Dragging Brakes

[scooterdog]

Even though my Tank 250 is still new and stiff, I felt like it should have more zip just putting around my neighborhood. So...I gabbed the front wheel with the scoot on centerstand, and I could barely spin it! I thought about removing the calipers and sanding off some precious pad, when I remembered that the small plastic spreader between the pads at setup was very thin and that I had to push on the caliper to get it to fit over the rotor. So I removed the top off the front brake reservoir and pulled a little fluid out (kinda nasty brownish brake fluid), then took a C-clamp and gently squeezed the piston back into the caliper about 1/8" or so. Placed it back over the rotor and tightened it all back up and gently pulled on the lever till it firmed up then added a bit of good brake fluid. Cover back on and a few more pulls firmed up the brake. Spun the wheel and it rolled much freer! Not spinning freely, but much better. Went for a ride and it was like having a couple of extra mousepower! So, if you are setting one of these up, you might watch for that. Simply squeezing a bit on pads to push outer pad back into the caliper (or spreading pads if you have that neat brake tool), may be all that is required to get the wheel to roll free. I guess in time with some pad wear it will be even much better.
scooterdog

[scooterollie]

scooterdog;
Keep an eye on that caliper. I don't think that was normal and shouldn't have anything to do with new pads and lack of wear. Maybe one of the pistons was hanging up and became freed-up by your compressing them. You should suck out the O.E. fluid, fill with new then bleed the calipers to get the rest of the old stuff out. I use Valvoline Synthetic (not silicone), a D.O.T. 4+ fluid excellent for disc brake vehicles.

[scooterdog]

Good Advice, much as I hate to just keep on going behind the factory, it seems like if you want these budget scoots to last and be safe, that is part of the "price". So... I will add that chore to the list of "upgrades" and "pre-repairs" that this site suggests. Thanks for your input.
scooterdog

[Admin]

On the original Tank 150 Touring, they had problems with the front brakes locking up. I think it was solved by replacing and bleeding the line. Stan will remember more about it.