Front Brake Binding

My Swing has about 50K miles on it, and I notice that if it lies unused for a while, the front brake pads are grabbing the disc making it difficult push, especially backwards when sitting on it.

It does free-up a bit when ridden for a distance, but when the throttle is closed it doesn't freewheel very well, and as it comes to a stop it's quite evident that the brakes are binding.

When applied the front brake works as it should. giving me the impression that the caliper is not seized.

Does anyone have experience of this problem, before I begin to investigate?

Try to clean the caliper pistons.There are three.Make them appear from the inner of the caliper as much as possible by pressing both levers at a time carefuly not to take them off the caliper.With a tooth brush and a brake cleaner spray clean pistons from brake residues.Then clean and lubricate calipers slider rod with high heat grease.Hope this will help

The brake pads, while not down to the steel, are pretty low, probably about an eight of an inch left, but I noticed that there are no anti-rattle shims behind them.

I cleaned all pistons thoroughly but I think the top piston in the caliper is sticking because it's out a bit far, but not so the bottom one, even though it's out the same distance.

Isn't that somewhat strange?

I need to order new pads, because no dealer near me had them in stock.

Do I get sintered or organic?

Did I read somewhere that the Swing brake pads are the same as the Goldwing or the Valkyrie?

I use the OE pads and they come with the anti-rattle shims. Only one time I bought EBC brand pads because I heard how great they are. I didn't like the way they sounded, like they were sticking or dragging. When they wore down and it was time to replace them they had also wore the disk down. I bought a new OE disk and pads and have never had a problem since. I'm sure some will differ but my advice would be buy the Honda OE pads.

OEM Pads for sure.The best you can get and yes ,they are HH sintered

Are the pistons in the non ABS and ABS Front Caliper the same size?

I'm thinking that maybe I'll have to rebuild the caliper and since I don't yet have the workshop manual I'm wondering if some Swing owner might post an exploded view of the caliper that will help me.

Will this help? FRONT CALIPER

Roger,

Thanks for that exploded view.

It certainly helps to know where you are going.

My 09 swing's OEM original pads looks in new condition after 72 k kl ,all my riding is HYW driving .It must be the reason why thy look in that condition.The grove mark that tell's you to replace the pads are near the bace on the pads. IMO I think silverwingers   replace the pads before it's time.

It is pretty simple to refurbish the brake calipers.

If you are going to work on the front caliper it will be much easier to to disassemble it if you break loose the two backing plate bolts (#21) before you remove the caliper from the fork tube.

Realistically all that needs to be done, in most cases, is to clean up the caliper cylinders with a small cylinder hone or very fine emery cloth, and clean the pistons with brake cleaner and a brass brush. Once everything is scrupulously cleaned all you need do is to replace the seals (#1 & #2) lube them with fresh brake fluid and reassemble. Of course then you'll need to bleed the brake system too. Don't forget to retorque those backing plate bolts once you've reinstalled the caliper on the fork tube.

The entire process is actually easier than it sounds. Check YouTube; there are lots of DIY videos about this procedure. IMHO the biggest PITA is bleeding the brakes. HTH

Tim