Stiff front brake on Djebel 200 - Cause???

[Firecoast]

since i bought the 200 it's front brake has been somewhat stiff, but it was manageable...

lately... i have to start braking 2kms before the stop street in order for it to work.

talking about the actual lever...

any possible ideas as to why it is so and how to sort it?

thanks

[buzzlightyear]

Does it have drum brakes or disc brakes? Maybe oil on the disc/brake shoes from a leaking fork seal?

[Firecoast]

disc...

no leaking fork seals.

i think the problem lies with the actual lever... i think...

[Firecoast]

i must add that the back brake works perfectly...

[Sparky]

Did you check the cable? It may be stretched or busy breaking (excuse the pun ).

 Had the same problem on my TTR. Swopped cable and problem was sorted.

[Firecoast]

Did you check the cable? It may be stretched or busy breaking (excuse the pun ).

 Had the same problem on my TTR. Swopped cable and problem was sorted.

haven't checked anything yet. was busy de-rusting some bits over the weekend and remembered about the brake lever.

will pull out the manual over the weekend and have a look.

[RobC]

It could be the slider pins on the caliper that are binding, would also make the lever feel stiff.

[Operator]

Lets start at the beginning.................the Djebel 200's brake system is very poor and does not stop good and fast. That feature comes standard with the bike 

Maybe it is a stiff caliper or air in the brake fluid.

The only way your gonna know is to open the whole system and to
check everything and replace brake fluid.

[Firecoast]

The only way your gonna know is to open the whole system and to
check everything and replace brake fluid.

oh donner!!!!!

[RobC]

The only way your gonna know is to open the whole system and to
check everything and replace brake fluid.

oh donner!!!!!

That is the only way to get it 100% again, strip, clean and replace any parts thet need replacement.
My quess is corrosion somewhere as you did mention rust.
Have fun, this is a good way to get to know the bike and makes you more indipendent and capable to manage a situation out in the sticks.

[Firecoast]

you are right robc...

i don't touch the xt until the warranty expires and i have tinkered with the 200 every so often... nothing major... just cleaning airfilter and so on and it's nice to know what this bit and that thingy is...

good practice indeed!

[buzzlightyear]

Brake Fluid might be past it's sell-by date as Operator said. Or the brake pads are worn, does it make a screeching metal on metal sound 

[lecap]

Correctly mentioned the DR200 200Djebel front brake is a bit of a joke and not a very good one

It needs a hefty squeeze to work and I think stuff like locking your front on good dry tar is virtually impossible even after getting a bit of temperature into the disc & pads.

Looking at the brakes working even less I'd have a look at the caliper floater pins. If they are lekker check if the brake releases without binding. If not either the caliper dust seal is ruined or gunked up with filth or the fluid seal is old & hard.
If the brakes were binding you will have to get new pads since they will be glazed over. If they are fairly new sanding the pad surface a bit might do the trick too.

The brake lever should not require anything beyond a drop of oil for the pivot and onto the pusher cam/ bolt after every wash.

Fixing the brakes is a relatively easy and quick operation but should ideally be done by a pro.

[Firecoast]

brake caliper and everything inside it... sliding pin and and and was completely BONE DRY...

brake fluid was also a very nice colour of brown 

dux sourcing pads for me.

thanks for the help donald!