Air in the brake lines?

[CrashGordon]

I took the bike in for the major service at 15k, and when I picked it up I was told that I had a warped rotor and that it would be covered under warranty. Then he told me to be careful since it's causing my front brake to "not always be there when you first squeeze the lever." I just assumed my brakes were not as good as they should be and that I had gotten used to them. Well on the way home, I found out what he meant. Had to pump the brakes a couple of times to get anything! Let me assure you, this was NOT the case when I dropped the bike off. I'm thinking they didn't properly bleed the brake lines (they did change the fluid). Does that sound right to you guys? I wanted to get the opinions of those more experienced than me before I call him back. Parts are on order for new rotors, but I want to make sure this gets fixed when I take it back in. Tends to be more of a problem when I first get going and is usually much improved after about five minutes of riding.

[lt1]

I seriously doubt they opened up the brake lines.  More than likely you are just feeling the result of the pistons being pushed back in.  Pump the lever several times, then tie in closed (about 3/8" off the grip) overnight, and you should have your old lever feel back.

[CrashGordon]

It says on the work receipt that the brake fluid was changed. Will give that a try, though. Thanks.

[lt1]

ABS is a little trickier to bleed.  If tying the lever off doesn't bring the lever feel back, IMHO the dealer s/b willing to address & fix the issue immediately or perhaps you may want to avoid using the bike until the new parts come it.

[VirginiaJim]

This all sounds a little strange to me.  What else did they do for the service?

[koval68]

I think that they've sucked out too much fluid out of your front master cylinder and as a result you've got air in the master now....I won't comment on how negligent they are for letting you leave their dealership with faulty brakes...

[Conrad]

If done right, ABS or not, the brakes are a piece of cake to change the fluid out and bleed. I used the Motion Pro brake bleeder and did both brakes and the clutch in less than 30 mins. That was with at least two beers being put in their place as well.

Who ever did your work sounds incompetent to me. I would talk to the service manager there if I were you.

[CrashGordon]

No ABS. Master cylinder is full. In fact, when I took it in it was low on the see through guage, now it's full and much lighter in color. Sorry lt1, tried your suggestion, but didn't change anything. I just want to sort out what it is. I don't want the dealer to think new rotors are going to solve the problem when it won't. Will also be getting new brake pads when the rotors are changed. I will be calling him back shortly, but I wanted some idea of what the problem was.

For those asking, this is the major maintenance at 15k miles. Minor service plus valve check and fluid replacement.

Thanks for the input.

[VirginiaJim]

Did they remove the front wheel for anything?

[CrashGordon]

Jim, I was wondering that myself. I can't think of any reason why they would have, but I don't know for sure.

[gPink]

I'm with Tom on this. Sounds like they sucked air in the master cylinder.

[Makz58]

I'm with Tom on this. Sounds like they sucked air in the master cylinder.

+1

[VirginiaJim]

I'm thinking that now as well...  I'm also thinking they opened themselves up to a tremendous liability by letting you ride it out of the shop.  Let them replace the rotors under warranty but make darn sure it's right before it leaves the shop.  In fact, I'd make them trailer it from your house to their shop.  I would not ride it anymore.  I don't understand how they could let you ride it away....

[Conrad]

I'm thinking that now as well...  I'm also thinking they opened themselves up to a tremendous liability by letting you ride it out of the shop.  Let them replace the rotors under warranty but make darn sure it's right before it leaves the shop.  In fact, I'd make them trailer it from your house to their shop.  I would not ride it anymore.  I don't understand how they could let you ride it away....

That's just crazy. I hope that you have another shop that you can take your bike to after this?

[CrashGordon]

It's not as dangerous as I think it must sound. Pretty much a couple of pumps when I start the bike and I have brakes the rest of the ride. It's just that they are not the same as they were when I dropped the bike off. It takes a lot more lever travel now than it use to and they are soft at first. I think they got air in the system but when they found the warped rotor, they assumed that was the problem and they didn't go back and check to make sure. Again, when I take it back in I want it back to normal so I want to tell them what I want checked before they roll it out of the shop.

[m919]

One would think the tech would test ride the bike before allowing it to leave the shop?