brake problems on a 999

[NC Rick]

Hi folks,

Has anyone had experience with the new(ish, at least for me!) radial style brake masters causing trouble? My front brake keeps needing the adjuster turned in to keep the lever from pinching my fingers. Tonight, I had to cut the ride short since I ran out of adjustment. I actually thought that my wife or son were messing with the adjustment when they rode it. Seems I have a problem. Bike has 7K miles, good pads and is up to the mid level on the fluid. Not sure when it was changed last, new bike to me.

Thanks for any input!

[BC999S]

You've bled the brakes, I'll assume.

[Ben710]

Never had a real problem with the Brembo stuff. Bleed the system or let a shop do it if you can´t do it on your own. Use only DOT 4 or 5.1, not 5.0.

[froggert]

what they said. the xx9 masters sometimes suck in air.

[BC999S]

Originally Posted by Ben710

Use only DOT 4 or 5.1, not 5.0.

Good point.

[redtop]

The 999 brake pumps has a bleeding nipple inside the fluid reservoir. I was tearing my hair off, trying to bleed them before I found out!

Here's a pic from the workshop manual:


If you top up the reservoair the nipple will be below surface and you can easily bleed out the last air bubbles.

[BC999S]

Originally Posted by redtop

The 999 brake pumps has a bleeding nipple inside the fluid reservoir. I was tearing my hair off, trying to bleed them before I found out!

Great tip.

[NC Rick]

Wonderful Info folks thank you! I have not yet bled the brakes. the fluid is up and not very dirty looking. My thinking was that even if bleeding fixes the problem, how'd the air get in there? If they are known to suck in air, then i will give it a try and just ride it. The fluid may well be from the 2004 year of manufacture and perhaps some crud built on in the master...

Redtop, That is a fantastic hint. I do not have a service manual for the bike yet.