Brake Seizure on Monster 800?

**ginoT** · 28 Jun 07, 04:49 PM

yesterday I had a major service done on my M800. Today on the way to work the front brakes seized up on me without any warning

I've had the bike for 3.5 years and had no problems

for those of you who've haven't experienced a brake seizure (& I hope you don't) what happened was that the front brembos start braking a little at first and then quickly afterwards lock the front wheel. Yes I came off and luckily there was no traffic about. Recovery service took me back to the garage where the service was done.

the bike recently passed an MOT and during the service I had new brake fluid + levers put on. The brakes felt a sh*t load less airy after the service. It all seems like too much of a coincidence to me.

I'm going back to the garage tonight. I'm praying they're gonna sort it out, change the bits that broke as a result of the fall, all at no charge. The service cost me £700

any advice?

**cooleronthecoast** · 28 Jun 07, 04:56 PM

Wow, really sorry to here this, I hope the garage admits liability and it doesn't cost you to get your bike fixed. Sorry your first post here is a cautionary one but welcome anyway.

**ginoT** · 28 Jun 07, 05:26 PM

should have joined ages ago but this seemed like a good opportunity to say something.

I was just wondering if any of you guys (& girls) have had anything like this before. And if so if you've got any words of wisdom?

My only tip is if your bike starts braking without you doing it, or if it does anything even midly scary, stop. get off the bike and give it a good checking over. if everything seems fine ride off again and if you still get the same issue stop again and get breakdown recovery.

Even a Ducati is not worth killing yourself for..

XP · 28 Jun 07, 06:41 PM

This happened to my rear Brembo on my Red 999 before I sold it.

I very rarely use the rear brake but on occasions is a nice to have a dab for reassurance that it's still working.....

Anyway, came off a dual carriageway carrying a little bit of extra speed.. :wink: and had a dab to assist the front end...came off the roundabout at the top and I could feel the rear end tugging a bit.....

Came to the next roundabout, stopped for a car coming across, went to pull off......absolutley solid.....

Even the power of the Testastretta couldn't move it........

Turned out the back brake was on solid and I had to literally drag the rear end over to the kerb.

After about 10mins the heat transfer had dissipated and the pads retracted allowing me to ride off although the same thing happened just as I pulled up at my home address.......

I didn't mess about, brought a new caliper and everything was fine after that.

That reminds me, I must pull the old one apart to see if there's any causes that might be easy to spot....???

XP

**Bananaduke** · 28 Jun 07, 08:00 PM

This happened to me once on my old gsxr400. I was on the way home from work when the bike felt like it had no power.

I pulled the clutch in and the rear started to lift so I dropped a gear and did the longest burnout ever!!

That was scary because I didn't know what was happening. Luckily the breaks werent good enough to completely lock the front. But when I stopped they were smoking so bad.

I hope the garage accept liability and fix your bike to better than before.

Oh, and welcome

**ginoT** · 29 Jun 07, 08:12 AM

yeah the garage fixed em (+ all the other bits 'n bobs which broke due to the fall) at no charge. they made up some BS about the bearings had gone on the front wheel but oddly enough the brake now feels normal. I don't know what they did but reckon they put in way too much brake liquid in the reserve which somehow allowed pressure to build up. The recovery guy said you shouldn't top up your brake fluid. Either replace the brakes or nothing at all.

anyway I think they were just saving face from saying "sorry, we f*'ked up your brakes. Good thing you didn't die, huh". having said that the rest of the quality of the service was excellent so I think I'll stay with them