Brake issues 82 GL1100 I

[mikeavis]

I have an 82 GL1100 interstate and having issues with brakes. Was riding and car pulled out in front of me and when I hit the brakes I had no pressure. There had been no previous problems. Since this incident, I had the pads replaced. Pick up the bike rode about 1/2 mile went to stop at intersection and again no brake pressure. I got it home by riding extremely easy. Cannot find replacement calipers for sale anywhere and am not mechanical enough to rebuild mine and cannot afford shop rates for labor. But would love to get back to my therapy sessions this year. Any ideas??

[DaveO430]

Is that both front and rear? Do the brakes come back after it has sat a while? When was the last time the fluid was changed?

[mikeavis]

Have never had fluid changed since I bought in 2013. I am 3rd owner. Have not messed with it since i brought home after having pads replaced. Mainly because I was pissed about it. I was headed to get it inspected again so I ride last year so I could get tags for it and ride last year. They didn't come back as I drove it easy getting it as the guy that did brakes was already gone out of town that day. So, i haven't messed with it since. I really don't know anything about working on bikes.

[DaveO430]

Working on bikes is no different from working on cars except it's smaller, if you know anything about cars. I suspect the brakes are getting hot enough to boil the moisture that has collected in the fluid over time and causing failure. Changing the brake fluid may solve it, maybe not if the calipers are sticking.

[mikeavis]

Are they easy to rebuild. Is there a dyi help to rebuild them and how do you change the fluid? I have never known anybody having to flush and change brake fluid, until recently the dealer that was servicing my daughters Honda Civic recommended the sevice on it.

[DaveO430]

Go to the top of the page and click on the how to articles, everything you need is there. Changing brake fluid is something a lot of people never heard of but it is an important maintenance item on anything with hydraulic brakes.

[eklimek]

Welcome to the forum. It may be as simple as flushing the fluid.

Or

Time to consider rebuilding the brakes

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=44

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=46

Best of luck with the master cylinder circlip. It can be a challenge if corroded.

[Hoosier Jack]

This is something that you don't want to mess around with. You, or someone, has got to get intimate with your brakes. Sounds to me like you need to rebuild the master cylinders and the calipers. And probably change the brake lines. Does this sound like throwing money, and parts, at the problem? Yep, and I won't apologize for it. You just can't afford to have iffy brakes. I did this when I first got my 82 and now have "two-finger" brakes and they were crap before hand. Changed to SS lines as well.

Here is a start: viewtopic.php?f=11&t=44
The rest of the links are here and easy to follow, easily the best on the interwebs. You have an old bike and it is going to keep breaking down. (I resisted the urge to type braking down). Good luck and don't "stop" keeping us updated.