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Thread: Adjusting Rear Brake - Am I Doing It Wrong?

  1. #1
    Senior Member Zanatos's Avatar
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    Adjusting Rear Brake - Am I Doing It Wrong?

    I just did my annual maintenance routine (2010 Yamaha FJR 1300) and took it out for a short test ride. The routine includes re-installing battery, flushing cooling system, changing oil and filter, changing driveshaft oil, checking brake/clutch fluid, checking tire condition/pressure, looking for leaks/loose bolts, and cleaning/inspecting everything I can think of.

    The bike is running great, but my rear brake seems to have too much "slack" before it engages. I adjusted/tightened the brake linkage, bled the system and topped off the fluid, but it still seems like I have to push down pretty far before I can feel the rear brake begin to grab. The brakes are fully hydraulic (twin disk front, single disk rear with linked ABS) so I don't think there are any other springs or cables that I can fiddle with.

    Any advice?


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    Member Okrapp's Avatar
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    Re: Adjusting Rear Brake - Am I Doing It Wrong?

    Not sure if just where they set that up and don't see a spec in the manual but almost an inch of travel on mine too ('13) before feeling the master.
    Last edited by Okrapp; Fri Mar 24th, 2017 at 06:32 PM.
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    Senior Member Zanatos's Avatar
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    Re: Adjusting Rear Brake - Am I Doing It Wrong?

    Maybe the system develops more travel as the pads get worn down. Mine still look like they have some meat on them though. I checked YouTube and the FJR forum but couldn't find any info.


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    Re: Adjusting Rear Brake - Am I Doing It Wrong?

    Do you have a repair manual for your bike? I have found it to be useful for troubleshooting or just making sure that I have everything installed properly.

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    Member texlurch's Avatar
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    Re: Adjusting Rear Brake - Am I Doing It Wrong?

    http://www.fjrforum.com/forum/index....owtopic=139387

    Are yours linked? Have you completely flushed the brake fluid thru since new? Old fluid does absorb moisture over time.
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    Senior Member Zanatos's Avatar
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    Re: Adjusting Rear Brake - Am I Doing It Wrong?

    Yes, the front and rear brakes are linked, but Yamaha did it in a way that is nearly unnoticeable.

    I haven't replaced the fluid completely. I might try that. I took a ride today and the rear brake felt a little better. I don't think it was ever very responsive, but I like all the controls to be quick and light.


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  7. #7
    Senior Member TFOGGuys's Avatar
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    Re: Adjusting Rear Brake - Am I Doing It Wrong?

    Power bleed the complete brake system. Since the front and rear are linked and ABS, there's about 15 feet of line to bleed, and a relatively small air bubble anywhere in the system will cause the symptoms you are having. The rear on the FJR will never have the "feel" of a direct actuation system, but steel braided lines (although very expensive and a bitch to install) help a bunch.
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