Rank: Newbie
Groups: Member
Joined: 4/8/2008
Posts: 3
Points: 9
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Hello,
I have had a persistent problem with my CRF450X and that is that the rear brake fails on hot days. The problem usually occurs when I am on a long descent and have been using the brake a lot. All at once the foot lever has no resistance and just doesn't work. A few minutes later it is fine. Once both brakes quit working like they should but the front still had a little bit of effect. What is wrong with these brakes. I haven't found anything on the web about problems with Honda brakes. Do you know anything about this?
TIA
Thad
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/2/2008
Posts: 269
Points: 284
Location: Pocatello
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Hello Thad,
Without knowing more details about your brake fade (does the lever go soft all at once, for instance, or is it gradual) my guess from what you've described is that you are experiencing "fluid fade" due to getting the fluid hot enough to vaporize. This has the effect of making an incompressible brake fluid a highly compressible gas. Any moisture in your brake fluid will exacerbate this effect. If it's fluid fade the onset is never actually under braking (this increases pressure and prevents the hot brake fluid from boiling) but, rather, after you've released the lever then pressed down on it again. Once the fluid cools down a bit if there aren't a lot of bubbles trapped in it normal braking returns.
If this is indeed the case the solution is DOT 5.1 brake fluid (or something with even a higher boiling point).
Hope this helps.
martin
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