front brake grip lag

albertaduke

former airline pilot without the big bucks
Joined
Feb 16, 2010
Messages
4,284
Location
kaleden
Ride
2021 rocket3 GT
how can I reduce the one inch lag on the brake handle. I bled the brakes put new pads but there is that one inch of free play(lag) before it start biting and I think in an emergency situation it might come in contact with the throttle grip I checked and new R3 on the dealer floor definitively do not have this lag anyone seen this before
 
Get a couple of large screwdrivers, or tyre spoons, or something similar and pry the brake pads on one side apart as far as you reasonably can. (Don't try to insert the tool between the pads and the disk. There is a little metal part sticking out on the pads to allow you to pry the pads apart without touching the disk.) Pump the brake lever till it is hard, then do the same on the other side. Your brake lever will now be as solid as a rock. I do this once or twice a year. Don't ask me why it works, but it does.
 

thanks I will try that today and report the results
 
if that works you are probably forcing any air in the system back into the reservoir.
i think that i will give it a try. thanks
 

Thanks @idk67
I went and brought a master cylinder kit awhile ago as the front brakes have been soft, had bleed them a few times but no real improvement, Ive had to pump the lever if I wanted a solid feel.
I remembered reading this and before a ride yesterday I pushed the pads back as above and bugger me.... it defiantly works....... so there must have been air trapped in there somewhere.
the lever is solid as...... now set on position #4 and I can grab a handful and still not touch the twistgrip
 
Been discussing this with specialist bike engineering & performance people. Soon as I told him the problem he knew immediately what the problem is. It would seem that over a number of yrs (4-5) the dust seals grip the pistons & when the brake is released the seal actually pulls the piston back a little so when we need to brake again we have lost motion as the extra distance is taken up. Pushing the pistons back breaks the grip & it all works fine for a while. He reckons just keep pushing back until new seals needed then be meticulous on cleaning everything before assembly. In my case I'll hand it over to him as the easy way out. BTW my brake is firm as hell now, better than it has been for 2 yrs or more.
 
That sounds like as good an explanation as any.
 
I suspect Captain Jack's explanation is right on. I had the same issue until I changed out my pads recently. In the process, gave the pistons a clean and my lever is solid as a rock now.
 
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