NC30 Brake lever question, brakes have no feel

[Stu-VFR]

My NC30 has a front brake lever with an adjuster on it, David Silver Spares lists it without the adjuster. Will this effect the feel?

My bike had new pads before I bought it 3 weeks ago, but the front brake is scary. It works ok for the first few mm of pull, then if you need to squeeze it just a touch more it gets to a point where the bike nearly stands on its nose. Some one rode it recently and said it was like squeezing a lump of wood, and the on/off action wasnt right.

When I release the brake the bike moves freely immediatly which is kind of leading me away from it possibly being a sticky piston.
The same person who rode it for me thinks it could be the front brake lever as it has a span adjuster, thats been locked off, isnt original and this could effect the lever travel and the brake feel.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Stu

[CMSMJ1]

Has it got std calipers and a std master cyinder too?

The adjuster on the lever only adjusts span - it should not affect the feel - it is not like an Avid Speed dial MTB lever

Feeling wooden and with too much power is the symptom of a mastercylinder that is too large for the caliper (if I get my head around it right)

check under the "nissin" bit on the mastercylinder and see what is stamped there. It should be 5/8 for a std NC30.

have you got braided lines?

ALso, check that there is not too much brake fluid in the system - in fact, my 20p goes on this actually..seeing as you have new pads etc.

[myheroduane]

i had this problem with my old nc24 but it was during the winter and i was told my fluid was crystalising but im not too sure if that is your problem

[Stu-VFR]

ALso, check that there is not too much brake fluid in the system - in fact, my 20p goes on this actually..seeing as you have new pads etc.

Thats is a very good point, I'll have a look tonight.

I'll check the size of the master cylinder as well.

One other question, the word Nissen on the calipers, should that face outwards or in towards the wheel like mine. Seems a bit odd, I thought the name would be on the outside.

I know my old Honda cars, but old Honda bikes are a new venture.

Thanks,
Stu

[ibby4585]

Nissin faces inwards towards each other, Christ knows why it looks stupid!!

Kris

[Hadies]

Nissin faces inwards towards each other, Christ knows why it looks stupid!!

I've just noticed this! Argh I don't like it!!

[Stu-VFR]

Thanks again, it does look a bit stupid, unlike Honda, but hey ho.

I'll up date this after I've had a fiddle tonight.

Stu

[Stu-VFR]

This is now sorted, it was a weird set up.

Basically on taking the top off the resevoir I saw that the rubber diaphram wasn't looking normal. Instead of looking like a hockey puck, it was all pulled out and looked like a black rubber sock going into the revevoir and touching the bottom. I flipped it back into shape, topped up the resevoir and the front brake now seems much more predictable and progressive.

Why the rubber diaphram was all stretched out like this boggles the mind, all I can think is that someone clueless had bee having a fiddle.

Thanks for the help chaps. Much appreciated.

Stu

[ibby4585]

I cant see how that would affect the brake feel, as the brake fluid is under pressure from the master cylinder!It is possible that there hasn't been enough fluid in the resevoir and you have lots of air in the system!! Personally i would drain the old brake fluid and bleed the set up yourself at least then you know its been done properly.

its not worth taking chances.

Kris

[Stu-VFR]

It looked like the distended diaphram was stopping the fluid from changing level when the brakes were applied as it was taking up all the room and causing the fluid to have no air gap.

As soon as it was sorted I took it up and down the road. The front brake is now progressive, predictable, powerful and with plenty of feel.

It had to be that as before the front was like a switch either off, or on bloody hard.

Weird I agree.

Stu