Motorcycle Repair: 1982 Aspencade, 1982 aspencade, bike mechanic


Question
QUESTION: I am looking at a 1982 Aspencade to buy. It has been sitting a long time. I starts and seems to run pretty well. It will need a tune up and oil change. The only issue I have found with it is that the rear brakes are frozen. The price is right on the bike but I need to free up the brakes to move it. What can I do to free up the brakes. The tires are in good shape no rot, and the forks looked good. Any other advice would be most appreciated.

ANSWER: You will most likely need to take apart the brake, pump out the pistons and replace the seals.  Depending on how much corrosion is behind the seals, you may have to buy a replacement caliper.  Available on ebay for around $40 or so.

Good luck,  Jan

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Okay I am a moron how hard is this to do could you provide some simple steps ideally I just want to test the bike out to make sure nothing else is bad on it. Once and if I buy it I plan to take it to a bike mechanic to get it properly repaired. If there is a simple way to do it please tell me as I have limited skills in this area.

Answer
normally (depending on the length of time the bike has been parked) the brakes will unseize if you hit them with a large plastic mallet (NOT a HAMMER)just be careful not to apply the brakes during your test ride, as they will probably not release again.

Good luck,  Jan