Motorcycle Repair: Disc Brake Honda 1971 CB450 K4, disc brake pad, electric hotplate

Question
I am restoring a 1971 CB450 K4.The front disc brake pad and cylinder are stuck in caliper A.I have tried compressed air,spraying with antirust sprays and using a rubber mallet.Nothing will dislodge the stuck pad and cylinder underneath,any suggestion?Thanks.

Answer
Mark, if your master cylinder is fresh and functioning properly, just hook the brake line back up to the caliper and use the hydraulic pressure to push the piston/pad out of the caliper body. That normally works in most cases.

If try something like drilling a hole into the pad to secure a slide hammer screw in the metal backing, note that many of the older pads were made of asbestos back then, so use care with the filings and debris from working with that substance.

Something else to try might be to boil the caliper in water for awhile, using an electric hotplate to help loosen things up. They apply air pressure or the brake fluid line to push it apart.

Hope that helps...

Bill Silver