The front brake lever won't go back as normal

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by alantf

In over forty years of riding/driving I have NEVER EVER changed brake fluid. NEVER EVER had a problem. Am I just lucky?

Maybe but I've had a LOT of vehicles over the years that I never messed with the brake fluid .....and didn't have any problems either. I have now decided to have the fluid " serviced" whenever the pads/shoes are replaced.

The old fluid will turn VERY dark but a routine changing on SOME schedule is probably best......even if it is every 5 years.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by mrlmd1

On the parts fiche on here and Ron Ayers there is no spring behind the brake handle to push it out. The whole system is hydraulic. There is a piston/cup assembly in the master cylinder which looks like it has a spring in it.

Which is the spring I was referring to. The spring pushes the piston back which in turn pushes the lever.
Yes indeed it needs to be fixed. Might be an early warning sign of master cylinder failure !!

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

Maybe but I've had a LOT of vehicles over the years that I never messed with the brake fluid .....and didn't have any problems either. I have now decided to have the fluid " serviced" whenever the pads/shoes are replaced.

The old fluid will turn VERY dark but a routine changing on SOME schedule is probably best......even if it is every 5 years.

What I was taught was that water can mix in with the brake fluid over time, which in turn could lead to real problems with how the brakes function, and the idea being, why take the chance -especially with your brakes, of all things? I'm not mechanically astute enough to explain the technicalities, but I know I've read that in several reputable sources and told that by my mechanic and others. Seems a relatively inexpensive thing to do, at least every 2 - 3 years, considering what's at risk, no?

Keith

[GZ250]

The brake fluid color was yellowish (new brake fluid is colorless) when i removed from the reservior. But ended up with another issue.

[Water Warrior 2]

Just a thought. Did you use the correct spec brake fluid ?? They do not mix and could be your problem.

[alantf]

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

Just a thought. Did you use the correct spec brake fluid ?

dot3 & dot4 will mix. It's just a difference in what operating temperatures they will take. Suzuki recommend dot4, which is the higher temperature, so I see no reason to not use this exclusively.

dot5, on the other hand is mineral based, & WILL NOT mix with dot3 or dot4. I believe that Harley is just about the only bike to use dot5. DO NOT USE DOT5 ON YOUR GZ!

(I'm assuming that the dot system is in use in America)

[dannylightning]

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

Just a thought. Did you use the correct spec brake fluid ?? They do not mix and could be your problem.

it does say you must only use the type of fluid it recommends.. i have always found that what ever it had in it origionally is the only thing you should ever use.

[GZ250]

I used Dot 4. after so much back and forth now i think either the problem is with the caliper assembly or up in the rubber boot that pushes the lever back.

[Water Warrior 2]

GZ250, don't take this as an insult but as a concern for your safety. You sound like you are in over your head and grasping at straws to fix the problem. Take the bike to a shop and have an experienced person fix it right. Do not ride there, the front brake is the most important part of the bike and a life saver if anything silly happens on the road. Explain what you did to the bike and let the shop reinstall the new brake shoes and get you back on the road safely.

[GZ250]

you are right, i got frustrated today as i had a appointment and i wanted to go on the bike and brake fixing was not going anywhere. Now i will have a fresh start on saturday and wont give up, if i have to open the caliper assembly i will do that also. if i take to the shop now or later they will anyway charge me for an hour or more so first i will do my best.

Thanks W Worrior - you judged my frustration will have something to tell tomorrow, may be something has gone bad in master cylinder or reservior.