Brakes seem a little weak...

virtualgeorge · 10-16-2015, 09:45 PM

I have a 2006 1600 Nomad that I got just a few months ago.
Its seems like I really have to stomp on the brakes to get it to stop quickly.
Is that normal because of its size or do I have something up with my brakes?

Front & rear are the same, I can't get either to lock up if I try. Not that I want to go into a skid but any other bike I have owned I could lock up the brakes if I wanted to. There have been a few times over the years when hitting both brakes hard kept from hitting the car that pulled out in front of me.

Should my brakes lock up if I want them to?

thanks!

cactusjack · 10-16-2015, 09:58 PM

Yes they should. Have you flushed and changed your brake fluid?

OldSchool · 10-16-2015, 10:45 PM

Actually you should be able to lock up your brakes fairly easy. I would definitely go completely over the brakes and find out why. Flush and replacement of pads may help, but if they don't lock up after that then keep looking cause they should. Air in the brake lines can cause similar problems if not bled properly.

radco · 10-17-2015, 08:21 AM

As mentioned Flush and change the brake fluid! It should be clear! If it looks like coffee it really needs to be changed! :O Air bubbles in the fluid will also cause it to be spongy or not compress enough to grab the brakes good!I would also flush the clutch side as well! Also I would check the pads to see if they still have life to them or may be glazed over!!
Very easy to do I believe a step by step on Gadgets page!
If you have long arms you can bleed the brakes by your self!

Loafer · 10-17-2015, 08:46 AM

^^^
All good advice, another thing to check is the brake hoses, are they soft and
bulge out when the lever or pedal are applied? Maybe new hoses are in order.
I opted for the braided steel lines, and I have plenty of feel and stopping power
since I did this. Brakes (in my opinion) are the most important item on a MC.
Hope you solve the problem.

Chuck A. · 10-17-2015, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

.......Have you flushed and changed your brake fluid?

I can tell you that a fluid change is the best thing to do for the brakes. I would loose my weak rear brakes when riding in the mountains. Pumping the master cylinder dry. Did a fluid change and now I have to be careful how hard I get on them. Strong ain't the word for them. It also helped take the "hard to apply, notchy feeling" out of the front brake level. Smooth and strong now.

virtualgeorge · 10-17-2015, 11:59 PM

Thanks for the info!
Had just put new pads on the back & the front are good. Brake fluid was dirty so flushed that it stops a lot better not but still have to press kinda hard to get the rear to lock up but that will work.
thanks!

skiman · 10-18-2015, 12:12 AM

Torque RT700 is one of the best DOT 4 fluids you can buy very high wet and dry boiling point very good stuff if you run your brakes hard like during mountain riding

Vulcan Bill · 10-19-2015, 01:01 PM

You might try giving your brake rotors a very light buffing with some very fine sandpaper. Sometime a rotor will get a hard glazed finish on it and it reduces the pads ability to bite into it. Doesn't happen often but its not unheard of either. A light sanding (don't over do it) removes the glaze.

VulcanE · 10-19-2015, 01:29 PM

Like the others said, Brake fluid in good condition (should be changed at least every 2 years) A MityVac is awesome for this task.
Brake hoses in good condition (manual says to replace every 4 years) on this one I recommend switching to the braided stainless steel lines, you wouldn't believe the difference they make, and they have a lifetime warranty.
And it is a good idea to scuff the rotors with emery cloth like Bill suggested, this is good for car rotors too.

virtualgeorge · 11-14-2015, 01:10 PM

So I was looking for some brake lines on Amazon & eBay and found a few with a huge price difference.

FK003D487-3 $98.26
or FK003D487R 47.57

Pics & descriptions are the same but I assume you get what you pay for? Whats the diff?

Hoppy · 11-15-2015, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by virtualgeorge

So I was looking for some brake lines on Amazon & eBay and found a few with a huge price difference.

FK003D487-3 $98.26
or FK003D487R 47.57

Pics & descriptions are the same but I assume you get what you pay for? Whats the diff?

