cb400/4 poor lever on front brake

[rirons]

Yes yes i own a four stroke as well as an RD350.

I cant get a good feel on the front brake, when i bought the bike someone had bodged the front by fitting only one pipe (no metal pipe  going into the caliper), and no manifold or pressure switch for the brake light (no idea how it passed the MOT), i have returned this to original with the manifold and brake switch etc, i have also refurbed the master cylinder with a new kit, i have bled the brake till I cant squeeze no more and its not getting better.

Any ideas

the bikes an F2, 1977

cheers

[steven]

Hi,

I saw this earlier, but didnt answer, but its all coming back to me now.
Im sure I remember from about 30 gazzilion years ago, when my mate had a 400/4, a yellow one......

I remember helping him with his brakes, and we had to heat up something alloy, was it the brake mounting arm/braket?
Is there not a pivot pin on it somewhere that allows pressure to be applied to the second brake pad due to the arm pivoting on a pin?

Im sure we had to heat up that pin to free it off as it was seized?

Please tell me if im talking out my arse ?, as it was a while ago.

steven.

[oldelsieboy]

Jul 9, 2014 12:36:34 GMT 1 rirons said:

no manifold or pressure switch for the brake light (no idea how it passed the MOT)

Quote from "THE VEHICLE INSPECTORATE", MOT Manual for Bikes

"Machines first used before 1 April 1986 must have a stop lamp that operates from at least one brake control."

"Machines first used on or after 1 April 1986 must have a stop lamp that operates from both brake controls."

OEB

[crowley]

I suspect Steven is on the money there. Old Honda calipers have a pivot to allow the single piston caliper to move. Check it's free and the use (genuine) Coppaslip - not the nasty cheap stuff that dries out and goes to powder.

[mikee]

they were always like that , but the worked okay ish on the road (in 1978)
upgrade to a 550k (iirc) front end
rd 250e forks and brake fit with minimal work