Brakes still feel a bit meh

[alan36]

I have replaced the discs and pads on my GSXR1000 K7 and also replaced the brake fluid. The lever was never that strong before but I thought after this work it would be quite sharp but...still the same. I have the lever adjustment at the most extreme but i'm almost pulling the lever over halfway before any real braking happens. Is this a master cylinder issue?

[Stevemr]

Bleeding issue I would think.

[trickywoo]

What pads and are they bedded in?

[alan36]

Used EBC discs and pads and bedded in properly. The brakes before were not brilliant. If its bleeding I would think there must have been air in the system prior to the brake fluid change as the lever feels pretty much the same.

[TGCOTF-dewey]

Does your other half have a sex toy and do they use it much?

https://youtube.com/shorts/sNEMCozNuvE?is=jk2q4rbF...

[alan36]

TGCOTF-dewey said:

Does your other half have a sex toy and do they use it much?

https://youtube.com/shorts/sNEMCozNuvE?is=jk2q4rbF...

Thanks, great contribution.

[ssray]

Tie the brake lever back overnight, it allows tiny bubbles to escape

[Crudeoink]

ssray said:

Tie the brake lever back overnight, it allows tiny bubbles to escape

I've had some success with this, it's not night and day but it does help. That said I've never been in the position of having lots of air in the system when I've used this method. Things I've found to help:
If the bike has ABS, getting it to engage helps get air out the pump. Pushing the pistons all the way back in and rotating the caliper about a few times to help bubbles make their way towards the bleed nipple, gentle vibration on the calipers and lines to help bubbles make their way to the master cylinder (I used my orbital sander and placed the body of the sander on the calipers to help move some bubbles!)

[RossF1984]

Same issue on my L3 GSXR600. Using a cable tie to hold the lever overnight as previously suggested did make a big difference however.

I was told that this was a "GSXR Thing"?

[MK3 Dan]

There was a recall on master cylinders I think so ensure that has been done?

Personally I would go for an aftermarket master cylinder, I always go Brembo, and find these make the biggest difference.

[the cueball]

K7 has a bleed nipple at the master cylinder?

Do that first... pump the brakes, hold the lever and crack open the bleed.

Then left caliper and right last.

What about your brake lines?? OE rubber? new rubber? braided s/s?? another thing to look at.

Further to that, when I'm getting new discs and pads I usually rebuild the calipers and master cylinder.. seals may be gone/failing on either or both of them.

at the very least, give the calipers a really good clean and make sure all the pots are working correctly - tokico 4 pots are usually pretty good.

[alan36]

I did bleed the master cylinder and calipers and have also tried cable tying the lever back overnight. The lever felt great after this when pulled prior to moving, but as soon as I needed to apply the brake again, it was the same as before.

[Marquezs Stabilisers]

How do the pistons move around in the caliper? How do the pads slide on the pins?

[alan36]

Everything moved freely

[s p a c e m a n]

If you pump the lever does it get harder or just stay the same no matter how many times you do it?

[Biker's Nemesis]

A friend had to have his K6 M/C replaced due to a recall. It had been off the road for years.

This wasn't a recent recall either, if you've done all the obvious I'd check to see if there is a recall on the K7.

[_Rodders_]

I'd chuck a different set of pads in if I was certain there was no air in the system before changing the MC

[trickywoo]

_Rodders_ said:

I'd chuck a different set of pads in if I was certain there was no air in the system before changing the MC

I’d say that was worth a go to. I changed pads once and got that heart in your mouth feeling every time I grabbed the lever. It felt for a second that they weren’t working. I gave it a while but they never bedded in. I put a different set in and all was well again. No idea what happened as they were factory sealed SBS sintered.

[alan36]

Think I will try the SBS ones then.

[IanUAE]

Do you have original rubber brake lines? If so they could be expanding when you apply the brakes.

As you have bought new pads and discs, a set on new good quality braided brake lines would complete the brake refresh.