Motorcycle Repair: Yamaha 750, brake caliper, yamaha 750

Question
Falcon,
Thanks for your answer on the Yamaha 750 that a man in my church simply GAVE to me.  I am really looking forward to getting it running.
Tires, battery, I definitely expected.  And the man DID put oil into the cylinders when he put it away.  It hadn't run in 19 years.  Does it make a difference that the bike is a 750?  Also, I know the front hand brake does not work.  Any suggestions
Thanks, again,
Hans

Answer
Hi again Hans.

Glad to hear that the cylinders were oiled before storage.

As far as the brake, you may need to replace the line, clean out the master cylinder and the caliper.  The brake fluid could have turned to gel over the years.

If the line needs replacement, then I recommend braided stainless lines.  They are very good and they do not expand under use like the factory lines do.

You will definitely need to bleed the brakes as well.  If the fluid in the master cylinder is still fluid, then you may just need to bleed the lines.  The proceedure is in the repair manual.

BUT WAIT!! THERE'S MORE!! (grin)

Check the entire system for potential leaks and make sure that all connections are tight and within specs.  Then proceed with the following proceedures:

1) Bleed the brakes normally.  Make sure that all of the air bubbles that you can normally find are out of the system.

2) Check the brake fluid level and top off as needed.

3) Cover the front area of the bike, near the handlebars on the brake side, with rags. (you will see when you actually perform this whole proceedure)

4) With safety glasses on, place a wrench on the banjo fitting (the bolt that holds the brake line to the master cylinder) and with the brake lever depressed, break the seal on the fitting and (BEFORE releasing the lever)tighten it back up.

5) Check the fluid level and test the brake.

6) Repeat steps 4 and 5 up to, but not more than, 3 times or until the brake works normally.

If this does not correct the problem, then there is the possibility that the brake caliper and/or master cylinder needs to be rebuilt.  That requires a kit that you can get at any bike shop.

 The average mechanically inclined individual can do this in about an hour with common hand tools.

Let me know how it goes.

Good luck and ride safe.
FALCON