hootmon]

... I suppose one could look through the sight glass, but mine is rather cloudy...

You're supposed to be able to SEE through those things?

I bet if we took a vote, more than 50% would say their glass merky to cloudy...