Bleeding ** brakes

[jagarra]

Well, it seems to feel damn good after 2 days of being pumped up and being strapped overnight. This combination according to the ratio chart falls at 16.31 (outside the recommended 12-14).
It's a nice day today, so a test ride is in order. I expected the stopping to be a little diminished as I have new pads to break in.
I do have another set of calipers in 38MM which will yield a 14.86 ratio, but we will see how it works out.
Kind of disappointed the 16mm unit did not fall into place as I expected. I guess the seals are not made to be stretched more than once.

[Airbear]

How did that bleedin' 14mm MC go?

[jagarra]

Charlie,
After 2 days of being burped it felt pretty good. It worked OK the first day. Not good enough to lock up the front wheel though. But the pads aren't broken in yet either. The next morning when I gave it a squeeze, it felt a little bit weaker, like there may be air still lurking somewhere. I adjusted the cable so I got better feel and it didn't hit the bars. Seems when you use the adjuster like that it creates drag on the front wheel as you are preloading the system when you do this. This is probably why they want the groove on the piston of the M/C to show a .046" gap in the released position. By moving the adjuster in all the way and out so I have a good brake lever I can feel the difference when I spin the front wheel.
Yesterday I ordered a new 16mm seal kit to rebuild the other M/C. I pumped the brakes up tonight and have them strapped down again.
Bad weather coming up again, plenty of time to play with it.

[Airbear]

Gerard, I would persist with the 14mm for a while at least. With two sets of pads to adjust, let alone break in, it will take a while to know for sure. From what I've read the 14mm seems to be preferred for the undertank MC regardless of what the chart says. With my 13mm bar mounted MC and single disk setup it took a bit of riding before the pads settled in and the pads weren't new, just the old ones reinstalled. The 'burping' took a couple of days too.

[jagarra]

Charlie, on other forums and links I have run across, there has been quite a bit of discussion on making the ATE brakes better. One area of agreement has been using the 14mm UTMC for dual disks. So I haven't given up yet, just expanding the options to try. Now one new thing that I found on these other forums was changing the old cable made a difference. Looking at my cable, it looks all of it's 43 years to me. I guess it asks the question do cables become springy over time?
I am also pondering the notion that rebuilding the 14mm with a new set of seals may help. The reason I am thinking on this line is that when I pulled the unit apart to drill and tap it for the 2nd hose, it went back together as far as the seal sliding into the bore really easy, maybe too easily.

cheers,

gg

[Airbear]

O yes, I would certainly replace that cable.

[jagarra]

Charlie, I just posted a picture of my bike in the picture section with the dualies.

[Airbear]

Beautiful bike. Cute seat and rack, and the polished ATEs look great. Well done gg.



I'd better not let Brunhilde see that picture. It'll raise her expectations.

[jagarra]

Thanks Charlie. I am afraid it looks better in the picture than what it's cosmetic condition is really like. Rusty bits on the frame, cracked paint on top of the tank, scratch marks from keys on headlight ears, but it has great patina. Only thing I have touched up are the replacement side covers as the color was not black. The seat is a LaPera brand, not made for a BMW, but for a Harley. Rack is after market for a Harley too. Rack choices are pretty slim except for that make.

Burped it another 2 days now, and I ordered a new brake cable to see how that make it feels. If it doesn't snow today I may get a chance to give it a try.

[Major Softie]

I've seen a few Beemers that have had that seat installed. It is supposed to be VERY comfortable.

That looks like one of the better thought out installation jobs.