Help,,Brakes on 79 kz400

The rotor does not move. The caliper does. When the outer pad/piston makes contact, it pushes the caliper body away from the rotor. This pulls the fixed inner pad towards the rotor on the opposite side. When both pads are in contact, the pads squeeze the rotor creating braking force.
Your pads may be worn thin, but even completely worn out pads will make contact on both sides. That's how rotors get grooved by the pad rivet heads. The pads are worn completely down to the base, but they still make contact on both sides. In theory, with no pads installed (zero thickness), you could pump the piston right out of the caliper. There's no internal stop. You still need to check your caliper.

MDZ1rider wrote: The rotor does not move. The caliper does. When the outer pad/piston makes contact, it pushes the caliper body away from the rotor. This pulls the fixed inner pad towards the rotor on the opposite side. When both pads are in contact, the pads squeeze the rotor creating braking force.
Your pads may be worn thin, but even completely worn out pads will make contact on both sides. That's how rotors get grooved by the pad rivet heads. The pads are worn completely down to the base, but they still make contact on both sides. In theory, with no pads installed (zero thickness), you could pump the piston right out of the caliper. There's no internal stop. You still need to check your caliper.

Will do...im gonna pull it apart today.. thank you,, this all makes sense...

MDZ1rider wrote: The rotor does not move. The caliper does. When the outer pad/piston makes contact, it pushes the caliper body away from the rotor. This pulls the fixed inner pad towards the rotor on the opposite side. When both pads are in contact, the pads squeeze the rotor creating braking force.
Your pads may be worn thin, but even completely worn out pads will make contact on both sides. That's how rotors get grooved by the pad rivet heads. The pads are worn completely down to the base, but they still make contact on both sides. In theory, with no pads installed (zero thickness), you could pump the piston right out of the caliper. There's no internal stop. You still need to check your caliper.

you were right on...the pin that allows the caliper to swivel was froze...Got it out and all new seals and lube installed..

However,,I crushed my thumb in between a bronze mallet and the vice.. broke 3 bones and crushed the joint..sooooo now im out of commission until the cast comes off !!!! BOOOOOOOOOO

OUCH! :ohmy: I don't remember that being part of the procedure. I hope it heals quickly.

That blows...We all accept riding Motorcycles can be dangerous, but not working on them. Hope things heal up fast. Hand injuries can be tough.
Thanks for following up that your problem was solved and how. I wish all posters would do that. If you search the archives you'll find many posts where someone has a problem and people offer advice. You don't know if it was good advise or not, because he original poster never bothers to respond with what actually fixed the problem. Feedback like yours validates the suggestions in the thread for other who may have the same problem in the future. It's how we all learn from each other and share the knowledge we've gained.

MDZ1rider wrote: That blows...We all accept riding Motorcycles can be dangerous, but not working on them. Hope things heal up fast. Hand injuries can be tough.
Thanks for following up that your problem was solved and how. I wish all posters would do that. If you search the archives you'll find many posts where someone has a problem and people offer advice. You don't know if it was good advise or not, because he original poster never bothers to respond with what actually fixed the problem. Feedback like yours validates the suggestions in the thread for other who may have the same problem in the future. It's how we all learn from each other and share the knowledge we've gained.

+1,
Pete
& sorry about your BOO BOO, firstimer,