VN1500 Drifter

[chief]

Hello all, my apologies for not returning to this issue, I had a tragedy in my life losing my dearly loved son. 

My heartfelt condolences and prayers to you and your family.

[Fitz]

Hello all, my apologies for not returning to this issue, I had a tragedy in my life losing my dearly loved son. Back to thinking about the bike now to try and get my mind off things. I got a UK company to manufacture a replacement brake line and got an overhaul kit for the master cylinder. I have not even looked at the bike for some time now but intend fitting everything soon - I'll let you know if I am sucessful

[circlej]

HEL do excellent braided replacement lines...
https://www.helperformance.com/kawasaki-vn1500-classic-d1-d2-e1-j1-j2-drifter-1996-1999-oem-replacement-braided-brake-lines

[Troll]

So, it was the flex hose, or are you still trying to figure it out? According to Partzilla's interchange list, the R hose is a replacement for the J hose. OEM Part Number: 43059-1318. They are available, and fit quite a few models back to '86...So, If the pressure doesn't drop off when you loosen the banjo fitting at the M/Cyl, then the hose is the problem..if it does, then it's the cylinder....

[Fitz]

Hello again, thanks for your help. I tried to find the flexible hose but the UK parts site says the hose is no longer available, anyone know the diemnsions and specification

[Troll]

There are two possibilities. One, the fluid compensator port in the master is plugged up, which will cause fluid to stay under pressure in the system, and not release when the pedal is up, and two, the brake flex hose has begun to deteriorate inside, and that is causing the problem, the same, basically, as the port being plugged. To determine which it is, first pump up the brake until it's locked, as you describe. Second, open the bleeder on the caliper. if fluid sprays out under pressure, and then the caliper is free, you have residual pressure. Third, Pump it up again and then loosen the fitting at the master cylinder. If it releases the caliper, then the problem is in the master. Fourth,  locate the spot where the steel line attaches to the rear hose. Pump it up one more time, and loosen the line connection, there. Each time you release pressure from a different spot, you can then eliminate the parts before it. As a side note, I've replaced a lot of flex hoses on older cars for this exact problem over my 40+ years an an auto tech.

[circlej]

Could be a blockage in the brake lines/master cyclinder. Drain and inspect the rear system, the tiny pinholes in the master cylinder could have debris in there preventing proper function. The sliding pins could also jammed with crud, remove, wire wool clean and reset.

[Fitz]

Hi all, Fitz from the UK. I have changed the rear pads of my J2 model Drifter some time ago. When I took it out the rear brake bound up and melted the caliper and pads. it just got so hot and I had to ride it to get back home. I took it easy and stopped every half mile or so but the brake was trashed. I got a used caliper from a UK breaker, overhauled it, fitted new pads but the same thing happened, I got it back home again, thought I had fixed the problem, fitted more new pads, just took it out again and the same thing has happened, I took a 10mm spanner with me just in case so when I felt it binding up, I released the pressure from the bleed screws, it was cooking again

Am I missing something here, it seems like a very simple two piston caliper but my brake seems to be holding on and not releasing

It free wheeled fine after I fitted the new pads

HELP