X31 Front Brake Caliper

scaliose · 08-09-2011, 03:05 PM

Hey folks. I received my new 250CC x31 GIO yesterday and am having an issue with the front caliper. The pistons are extended too far and need to be retracted. Can anyone suggest an easy way to do this? I don't really want to bleed the brake system. I do have a piston retractor for cars but it's only designed for a single piston caliper.

Thanks!

katoranger · 08-09-2011, 05:56 PM

I use a large c-clamp. place something flat across the pistons and then squeaze with the clamp.

scaliose · 08-10-2011, 10:53 AM

OK I tried pushing those pistons back last night again. I had the C clamp on and two thick pieces of metal and I'd be damned if I could get it to go back. Decided to bite the bullet and opened up the bleeder valve. Both pistons slid back like silk. Luckily I have a mighty-vac to bleed motorcycle brakes.

Weldangrind · 08-10-2011, 10:56 AM

Were the calipers installed on the rotors when they hyper-extended?

scaliose · 08-10-2011, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Were the calipers installed on the rotors when they hyper-extended?

No, it appears that in the factory they are supposed to put two plastic wedges between the brake pads to stop the pistons from hyper extending. Mine only came with a wedge on one side, it allowed the other piston to creep out.

Weldangrind · 08-10-2011, 11:01 PM

Sounds like it's not a faulty caliper then. Were you able to bleed the caliper properly?

scaliose · 08-11-2011, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Sounds like it's not a faulty caliper then. Were you able to bleed the caliper properly?

I haven't gotten around to bleeding it yet. I might try to do that this morning.

scaliose · 08-11-2011, 12:52 PM

Looks like I'll be trying to source a new front caliper. I can't get the thing to actuate at all. Went through a bunch of brake fluid trying to bleed the brakes.

Weldangrind · 08-12-2011, 11:02 AM

If it won't bleed despite using a Mighty Vac, then it sounds like a faulty caliper.

scaliose · 08-16-2011, 10:26 PM

I ordered a new front brake caliper from GIO bikes and received it after a couple of days. I was surprised to find it also included a new brake master and lever. Installed and working as it should.

Weldangrind · 08-17-2011, 01:09 AM

Good news, and now you have a spare master and lever.

08-09-2011, 03:05 PM	#1
scaliose Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 26	X31 Front Brake Caliper Hey folks. I received my new 250CC x31 GIO yesterday and am having an issue with the front caliper. The pistons are extended too far and need to be retracted. Can anyone suggest an easy way to do this? I don't really want to bleed the brake system. I do have a piston retractor for cars but it's only designed for a single piston caliper. Thanks!
	0

08-10-2011, 10:56 AM	#4
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Were the calipers installed on the rotors when they hyper-extended? __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

08-10-2011, 11:01 PM	#6
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Sounds like it's not a faulty caliper then. Were you able to bleed the caliper properly? __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

08-12-2011, 11:02 AM	#9
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	If it won't bleed despite using a Mighty Vac, then it sounds like a faulty caliper. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

08-17-2011, 01:09 AM	#11
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Good news, and now you have a spare master and lever. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

08-09-2011, 05:56 PM	#2
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	I use a large c-clamp. place something flat across the pistons and then squeaze with the clamp.
	0

08-10-2011, 10:53 AM	#3
scaliose Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 26	OK I tried pushing those pistons back last night again. I had the C clamp on and two thick pieces of metal and I'd be damned if I could get it to go back. Decided to bite the bullet and opened up the bleeder valve. Both pistons slid back like silk. Luckily I have a mighty-vac to bleed motorcycle brakes.
	0

08-11-2011, 12:52 PM	#8
scaliose Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 26	Looks like I'll be trying to source a new front caliper. I can't get the thing to actuate at all. Went through a bunch of brake fluid trying to bleed the brakes.
	0

08-16-2011, 10:26 PM	#10
scaliose Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 26	I ordered a new front brake caliper from GIO bikes and received it after a couple of days. I was surprised to find it also included a new brake master and lever. Installed and working as it should.
	0