FK003D487-3 $98.26 These are for your front brakes only.
FK003D487R 47.57 These are for the rear brakes only.
It is always a good idea to check for the correct part numbers with the company that produces the item you intend to purchase. http://www.galferusa.com/brake-lines...g-motorcycles/

Hoppy

10-16-2015, 09:45 PM	#1
virtualgeorge Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: AJ, Arizona Posts: 57	Brakes seem a little weak... I have a 2006 1600 Nomad that I got just a few months ago. Its seems like I really have to stomp on the brakes to get it to stop quickly. Is that normal because of its size or do I have something up with my brakes? Front & rear are the same, I can't get either to lock up if I try. Not that I want to go into a skid but any other bike I have owned I could lock up the brakes if I wanted to. There have been a few times over the years when hitting both brakes hard kept from hitting the car that pulled out in front of me. Should my brakes lock up if I want them to? thanks! Login or Register to Remove Ads
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10-16-2015, 09:58 PM	#2
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Yes they should. Have you flushed and changed your brake fluid? __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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10-16-2015, 10:45 PM	#3
OldSchool Sr. Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Ballwin,MO. Posts: 1,542	Actually you should be able to lock up your brakes fairly easy. I would definitely go completely over the brakes and find out why. Flush and replacement of pads may help, but if they don't lock up after that then keep looking cause they should. Air in the brake lines can cause similar problems if not bled properly. __________________
	0

10-17-2015, 08:21 AM	#4
radco Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Dedham Maine Posts: 4,199	As mentioned Flush and change the brake fluid! It should be clear! If it looks like coffee it really needs to be changed! :O Air bubbles in the fluid will also cause it to be spongy or not compress enough to grab the brakes good!I would also flush the clutch side as well! Also I would check the pads to see if they still have life to them or may be glazed over!! Very easy to do I believe a step by step on Gadgets page! If you have long arms you can bleed the brakes by your self! __________________
	0

10-17-2015, 08:46 AM	#5
Loafer Sr. Contributor Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 18,287	^^^ All good advice, another thing to check is the brake hoses, are they soft and bulge out when the lever or pedal are applied? Maybe new hoses are in order. I opted for the braided steel lines, and I have plenty of feel and stopping power since I did this. Brakes (in my opinion) are the most important item on a MC. Hope you solve the problem. __________________ Gerry Martineau / 802 VT / VBA #0892 /[email]glmjgm@gmail.com[email] Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

10-17-2015, 11:59 PM	#7
virtualgeorge Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: AJ, Arizona Posts: 57	Thanks for the info! Had just put new pads on the back & the front are good. Brake fluid was dirty so flushed that it stops a lot better not but still have to press kinda hard to get the rear to lock up but that will work. thanks!
	0

10-18-2015, 12:12 AM	#8
skiman Advanced Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Nashville,NC Posts: 782	Torque RT700 is one of the best DOT 4 fluids you can buy very high wet and dry boiling point very good stuff if you run your brakes hard like during mountain riding __________________ 2002 Nomad 1500 FI 12" buckhorn apes Chuckster air kit Mustang seat and fender bib Avon Venom tires 2 right side Harley mufflers the quiet side. TFI fuel control Progressive 430 shocks 430-4213B (Best Mod to the bike I've made) Progressive fork springs (See Above) Kuryakyn grips A touch of chrome farkles Reckless fairing color match 2 tone paint. Kenwood deck with Polk 5 1/4" speakers. 2007 GSX1250 Stock for now
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10-19-2015, 01:01 PM	#9
Vulcan Bill Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Mesa Az Posts: 1,400	You might try giving your brake rotors a very light buffing with some very fine sandpaper. Sometime a rotor will get a hard glazed finish on it and it reduces the pads ability to bite into it. Doesn't happen often but its not unheard of either. A light sanding (don't over do it) removes the glaze. __________________ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- '05 1600CL. Originator 18" Harley wheel mod, Dobeck TFI, True Duals, Mutazu hardbags, Flanders handlebars n' a bunch more. *Sometimes I miss the good ol' days but most times I'm just glad I survived them*
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10-19-2015, 01:29 PM	#10
VulcanE Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 4,838	Like the others said, Brake fluid in good condition (should be changed at least every 2 years) A MityVac is awesome for this task. Brake hoses in good condition (manual says to replace every 4 years) on this one I recommend switching to the braided stainless steel lines, you wouldn't believe the difference they make, and they have a lifetime warranty. And it is a good idea to scuff the rotors with emery cloth like Bill suggested, this is good for car rotors too. __________________ Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381
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11-14-2015, 01:10 PM	#11
virtualgeorge Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: AJ, Arizona Posts: 57	So I was looking for some brake lines on Amazon & eBay and found a few with a huge price difference. FK003D487-3 $98.26 or FK003D487R 47.57 Pics & descriptions are the same but I assume you get what you pay for? Whats the diff?
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