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Adjusting the rear brakes to prevent lock-up


VTISC007
10-15-2004, 12:54 PM
2000 Yamaha R1.

Over the years, I have figured out that motorcycle racers have their rear brakes set up in a manner that prevents lock-up.
You could stand on the rear pedal as hard as you want, at any speed, and it will not lock up.
I've been riding street bikes for at least 20 years....mini-bikes, scooters, sport bikes, touring bikes, cruisers and most recently dirt bikes. All these years I've mainly relied on the front brakes and very little on the rear. Since I've been on a dirt bike, my rear brake skills have gotten better both on dirt and street.

My question, for anybody who might know:How do I get my rear brake to have the same feel?

Thanks

speediva
10-15-2004, 02:23 PM
Well, it is a dangerous idea, and I have been yelled at on the track for doing it, but if you bleed a SMALL bubble into the brake lines, it will usually keep your rear brake from locking because there is a little bit more give in the brake fluid. I am NOT by any means telling you to do it, but that is what I did... and like I said, I got in trouble for it on the track.

aussieidiot
10-15-2004, 02:34 PM
i've also seen a guy put an elastic band down in the lever to allow some extra give

VTISC007
10-16-2004, 09:53 AM
I don't understand why it would be so dangerous, your primary stopping force is the front brake anyway.

So, how would you know if that bubble is SMALL, and how would you go about introducing that SMALL bubble.

I wonder if there is a brake pad more slip and less bite.

speediva
10-16-2004, 10:12 AM
I got in trouble for it at the track because of all the safety requirements they have... there was too much "give" in the rear brake pedal for their liking. They let me go out eventually anyway because it was a "starter" section and not advanced.

As for introducing the bubble, my dad has a brake bleeder pump thing and we were able to configure something to be able to control the air, but that was 3 years ago, so I don't remember the specifics. I didn't have to do anything to my current bike because it's rear brakes aren't as harsh as the other one.

Z_Fanatic
10-17-2004, 03:59 PM
If you prevent locking up, your rear brake will become a lot like ABS, it will require a few more tenth secs of distance for the bike to stop. I am one of those people who don't mind the idea as long as it prevents highside.

aussieidiot
10-18-2004, 02:52 PM
i'm trying to get my head around this one. when you brake hard enough on the track, your arse is so close to being off the ground that any rear brake could lock it easily. when fully off the the pressure required to lock the rear is minimal when the thottle is closed. maybe try to adjust your throttle to idle quicker so when you do get off the thottle and brake it will still have enough drive to cancel rear braking down to your desired level.

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