Bike unused for while now front wheel brakes sticking

[Tonyj]

Ok, havent ran my 3EN1 for a bit and today pulled off the paddock stands and as Im wheeling it out the workshop it felt like the brakes were being applied, took lot more effort. Up until couple weeks ago when i left it the front wheel spun nice and freely but today its sticking.

Is this common after a bikes sat? It was in regular use until i bought it but Ive only ridden it round the carpark where I work a few times up until a few weeks ago. All Ive done to the front end was put the paddock stand under yesterday for first time, its not been in bits at all.

Apologies if theres an answer here for this type of question, I couldnt find similair.

Cheers
Tony

[Evilchicken0]

it does happen that the pads might bind. it could be that they were dirty when you bough it or that maybe when you road it they got something on them.

You could try cleaning them initially with a hose and see if that helps. If not take them off the forks take the pad pins out and drop out the pads and clean them with brake cleaner and a toothbrush, (spray it on brush all round and spray again to clean it off). Reinstall the pads with Coppaslip on the back and put the padpins in, again with coppaslip on. Clean the discs with brake cleaner and bolt up the calipers.

The third way is as above but you split the calipers and replace the seals, clean the pistone and reassemble, but you need a bit of confidence to do this.

[Tonyj]

Thanks Evilchicken, Ill have a go over the weekend, I didnt know a great deal about bikes but Im beginning to understand them a lot more thanks to members like yourself on here.

[Evilchicken0]

Yamaha calipers can be a bit finiky, they don't like to be dirty. When they're clean though they're fine.

Have a look at the fluid and if it's dark it's probably bestter to bleed som new stuff through, then you might as well do the rear too. One thing though make sure you use the right screwdriver bit in the resorvior screws and press down while you break the torque. If they're a bit mangled then replace them (maybe use some allen heads from ebay) and use some coppaslip on the threads don't over tighten them.

People don't like brakes but once you've done them they're ok.

[Tonyj]

Thanks evilchicken, didnt get round to doin the brakes when I expected but got forks off and time to do em. when removing the front wheel the brakes were really clamped onto the rim took some effort to prise the wheel from them but gonna take your advice andsort the pistons etc while Im on as per another post Ive seen here.

the bike is stored in my valeting bay and I use a lot of silicone spray etc which i think isnt helping stuff like this so Im off to get a bike cover to replace the plastic sheet im currently using.

[Evilchicken0]

The plastic probably causes condensation to form under it, use a cotton sheet, or a duvet cover.

My dad was a chaufeur so I've done my fair share of valeting

[Tonyj]

Yeh, cheaper than a bike cover too

[Evilchicken0]

true

[Hogdigerdy Dog]

when removing the front wheel the brakes were really clamped onto the rim took some effort to prise the wheel from them

just for future reference (as iv'e just had a similar problem) the best way to free it all off is remove the pin from the calipers (that holds the pads in) then undo the calipers and you can slide the calipers off pretty easily leaving the pads behind just remember to catch the pads once the calipers come free then you can remove the wheel real easy

(the back plate of the pad being flat whilst the pad surface takes the shape of the disc and most discs have a lip where they've worn, this generally where they get stuck)

[Tonyj]

when removing the front wheel the brakes were really clamped onto the rim took some effort to prise the wheel from them

just for future reference (as iv'e just had a similar problem) the best way to free it all off is remove the pin from the calipers (that holds the pads in) then undo the calipers and you can slide the calipers off pretty easily leaving the pads behind just remember to catch the pads once the calipers come free then you can remove the wheel real easy

(the back plate of the pad being flat whilst the pad surface takes the shape of the disc and most discs have a lip where they've worn, this generally where they get stuck)

Cheers Hogdigerdy Dog, ill def remember that should I come across it again.. at first i thought the discs were warped but after (trying) to spin the wheel it was obviously not the case.