Author Topic: Front brake stopped working after changing fork oil  (Read 2594 times)

quochuy

  • aka Huy
  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 15
    • View Profile
Front brake stopped working after changing fork oil
« on: November 08, 2022, 01:27:49 PM »
So I followed the other post to change my fork oil but for some reason after putting all back together the front brake stopped working. The brake lever is all soft and would travel all the way towards the handle bar. It does apply a tiny amount of brake but I could still move the wheel by pushing it a bit.

What’s happened?
How can I fix this?

Thanks
Huy
2008 Kymco People S 200

Iahawk

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2637
  • Eastern Iowa, USA
    • View Profile
Re: Front brake stopped working after changing fork oil
« Reply #1 on: November 08, 2022, 02:06:09 PM »
sounds like you have air in the system (or you somehow lost your brake fluid?). I would bleed your front brake to make sure the air is out and it's full of fresh fluid. Make sure you didn't somehow loosen your banjo bolt or bleed nipple on caliper.

Bleeding the brake requires separating the front headlight cover to access the front master cylinder. 4 screws and 2 small bolts down on either side must be removed, along with the front turn signals (unbolt them and move them out of the way).

The headlight cover remains fixed, the rear part that includes the instrument panel is what will be pulled back toward you, exposing the brake master cylinder. I'm sure there are some threads detailing this process.

Lots of knowledgeable folks on this forum to provide help.
2010 People S200 - sold after 8 wonderful years!
2014 Ninja 300
1996 Honda Helix
1984 Honda Nighthawk 650

quochuy

  • aka Huy
  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 15
    • View Profile
Re: Front brake stopped working after changing fork oil
« Reply #2 on: November 09, 2022, 07:32:44 AM »
Hmm trying to access the master cylinder but cannot get the cover out
2008 Kymco People S 200

quochuy

  • aka Huy
  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 15
    • View Profile
Re: Front brake stopped working after changing fork oil
« Reply #3 on: November 09, 2022, 10:55:32 AM »
All good now. Bleeder the system. Brakes are working now
2008 Kymco People S 200

Neil955i

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4552
  • Cheshire, UK. The older I get, the faster I was...
    • View Profile
Re: Front brake stopped working after changing fork oil
« Reply #4 on: November 09, 2022, 11:31:16 AM »
All good now. Bleeder the system. Brakes are working now

Well done, good to read!
Regards & ride safe,
Neil

Current garage:  Kymco DTX360 & Triumph Street Triple 675R
Past bikes: BSA C15. Honda S/wing (GL500). Kawasaki GPz750. BMW K100RS. Kawasaki GPZ900R. Yamaha FJ1200 x2. Sprint. Triumph Daytona 900. Kawasaki ZX-7R. T595 Daytona. Kawasaki ZX-9R x2. Triumph Daytona 955i. X-Town

Iahawk

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2637
  • Eastern Iowa, USA
    • View Profile
Re: Front brake stopped working after changing fork oil
« Reply #5 on: November 09, 2022, 12:56:55 PM »
Great to hear! Separating the headlight covers is one of the more difficult jobs with this particular scooter.

My fork oil change improved the ride significantly. Did you notice a big difference?
2010 People S200 - sold after 8 wonderful years!
2014 Ninja 300
1996 Honda Helix
1984 Honda Nighthawk 650

quochuy

  • aka Huy
  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 15
    • View Profile
Re: Front brake stopped working after changing fork oil
« Reply #6 on: November 10, 2022, 03:54:21 AM »
I only had to separate the dashboard and the cover it's attached to. I had to unscrew the speedometer rod out of it to be able to move it out enough to access the master cylinder. Definitely more challenging the process to change the fork oil.

When I changed my stock rear suspensions with YSS ones, I did notice the stock ones were old and were very hard to push down while the YSS were very smooth.
When I removed the fork suspensions, they seemed quite smooth already so I was sceptical that changing their oil would help with anything but I did it anyway. The oil that came out was all black and stinky so it's a good thing anyway. However, when I went for a test ride, it did improve it, going on small bumps on the road would jerk the scooter up while it's a lot smoother now. Will be definitely better for the wrists as well. Worth the effort.
2008 Kymco People S 200

Iahawk

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2637
  • Eastern Iowa, USA
    • View Profile
Re: Front brake stopped working after changing fork oil
« Reply #7 on: November 10, 2022, 01:21:19 PM »
yes, the fork oil change makes such a big difference for such a small cost and amount of work. It made my scoot enjoyable to ride, again.

