Hi all
2008 ZX 14. I have owned it since new. As I have and ride seven other street bikes, none of them, including the ZX 14, wind up with a lot of miles on them. The ZX 14 presently has roughly 3,500 miles on it.
The only "modification" to the front brake system is the replacement of the stock brake lines with Spiegler brake lines shortly after the bike was purchased, and installation of an adjustable CRG brake lever at the same time several years ago. I used Castrol DOT 4 synthetic brake fluid, and I have bled through the brake fluid each year with fresh Castrol DOT 4 synthetic. The last time this was done was when the bike was put away for the winter, in a heated garage, last October, and the bike just came out for its first ride yesterday.
I also fitted new tires last fall just before the bike was put away, Michelin Pilot Road 4 GT front and rear, in stock sizes.
yesterday I was taking it easy on the bike and myself for the first ride of the year, put on about 50 miles or so taking it easy, brakes were working normall,then wound the bike up to something nearer its actual potential. At speed the front end started to buck and shimmy and shake and continued to do so until I got the bike slowed down substantially, but as I was slowing down the front brake was not doing anything, I reduced speed by downshifting/engine braking/rear brake.
Pulled over, tested, and the front brakes were/are not working. The pull on the front brake lever/master cylinder feels relatively normal, the lever does not pull all the way into the bar for example, but no braking action occurs.
I rode the bike home using only the rear brake, although I kept trying the front brake without success. When I got home it was late and I didn't do anything with the bike other than park it, touch the front disks with my hand (they were cold), and check everything over quickly just visually. The front discs look normal, no scorching or discolouration, fluid level in the master cylinder is normal.
I am going to pull the entire braking system this weekend and have a look, strip the master cylinder, strip the calipers, etc.
Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?
Paul LeClair