So yesterday it was nice out and I decided to dust off the bike for a ride.
Got it started and idling just fine and was about to take off and realized the front wheel wouldn't budge.
Sure enough the front brake is locked.
Took the caliper apart and inspected everything. Piston still in great condition with no pittings whatsoever. The bore is in great condition as well. Pads aren't new but is hardly worn either and have a lot left. Disassembled the caliper arm to clean and lubricate and now it moves like butter. Bled the brake line completely and refilled using the reverse bleed method. No bubbles. Check! Well.... Not so fast. as soon as I tightened down the caliper bolts, the wheel is again locked up tight. What the hell...
If i loosen the bolts and only hand tightened them the wheel moves fine and the brake will grab as expected. It's as if there is not enough of a free gap between the brake pads and the disc to allow the wheel to turn when I tighten down the caliper bolts. Can brake pads swell due to moisture? I didn't think this was possible.
The bike didn't have this issue when I parked it for the winter.
Got it started and idling just fine and was about to take off and realized the front wheel wouldn't budge.
Sure enough the front brake is locked.
Took the caliper apart and inspected everything. Piston still in great condition with no pittings whatsoever. The bore is in great condition as well. Pads aren't new but is hardly worn either and have a lot left. Disassembled the caliper arm to clean and lubricate and now it moves like butter. Bled the brake line completely and refilled using the reverse bleed method. No bubbles. Check! Well.... Not so fast. as soon as I tightened down the caliper bolts, the wheel is again locked up tight. What the hell...
If i loosen the bolts and only hand tightened them the wheel moves fine and the brake will grab as expected. It's as if there is not enough of a free gap between the brake pads and the disc to allow the wheel to turn when I tighten down the caliper bolts. Can brake pads swell due to moisture? I didn't think this was possible.
The bike didn't have this issue when I parked it for the winter.