Overhauling the brakes NC24

[Christoph]

So this easter weekend I'm going to try to figure out why both front and rear brakes are appauling.

I've not attempted any brake work before, any tips or advice on this?

Thanks :)

[Neosophist]

Yep! We need a brake caliper sticky I think.. here goes...

The brakes are crap compared to new bikes even when they've been overhauled..

However if you do a proper job and buy the right kit and use decent pads there pretty well matched for the bike.

The biggest problem with the brakes on the NC21/24, and likewise the CBR400/600's is that there 2 piston 'sliding' design.

The NC30 uses 4 pistons which press on the pads from each side.. the sliding design has pistons only on one side and requires the caliper to move (slide) so the non pushed pad makes contact with the disc.

The sliding mechanisim works fine when new and looked after, after 20 odd years and several numpty owners you'll find that the calipers don't slide well at all, often they've sized.

Theres 2 pins the calipers slide on that are sealed with rubber boots, the sliders need to be chcked / cleaned and greased at least once a year to make sure there still working properly.

Leaking fork seals / sunshine / wrong type of grease being used can all make the rubber seals swell up.. then rain / debris gets into the slider pins and the whole thing sizes solid.

Even the sliders can be replaced but i've never seen any worn out that bad.

I'll write a guide up later on this afternoon as i've been meaning to do one for a while.

The NC24 has plastic pistons so there usally fine... so to restore the NC24 to good breaking capaicty you'll need to spend the following.

Caliper Seal Kit: £50
Brake Pads: £25
Braided Brake Hoses: from £35
Brake Fluid: £10

If you still have the rubber hoses on they'll be long past their best.. seeing as your having the calipers into pieces now is the best time to change the hoses and fluid with fresh stuff.. reusing the old is false economy. Also a 2-line 'race' setup will give you a firmer brake lever feel.

Brake fluid should be a decent brand Dot 4 type.

I have no preference with braided hoses.. I have some Goodrich on mine.

Brake pads: I have some Nissin pads which were quite a bit more than £25 but there OE spec Honda and last / work great.

For a full job thats around £120.00 there really is no point at all in not doing the job properly.. if your going to the trouble of removing and stripping the calipers you don't want to think to yourself.. i'll not bother changing the piston seals and just do the slider seals as 6 months down the road when your doing the job again its false economy.

Same goes with brake lines / fluid.. if you dont' do them at the same time, when you do fit braided lines your going to loose a load of the fluid that you've recently changed!

It's not the chepeast job i'm afraid but providing you use the right grease on the sliders and decent pads and check them every 6 - 12 months from then on they should out-last the bike

I'll post up a link to the guide when i'm done later on today, it'll have some pictures and part numbers.

[Neosophist]

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