Sudden Stiff Brake Lever

Stranger

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Oct 8, 2017
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Arkansas
Hoping to get a little help diagnosing a problem. When the bike has set a bit (like a few hours or more) my brake lever starts to act up. The first couple of engagements the front brake works fine but then it will suddenly get real stiff and the won't engage the brakes. I can give it 3 or 4 hard squeezes and then the front brake will sudden grab. After that the brakes work like they should for the rest of the ride.

Any ideas?

I took the brakes off and hit the calipers with some penetrating oil, but that didn't help.

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hobdayd

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Oct 2, 2016
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Keep penetrating oil well away from any rubber components...boots and especially the piston seals. These oils could cause significant swelling of the seals leading to possible binding pistons and premature seal failure...
 

Checkswrecks

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I'd start by disassembling, cleaning, and re-lubing the pivot at the lever, then the caliper slider pins, then the pistons. My guess is that it's the caliper pins or pistons, because it'll work the first few times, then likely a dragging pad creates heat. Once you break through the new "set" position the brakes work for that new norm for the rest of that ride.


Again, just a guess, but it will take you from easiest to the more complex. btw - This does not sound like an ABS failure.
 

richarddacat

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Jan 27, 2015
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Tennessee
Stock levers? Bar risers with stock hoses?

If you’re in need of new calibers, I think they are the same as FJR’s and I have a used set.
 

richarddacat

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Stranger said:
All stock components and no recent work.

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Check the 8mm bolt with the 10mm nut holding the lever on, make sure it’s not too tight.
Can imagine the hoses being pinched or twisted, maybe after a tire change?

Then I’d pull the calipers, open the reservoir cap, manually depress the caliper, watch for overflow.
If that is free, bleed out both sides.

Something is binding or plugged.

That’s my two cents.
 

2daMax

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Jun 3, 2015
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If u bleed the front brakes or attempt to do so, and the fluids does not flow out even if you depress the lever, then it would be very likely is the stuck valve within the ABS unit. The hose coming off the lever is linked to the ABS unit first and then goes to the Calipers.

How to unstuck the valve? I do not know how but know that it was done by a mechanic after spending hours with it. (but that was for the rear brakes).
 
R

RonH

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It seems most brake issues are related to the ABS. Wish the Tenere didn't have it, but most demand it anymore unfortunately, so we get the system included without option. I would buy without if had the choice.
 

OldRider

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RonH said:
It seems most brake issues are related to the ABS. Wish the Tenere didn't have it, but most demand it anymore unfortunately, so we get the system included without option. I would buy without if had the choice.
Just plumb around it. Take two brake hoses and go directly to the calipers. I've redone several of the servo assist BMW's. I ran a hose from the front master cylinder to the splitter above the fender and went directly from the rear master cylinder to the rear caliper. Took the servo pump out of the loop and had the best BMW brakes ever made.
 

Cycledude

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Rib lake wi
What year Tenere do you own ? When is the last time the brake fluid was changed ?

Stranger said:
Hoping to get a little help diagnosing a problem. When the bike has set a bit (like a few hours or more) my brake lever starts to act up. The first couple of engagements the front brake works fine but then it will suddenly get real stiff and the won't engage the brakes. I can give it 3 or 4 hard squeezes and then the front brake will sudden grab. After that the brakes work like they should for the rest of the ride.

Any ideas?

I took the brakes off and hit the calipers with some penetrating oil, but that didn't help.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
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