What YSS shocks did you get? Do you have a part number? I don't recall hearing of anyone changing their rear shocks on this scoot. Feel free to post a picture of your scoot with the new shocks, I'd love to see that!
2010 People S200 - sold after 8 wonderful years!
2014 Ninja 300
1996 Honda Helix
1984 Honda Nighthawk 650

Neil955i

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4552
  • Cheshire, UK. The older I get, the faster I was...
    • View Profile
Re: Front brake stopped working after changing fork oil
« Reply #8 on: November 11, 2022, 08:04:25 AM »
I’ve now switched to YSS shocks on two of my scooters Hawk and found it to be beneficial on both occasions!
Regards & ride safe,
Neil

Current garage:  Kymco DTX360 & Triumph Street Triple 675R
Past bikes: BSA C15. Honda S/wing (GL500). Kawasaki GPz750. BMW K100RS. Kawasaki GPZ900R. Yamaha FJ1200 x2. Sprint. Triumph Daytona 900. Kawasaki ZX-7R. T595 Daytona. Kawasaki ZX-9R x2. Triumph Daytona 955i. X-Town

quochuy

  • aka Huy
  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 15
    • View Profile
Re: Front brake stopped working after changing fork oil
« Reply #9 on: November 11, 2022, 11:57:44 AM »
It was YSS 40028 with a length of 330mm.

Next time I change them, I'll go for a gas one, maybe their G-Sport.
2008 Kymco People S 200

Iahawk

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2637
  • Eastern Iowa, USA
    • View Profile
Re: Front brake stopped working after changing fork oil
« Reply #10 on: November 11, 2022, 01:49:32 PM »
good looking scooter! I see you have the non US, led tail light, where are you located?
2010 People S200 - sold after 8 wonderful years!
2014 Ninja 300
1996 Honda Helix
1984 Honda Nighthawk 650

Stig / Major Tom

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 14692
  • Rural Ohio
    • View Profile
Re: Front brake stopped working after changing fork oil
« Reply #11 on: November 12, 2022, 04:44:56 PM »
A 200 with a kick start ?!?

I didn't know they made those.

Stig
Boston Strong
Rural Ohio

And, I'm feeling a little peculiar.

Iahawk

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2637
  • Eastern Iowa, USA
    • View Profile
Re: Front brake stopped working after changing fork oil
« Reply #12 on: November 13, 2022, 01:44:00 AM »
A 200 with a kick start ?!?

I didn't know they made those.

Stig

yep, mine has it, too. I think the carb'd bikes have kick starts?
2010 People S200 - sold after 8 wonderful years!
2014 Ninja 300
1996 Honda Helix
1984 Honda Nighthawk 650

quochuy

  • aka Huy
  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 15
    • View Profile
Re: Front brake stopped working after changing fork oil
« Reply #13 on: November 14, 2022, 10:31:30 PM »
good looking scooter! I see you have the non US, led tail light, where are you located?

I'm from NSW, Australia.
2008 Kymco People S 200

Iahawk

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2637
  • Eastern Iowa, USA
    • View Profile
Re: Front brake stopped working after changing fork oil
« Reply #14 on: November 14, 2022, 10:40:49 PM »
I'm from NSW, Australia.

welcome to the forum! (not sure if we've given you a proper welcome?)

One of my favorite youtube moto vloggers is Danny Hayes (aka The Million Dollar Bogan). He lives in Melbourne and has ridden various bikes all over Australia. I always enjoy seeing the different parts of Australia, beautiful country!
2010 People S200 - sold after 8 wonderful years!
2014 Ninja 300
1996 Honda Helix
1984 Honda Nighthawk 650

An Error Has Occurred!

Call to undefined function split()